I am the same way... and started a running regime earlier this year, but this was quickly stopped after a serious car accident put me in recovery for a couple weeks... i'm getting ready to start back up sinc ei have more time this summer, and have since healed from the previously mentioned car accident. I'm going to do what i did then, as it seemed to be working for me (and gives you a goal to work towards, which really helps me).
Previous info about me personally:
- i walk A LOT around campus, so could walk at a decent pace for long periods of time
- I am totally out of shape as soon as it got to a jog
- I have some upper body strength, as my job requires me to lift dummy foals
- I have sensitive knees, so went super slow to prevent damaging them.
Okay, so my running plan.
Week1
- Day 1: Walk at fast pace for 35 minutes (record distance)
- Day 2: repeat
- Day 3: rest
- Day 4: walk/slow jog for 35 minutes (record distance)
- Day 5: repeat
- Day 6: repeat
- Day 7: rest
Then for week 2 and 3 you kind of do the same thing with walking/jogging, slowly increasing the amount of time you jog and therefore increasing the distance you cover in 35 minutes. Week 1 and 2 have 2 rest days, and for week 3 and on replace one of the rest days with a cross training exercise like swimming, or biking, or other cardio exercises. Starting week 4 you should be jogging more than half the time, and by week 6 you should be jogging for the entire 35 minutes (start with a slow jog and don't forget to warm up and cool down before and after the 35 minutes).
This is just how i did it, and week 6 was about as far as i got. depending on what level of fitness you are at, just conform the plan to what fits best with you. If you find walking isn't increasing your heart rate enough, then jog a little more... or if jogging becomes to much then walk a little more.
For me, the goal of increasing my distance each time i went to the gym really motivated me to try harder, and pushed me through those times when i just wanted to walk.
Good luck! and let us know how it goes for you.
