Big Pete 1982

So I've never really been a runner. I'm far from graceful at it and have never got anything close to a "runner's high". But I lost my racquetball local championship title (really just me and a bunch of fat guys from work competing) in an embarrassing 21-1 loss and as punishment for my poor performance I forced myself to run a few miles on the treadmill at the gym. It's been a few years since I ran anywhere other than on a racquetball court, but I've lost a ton of weight and was feeling pretty good about it. I eased in to a 6 mph pace, which was about as fast as I could maintain. I did alright for the first mile and ran without slowing down. The second mile I did intervals with short walking breaks. 2 miles total. Just 2 miles. I can ride my bike 100 miles and feel fine, but after running 2 miles I am still very sore 2 days later! Now the sun is out and I'd like to go for a ride but damn I'm too sore!

Anyway, being the masochist that I am, I think this means I need to run more. I always feel like if I'm not sore after a workout, then I didn't push hard enough! I think I'm gonna set a goal of a half marathon by the end of this summer.

Tundra_Man 

Not to discourage you, but to go from "not a runner" to "half marathon" in less than three months is a recipe for injury.

I'd shoot for a 10k max by the end of the summer. If you reach that goal, keep building slowly and start working towards your half marathon goal. I completed my first one last fall. I spent 10 months training for it and I still wound up with some IT band issues that sidelined me for a while.

But props on your initiative!

Big Pete 1982

Yeah, I'm not very good at baby steps. I'm better when I dive in head first! It makes me train harder. Plus, as I said, my first time running in years and I managed to do 2 miles. Well, I guess I walked some of that, but I ran probably 1 1/2 miles.

Hill-Pumper

Just be careful, I did the jump in full bore route twice thing and ended up hurting myself. Try something like a couch to half marathon program ( I used the Jeff Galloway program) and you will be fine. My program was 16 weeks and other programs are around 12 week if you want a shorter route. Either one puts you into early fall, which is perfect time for a running event here in the PNW.

IBOHUNT

My rule:

Running is only OK when being chased by a mad boyfriend/husband.
At *ALL* other times it should be avoided like the plague

rearviewbeer

You should be able to get to the 1/2 marathon mark in 3 months. I have done a few, and hated each one... good luck!

Big Pete 1982

Well I keep telling my friend I will do a triathlon so I'm gonna have to start running at some point! I need to hit the pool as well but I have the buoyancy of a bag of hammers! I'm sure I'll be less sore after a few more runs.