Is it too late to start running?

Question

i've never been a GREAT runner, but i jog okay, i'm 17, and i really wanna start being the person that wakes up all early and starts running for FUN, not to die for a workout, do you have any tips on becoming one, and do you think i can do it, or is it already too late. thnx :)

Answer 1

Its never too late. You just need to get motivated. Start by waking up not to early and taking jogs. Each day wake up a little earlier and increse the amount you jog. Jog a little faster everyday. It would be a good idea if you had a ipod or mp3 or even radio because the music distracts you from the pain or exhaustion.

Answer 2

Definitely not too late.  You're 17!  You're young.  Go for it.  It's great.  My brother is 21 and he started running again.  Once you get past the soreness and all that, running is amazing.  Sometimes it just makes me so happy and energized.  

Just start out at a 15 minute jog.  (longer if you can).  Do that for a while and maybe go for 20-25 minutes when you're comfortable.  And just keep increasing the length of the job slowly (increase too fast, you'll get injured because you won't let your body get used to it and that's no fun).  

And just have fun.  Running is amazing.  It's healthy and fun.

Answer 3

Yea have a good dinner the night before. Go to bed early enough to wake up not so tried in the morning. And eat a small snack. then run for how long you can take. You can take little brakes here or there. then when your done go do what you have to do. Hoped i helped out....good luck. Don't give up!!!

=0)

Answer 4

...

Nope, it's not too late at all.

First off, it's not too late to be a runner - some of the world's best didn't start til their late teens or early twenties.  And some of this country's best masters runners (40 and older) didn't start til their thirties!

A few tips for early morning running -

-do whatever you can to take the decision out of whether to run in the morning or not.  Even long-term early morning runners, if they have a decision, often go back to bed for a few more z's.

-get a couple of friends to join you at a specific time each morning, and make sure that if it's just two of you who show up at that time, leave when the time comes - don't wait "another 5 minutes."

-go to bed at the same time each night.  Part of becoming an early morning runner is adjusting your whole body to a new sleep and activity cycle.  This may mean cutting out the caffeine in the afternoons and curtailing a few activities in the evening, but if this is something you really want . . .

-EXCEPT FOR LIGHTNING, plan on running no matter what the weather, rain, snow, cold, whatever!  Get the clothes you need for running in the rain and the snow.  Again, you've got to take the decision out of getting up and getting going!

-if running alone . . . make sure it's a safe route, one that you're never afraid to run or walk, no matter what time of the day.  

-and with that, determine your route, or routes, in advance, so this is taken out of the early morning decision-making process.  You may have one route to do MWF, and another TThSa (and a recovery day - possibly walking or biking - on Su!).

-add a few goals to your running.  Finishing a 5K or 10K.  Running 60 minutes a day.  (Losing a few pounds, if that's an issue - it is with me from time to time!)  Make a few new (running) friends.  Get in shape for another sport - bball, soccer, whatever.

-tell people what you are doing, and what your goals are, so you have a bit of self-made peer pressure for making this a habit.

Running first thing is really the best.  It's best for getting the body and mind going, and truly contributes to all kinds of productivity throughout the rest of the day.

Regards,

Phil

Answer 5

This is what my coach told our team:

write 3 running related goals

-one week goal

-one year goal

-10 years goal

or any variation of short and long term goals on a piece of paper and put them on the wall next to your bed.

That way its the last thing you see before you go to sleep, and the first thing you see when you wake up.

This such as,

-i want to be able to run 30 minutes straight by one week.

-I want to have a 21 minute 5 k before the end of the cross country season.

-And i want to incorporate running into my everyday life for the rest of my life.

You should go to mapmyrun.com to find routes around your neighborhood and their distances to help with distance goals.

Tell your family to help you, such as telling them to wake you up during vacation, to motivate you, to tell you what a good job your doing, to buy you sports drinks, and things like that.

Also dont think about the negatives, dont think, ugh i have to get home and run for 40 minutes today.

Instead, think things like, instead of going on myspace for an hour, im going to feel so good when i go to sleep tonight after that nice run.

Answer 6

Girl, it is definately not too late. If I can do it, anyone can do it. Haha, seriously I am NOT a morning person. But I've commited myself to get my butt up early 3 times a week. What helps me is that I go jogging with my friend and we talk and stuff. I find it more fun going jogging with a friend than by myself. Also, start out slow. Do some walking mixed in with jogging and stop whenever you feel like. You don't have to be a pro at it right off the bat. ;) Have fun with it! It's great you're wanting to do this and you will benefit greatly from it! Good luck! =)

Answer 7

It might be too late if you were 70 but not 17.

It's all about the right motivation: make sure you prepare your running staff on the previous night, let yourself at least half an hour between waking up and going out, get something to drink, eat a light snack, visualize how great you will feel all day long after the morning run, and have fun.