New Runner...Need Help!!!?

Question

Hello,

My name is Adam and I am 15 and need major help! This question is posted mainly for current distance runners, but any information will be greatly appreciated.

I am a new runner and I love the sport. So far, I can run one mile in approximately nine minutes. I really need help planning my runs and I would really like to improve my running to five miles at an eight minute pace. I have tried several methods to improve my running, however I still find it hard to push myself to run two or three miles. I would also like to improve my breathing techniques so I can run further without "dying". My goal is by the time I am seventeen, I would like to run a half merithon. Please Help Me...It would mean so much to me!

Answer 1

This is the best advice I can give to a new runner:

Don't worry about distance, worry about time.

In other words don't try to run three miles, just try to run for thirty minutes.  When you become comfortable with that then add on another 10 or another 30.  The miles will happen naturally.  Don't worry about mileage or pace, your just beginning!  Just run!  Get an ipod and find a free podcast on itunes that you enjoy and just run and get lost in the podcast.  

I just finished my second marathon and I started running three years ago.  This was the best advice I ever got.

Answer 2

motivation.. sounds like thats all you need. just dont give out when your out on those 10 mile days or whatever. if you feel like your going to fast then hey! just slow down and speed up till you know your tolerence and then just have fun with it. i guarentee if you train hard enough and motivate your self enough then your goal will be passed when you run a full marithon

Answer 3

haha have i got a plan for you i have an excellent summer training program designed for XC base building that is sure to lower your times...it includes workouts 6-7 days a week and if you get tired you can always take a long easy day off...i ran this and improved my 5k time the prior year of 20:42 to 18:01 this year...they are saved on my computer as word docs so i can't post them here(to extensive to fit anyway) so contact me through my profile page if your interested and i can get them to you