new to running

17 rep

Training for the mini marathon. Any suggestions?

19 rep

couch to 5k is a great program!!!!

19 rep

Eat carbs and soak your feat every night. Good running shoes that FIT your feet

19 rep

What alexkna said about "investing" in good running shoes with proper support goes a long way (shin splints can put a huge hamper on training). Other than that I would just say set realistic goals depending on how much time you have to train up to this, try not to "cram" your body for a marathon

19 rep

In terms of good running shoes, I've always found Asics to be the best. Grab a pair geared towards your natural foot-fall (overpronation or underpronation). In regards to training, run for four or five days a week and then rest or crosstrain for the other two. When you run for those four or five days, one should be a speed workout, perhaps on a track. One should be a light, easy run to give your muscles time to heal and build themselves up, two should be standard runs (not jogs; RUNS), and then the final day should be a slightly longer run.

17k rep

MemberMadison, AL

Save yourself a lot of heartache in the future and learn a good running technique now. There are running "purists" out there who would suggest learning how to run short distances barefoot in order to get the proper technique. I'm not going to suggest that because it can lead to injury. Instead, look into either the Pose Method or Chi Method for shoe running.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvbhZKxAzPI&feature=related

Also, barefoot purist

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3Nt4WgQed8

Anyway, #1 rule is -> DO NOT HEEL STRIKE.

49k rep

MemberSmyrna, TN

@ChrisDietz-- please, please come and stand in front of the treadmills at our AF and preach that, loud and clear, about every 5 minutes-- if you can shout it over the herd of Elephants we seem to have running there!

4.8k rep

MemberLawrenceville, GA

What the heck is a "MINI-marathon?" I agree with Chris, use the Pose or Chi method, and save yourself some heart-ache down the road (no pun intended. Google Jeff Galloway's training programs. They are free and simple.

17k rep

MemberMadison, AL

@Vicki - Well. I admit that it's hard for me to keep the style for long distances on a treadmill, especially the Pose method. The constant speed just makes it difficult.

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Vicki? "if you can shout it over the herd of Elephants we seem to have running there!" Encouragement is what those people need - not your nasty remarks. We didn't get in that shape overnight and it will take time for us to get back to the perfect body you have - but we are trying.

49k rep

MemberSmyrna, TN

@lglaske-- actually, the 'elephants" refer's to the sound of the heavy footfalls caused by the plethora of folks who run flatfooted on the treadmill. One of the worst offenders at our club is a 98# perkly little blonde. Another is a 123# bikini competitor. They just run flatfooted. Period. My comment was in response to Chris' admonition "do not heel strike."

I doubt there are many folks here how haven't struggled with their weight, or at least express nothing but compassion for what others struggle with-- including those of us who have lost significant weight and been called 'elephants' and much worse in their lifetimes. However, one can not prevent every single person on the planet from being offended, especially from attempts at humor.

17k rep

MemberMadison, AL

Yeah, the noise complaint was the way I interpreted it. Maybe a zebra, gazelle, or some other lean stampeding mammal would have been a more apt animal metaphor.

49k rep

MemberSmyrna, TN

A herd of giraffes, chasing a herd of zebras, running down a herd of meerkats wearing cement shoes carrying 50# sacks of brown jasmine rice.

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Haha, Vicki! I pull out my headphones every once in awhile to see how loud Im running.