Obesity Discussion Forums

[Audrey]

I've been enjoying my jogging so much in the gym, that I thought I'd take it to the next step and start training to do a 5 km run next summer. I don't have a specified date for one yet, but I know they won't be offered in the winter anyways.

I've never done anything like this before (seeing as I could never even jog more than 6 minutes in a row in my jr. high fitness tests), so I have no idea how to go about 'training' for it.

Currently I'm jogging at 5.5 mph on a treadmill, and I can jog for approximately 15 minutes at a time.

Should I continue just incrementing the time until I can go for about 35 minutes at the time (at about 5.5 mph, that's 3.10 miles or 5km)

Or should I do intervals (run for a bit, walk for a bit etc.)?

I'm really rather clueless about all this stuff. Any advise would be much appreciated. Thanks!

[Obesity Discussion]

Running on the street was definitely a different experience than running on the treadmill for me, that's for sure. I thought I was in great shape before running a 5K and I got my butt kicked.

I wish I had trained more by running on the street. I would continue running non-stop as long as you can, and over time you'll be able to go longer and longer and longer without stopping. You HAVE TO push yourself.

[Audrey]

Originally Posted by Obesity Discussion

Running on the street was definitely a different experience than running on the treadmill for me, that's for sure. I thought I was in great shape before running a 5K and I got my butt kicked.

I wish I had trained more by running on the street. I would continue running non-stop as long as you can, and over time you'll be able to go longer and longer and longer without stopping. You HAVE TO push yourself.

I have definetly been pushing myself. I usually increment my time by at least a minute every week. I suspect it will take me a while to get up to the 35 minute mark.

I too have noticed the huge difference between running inside and outside, and I will train outside as well, but only when the weather gets better (April or May of next year), people are usually pretty good about shoveling their sidewalks, but I don't want to hit an icy patch and break myself.

[Audrey]

So my plan for the gym today was to up my running to 16 minutes.

I got on the treadmill and started jogging. When I reached 16 minutes, I was still feeling pretty good, and remembered what you'd said (OD) about having to push myself. So I said okay, I'll jog for as long as I can.

I stopped when I hit 27 minutes (or 2.46 miles), because I felt a little bit of a stitch in my side coming on, but my breathing was still pretty normal, and I had no pain. I just kinda sank into my stride and I felt like I could have gone forever.

I'm so proud of me

[Obesity Discussion]

Originally Posted by Audrey

I have definetly been pushing myself. I usually increment my time by at least a minute every week. I suspect it will take me a while to get up to the 35 minute mark.

I too have noticed the huge difference between running inside and outside, and I will train outside as well, but only when the weather gets better (April or May of next year), people are usually pretty good about shoveling their sidewalks, but I don't want to hit an icy patch and break myself.

I don't blame you for waiting! Keep on pushing girl!

[Audrey]

So latey when I've been running I've been getting a stitch in my side early on, like at the 5 minute mark.

What exactly is that? I'm assuming it has something to do with my breathing?

[inlove]

I am very proud of you. That is great.I wish I had something like that I was working up for.

[Audrey]

Originally Posted by inlove

I am very proud of you. That is great.I wish I had something like that I was working up for.

Just pick something! That's all I did. Pick something you enjoy doing at the gym, and make a goal for some time in the future. It's nice to have something to aim for.

[inlove]

True true.

[Obesity Discussion]

Originally Posted by Audrey

So latey when I've been running I've been getting a stitch in my side early on, like at the 5 minute mark.

What exactly is that? I'm assuming it has something to do with my breathing?

Cramps? If you drink too much water before exercising you could get that...or is it more of a breathing thing where you feel it in your lungs?

[Audrey]

Originally Posted by Obesity Discussion

Cramps? If you drink too much water before exercising you could get that...or is it more of a breathing thing where you feel it in your lungs?

I'm pretty sure it's not from me drinking too much water before hand. It's not a stomach thing methinks.

I feel it in one side, somewhere in my ribs almost. I usually just try a little harder to control my breathing, and it eventually goes away.

[Obesity Discussion]

Originally Posted by Audrey

I'm pretty sure it's not from me drinking too much water before hand. It's not a stomach thing methinks.

I feel it in one side, somewhere in my ribs almost. I usually just try a little harder to control my breathing, and it eventually goes away.

When I'm out of shape and get to a certain point I get a burning sensation in my lungs....maybe that's what you're feeling?

[Audrey]

Originally Posted by Obesity Discussion

When I'm out of shape and get to a certain point I get a burning sensation in my lungs....maybe that's what you're feeling?

It's more like a sharp pain, almost in the bottom of one side of my rib cage. I've always heard it refered to as "a stitch in your side".

I always used to get them when I was younger after I'd been breathing really really heavily when playing sports in gym (soccer etc, lots of running), and now I get little ones when I'm about 5 minutes into my jogging. It's odd. I'd like to think I'm in the best shape of my life right now, but maybe not...

[Obesity Discussion]

Originally Posted by Audrey

It's more like a sharp pain, almost in the bottom of one side of my rib cage. I've always heard it refered to as "a stitch in your side".

I always used to get them when I was younger after I'd been breathing really really heavily when playing sports in gym (soccer etc, lots of running), and now I get little ones when I'm about 5 minutes into my jogging. It's odd. I'd like to think I'm in the best shape of my life right now, but maybe not...

I'd see if it goes away overtime as you run more often.....I still get those after playing football for a long enough period.

[Groundhog]

Good on you Audrey for taking the next step and deciding to enter your first race. The 5k distance is an excellent choice as it fits between middle and long distance.

It would appear that your progressing along nicely, as OD says, you have to push yourself a great deal and I agree that running outside is very different to running on a treadmill but you have plenty of time for road running as the weather improves in spring.

I have been training for the same distance and I have my first race on Sunday ( Liverpool Santa Dash).

I will post some piccys after the event.

Continue with the hard work in the gym and keep us posted on your progress.

[Kel]

Sounds great! I also really enjoy my jogging and it became something like a poart of my life. Usually I feel very exhausted afterwards, but I am also happy that I stayed in the course til the end. I would suggest you do run every day a little longer. It doesn't matter how fast you run as long as you raise the distance consequently up to 5km! I am sure you can do it! Good luck!

[Audrey]

Originally Posted by Kel

Sounds great! I also really enjoy my jogging and it became something like a poart of my life. Usually I feel very exhausted afterwards, but I am also happy that I stayed in the course til the end. I would suggest you do run every day a little longer. It doesn't matter how fast you run as long as you raise the distance consequently up to 5km! I am sure you can do it! Good luck!

I try to run a little longer everyday, but don't always make it. I can always run longer on the weekends, and some days (like today) when I'm really tired, I don't know how long I can go. I usually push myself for a minimum of 20-25 minutes at least.

[MikeB]

Get off the treadmill and start running on a track. The wind resistance and other factors make it much harder than on a treadmill.

[Audrey]

Originally Posted by MikeB

Get off the treadmill and start running on a track. The wind resistance and other factors make it much harder than on a treadmill.

I don't have access to a track right now. But don't worry, I fully intend to start outside when summer rolls around (most likely around May of next year ), and I'm already prepared that it'll be much harder

[Groundhog]

I completed my Santa dash charity run in a tad over 32 minutes.

I have posed a few piccys here