The runners thread

[FRPLG]

Getting the right shoes is important. Different shoes are designed for different physiologies. Go to a runners shop and have them watch you run so they can fit you properly with a matching shoe.

Also after a few weeks you'll find a mile feels pretty lame. If you're thinking about running a half or full marathon you need to start working on what is called a "base". Meaning putting in miles to help your body and mind prepare to go longer distances. You could work your way up to 2.5-3 miles in a month with dedication and get to 5 in 10 weeks. Then you could really start light training for a marathon or half.

Finally...don't run every day. It might be ok in the beginning but your body needs recovery time. Every other day would be better. On off days do some type of cross training or jog/walk to get stretched out and raise your heartbeat.

[MTK]

There are some good running apps out there to help you train and stay on track. As for shoes I agree, hit up a running shop and get fitted by the pros. Having the right shoes makes all the difference.

[Hog1]

Some good info here!
The right shoes EVEN if they cost a few bucks are the most important tool a runner can have. AND CHico is right they're are tons of good parks and tracks to be had to run on. Better on your feet and joints to run on surfaces that are not....concrete, asphalt....etc. AND it is far more interesting to run in parks....bike trails....nature trails. I used to reserve tracks for "late NIght" runs when I could not get it done any sooner......boring. You won't stick with it if you are bored to death.
I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings, but if you are really doing this for basketball stamina, it will be most helpful to that end to sprinkle in a righteous portion of Suicides....wind sprints, etc
.........enjoy
I think it was FRPLG, but whoever is right. You should be able to add at least a mile a month or more (don't get crazy with it)and you will find that it will begin to increase exponentially after 5 miles or so. After you can do 10....you can basically run crazy distances.........

[FRPLG]

Once you get up towards 10 miles the challenge isn't physical but mental. I have never finished a race or run (of greater than say 7 mikes), no matter what the pace, that left me feeling I couldn't go another mile. Once your body can go a legit distance...it can do any reasonable legit distance. Just becomes a battle in your head. But...it is not a good idea to add more than say 10ish% total mileage a week.

If you shoot for 1 mile a day, every other day, you should add say a 1/4 mile to every other run the second week and then 1/4 to the other runs the third week.

Week 1
M - 1
W - 1
F - 1

Week 2
M - 1.25
W - 1
F - 1.25

Week 3
M - 1.25
W - 1.25
F - 1.25

Week 4
M - 1.5
W - 1.25
F - 1.5

That gives you 3 miles in week one and by the end of week 4 you're at 4.25.

Listen to your legs...pain is bad...sore and tired is fine. There's a difference. Ice your knees religiously after runs...you'll thank me for that one. When I got back into running after taking 10+ years off I spent a year building a base of about 30 miles a week. I iced religiously...now I don't have to ice. My legs and body have gotten used to the running and adjusted physiologically to handle it. It takes a year.