Starting a running program?

Question

I want to start running, but I'm in horrible shape. Well...okay, I'm not THAT bad, I have muscles, but my cardiovascular fitness sucks (I smoke, lol). So, my question is, how should I start? I'm thinking of walking 29 minutes, running 1 minute the first day, then the next day adding another minute of running and subtracting a minute of walking, and so on. After thirty days, theoretically, I should be up to thirty minutes of running without having a heart attack, lol. Will that work, or should I do something else?

Oh, no comments about the smoking-that's why I want to start running, to help me quit!

Answer 1

Don't do the run/walk/run/walk number.  That's for really obese people and those who have zero physical fitness.  What you want to do is start by walking 1-2 minutes to warm up, then go for a slow 20 minute run.  Just get your body used to moving constantly for an extended period of time.

If you aren't running fast, it's easy to build up to 30 minutes.  That's about a 2.5 mile jog, or a little less, depending on speed.

Get out and run!  It's the best way to start.

Answer 2

You have to do what you feel comfortable with I just started a program for myself I started with 20 min of jogging and after that push ups and sits. Good Luck.