Chicks On Lit discussion

I was checking to see if there were any runners among us. I am wanting to get back into running, just not finding the motivation I need. I have been walking at night about 2 miles, not counting the 3-4 miles I walk each day at work....

What gets and keeps you motivated???? I need some help!!

I can't run but I walk 3-4 times per week and I have been doing it for about 4 years. I think I missed only a couple times because of surgery..ha
My motivation is kept up because i listen to books then and I can't wait to get to the next chapter or whatever. It really works.

Hi Kat! I took up running last year. There are a few things that keep me motivated:
- the way I feel when I'm done with a run
- the feeling of accomplishment

Music has really been key in my being able to stick with it. I found some great songs to run to by artists that I like. That really helps.

Also... start gradually. You said you're walking 2 miles a night... try running at intervals. Walk for 5 minutes to warm up. Run five minutes, then walk five.
Gradually lengthen the amount your running. Another good trick with running outside is to set mini goals for yourself. "I'll run to the next stop sign" or "I'll run 4 blocks." etc. Just start nice and easy.

Kat,
I trained & ran my first half-marathon last April. What motivated me was actually signing up for a run and knowing I had a deadline to train for it. Maybe you could sign up for a 5k and set a goal for training? Like Sydney said, music definitely motivates me too. Also, running outside is much better than the treadmill.

Once you get into the habit of running, it's more downhill after that. Good luck!

Go Kat. I used to could run three miles in 2005 but depression kicked in after I lost my house in a hurricane and now I am trying again. So far I am at a mile and half...it will take time but I will get there. Here is a list poem I wrote about running.

First the alarm clock screams, I wake up.
Second put on gym shorts, don’t forget shirt.
Third off to the bathroom, I know what to do.
Fourth sneakers are by the door, put them on.
Five stand at the edge of my driveway, I want to go back to bed.
Sixth start to run, run 2 miles.
Seven sit in driveway, I am tired from run.
Eight finally I am done, go to kitchen.
Nine find my dish, do a little dance.
The best is last, ten; eat a big delicious bowl of ice cream topped with chocolate syrup and sprinkles.
Tomorrow I will do it again.

So remember at the end of that mile is a big delicious bowl of ice cream waiting...Now that is motivation.LOL

LOL Sherry!!!! That definitely IS!!!

I'd like to join in on this discussion. I am needing to do more physical exercise and I want to take up running. Someone mentioning that when you run you're just so in your own head really stuck with me. I used to run because I played soccer for close to 9 years and I stopped 4 years ago, so I'm pretty much starting at square 1.

Those of you who have done running in the past, how much would you say the fancy, expensive running shoes really contribute? I have some mid-fancy ($50-60) shoes at home, but are the "good" enough? Some of my friends that are wanting to compete in marathons definitely believe differently. But for someone wanting to get into shape and perhaps develop a new hobby, what do you think?

Lori, I don't know if there are better shoes than the others, I have to have some really good shoes to even do the amount of walking that I do. I played softball for so long, that I have issues with my knees at times. They have to have tons of support in them for my knees not to hurt. I can always tell when it is time to buy some new ones too.... the support and cushioning gets old or worn and my knees tell me first... I get a new pair, and I dont have the pain.

Hannah.... since you ran your 5k, what are your thoughts???? By the way CONGRATS!!! And Sydney... any thoughts regarding which type of shoe is better?

I hate running! HATE IT, but I know it's what I need to do....maybe we should make a Chicks on Fit group too!

Not a runner, a racewalker. A little less stressful to the body, but you're able to get your heart rate up. It's a total body workout because you use more than just your legs, and it's definitely an endurance event, so you exercise for long periods of time.

K girls........... any ideas for music on the Ipod while running???? I have been doing this outside, so I only use one earplug (got to listen for the drivers).... but needs some ideas for good music to run to!!!

I like to run to rock music.....well mostly....I love State Radio (Indie rock, reggae, very eclectic) Paramore, right now I'm loving the Carolina Liar album, then the classics: Korn, Rage Against the Machine.

I do have a couple of pop songs on there....but right now I can't remember....

I so want to get back into running. I was on the track team in Middle school, and kept it up for a few years. I am way out of shape, but I remember how I felt at the time. So, I definitely want to get back into it. Any tips for getting started?

*raises hand*

I started running in the fall of '07 and love it. I used to be able to do 5 miles, but slacked off after my wedding and now 3 is my max on a good day. I'm lucky if I get in one run per week which makes me sad. My sister-in-law and I run 5ks together which is how I stay motivated. Our next one is on May 2nd.

If you're new to running or need help getting your distance back, the Couch to 5k program at coolrunning.com is great! It starts off with run/walk intervals and builds you up to 30 minute runs. They have something similar for 10ks, too.

Lori, you and I are in the same boat- I played soccer for 10 years but havent played for about 4 years... In college I used to run 3 miles nightly just to clear my head but I havent done that in years. So now im at square -1 and in poor shape. I've just started walking 5 miles around Stone Mountain (a nature attraction in Georgia) and I'm hoping to be able to run partly around it by the end of summer...

Good luck to everyone trying to run and currently running! Its hard to do, and even harder to start, but the endorphin high you get afterwards is amazing!

Looks great, Katie! Thanks for the recommendation!

I like www.runnersworld.com and www.rununiversity.com as well

Kat,
My 5k wasn't too bad but the half-marathon took a lot of training to prepare for! And I'll be honest, I think I trained too hard (in a park with tons of hills) because it kind of sucked for me. However, it made the marathon really enjoyable for me since I was so prepared. I'm not a runner but once I got into a routine & the motivation of my ipod, running became easier to overcome.

As for the shoes, if you're going to be doing a lot of running I really recommend going to a running store where they actually watch you run on a treadmill and choose certain types of shoes for you. This is what I did & I love, love, love my shoes!

Hannah is absolutely correctomundo. Take the time to get professional advice about the right shoes for you - go to a running store! And those stores in the mall are unlikely to have the expert advice you need.

I ran the New York Marathon with my twin sister 7 years ago. She lived at the time in NY and I was in Oregon as I still am. We trained on our own and she finished 10 minutes ahead of me. I finished 4:45:49 and was really proud of it having only trained alone here. I recommend hill training....we have a lot of them in Portland and that really helped. I swim now because my knees won't take it anymore....so ladies train with care and have fun and make sure you replace your shoes often. I miss my runs but I love to swim. I swim at least 4 times a week now 2000 yards.

I want to run/jog a marathon this year. How do I get involved and where do I sign up? Does it cost or do you just get donations for running or something?

I highly recommend Runners World: The Complete Guide to Running
It contains training programs for all levels as well as a general guide about the sport. I couldn't have done it without the resource books I used. Also, most cities have groups that train together, although I did it alone. That's not for everyone though. I had to do all of my own water drops by car on my big mileage days!

It's definitely a process building up your runs gradually. The running schedules will help you train smart and not injure yourself by overtraining.

Mary wrote: "I highly recommend [b:Runners World: The Complete Guide to Running|2083571|Runner's Handbook A Complete Fitness Guide for Men and Women on the Run|Bob Glover|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/..."

Thanks so much for the advice, I'll check it out.

Angie,
I believe you usually have to pay a fee but I think the fee normally goes to a charity. Some cities have higher fees than others.
Mary, congrats on the NYC marathon! I would love to be able to do that. Running is hard on my knees too so I'm not sure if I'll do it again.

Kat,
I'll check to see what music I had on my marathon playlist & let you know! Itunes has a lot of workout & running playlists that people have created too.

The registration fee for a race goes to the cost of putting on the race. Many participants also do fund-raising activities. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is one of the biggest groups to do this type of fund-raising activity and you may find a group training in your area. If so, they'll help you decide on a race, too. Other organizations are the American Diabetes Association, which has Team Diabetes, or the Arthritis Foundation, which has Joints in Motion. A group I recently learned about is the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation. This last one is currently training for a marathon in Hawaii.

However, you do not have to do fund-raising to walk or run a marathon. You could choose to train on your own and lots of people do this. I am currently training to walk several half marathons this year, all in the Rock N Roll series. Upcoming events with RnR are in San Diego, Seattle, Chicago, Virginia Beach, Philadelphia, San Jose, San Antonio, and Las Vegas. This weekend there is one in Nashville, and the biggest is in Phoenix in January.

If you plan to go the entire 26.2 mile distance, be sure to give yourself several months to build a mileage base before you start the actual race training. A marathon is very hard on your body. You need to give your tendons and ligaments time to strengthen before building to 20+ miles in a day to make sure you don't get an injury that might sideline you for weeks at a time.

I agree with Hannah 3000% about the shoes. The staff at the specialty running stores know so much and really dedicate the time to fit your individual needs. The right shoes make a big difference.

I just started to get into running again (this weekend), and I'd also like to join in on this conversation! I bought some nice shoes, and I ran outside on Sunday and on the treadmill yesterday (it was raining). But today I was sore... I figured I should take a day off. Does anyone have any advice for passing the time while you run if you don't have a way to listen to music/audiobooks?

Tahleen wrote: "I just started to get into running again (this weekend), and I'd also like to join in on this conversation! I bought some nice shoes, and I ran outside on Sunday and on the treadmill yesterday (it ..."


I do math problems. OK, maybe not the best recommendation. I also make grocery lists, compose over-due e-mails to friends/family, review last nights reading material and perhaps think about the next book, remind myself of upcoming birthday shopping. I also actually think about my body and how it is performing, if I have the form I want, my foot strike . . .

Thanks Elizabeth :) Though I probably will not do math problems... I am bad enough at math when I have pen and paper haha. I will probably take your advice about grocery lists though--I love grocery shopping! For some reason it's one of my favorite things to do. I have no idea why but I get excited every time I go to Wegmans (it is an awesome grocery store in NY, I don't know if you have it, I know they don't have them in Massachusetts as of yet).

Tahleen wrote: "Thanks Elizabeth :) Though I probably will not do math problems... I am bad enough at math when I have pen and paper haha. I will probably take your advice about grocery lists though--I love grocer..."

Wegman's are fabulous! My first racewalking clinic was in Ashburn, Virginia. We went to Wegman's for lunch. A person could gain 5 pounds just walking through a place like that!

Okay... shoes and music.

Music - I like to rock out. Foo Fighters, Pearl Jam, Metallica, Rolling Stones, U2, etc.

I also like music with a good beat. Erasure is really good to run to. Madonna. Ricky Martin. I don't generally gravitate to that music (I'm more into rock/alternative) but it's got a good beat to help you keep pace. I have one playlist on my blog I think. If I get more playlists posted, I'll put the links in here.

As for shoes... I guess I'm cheap. I can't justify spending more than $100 on a pair of running shoes, especially when you're supposed to replace them every 3-4 months or however many miles. I tend to get whatever is comfortable and on sale. I think the most expensive pair I have cost me $60... I got them at a department store. I don't have one brand that I gravitate toward. I've run in Addidas, Nike, Asics, New Balance. My running partner swears by Saucony.

The only thing I know about marathon training is - GET HELP! Talk to someone who's done it before, join a running club, get a personal trainer. It is hard work. You have to do it gradually... like a previous poster said... you have to slowly build your distance before you even train. You could seriously get hurt.

My favorite websites are: www.breakingthetape.com - you can track your workouts and mileage here.
runnersworld.com
coolrunning.com
running.about.com/ - this has some GREAT advice if you're just getting started. Makes things nice and simple.

Completely agree, training to run any distance is a process and you should use
knowledgeable resources to build a PLAN for yourself. For someone that hasn't run at all....coolrunning.com is great with a podcast you can download called "Couch to 5k in 12 weeks". I live in Portland....a real running town and Alberto Salizar is a local luminary for us runners. He is always warning everyone about
overtraining. A good running plan will include rest days, build days....short run days...you get the drift.

I also just joined a new group on good reads called "Run for Your Life"

I wish I had downloaded the podcast "Couch to 5K in 12 weeks," but I don't know how much it would have helped during these trying circumstances. I have my first 5K this Sunday with my daughter and I was out sick with the flu these past 2 weeks, so I know I'm not in top running shape. I have a practice run this afternoon and hopefully will get through it.

Glad to know there are other runners on Goodreads. The community here is absolutely wonderful and encouraging!

Good luck with your 5k, Angela. There will be all kinds of people doing this and you're unlikely to come in last. Have fun!

I'm thinking that I'm going to wait until school gets out before adding running. First of all, my running shoes are at home, so I'd have to wait until this weekend anyway. Secondly, next week is dead week, so I really don't think it would be a good idea to add something else to my life during dead week.

My big question is whether I want to wake up and run in the mornings (sometime in late May, I'll have to be at work at 9 and I'll need Starbucks first). or do I want to run after class gets out (8 during May and 7 during June). Anyone have any opinions on that?

During the week I walk or run at night. On the weekends, I usually do it in the mornings, on occassion, I do both on weekends. Depends on what all is going on. I do it mostly because it makes me feel better, or feel productive..... strange, I know.

This is the end of my second week, and I can tell that I dont feel as good or have as much energy when I skip a day.

Be sure to give your body a day of rest, though. And, perhaps, make one weekend day a bit longer than one of your weekday runs, and maybe one of your shorter weekday runs a bit faster in pace than the others.

My reason for doing it at night is that I'm just not a morning showerer.

OK, next question (although, please still answer the last): I know that it's good to mix it up a bit and not do the same thing all of the time. I was thinking of running Monday-Thursday (when I have class) and playing tennis with my dad Friday-Sunday. Is it OK to divide things like that or would it be better to alternate?

Lori, by all means mix things up a bit. If you don't have an event as a goal, like running a 10k or something, your schedule above is great. You're keeping yourself moving, which is the important thing. But even with that, don't do the exact same run M-Th. Do you have access to both flat and hilly areas? Or can you go faster, but shorter one day, then slower and longer another?

Definitely. My neighborhood has access to hills and flat areas. I hadn't thought about going faster but shorter and slower but longer before. Thanks for the great idea!

What are all your thoughts on treadmill vs road running? I have been running on the treadmill because it's either been yucky out or I didn't get to go out until like 10 pm. Are treadmills easier?

Tahleen, there is nothing wrong with the treadmill. I have to do much of my winter training on the treadmill, but I try to get outdoors whenever the weather will allow me. Some people find it easier in that it's always level and you never have to deal with any wind. I always found it harder because I couldn't really control the pace - it's always the same, or when I tried to make it go faster or slower, it was enough different from my target pace that it was either too easy or too hard. And, for me, it becomes really boring, but then some of my workouts are 2-3 hours.

Tahleen wrote: "What are all your thoughts on treadmill vs road running? I have been running on the treadmill because it's either been yucky out or I didn't get to go out until like 10 pm. Are treadmills easier?"

I have a love/hate relationship with the treadmill. I like that I can still run when the weather is nasty and that it helps me find a steady pace. The hate part comes in because I just get bored with no change of scenery. There's absolutely nothing wrong with it and it's mostly just about personal preference.

Not to mention that the treadmill doesn't prepare you for the changes in the road, such as hills, or smoothness changes or the temp/weather changes. If you are not planning on doing a race of some sort, then you should be good.... but if you are, then that could be somewhat of a disadvantage.

Great, thanks for all the tips/feedback! I really appreciate it. Kat, I am thinking of trying to train for a 5K sooner or later, but I don't think I'm quite there yet. I did go running outside today though! But I have no idea how far I ran. I will have to figure that out later.

Tahleen, there are a number of sites where you can check your routes. One is: www.mapmyrun.com and there are others, although I don't know the addresses off the top of my head.

Hooray, I've been looking for a site like this for a couple of days! THANK YOU!

Are those of you who are running meeting your expectations? How about walkers? My knee is about 90% recovered from the meniscus surgery in early April and I've been able to get back out there. I'm still very slow, compared to where I was last fall, but very happy with my progress. Still planning to walk the Seattle RnR half marathon the end of June.