I am not a runner. I don’t typically enjoy running. I usually begged my way out of running the mile in school complaining of menstrual cramps to my male P.E. teachers. I’m a person who’s been known to say “I only run if chased.”
But, last month, I ran. Voluntarily. I did it multiple times and the shocking part? For the first time in my life, I enjoyed running. Before this happened though, I did two things first.
1. I bought a comfortable, supportive pair of running shoes.
After taking to Twitter to survey others on a reliable running shoe brand, I decided to try New Balance. I remember having seen New Balance shoes at Marshall’s in town, so I looked up various pairs and style online, read reviews and took a list of model numbers with me to the store. I actually found several highly rated pairs and ended up trying on six different shoes until I found the pair that made me feel like I was running on lightweight, cushy springs.
The shoes I fell in love with. Like jumping on a spring!
2. I downloaded an app for my phone called “Get Running”.
At the recommendation of a Twitter friend, I decided to try the Couch to 5K runner training plan via the Get Running app (available for $2.99). It’s designed for people who are literally just starting to run (and get up off the couch!) and will build up endurance over a period of nine weeks (just three 30 minute work outs per week) to the point in which the runner will be able to run five straight kilometers without stopping.
The Get Running app coaches you verbally through each workout, day by day, week by week. A friendly voice encourages you and counts down as you complete each phase of the workout. Example: In week one, you will walk for five minutes to warm up, and the voice will alert you as to the end of the five minutes and it being time to begin your first one-minute run. Halfway through the minute long run, the voice will let you know you have “just thirty seconds remaining before you can walk again!” You then walk for one and a half minutes, run for a minute and so on with the voice coaching you all along. Each workout in the first week requires just eight total minutes of running.
Screen capture from the Get Running app
I can not believe I am actually saying that running feels like a doable and even enjoyable workout, but I am! I’m not sure if it’s just getting outside, enjoying the sights and smells of the neighborhood (I swear half of the houses I run near must make garlic bread or barbecue nightly!) or just the energy boost I get afterwards that’s addicting me to running, but whatever it is, it’s working.
If you’ve never run before, I highly encourage you to try the Get Running app or the Couch to 5K running program. Be sure you have good running shoes, dress appropriately and try to pick a time at which the outside temperature is as comfortable as possible. Start slowly, and don’t forget to stretch after. Give it a shot, who knows, you may actually like it! And if you do, come back and tell me so — maybe we can be running buddies sometime!
I started running about 6 weeks ago Nat! It’s amazing how much energy I have and what a good tension and stress relief it is for me! I have never been a runner, but now 2 miles a day doesn’t seem to be a huge deal! I am loving it!
Good read! You’re absolutely right about getting the right shoes. I like a cross training shoe myself. I also use an jogging/running app on my HTC that tracks my distance by using GPS. And don’t forget to take some good music & a good set of ear buds
I’m trying to decide what to do about the music thing. I don’t use iTunes for music (I use a Zune player). If I had my music on my phone, the voice who runs the program would just break into the music when needed, but with two separate devices, I’d worry I’d miss the running “coach” voice if I had earbuds in… though I also think music would improve my pace/enjoyment… what to do, what to do? Talk about first world problems to have though, huh?
I wish I did live closer and could run with you Natalie! I have been following your posts on the Thinking Blonde and now here for about 2 years and enjoy reading about your life and adventures so much! Keep it up! I look forward to reading your posts everyday!
Aww, thanks so much Chelsea! Thanks for commenting and the kind words, I truly appreciate it
If you ever are in Central CA, you’d better let me know — maybe we will sneak in a run 
(Or caffeinated beverage, yay coffee!)
I am nearing the third work out of my first week and this post really encouraged me to get off the couch and start running! I haven’t purchased the app yet but from the couch to 5K website there is another app that is $1.99 that does the same thing
I can’t wait to see how much I have improved over 9 weeks and for now I’m using the Runkeeper app to keep track until I can get the other one that has the cues. All I need now is an armband for my iphone and a good workout playlist! I am thankful for Pandora 
Thanks so much for the positive encouragement that comes from this website and all your posts! good luck to you as well 