For a non-professional runner, first time marathon runner (female 20's)
213676
til you get to the end
143692
I've lost over 30 pounds since mid January... I'm training for a half-marathon. I would say running is an excellent choice for most people, and almost everyone is capable of doing it...I even run with people well into their late 60's and they are in awesome shape. Find a running group in your area and join them, you might even learn to love running like I have ( I hated it in high school)
574352
Train, train, train before you go. Get yourself use to getting up at 5:00 a.m. and exercising for 2 hours. If your not a good runner then run every other day as far as you can. That's probably the hardest thing to get use to at first in boot. Make lots of friends in your unit. Don't take what the instructor says personal, unless your certain it's meant to be personal. Do what your told and don't back talk. Everybody get's in at least a little bit of trouble so don't let it go to heart when you do. After the first 2 weeks they'll lighten up on you a bit so don't give up, just do the very best you can and you'll do fine.
313929
Been there, done that ( a few times). You just have to get back on the horse and do it again. I let myself slip back into old eating habits and quit running. I decided in January to get back in shape (yet again), and signed up to run a half-marathon. It was hard, but the race is this weekend, and have lost over thirty pounds and I am fit and happy again ( and only about 10 pounds away from my goal weight, which will be the least I have been in over 20 years)
253344
4-5 times a week.  Anything will work but do the one that works for you.  I personally like aerobics classes. I need both the social to get me there.  Like when one of my aerobics freinds asks where I have been, cause they haven't seen me.  I also need the pumped up feeling I get from the group workout.  howver, my brother needs the solitude of running.  Finding out what works for you is the most important.  \n\nI recommend all beginners start with walking.  It is easy, cheap and quick to start.  Walk like you are being chased.  Not a stroll.  Start with 1/2 an hour a day for a week or two.  then walk for 45 minutes.  Finally try to get it to 1 hour.  If you want to start running try it then.  But go slowly for your joints to build up the cushioning they need. \n\nMorning or night?  Studies have shown that am workouts are more effective but I know I won't do them which makes them much less effective if I don't do it.  I also love running at night.  Where I live it is safe and so much cooler to run at night.  I also do my exercise classes at night.  I am usually awake until 12-1 oclock anyways.  So finishing my gym routine at 8ish is not so bad.  The most important thing is finding the right time and place for you.\n\nThe rules listed above while a good idea would set me up for failure from the get go.  I would never be so disciplined in my life.  I have way to much going on.  It works for some people but I make mistakes and just keep going.  Sometimes in a week I won't get any exercise in.. but the next week I just pick up and keep going.  That is life.  Sometimes I also will eat the whole cake but I just try not to do itthe next time. \n\nWay to go you will feel better in the long run.  Also kudos for trying to find out as much info as you can.  Read it all, everyone has good things to say.  Then use what you learned and make it work for you.  Good luck
133387
I'm guessing that you are talking about a race later in the summer since cross country season hasn't really started up, anyway, it just depends on your training.  If it is later this summer, make sure that you get plenty of training in to build a good base for later in the season.  Talk to a coach to work out a good running plan over the summer, and work your way up in mileage gradually.  By the time you get to the race you should do fine.  My first 5k was on a flat course too, and I got about 20:15, but most of the guys on my team got around the 22-24 min range.  Just make your goals reasonable according to your training level and move them down twenty or thirty seconds as you achieve your goals.  Hope this helped, and have a good race!
38613
Try a Rock' N Roll 1/2 Marathon. Here is a link for PF Changs in Phoenix. The course is lined with bands and the atmosphere is a total party. There are lots of RNR marathons and half but this was my favorite that I have done. Also check marathon guide because a lot of cities have a 1/2 with there full and the atmosphere is really charged.
563210
Well you should ask your doctor first about the appropriateness of running first. Yes, walking is not as exciting, but it is the way to start out. if you travel a lot, you have great opportunity to walk in places that most of us never get to see...\n\nThe best walking shoe is whatever is most comfortable for you.  Good luck.
636135
Try to run at the time of your day that you have the most energy, (like when you first wake up, or the middle of the day). Dont run when you are already tired. Drink lots of water throughout the day, and make sure you eat something light like 1 hour before you run.  Also, run first before you do any other exercise,like weights or the bike, that way you wont be already tired when you run. \nAs for building endurance, you are gonna be tired when you are a beginner.... thats the whole point. You have to push yourself..... dont stop running unless you feel like youre about to pass out.  If you push yourself, you will notice a great difference after a couple weeks.  Give yourself a goal every week. Like one week make your goal to run 2 miles non stop. And then another, run 3 miles non stop, ect.  Dont stop until you reach that goal. It will make you feel better and more motivated.\nAlso, try working on your breathing.... find out how its easier for you to run..its different for everyone, for example I find it easier to run when I breath with my mouth closed, or when I chew gum while I run.........  and wait 2 hours after a big meal to run, if not you will get those pains on your side....\nWhen youre running, try not to think so much about how much time you have left or how tired you are, think about other things to distract you, or run with your Ipod or MP3 player, listening to music while you run will keep your mind off running....   Running is really all in your head.... if you keepyour mind motivated you can run for miles!!! Stay focused...
637719
It's great that you want to start training for your first triathlon.  Runners World magazine has a number of articles and training plans for beginning runners:  www.runnersworld.com\n\nCheck out: www.beginnertriathlete.com/\n\nTriathlete Magazine is another good source and has some beginner's information:  www.triathletemag.com\n\nCheck out the Beginning Runner's Guide at: http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,5033,s6-51-184-0-4952,00.html\n\nA key to avoiding injury while increasing your training is to to listen to your body.  Make sure you don't increase your running intensity and distance at the same time.  \n\nGood luck!
323430
If its your first marathon, you should only run 20 miles at most.  Anything more than that wont really help your body train and just increases the chances of injury.  \n\nYou should run 18-20 miles at least 3 times before the actual event.  But build up to it gradually.\n\nHeres a link to a training guide:\nhttp://www.stlouismarathon.com/event_details/training_guide.asp
391328
well running by now wont help you. only 1 thing can help you within 2 days\nStretch 3 time a day till your meet and your stride will dramtically increase\nstretch for 2 seconds and repeat this 10-20 times\nDO this for all your normal stretches \nMake sure your breath in and out\nthe first few time you do this it wil ltake you a long time and you will sweat alot but as you get more edpirenced you will be cokme more efficent\nthis will lenghten you stride dramatically and possibly help your race this weekend
579059
I'm training, too - and I also find it's tough to find a trail marathon - not as many out there.\n\nThis will only answer half your question - but to find a good trail marathon where you live (or maybe you're willing to travel to one?) You can go to MARATHONGUIDE.COM and you can sort by date, location, etc under the race schedule section.\n\nFor a great experience running a trail marathon, as with any marathon, you'll really want to have the marathon picked out first before you train so you know what kind of terrain you'll be racing on... "trail" means a lot of different things in different areas of the country. I would also recommend searching the internet for running clubs near your city or in your county and ask them who the "die hard" trail runners are in your area -- they will be the best source of accurate info for you! Universally, running clubs are full of friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful people full of info about running where you live.\n\nAlso, check out the links to trailrunner.com for further help & info - they're great!\n\nGood luck & I hope any of my drivel has helped!
99285
Contact your local running club. They can provide things like a race director, insurance, and know how to get permits in your city. You need sponsors and any donation even like cups help. Develop a check list early on. Tee-shirts, race numbers AND VOLUNTEERS!!!!
133130
I did my first half marathon after a season of cross country.  We never did a run longer than about 8 miles that season yet I felt great during the half marathon.  With the cross country team I ran an average of five days a week from anywhere between 4 and 8 miles.  Sometimes we'd have a race on Saturday or I'd run a 5k or 10k on the weekends on my own.  If you're not going for a speed or time, just have fun with your training and be sure to run 5-6 days a week.  It also helps to split up the race in your head as you're running.  A half marathon is 13.1 miles... that's approximately 2 10ks.  Get through the first 5k, then the next 5k and then you only have a 10k left!  I don't know if that helps... it works for me though.
428595
Since you are just starting out, try running only one mile and see how you do.  Don't try to go fast the whole time.  Then set a goal for your self on your mile and then move up to longer runs after you complete that goal.  Trust me it will work.   :)
494178
that's great, congrats! i know there is a SF marathon, because i was there a few weeks ago and i saw them training. i was at the Huge NIKE store and they had sign ups and runners were meeting there. i would go there and inquire, because i know they were recruiting people. good luck!