advice for new runner

[wilkeliza]

Hi guys,

So I have decided to finally run on a scheduled work out type situation and would like some advice on equipment.

I have an iphone 4 with unlimited data so with all the apps out there for tracking workouts is there one that you suggest? I would like one that I could later buy accessories for to track heart beat and such.

I'm looking for something that has a feedback so I can put in the training pace in that will make some noise when I should switch between running and walking.

Also I am a pretty active individual who walks between 3 and 10 miles a day (I'm a New Yorker who walks a lot) and I have always been a pretty active individual playing softball and soccer up until this year. With this in mind I decided that I should be able to do a 10 mile race by the ToT 10 mile so I signed up for it. Do you guys think that was stupid or as long as I follow the training plan it is obtainable? I plan on doing at least 1 5K race between now and late September which is ToT.

Is there anything else I should know as someone just getting into running outside of just every now and then?

Oh and just to let you guys know I already went to a run shop and got fitted for shoes and bought a pair. I figure that if I start using them now they should still be fine in September because that is less than the suggested 6 months of replacement.

Any other advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[Donald Duck]

Hi guys,

So I have decided to finally run on a scheduled work out type situation and would like some advice on equipment.

I have an iphone 4 with unlimited data so with all the apps out there for tracking workouts is there one that you suggest? I would like one that I could later buy accessories for to track heart beat and such.

I'm looking for something that has a feedback so I can put in the training pace in that will make some noise when I should switch between running and walking.

Also I am a pretty active individual who walks between 3 and 10 miles a day (I'm a New Yorker who walks a lot) and I have always been a pretty active individual playing softball and soccer up until this year. With this in mind I decided that I should be able to do a 10 mile race by the ToT 10 mile so I signed up for it. Do you guys think that was stupid or as long as I follow the training plan it is obtainable? I plan on doing at least 1 5K race between now and late September which is ToT.

Is there anything else I should know as someone just getting into running outside of just every now and then?

Oh and just to let you guys know I already went to a run shop and got fitted for shoes and bought a pair. I figure that if I start using them now they should still be fine in September because that is less than the suggested 6 months of replacement.

Any other advice is greatly appreciated.

Grab a dedicated gps watch. Garmin 305 is your golden standard. 310xt is okay too. Don't get anything too complicated.
Pick up a handheld water bottle, or hydration pack or hydration belt. Hydration is underrated and people don't drink enough. Good luck.

 

[joel_maxwell]

I second the 305, the underrated water intake and just got get em'.

 

[wilkeliza]

Grab a dedicated gps watch. Garmin 305 is your golden standard. 310xt is okay too. Don't get anything too complicated.
Pick up a handheld water bottle, or hydration pack or hydration belt. Hydration is underrated and people don't drink enough. Good luck.

Thanks for the advice. As much as I want a Garmin I only have 100 dollars (amazon gift card for my graduation) for equipment right now that is why I'm just using things on my iphone at the moment. I do plan on buying a Garmin as soon as I can afford one though.

I have been looking at the Garmin app that is for the iphone and may get that for now to track my work out.

I will remember the hydration. I use to work out with a camelpack but I have heard some people discourage that now.

 

[JillC LI]

Can't help with the app, but since you are very active, if you are consistent in your training, I see no reason why you wouldn't be ready for the TOT race in late September, even if you have to walk a little now and then.

 

[Donald Duck]

Thanks for the advice. As much as I want a Garmin I only have 100 dollars (amazon gift card for my graduation) for equipment right now that is why I'm just using things on my iphone at the moment. I do plan on buying a Garmin as soon as I can afford one though.

I have been looking at the Garmin app that is for the iphone and may get that for now to track my work out.

I will remember the hydration. I use to work out with a camelpack but I have heard some people discourage that now.

I'm not a fan of Camelbaks or bladders. Get decent hydration vest when you can; Nathan, Salomon, or a Raidlight (though the Raidlight might be overkill for you), and replace the bladder with a 750ml bottle with a hose conversion. You won't disappointed.
In the mean time, just get a handheld like UltimateDirection, or Amphipod; fits the hand perfect and inexpensive.
I don't trust apps for accuracy. Check ebay for a 305 or Timex just came out with a stripped down affordable gps.

 

[Donald Duck]

I'd give you the schematics of my set up, but your head will spin and you prob don't want to run with an extra25-30 pounds. Good luck.

 

[wdwmagic]

Go for a dedicated GPS watch. I've tried a number of apps, and they all have to many issues to use frequently and reliably. You want something that you can just put on and have it work.

I love the forerunner 305, but I believe it is now discontinued. If you don't want the advanced features, and just something the twill track heart rate, distance and pace, try the forerunner 110. My wife has this and it works great for those basic functions.

 

[wilkeliza]

I'd give you the schematics of my set up, but your head will spin and you prob don't want to run with an extra25-30 pounds. Good luck.

Yeah I think the extra 25 to 30 lbs would be a bit much for a tiny girl like me haha.

Thanks for the information guys. I did a quick amazon search for the Garmin watches and they are a little out of range so I'll just save up and see if I get any more money for graduation.

I am doing my first of the training runs today so I'll use the app I have to track it for now but I do want to take this serious.

Do you think buying a GPS watched used is a bad idea? I saw one Garmin 305 I can get for about 150 but it is used.

I want something that will monitor distance, heart rate, and help me stay on cadence with my run/walk to start. I don't know much about the tech side of running so I have no clue what watch I would need. I just run because it is free and I don't have to pay a gym membership to do it plus I can just disappear into my music and kinda stop thinking for a good 30 minutes.

 

[joel_maxwell]

305 wins. I think the forum has spoken. :lol:

Nathan belts are the sha'nizzle too. Mine is SO comfortable.

 

[wilkeliza]

Looks like I will save up for the 305.

Amazon keeps suggesting the 405 (same price) everytime I click on the 305 does anyone know about the 405? Looks more like a watch that's one reason why I like it a little more.

Looks like I just need to say up some more money is all. Maybe use the 100 to get some hydration equipment and a belt to hold my stuff and then buy the watch in a month or two.

 

[wilkeliza]

Looks like I will save up for the 305.

Amazon keeps suggesting the 405 (same price) everytime I click on the 305 does anyone know about the 405? Looks more like a watch that's one reason why I like it a little more.

Looks like I just need to say up some more money is all. Maybe use the 100 to get some hydration equipment and a belt to hold my stuff and then buy the watch in a month or two.

 

[Donald Duck]

Looks like I will save up for the 305.

Amazon keeps suggesting the 405 (same price) everytime I click on the 305 does anyone know about the 405? Looks more like a watch that's one reason why I like it a little more.

Looks like I just need to say up some more money is all. Maybe use the 100 to get some hydration equipment and a belt to hold my stuff and then buy the watch in a month or two.

Sounds like a plan. Hydration is super important, so go for that stuff now. You can always use mapmyrun online for now.

I hate hydration belts; they make me sick to my stomach with all the bouncing. I have a combo hydration pack and vest I use together which distributes the weight evenly, and the upper body can hande the weight as opposed to the mid section. I'll let the nausea set in on its own at mile 40 and mile 75 with out the help of the the belt.

 

[Texas84]

Sure, if you're in decent shape you can do the 10-miler. Find a plan. I like Jeff Galloway's plans.

I think one of the Garmins does run/walk with vibrate. Probably the most expensive one. Or get a timer from jeffgalloway.com.

I like the iFitness belts. It took a while but I'm used to hydration belts.

 

[Kristia]

I have a Garmin 405 which I really like. The reason that I got it is because it is a little smaller than the 305 and looks a little more like a watch. I know one reason that a lot of people don't like it is because it has a touch bezel around the outer rim of the watch face. You can touch the bezel to toggle between the virtual trainer or the stopwatch style readout. Sometimes if your arms or hands tend to sweat during running, it can be tough to use the bezel or a little touch can change the screen when you don't want it to change. You can lock the bezel if you want to keep one screen. Personally, I haven't had any issues with using and it is really just a matter of preference. I prefer a smaller watch. I think the Garmin 110 is supposed to be pretty good, but it doesn't have the virtual trainer function.

 

[Ariel484]

Another Garmin 305 user here...

I haven't done much research on this model, but maybe you want to check it out? Although I don't think this one has the ability to do interval workouts like you want, but right now it looks like it's the most affordable Garmin watch:

http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Forerunner-GPS-Enabled-Sport-Monitor/dp/B003J2V8AC

Maybe look into this model too...I think it can do intervals:

http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Foreru...-without/dp/B004Q7EQ1M/ref=pd_sxp_grid_pt_1_2

I agree that hydration is important, but I don't think you should have to spend $100 on equipment for it. :shrug: Different things work for different people...for example, I like using a Camelbak pack for longer runs. For shorter runs I use an Amphipod handheld bottle (about $20 I think). It DOES look like you'll need to spend a bit more to get a good GPS watch, especially if you want one that'll do the intervals for you. I'm also not sure how accurate the GPS systems on phones are...but I did use the Nike+ feature on my iPod nano once out of curiosity and it was not accurate compared to my Garmin (it was off by 0.09 for each mile, if I remember correctly).

It's great that you've been fitted for proper shoes already. *thumbs up* My only other advice would be to not worry about speed quite yet. Focus on building endurance for now (i.e. make it your goal to eventually run 30 minutes straight)...the speed will come later.

And if the 10-miler is your goal (I agree, you have plenty of time to get ready for it), pick a training plan that will fit into your schedule/life and stick to it. You may have seen this already, but Jeff Galloway posted a training plan for the 10-miler:

http://as1.wdpromedia.com/media/ewwos/pdf/rundisney/Galloway/TOT12beg.pdf

Hal Higdon's training plans are also popular (personally I prefer his plans over Galloway's, though I did use a Galloway plan for my first half marathon and it did get me to the finish line):

http://www.halhigdon.com/training/51127/15K-10-mile-Novice-Training-Program

Good luck! :wave:

 

[dreamfinder]

A GPS watch is nice, but not needed. Think I did my first year of running, 2 halfs, a full, and a pile of 5/10ks with nothing more than a normal watch for time. Pick an area around you that you feel comfortable running in. Then either drive it in your car (if you can) or use something like MapMyRun to determine the distance. Try to find major landmarks and determine their distance too. I.E. running all the way to the water tower is 1/2 mi, but if I turn around at the big maple tree that's 1/3 mi. Or try to check out MapMyRun and other sites that post routes other people use on a regular basis, then you know how long there are.

I have a 405, and don't have any beefs with it. I'm not a stats junky, so I mostly look for pacing and distance, and then check out the details post run. My only beef is that the battery is starting to die after about 4 hours of use. Last January I made it across the finish line of the full, stopped my watch, and at some point in the next 5 minutes it died. That was calling it a bit close for comfort.

I do use RunKeeper on my iPhone if I do short runs with my wife just to ballpark distance. I also have runtastic Pro on there as well.

Either of the above methods should be more than adequate to get you out the door and tr__________g for the first few months.

As several PP's have indicated, remember to hydrate. If you are in NYC proper, stashing water on route probably won't work real well, but starting with a handheld bottle should be fine.

Good luck, and have fun!

 

[joel_maxwell]

A GPS watch is nice, but not needed. Think I did my first year of running, 2 halfs, a full, and a pile of 5/10ks with nothing more than a normal watch for time. Pick an area around you that you feel comfortable running in. Then either drive it in your car (if you can) or use something like MapMyRun to determine the distance. Try to find major landmarks and determine their distance too. I.E. running all the way to the water tower is 1/2 mi, but if I turn around at the big maple tree that's 1/3 mi. Or try to check out MapMyRun and other sites that post routes other people use on a regular basis, then you know how long there are.

I have a 405, and don't have any beefs with it. I'm not a stats junky, so I mostly look for pacing and distance, and then check out the details post run. My only beef is that the battery is starting to die after about 4 hours of use. Last January I made it across the finish line of the full, stopped my watch, and at some point in the next 5 minutes it died. That was calling it a bit close for comfort.

I do use RunKeeper on my iPhone if I do short runs with my wife just to ballpark distance. I also have runtastic Pro on there as well.

Either of the above methods should be more than adequate to get you out the door and tr__________g for the first few months.

As several PP's have indicated, remember to hydrate. If you are in NYC proper, stashing water on route probably won't work real well, but starting with a handheld bottle should be fine.

Good luck, and have fun!

True. I ran about a year before getting my watch using mapmyrun.com to plan route. I think I broke down and bought a 305 when they went on sale... and when I found out that MMR website was anywhere from a .25 to a .5 mile off on their distance. I am a stat junkie so that really messed with me. :lol:

I think one of the beneficial things I did is like you mention, find landmarks that are XX distance from your start point/end point. I think that is more important looking back on it than plotting a route online.

Luckily, there are multiple options out there and everyone can use what they like and works for them.

 

[Tiggerish]

Wow, so much helpful information in here!!

Shannon, thanks for including the link to those training programs--I was interested to note that the Galloway plan started this week...starting to wonder if I shouldn't have signed up for the ToT 10 miler!! :lol: With my first 5K already under my belt, I'm sure I could have been prepared for it! But it'll be fun to do the Happy Haunted 5K for my first runDisney event.

I also checked out the Garmins suggested, and put the 210 on my wish list...my birthday's in July, so you never know.

I'm glad to see that the problem is not just MY phone, it's incredible to me that a 30 minute "workout" in my C25K app can take an hour to complete!! It's driving me insane. :hammer:

Wilkeliza, I just started running, too, and I'm just a few miles north of you, an easy train ride on Metro-North (I used to work in the city and miss it!!), if you are ever looking for a running buddy, let me know, maybe we could meet up on a weekend. :wave: Promise I'm not a maniac. :lol:

 

[wilkeliza]

Wow, so much helpful information in here!!

Shannon, thanks for including the link to those training programs--I was interested to note that the Galloway plan started this week...starting to wonder if I shouldn't have signed up for the ToT 10 miler!! :lol: With my first 5K already under my belt, I'm sure I could have been prepared for it! But it'll be fun to do the Happy Haunted 5K for my first runDisney event.

I also checked out the Garmins suggested, and put the 210 on my wish list...my birthday's in July, so you never know.

I'm glad to see that the problem is not just MY phone, it's incredible to me that a 30 minute "workout" in my C25K app can take an hour to complete!! It's driving me insane. :hammer:

Wilkeliza, I just started running, too, and I'm just a few miles north of you, an easy train ride on Metro-North (I used to work in the city and miss it!!), if you are ever looking for a running buddy, let me know, maybe we could meet up on a weekend. :wave: Promise I'm not a maniac. :lol:

I would love to meet up and have a Disney running buddy. What way on the Metro-North do you live? I've lived in 3 different cities 2 on the Hudson Line and one on the CT line so I'm pretty familiar with the areas up there. I use the Jeff Galloway training so my long runs are Saturdays which I always have off so I'd love to have someone join along.