I'm always pro-Puma. They fit my feet better than anything else.

Sunkist First let me welcome you to the board.  I wouldn't recommend a shoe but I do recommend getting fitted for your shoes. Go to a running store.  They will watch how you run, either on a treadmill or just through the store. They will determine if you Overpronate, Superpronate etc.  Don't go to a box store, go to a store that specializes in running.

For the Newbies here are some tips:

1. Most of us did C25K training program  the link can be found on mine or AFMR blogs
2. There are podcasts by Robert Ullrey (techno music with prompts when to run and when to walk) links can be found on the same blogs  There is also kissmyblackass.org she has hip hop music but the explicit versions...just warning
3. If you are a woman- get a good bra so that you don't cause more sagging than necessary  MOving Comfort makes good ones  Fiona and Maia are the two top styles .  If you have full breast (in other words, you fill a complete cup and not just the bottom...get the Maia. I has an underwire and more coverage.  You don't feel the underwire...the best bra ever!
4. Start slow... for the first 6 mos to a year of running you are just building endurance and stamina and getting into the groove...if you start out too fast, you risk injury
5. Remember there will be days when you have what you perceive to be "bad" runs. That is okay. They happen. They happen to even elite runners.  They are like bad hair days...they just happen, there will be good ones, I promise.
6. Check in everyday and make some friends.  It is so much easier when you don't run alone, even if your running partners are thousands of miles away.
7. Sign up for your first 5K...give yourself a goal.  And remember, your first 5K goal is to just finish.
8. Try to get some tech shirts and pant/shorts.  Nothing fancy. Walmar sells them and Target.  Just something with wicking in them to pull the sweat away from you.
9. Remember to hydrate properly.  If you don't, you could get headaches.
10. Most importantly...have fun and enjoy the process!

I like your challenges idea; anything to keep me motivated and running this winter is good by me.

I completed W1D1 today (with new shoes/sports bra) and boy what a difference! Don't get me wrong, it kicked my hiney, and I went at a really slow pace, but I did it! Never in my wildest dreams did I think I could something like this, I'm overweight (not for long ) and suffered a torn ACL 2 yrs ago!. I feel like the possibilities are endless if I can make it through the program.

One thing that happened was I got what I like to call "exercise induced itching"...i'm sure there's a medical term for it; it usually happens anytime I start exercising after a bit of a hiatus....I was only about 10 minutes in and it started (talk about distraction and a reason to want to stop).  Anyone else experience something like this??? Does it get better? I am praying this is temporary because it surely took my focus off of what I was trying to do.

~Kris

I was just introduced to this website a few days ago and I love all the comments and encouragement. I was just about at 200 lbs  in March. Now I am at 176 and training for a 5K..currently on W5 D2.

Before March, I had tried to loose weight for soooo long without success.  At that time I heard about the Bodybugg.  I purchased it and have been on the right track eating better, eating less and going to the gym 4 or 5 times a week. With all of this, the scale seems to be stuck lately. any suggestions??

Hey everyone....It's been a few days since I've posted.  My modem is getting kind of pooey and my internet access is sketchy.  Plus my mom was admitted to the hospital again...that drama is ongoing.  I'm so glad I have exercise and not beer to help me deal with the stress.  Oh yeah, and the job loss thing.  Whatever.

I completed Week 8 Day 2 today.  (yes, newbies....I started this program in this group at W1/D1 and am now running 28 minutes straight.  You WILL do it!)  My W8/D1 on Sunday was my best run EVER , and I mean EVERRRRRR.  Wore my new HD radio, listened to some Top 40 dancy stuff, which usually makes me want to puke but man the steady beads kept my mind and body just going, and going, and going.  I'm averaging still around an 11 minute mile.  Tonight was W8/D2....a little tougher because I was on the indoor track which is more monotonous and the air inside is very dry.  But even though it got tough, the music kept me going.  After that I did weight training for about 20 minutes and burned off a lot of stress.

Can't believe I'm just 4 runs away from the last one!  I look forward to expanding it and starting maybe the pushup program.

To the new folks....this is a terrific program.  Welcome!

Hi everyone, ai am so glad I found you all. I am a new/newbie. I have just made the decision to run my 1st 5k in December. So I will start training tomorrow, I am excited and scared to death all in one. I has bariatric surgery in August and have lost about 55lbs, I just made my first 2 mile slow jog Sunday i was so excited. Who'd a thought? I ahve a ways to go to run a 5k. I hope i can stick to the training, any advice for a newbie like myself