Hi from a newbie

[randomfive]

I am extremely new to running. As a teen, whenever I had to run I ended up with knee problems afterward, possibly from not stretching right. Years have past, and now I'm ready to try again. I have downloaded the "Podrunner:Intervals" for the Couch to 5K. The first time I tried it, the time was late so walked/jogged in place inside. I got through it, but next day had a sore knee. Yesterday, I tried it outside and got about 15 min. in. I stopped due to an inability to catch my breath. This going to be a slow process. I did give in and buy a MP3 player for this, so I am committed to trying.

Comments

[temve]

First off, I applaud your decision to take up running! Take it slow - 15 minutes is quite a lot when you first start out. Also, from someone who was in exactly the same place this time last year (and managed to run a 10K last October), the breathing does get easier with time.

Don't be embarrassed to stay at a gentle jog though - breathing easily is much more important than getting through your assigned minutes fast.

Most of all, go you!

[sophinisba]

This reads really familiar to me from about a year and a half ago, going out with my new iPod and being really distressed at how difficult the supposedly "easy" first week was. I didn't have the knee problem but I had serious trouble breathing through it.

I agree with Temve though, it really helps to keep the jogging slow. And remember that you can stick with the same level for a couple weeks until it gets more manageable. But with practice it really does get easier!

[randomfive]

Thank you for the encouragement. I will definitely start off with slow jogging next time. My enthusiasm got ahead of my body's ability.

[randomfive]

Thanks for the hope that I will get past this awkward beginner's stage.

[lyras]

Good luck! Have you ever spoken to a physio about your knee? Loads of runners have problems with various parts of their legs, and it's often something that can be fixed by fixing their gait.

[randomfive]

Thanks, and no I haven't. Maybe someday.