Far From Perfect...

It's about doing it!!!  I'm not the fastest, and I'm OK with that.  It's all about pushing myself to go a little faster or farther than I did the last time.  It's easy at the beginning to get frustrated and feel as though you can't do it.  That's why I recommend you keep looking at the blogs and watch these videos again.  Keep track of how you're doing.  Not only your distance and pace, but also keep track of how you feel when you're finished, your energy level, and how your clothes are fitting and what your weight is doing.  Sometimes the gain you make is something as small as going up stairs without getting winded.  Here are a couple of videos to help you get started.

 

 

Now that you have looked through some of the resources I have compiled for you, please take a few moments and fill out the survey located here: 

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 It's Always More Fun With Friends

I have always found that it is always more fun to share the running experience with friends and family.  My running has motivated my two older children to also start running.  They have both ran local kids races and even a few 5K's.  I have also met a lot of new friends through my running experience.  This past spring I met with these two ladies to ride together to Louisville to do the Kentucky Derby Half-Marathon.  It's great to share stories and advice with others.  Reading blogs is another great way to do this.  Here are a few great runners' blogs where the individuals share their stories, advice, tell about races, and just talk all things running.  Some of these blogs are really funny. 

Skinny Runner:  Skinny Runner is very funny!! I literally laughed out loud multiple times.  She gives lots of advice on running and whatever else is going on in her life.  Very fun to follow.
Runners World - Beginners : Written by Susan Paul, a well-known writer for Runner's World, this blog was created for the beginning runner.  You submit the questions, she provides the answers.
HungryRunnerGirl: Janae is a much more planned and serious runner, but I really like how she incorporates her life and her running into her blog.  So many women are struggling with the demands of family, work, and the desire to stay in shape.  Make sure you check out her January 29, 2013 post titled The 10 Things I Wish I Knew as a New Runner.  I thought this was an awesome post.
Livestrong: This blog provides great advice on running as well as nutrition and many other topics.  The posts are written by various people.  Almost like little articles, the title should tell you quickly if it is something you would like to read or not.  I enjoyed a few of their more recent posts.
Mile Post: This is Dorothy Beal's blog about her experiences running and in life.  As a former overweight smoker, she used running to turn her life around.  I really liked that she posts all of her times so that you can see how she has improved through the years.  So many people get discouraged when they don't start out at an awesome pace. 

Hope these blogs give you some insight into what others are experiencing.  Happy Running!!

There's An App for That....

Nike+ Running

 




With Nike+ Running you can keep track of your distance, pace, time, calories burned and have an audio feedback that provides you with motivation and encouragement as you run.  The information automatically uploads to www.nikeplus.com where you can also see the route you took and the elevation of the run you just completed.  You can also share your runs on Facebook and keep up with your "Running Buddies" and "Cheer Squad."  Both of these are groups that you can create and join to help with motivation.  The app also creates challenges so that you can compete with yourself.  This helps you to always push yourself to do a little better.


 Couch to 5K
   

With the Couch to 5K app you have an actual person acting as your virtual coach.  The coach cues you when to walk and when to run.  The app also allows you to keep track of your distance, pace with an iPhone 3G, 3GS, or iPhone 4 or greater.  If bad weather forces you inside for a run, you can also track your treadmill runs through the manual entry method.  Keep track of how you're doing with a graph that shows your distance and pace.  If you are like me and want to listen to music while you run, there is also an in-app music player that allows you to keep listening to your tunes.  This app does have both free and paid versions.  The version that I spoke about costs $1.99.

 Athlete.com Running GPS.   This app is Free.  This app allows you to keep track of your pace, route, distance, calories, and elevation.  Runs are automatically posted to www.athlete.com so that you can view your running stats and map your runs.  This app also has audio feedback that lets you know how you are doing.  You can also great running groups within this app that allows you to send messages about upcoming group runs or just keep your group up to date on how you are doing.   

 

 

What to wear?

Shoes are probably the most important part of your running gear.  The right or wrong pair of shoes can make or break your running experience.  Therefore, I suggest you go to store that specializes in shoes for runners.  Check out the bookmarked running sites on my diigo account for a few of the options.  Here is the link to that account:  https://www.diigo.com/user/jenlcorn.  At a store of this nature they are actually going to watch you walk and run.  This will help them to put you in the correct shoes.  The shoes here are a little bit more expensive, but it is well worth the cost to make sure that you get the correct shoes.  The staff are also very experienced runners, and are more than willing to answer any questions that you might have about running.  Once you have figure out the correct shoe for you; some of the stores will even ship a new pair to you when the old ones wear out.


Besides shoes, (yes, you have to wear something other than shoes) it is important to wear comfortable, clothing.  I personally prefer loose fitting clothing.  However, some like the more fitting running attire.  I have attached a couple of photographs so you can see what I wear in various climates.  The first picture shoes me in a tank and running shorts.  The shorts actually came from Target.  Their C9 collection is very comfortable and affordable. 

 

 

Getting Started!!!

Ok.  So you have decided it's way past time to get up and get moving.  But, where do you go from here?  You know you want to run that 5K that all your friends have been running for years, but you can't even run to the mailbox without getting winded.  This blog will help lead you through the scary beginning of getting started with that running program that you have been putting off for years.  In just a few short months you can be the runner that the newbies are turning to for advice.  You may be asking how I can state this with such certainty?  Well, I was in your shoes just three years ago.  I was thirty pounds overweight and miserable.  With a little help from the internet and a lot of determination, I started running.  Trust me, that first day was ugly at best and hurt.  However, each day it got a little easier.  Three years and six half-marathons later, I am a running junkie!!! I love to run and even more, I love to get others started on this path that anyone can follow, no matter their age or speed.  So let's go!!! Get up off that couch and get ready, set, and RUN!!!