New to the running scene, looking for some pointers

[morrison]

Hey, so, I'm new to working out regularly, and I don't really know what I'm doing, and if I'm going about achiveing my goals correctly. Heres the run down. I'm 18 year old female, 6'0, and 135 or so pounds, also I have asthma. I have a pretty slim build (also I've just moved out and am on my own for the first time so I don't eat quite right!) but I'm looking for more for an endurence and strength training regime for myself. I've never really done a running programme before though, so I was wondering how long I should be running for and how many times a week to start out? And how should I incorporate strengthening exercises into it? One of my biggest concerns is the asthma though; I can't run more than a couple blocks without having to use my inhaler. My doctor said that if I knew I was going to do some physical activity it was a good idea to use it before, but is that Ok for regular excerising? Does that count as cheating or something, since I'm just pumping myself full of steriods first?

Thanks!
Liz.

 

[dswithers]

Your initial goal should be to run for 20 minutes, 3 times a week. If you can only run 2 blocks, then go out and run 2 blocks 3 times this week and next week do 2-1/2 blocks and the next week 3 blocks. Just take your time and gradually increase the time/distance you run each week until you reach the 20 minute time. Then for a while just try to incerase the distance you cover in 20 minutes. That shuold keep yu busy for 6-12 months.

I would recommend you do some sort of resistance exercise on the alternate days of the week. So, for example, you run Monday, Wednesday and Friday and do resistance exercise Tuesday, Thusday and Saturday and rest Sunday. For resistance exercise you can join a gym or just get some dumbells and start at home. Check out the stickies in the weightlifting section for some more info on weight training. If you need some more ideas, just ask.