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Hello TL. Summer's coming around, and it's time to get in shape before my first year in college. Right now I am pretty scrawny, I haven't exercised in about 5 years(and even then it was hardly exercise since I was so young).
I am interested in starting to run, and the most I can run is about 1 mile(pathetic I know) without completely running out of breath and fainting. I was wondering to you buffs out there, if you had any tips for anyone who wants to start running. How soon will I see improvement? Will I be able to run 1 mile today, 2 miles in a month, and 3 miles the next month? Also, what kind of chances does a relatively short kid(5'10") have on a college track team, since I usually see tall people running. Thanks for the help 
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16935 Posts
If you're pretty scrawny and want to look good for college, you probably shouldn't exclusively be running.
People of all heights are welcome on a college track team; you just have to be good. I highly doubt you could walk on. Maybe find a recreational running club?
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running only makes you more scrawny, you know that right?
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United States24483 Posts
I'm gonna start exercising somehow somewhat someway soon also. I'm amazed by how often the advice I'm given doesn't align at all with what I need. I was just talking to my friend about how golf is sorta hurting my hand/wrist/thumb on my right hand, to which he commented yeah you are kinda out of shape better hit the treadmill and was being serious...
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If you didn't exercise for 5 years you can expect going from 1 mile to 2 miles in just a few sessions.
That's what is enjoyable in the first few weeks when you take on running, your body adapts pretty fast and you can really feel the improvement.
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United States24483 Posts
I've never found running enjoyable LOL
In middle school we did the mile run and I actually took it somewhat seriously and I did slowly improve and it still just sucked every time :-/
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Running will improve endurance and reduce body-fat, but you won't gain much muscle. If being physically scrawny is your concern, you'll want to lift weights while consuming more calories than you need.
Running endurance isn't necessarily linear, but you will improve over time. You'll improve a lot at first, and then less over time. Though it all depends on how hard you push yourself. When I first started jogging I couldn't complete much more than a quarter mile without taking breaks to walk. After a couple months I was running for 20 minutes at a time (my goal) which I'd guess was 3 miles or so. And I'm a smoker!
Keep it up, you'll improve. My advice would be to run for time, not distance. Then when you're at a place where you can keep a steady pace for an aerobic workout (that'd be the 20 minutes I mentioned), you can start adding speed so you cover more distance in the same amount of time.
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On May 30 2010 10:58 Tadzio wrote:
Running will improve endurance and reduce body-fat, but you won't gain much muscle. If being physically scrawny is your concern, you'll want to lift weights while consuming more calories than you need.
Running endurance isn't necessarily linear, but you will improve over time. You'll improve a lot at first, and then less over time. Though it all depends on how hard you push yourself. When I first started jogging I couldn't complete much more than a quarter mile without taking breaks to walk. After a couple months I was running for 20 minutes at a time (my goal) which I'd guess was 3 miles or so. And I'm a smoker!
Keep it up, you'll improve. My advice would be to run for time, not distance. Then when you're at a place where you can keep a steady pace for an aerobic workout (that'd be the 20 minutes I mentioned), you can start adding speed so you cover more distance in the same amount of time.
I'd say go lift the weights and eat the calories. You'll become a huge tank, then's the time for jogging.
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What I always find funny is these huge weight guys who can't run and get winded so fast yet they have huge muscles.
Find a balance. College guys tend to think that weights is all there is. If you actually want to be good at sports you need to do both ... run and lift.
I just laugh when I have to play bball with these huge muscular guys because I can actually run the whole game and tire them out. The same is true for a lot of other sports where speed and endurance trump pure strength and "looking muscular".
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Running builds on you. When I first started I could only do a mile too, but now I'm not satisfied unless I run at least 3 when I go to the gym. Just stick with it and you'll improve.
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Eat food, do weights, take up RASSLING!
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If you're just starting out running, take it easy and make it something you can enjoy. Getting friends to run with you is the easiest way to keep a consistent workout going. I'd suggest mixing up running and walking at first. Setting a specific goal also helps, as you'll be able to clearly gauge your improvement.
From my personal experience, just throw in some push ups and crunches after you finish your run and you'll strike a good balance. Also, eat more.
Don't worry about your height if you're interested in joining the track team. Depending on the size of the college you're going to attend, expectations can be extremely high.
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On May 30 2010 10:32 BDF92 wrote:Hello TL. Summer's coming around, and it's time to get in shape before my first year in college. Right now I am pretty scrawny, I haven't exercised in about 5 years(and even then it was hardly exercise since I was so young). I am interested in starting to run, and the most I can run is about 1 mile(pathetic I know) without completely running out of breath and fainting. I was wondering to you buffs out there, if you had any tips for anyone who wants to start running. How soon will I see improvement? Will I be able to run 1 mile today, 2 miles in a month, and 3 miles the next month? Also, what kind of chances does a relatively short kid(5'10") have on a college track team, since I usually see tall people running. Thanks for the help
Consider Sprinting, you'll get RIPPED.
Consider doing powerlifting to increase your overall body strenght then cut up by doing sprinting + diet.
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Most track people are actually pretty scrawny. If you do long distance you will stay pretty scrawny but may be easier, but short distance will get you pretty buffed up but it will probably be harder.
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On May 30 2010 11:47 Rev0lution wrote:Show nested quote +On May 30 2010 10:32 BDF92 wrote:Hello TL. Summer's coming around, and it's time to get in shape before my first year in college. Right now I am pretty scrawny, I haven't exercised in about 5 years(and even then it was hardly exercise since I was so young). I am interested in starting to run, and the most I can run is about 1 mile(pathetic I know) without completely running out of breath and fainting. I was wondering to you buffs out there, if you had any tips for anyone who wants to start running. How soon will I see improvement? Will I be able to run 1 mile today, 2 miles in a month, and 3 miles the next month? Also, what kind of chances does a relatively short kid(5'10") have on a college track team, since I usually see tall people running. Thanks for the help Consider Sprinting, you'll get RIPPED. Consider doing powerlifting to increase your overall body strenght then cut up by doing sprinting + diet.
Many sprinters are ripped. But it's not the sprinting alone that brings about their physique. They do a ton of lifting as well. At least... I was a sprinter in high school, and I'm sure not buff.
OP: The fact that you state you haven't exercised in 5 years is semi-comical to me. I think you one of the best routes you could take is to pick a sport (though it may be hard since you are kinda old) like basketball or something and start playing on a regular basis. It's more fun than just running (imo) and is something to do with other people. Otherwise running and doing some lifting is never bad. No matter what you do, I'd recommend exercising on a somewhat regular basis a few times a week at least.
btw: imo running outside is way more fun (and less boring than running on a treadmill), plus you can get a nice tan (especially if your shirt is off) so it's like multitasking
And why would height matter for a track team? Being fast is all that matters.
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...Haven't ran in 5 years and you're interested in joining the college track team?
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On May 30 2010 12:44 selboN wrote:
...Haven't ran in 5 years and you're interested in joining the college track team?
Yeah I know, being a bit to optimistic but like what someone said earlier, I think I'd join a recreational running team. Thanks a lot for the replies everyone, they will certainly help in my goal to run.
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Shit. when i don't run/excercise for 5 weeks i feel hopelessly out of shape.
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On May 30 2010 17:52 HeavOnEarth wrote:
Shit. when i don't run/excercise for 5 weeks i feel hopelessly out of shape.
yeah that
I haven't exercised since finals (May 1st) ended and I feel terrible about myself lol 
as a semi follow-up to the OP, what sorts of lifting regimens would you guys recommend? I used to lift but I sorta just randomly did everything in the gym. I'm asking because there's a ton of information out there and I'm not 100% on what to go with. What I mean is like separating muscle groups on different days, approx. #sets sort of thing
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It takes about a month to get in condition for running, and it may get a little painful. You heart and lungs should get remarkably better in a relatively short amount of time as long as you keep up with it.
If you want to run and not lift, don't lift, don't fall into some nonsense lifestyle because a bunch of guys say getting muscular should be a priority in life.
If you want to lift, well everybody's going to tell you what they do, but it really depends what you want to get out of it. I mean, recommend for what? Getting in shape for what?
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EPT
