Here are my tips:

- Read "Born to Run." It is a fun read and very inspirational! Give barefoot running in the grass a try. It is like being a kid again.

- If you're just starting out, practice knee highs (like running in place, but you lift your knees in front of you and slap them with the palms of your hands -- get those knees as high as you can!). Start with 10 and see if you can do at least 100 on each knee daily.

- Who cares if you are slow or if you don't go far? YOU ROCK for even trying to run. It is a very intimidating sport. I started running when I was 16. I didn't go more than a mile until I was 28. I ran my first 5K (well, I walked/jogged it) and was hooked. Now I am doing distance challenges at age 36. I still don't understand all the running lingo! Some of us are just slow to warm up ;-)

- I'm not really into listening to music when I run, I find the rhythm often throws me off my natural or intended pace. I love to listen to comedy (laughed my a** off listening to Louis CK when I ran a half marathon earlier this year, best way to run ever!) and audiobooks. I find this kind of stuff helps distract me from the pain or monotony of a long run. Plus, if I read business books, it is like killing two birds with one stone! (Can I write off all of my gear, do ya think?)

I just finished C25K and am actually starting to really love running. I come home from a long day at work and can't wait to change my clothes and get out and run.

Thank you all of the great info in this thread!!!!!

This has been an awesome thread to read. I'm saving it for later. :)

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Bump... can't wait to read

Anther point, is if you snooze you loose. I go a few weeks without running, I have to build my endure back up :-(

Find your soundtrack, be it music, nature, an audio book, or a podcast, find something that makes you run longer. (I did all of my longest runs to audio books because they distracted me from my running/boredom.)

Soak your feet after a run, baby your feet.

Your mind is a big fat liar. You can do, you aren't weak, you are a runner, you can push to the next marker, you got this.

I run in the street in neighborhoods where the sidewalks dip at every driveway - hate running on that uneven section every few feet!

Can't think of anything else to add to what's been said - great stuff everyone!

It might not be apparent, but the street is significantly softer than the sidewalk, and that eventually accumulates to quite a difference on your knees. It's still not an ideal surface to train on, but it beats concrete big time.

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Yep, that too! Thankfully the majority of my running route is on dirt.

I love this thread.

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I agree with most of what Carsten says except for this. If you want a killer headache after a long run (13-18+ miles), then sure, don't plan to drink anything (or finish that run running, really).
Cheers
My running wisdom: Don't run with headphones for each run. The power of music wears off after a while.

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Agreed! Sometimes it's very freeing to cut out all the extras - the music, the programs, the tracking apps, and just run!

http://www.exrx.net/ExInfo/Stretching.html

http://www.exrx.net/Kinesiology/Inflexibilities.html#anchor13320380

Don't really know how to reply and have them show up as originally written, but I love these links! Good info there.

425, 325, and 525 what?

You will amaze yourself at how many times you can make yourself believe the same lie. When running the same route too many times, 'I can walk after this next tree, then changed to the next tree, and the next until you have run the full route without stopping' its hard to continue believing your own lies."

I have one route that every time I run it, I have to wonder, "Am I gonna fall for it again, or will I see through my own lies?"

Be aware that you will have good patches and bad patches in every run. I expect to feel rotten for the first 10 minutes and then feel awesome. Some days I'll feel bad about 6kms in but I know if I keep going it will wear off and I'll feel awesome again after another 1 or 2 kms. I used to walk when I felt bad but now I know it will pass and if I keep going I will feel like I'm flying again soon.

To which I would add, LISTEN to "Born to Run"! Or, whatever works for you - I love a bit a Springsteen to run to, others may prefer Beyonce, but listening to music you love has been shown to produce increased speed and endurance.

Also, another good runners' read is "What I Talk About When I Talk About Running" by the novelist/marathon runner/triathlete Haruki Murakami.

PS Great thread, everyone. Just what I needed before my first 5K tomorrow!

Some of these posts have really brought to my attention how many excuses I was making not to run! Thank you.

I learned hard way to do that >__< Aso bumping for later. Tho if my nipz start chaffing i'll freak :o

I'm definitely going to try the comedy. I just found a channel on Pandora. Thanks!

Don't worry......it's a guy thing. With a properly fitting sports bra women are spared the chaffing......