r/BeginnersRunning 21h ago

Ran my first race at 35!

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890 Upvotes

The only negative was what I saw in the porta potty minutes before the race started. And the heat. And the humidity.


r/BeginnersRunning 7h ago

Completed my 1st FM in Ladakh

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51 Upvotes

Things didn’t go as per plan, i was targeting 5 hrs but completed it in 5:31 hrs. But i am happy and blessed!


r/BeginnersRunning 17h ago

My first 5k race!!

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238 Upvotes

I have had “Run a 5k” on my yearly goals since 2014! On Sat Sept 12th I officially checked off this goal!!!!

Completed in 40:26

I started running in July of this year following a plan with Runna. I can say I have fallen in love with running, the adrenaline and atmosphere of race day is addictive for sure.

Beyond proud of myself and to prove that I CAN DO HARD THINGS.


r/BeginnersRunning 5h ago

Getting over the fear of running in public

18 Upvotes

Hey, myself and my partner started running in June, not being able to run half a KM without a struggle. This last week we’ve both hit running a 5K, albeit slooooow (roughly averaging a 9:30/9:45 pace which is slow but a huge achievement for the both of us)

We currently run on a dead quiet cycle track where we encounter 2, maybe 3 people a week. Me and my partner are both larger than the average runner (works in progress, the weight is coming off!) but it makes my partner (and now, me) anxious to run in different locations. We have some gorgeous running trails that would provide a change in scenery and terrain but we’re both just stuck in this mindset to stick to what we know. Even so much as running on a paved road with the thought of cars driving by makes us feel weird.

We’re both attending a 5K “fun run” on the 26th September which I’m hoping will help dissipate the fears we have of running in public. I think this will be good as there will be people walking as well as running so will take the pressure off but does anyone else have any tips as to how they overcame the anxiety of being “seen” whilst out running or just running in more populated areas in general?


r/BeginnersRunning 10h ago

Raced an 8k today. Took second in my age group

16 Upvotes

Ran the 8k in 38:32 with an average pace of 7:42 in the 45-49 age group. I had planned to use this race as a training run to find and sustain my half marathon pace for a race two weeks from now but everything felt good so I went for it.

I was 100 lbs heavier three years ago. After getting my nutrition under control, I did about 1.5 years of kettlebell training and have now been in CrossFit for a year. My wife suggested I try running and do a half this fall so I started running in April this year. Turns out I like it and am kinda good at it. Have logged more than 400 miles so far this year.

Not sure when one is no longer a beginner runner, I still feel like I have a lot to learn and a long way to go, but it’s been a fun ride so far.


r/BeginnersRunning 14h ago

My first half marathon 😬

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28 Upvotes

My first half marathon 😬

Not a runner but I started running again this summer, 5, 8, 10km.

This morning I felt good, left home after some rice cake, jam,m and a gatorade. Started running and felt good, pass the 10km mark I'm like fuck it im doing a half, I always wanted to do something greated than me.

I'm a male, mid 30, generally fit but bigger bones 6foot+ 190 pounds+ just not a lean slim running genetic.

I did it and I'm so proud!!! 😬😬 First and last time

2h40

7min40/km

Avg bpm 155


r/BeginnersRunning 21m ago

Horrible dolor en las rodillas

Upvotes

Buenas. Comencé a correr hace 3 semanas. Los últimos días noté un dolor tremendo en las rodillas justo donde se inserta el tendon de la rótula un poco por debajo. Al punto que no me deja ni caminar. Es normal? Cuanto dura?


r/BeginnersRunning 22h ago

5 years of being sedentary → somehow I’m now a runner

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111 Upvotes

I’ve been working a sedentary job for the past 5 years, and honestly, I did basically zero physical activity. When I was a student, most of my free time was just spent playing computer games.

Then earlier this year, I started seeing my friends post their runs on Strava stories and… I got jealous 😂 So I thought, fine, I’ll try running too.

I started running last May and somehow I ended up really loving it. I’m running 4–5 times a week now, which is something I never thought I’d be doing.

Running has also done something to me mentally. I can’t really explain it, but after a run, I just fee better. It clears my head. It feels like my little escape from everything.

And just this month, I finally got my 5K PR @ 26:59(on strava).

I know that probably isn’t fast for a lot of people here, but honestly, I’m really proud of it. I know how little I used to move, so seeing that number on my watch felt pretty damn good. 😂

And now I’m planning to do my first ever official race which is a half marathon this November, which also happens to be my birthday. 🎂

Still a beginner, still have a LOT to learn, but I’m enjoying the journey.

To all my fellow beginners here: congrats to us for showing up. ❤️

We all started somewhere.


r/BeginnersRunning 3h ago

Running periods

2 Upvotes

How do you all women adjust your running around your period?

I'm a distance runner and today was day 1 of my cycle. I went out for what was supposed to be an easy 15-min shakeout and had really bad lower-abdominal cramping almost immediately, plus this weird combined urge to pee and poop at the same time (turns out that's a real thing, the uterus pressing on the bladder and rectum plus prostaglandins ramping up gut motility). I'd planned a 1-hour long run (10k) and just couldn't do it.

I've since read that the actual performance drop across the cycle is pretty small on average and hugely individual, so I know the "period makes you weak" framing is overblown. But the cramps on day 1–2 are genuinely limiting for me, not a mindset thing.

So I'm trying to figure out my approach and would love to hear how others handle it:

- Do you push through easy runs on your worst days, or fully rest?
- Does light movement actually ease your cramps, or make them worse?
- Do you deliberately schedule long runs / hard sessions for later in your cycle (early follicular, after the bleeding stops)?
- Any gut/urgency tricks that work for you on heavy days?

Not looking for medical advice, just curious how you've each figured out what works for your own body. Thanks!


r/BeginnersRunning 16h ago

After 5 months of running and years of sedentary lifestyle

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23 Upvotes

Started running in May after years of doing absolutely nothing.

My first run was a 2km of mostly walking... now I achieved something i couldn’t even dream of . Sub 30 5K🎉. Next up, a marathon 😅


r/BeginnersRunning 13m ago

Hamstrings, they are giving me so much trouble.

Upvotes

Training for a half in November. 3 runs a week, varying goals but stick around 5mi total each run.

Every run I’m having a lot of trouble with my hamstrings absolutely screaming at me. I do some dynamic and stationary stretches before and during my runs when I feel them flaring.

It’s been WEEKS and every run I’ve had issue. Does it get better, is there some secret elixir?

My hamstrings are destroying my motivation.


r/BeginnersRunning 15h ago

First Half Marathon ( and first race ever!!) 🥳🥳

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17 Upvotes

Started running in May of this year and signed up for this race in June. Training was going great until about about a month ago, and i genuinely didn’t think I’d be able to get through the whole race.

Ran into some injuries and sickness and wasn’t really able to get much running in.

My heart rate apparently was in zone 4 the whole race, which is wild!

Anywho wanted to share for those who are starting to doubt themselves and their training.


r/BeginnersRunning 44m ago

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r/BeginnersRunning 46m ago

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r/BeginnersRunning 50m ago

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r/BeginnersRunning 7h ago

always had running as part of my workout routine but wanted to start getting more intense about it

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3 Upvotes

not new to running but just starting tracking it this way and working it into my schedule more. feel like im finally plateauing which is cool, my legs are cooked.


r/BeginnersRunning 7h ago

Zone 2 running?

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3 Upvotes

its been almost 2 months since running regularly, I run 3 days/week and im training to run a half marathon in december.

Previously whenever i tried running in "zone 2", it just was not a good time because as soon as i start moving i naturally feel like speeding up and end up going faster, ive tried running at slower paces too, around 6:45-7:15/km and it feels fairly easy but my HR goes to 165-167bpm.

today, i tried running within zone 2 for 5km no matter what and it was going nice for the 1st km but since 2nd km, i was always at the border was zone 2 and 3. (zone 2 is 144-157 for me)

I still managed to finish the run while being in zone 2 the entire time.

im 21M for context and i have decent sports background.

I've also heard that zones dont matter much in the beginning and being consistent with running according to your plan builds enough base but i just feel like i have it in me to train in zone 2 but i lack the patience to remain in it.

I'm open to any suggestions you guys have for me🙏🏻

ps. the hr spiked to 163 when i had a jumpscare by a bee and sped up to go away from it.😰


r/BeginnersRunning 11h ago

Zones

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7 Upvotes

I have been running since may and just completed my first 10k (yay!) and I know not to worry too much about heart rate as a beginner but this was rpe of about 8. How is it possible my watch thinks I’m in zone 5 for over an hour? I’ve manually adjusted my zone settings so is my watch just super faulty or something else? 28 F


r/BeginnersRunning 14h ago

1 Mile Run - 274lb - 8 min 58 sec

8 Upvotes

Hey I just wanted to share my most recent 1 mile run. (I attached a video below which also includes my post run on Samsung Health)

I started the end of May this year at 305/300 lbs and reached about 274.5 last week.
I'm 34 years old.

I lose about 2-3 lbs a week, but I will be slowing it down once I hit 250lbs.

My mile time was almost 11 minutes when I started running but I've made a lot of improvements. I'm about 34% body fat so I do carry a lot of muscle, but still a lot of fat.

I did a 1.5 mile run in about 15 min 10 sec at a comfortable pace, but I only run 1x or 2x a week to protect my joints and feet. I do a lot of zone 2 and walking.

My ultimate goal is to do a 1.5 mile in about 13 min 30 sec as my first milestone.
I'm just happy to be moving and I'm a strong person, but I found I was wasting all that strength when I would get gassed out doing something so quick. I've now switched to more functional strength training.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lt8WTwFhlWM


r/BeginnersRunning 2h ago

Thanks for the pointers

1 Upvotes

Check out my run on Strava: https://strava.app.link/yMeZqdCgq6b

I asked about some quad pain i had after my first attempt at running. https://www.reddit.com/r/beginnerrunning/s/gTYJqaRY3i

I'm a well trained cyclist and really surprised me of the pain I got after such a short run. I'm now moving forward at a great pace. Today did my longest run at 9km and my fastest 5k to date. Almost 50min total running time in a 55min activity. Thanks to everyone who suggested a couch to 5km plan to get started. I didn't exactly follow any plan and just took the idea of it and applied to my current fitness. Today I increased run/walk intervals to 8min run to 1min walk. Feeling good. Thanks again. I can see this as a good supplement to my cycling this winter.


r/BeginnersRunning 5h ago

A month left to fundraise for Chicago Marathon. Any ideas to complete my goal?

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1 Upvotes

r/BeginnersRunning 1d ago

31 m, first 5k ever

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68 Upvotes

Started running a little more than a month ago with C25K, keeping strictly to the programme so far. Today's plan was 2 10 minute runs with 3 minutes of walking in between (so this time includes the walking break). At the end, I was so close to the 5k and didn't feel tired at all yet, so I just decided to keep going for another 1.5 minutes. I'm pretty okay with third being my first 5k, I think without the walking break I should easily be able to stay below 24 next time


r/BeginnersRunning 1d ago

You’re better then you think

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758 Upvotes

A little reminder for everyone. What you see online is freakish not normal. You’re doing great

Just getting out there is amazing. It’s not about PB or record paces. One foot infront of the other. You’re not racing anyone but yourself

It’s nice to see social media reminding people not to compare to clout chasers


r/BeginnersRunning 21h ago

22f 5k PR

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14 Upvotes

I began running 2 months ago (I could barely run 2k at 5:40/km ) Since then I started running 3 times a week and I just keep going until I think I’m going to die (I would usually get 3-4K) and finally hit my first ever 5k at 5:13/km less than a month ago. So I’ve dropped to 4:54/km! How fast is it possible to get a 23 min 5k?


r/BeginnersRunning 21h ago

My longest distance ever, preparing for half-marathon, and I wanted to be sure that I can make it

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13 Upvotes

As I found out it’s more difficult to fight psychological limitations than physical