Hey, Lounge ... I had my best run yet this morning ... Ask me anything!

[Denninmi]

I'm less pessimistic than when I started 3 weeks ago...

[Xyzse]

1. That is just plain awesome!

More power to you.

[Denninmi]

3. Thank you.

It was still pretty sad ... .6 miles/10 laps around the perimeter of the basketball courts at my gym. I could have probably had 2 more in me, but a couple of guys came in and started shooting baskets, and I thought I would be in the way.

[Xyzse]

5. Have you ever tried creating a route?

I use:

www.mapmyrun.com

When I was doing that, I created a 3 mile route that I would repeat about 3-4 times when I was training.

This way, you can create variety in your run. Also, since you have a specified route... If any one is looking for you, they can look at the route you make and follow that.

Yeah, when I was training for a marathon, especially when I was reaching 15 miles, I would print out my route and give it to someone so that if I keeled off and died at the side of the road, they know where to find me. -coughs-

[Denninmi]

6. Not yet.

I will when I can go longer distances - a route to then end of my street and back is pretty self-explanatory.

We have AWESOME paved trails, I have a lot of places to run. When I can take it outside again, another factor, windchill is about -20 now.

[Xyzse]

7. Oh S--t

Ok, I understand.
It is the reason I joined a gym for a few months. Just to be able to use their treadmill.

[Denninmi]

8. Treadmill running is ok, too.

But I like the real thing better. My big problem with the treadmill is I feel constricted in arm movement, I always hit the control panel or sometimes the stop button.

[Xyzse]

9. I see.

I can understand.
Seriously though, I hate running.
It is not my thing.

I mean, I like hiking when I can, but running gets boring for me. I only run because I like doing races and running behind some bouncing goodness. I have to find motivation somewhere!

[hollysmom]

2. has Paul Ryan claimed he beat you yet?

[Denninmi]

4. Not yet ....

... But we all know what an ass he is.

[hollysmom]

12. It is only a matter of time,

but I am sure you can beat him, he is too busy running his mouth to use his feet.

[Phentex]

10. No question...

just

[Denninmi]

11. Aw, shucks ...

You'll make me blush!

[TrogL]

13. Is that guy still there?

[LeftofObama]

14. Did you stop because you were sore, or

because you were winded? If it's because you were sore that will work itself out eventually. If it's because you were winded then next time just slow your pace even if you feel like breaking loose in the beginning. Slow and steady wins the race!

Commitment rocks!

[Denninmi]

15. Winded.

I could have done two more laps, but otoh it wasn't hard to convince myself not too.

[kwassa]

16. Endorphins are the best drugs in existence.

and I didn't run today, either, the wind chill being a balmy 10 degrees. There is no better mood elevator, in my opinion, than the endorphins from exercise. A great cure for depression.

If you have a smart phone, there are free apps that will follow you, where ever you run, and measure how far you go, and keep a record, too.

Build up slowly, if you have a system of trails. Make it interesting to you.

[2theleft]

17. You are 6/10's closer to a mile than you were 3 weeks ago, and that's

a big deal! You will be amazed at the boost hitting that first mile gives you. From there, getting to 2 miles seems like nothing, and I am NOT a natural runner.

Once your weather breaks, sign up for a 5k that supports a cause you like that is a few months out. Great motivator to keep progressing and a great way to meet people with a similar interest as you.

Keep putting one foot in front of the other. You're doing awesome!!!!

[Denninmi]

18. Hey, I already signed up for one!

How weird is that. Doesn't mean I have to do it, but they had a package deal at my gym, $25 for 12 weeks of what they call "try it Tuesdays" of various things. One of the last events is a 5k, I think it would fall at the end of April or beginning of May.

A couple of hours, I'm off to the gym. 10 yesterday will be 12 today.

[2theleft]

19. Excellent! And you are right..

You don't have to do it, but having it out there, if you start to like the running, is a great motivator. And, I promise, they really can be fun.

I'm in Virginia. Just looked outside. It's snowing. They weren't really calling for it, so I was surprised!! I cannot imagine how you deal with the cold where you are! Thank goodness you joined the gym!

[caraher]

20. I never quite caught the running bug

but I'm glad I did the 5k I ran last year. It was a casual event organized by students at my university, and I did not do any actual running to train for it. But I'd been regularly going 45-60 vigorous minutes on the stationary bike and doing plenty of walking, and realized that in the absolute worst case I could walk the thing in under an hour.

The course was a bit hilly... I finished in under 30 minutes, running most of it (I walked a bit twice, the first time after running at least 22 minutes straight). It was helpful to be in a race because having people run with me was motivating and helped me pace myself (I was sure to pick a group starting in the rear of the pack - my wife and I were the only ones over age 25!). I actually think the walking breaks made it harder... my legs felt weird and it was difficult to get going again.

I also learned all the muscles one uses in running (especially up and down hills!) but not biking. The muscles on the front of my thighs were hit hardest. I was walking funny for a couple days afterward. That's what training should help prevent!