Running - I need help!

My daughter wants someone to run with.  Unfortunately, her dad and brother are just too fast and intense for her to keep up.  So, she wants to run with me.  The problem?  I loathe running!!!  I can walk, swim, ride for hours, but I can not run and I avoid it like the plague. 

I think the reason is that I just have never found a rhythm and so I start way too fast, and then can't maintain the momentum.  I need to find a programme that I can follow and not feel overwhelmed by it.  I need to do this for my daughter. 

All you runners out there, do you have any tips?

i've been trying to take up running because I would like to drop about 20 or 30 pounds.  I'm 5'8 and I am at my heaviest that i have ever been at 207 lbs.  I have always hated running but I know it's the best way to lose the weight.  My problem is after about 10 minutes, the sides of my feet start to hurt.  I've never found a running shoe that is comfortable and I just can't get the motivation. 

I also have a fear of running in public.  When I was in high school I was jogging down the road to lose weight for wrestling, and these dudes slowed down beside me in a pickup truck and started yelling..."GET MOVING FAT A$$!!!" to this day, whenever I run, I feel like people are making fun of me.  It was very traumatizing.

How odd - just in from my run and saw your post. 
Since you guys are in the UK I found the Runner's World site and link for beginners.
http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/news/article.asp?UAN=24
I'm sure if you had a look around the site there might be a schedule that fits your needs.  I find running very personal and what works for one may not work for another.

I think the reason is that I just have never found a rhythm and so I start way too fast, and then can't maintain the momentum. I need to find a programme that I can follow and not feel overwhelmed by it. I need to do this for my daughter.

First off - I think this is SO sweet to do this for your daughter.  My parents got me into running when I was 8.  I ran my first 10K and loved it ever since.  Some of my favorite memories are running with them and even now my mother and I still do 5K-8K runs together.

A short warm-up before you start and some light stretching will help get the blood flowing to your muscles.  The warm-up could be a brisk walk.  When you begin to run, start off from a brisk walk - that might help you slow down.  On an easy run, you should be able to comfortably carry on a conversation.  If you can't, slow down some more.  When I run alone with my iPod and without my heart rate monitor - I sing...yes people think I'm crazy, but it helps me monitor my level.

i've been trying to take up running because I would like to drop about 20 or 30 pounds. I'm 5'8 and I am at my heaviest that i have ever been at 207 lbs. I have always hated running but I know it's the best way to lose the weight. My problem is after about 10 minutes, the sides of my feet start to hurt. I've never found a running shoe that is comfortable and I just can't get the motivation.

I believe running is 80% mental and 20% physical.  I only say this because when I run marathons, I know after 20 miles the last 6.2 my brain is running NOT my legs!  The first 10 minutes are always the worst part of all of my runs.  After the first 10 minutes, just tell yourself 10 more.  When my motivation is down, I go for a run that is a certain number of minutes/miles out and then back - so I have to run.  I find if I run in a circle, around a track or a park, it's too easy to bail out.  Now, if you are having pain, serious pain - there is another issue.  Have you ever been fitted for running shoes?  I'd go to a running specific store and tell them what happens to your feet.  I saw in another post you will be returning to the US shortly - I reccommend Fleet Feet.  It's a national chain and they are staffed by runners.  I've had really great experiences there.  They never make you feel you have to buy the most expensive shoe and let you try on many different styles and allow you to run down the block to get a feel. 

I also have a fear of running in public. When I was in high school I was jogging down the road to lose weight for wrestling, and these dudes slowed down beside me in a pickup truck and started yelling..."GET MOVING FAT A$$!!!" to this day, whenever I run, I feel like people are making fun of me. It was very traumatizing.

This is horrible!  Easy for them as the DROVE by!  I'm sure this has left scars, but if you truly want to run outside then you need to put it out of your mind.  80%mental right    You want to run to lose weight, so when you are out there on the road think about that.  Think that you have taken control of your fitness and are out there doing that to improve your health.  Positive thinking...You are doing this for you - who care what anyone else thinks! Right!?  And anyone who does think of harassing you is just a big ass!

Good luck to you both and if you need motivation don't hesitate to ask!  I'm full of it...motivation that is. 

thanks mekaw.  That's really motivating.  Any suggestions on when the best time of day to run is?  Morning, afternoon, night.  or is it more of a personal preferance.  Wasn't sure if maybe morning runs got your metabolism going for the rest of the day or jump starting it before bed was better.  any suggestions

Mekaw - I was hoping I'd get some input from you!   OK I'm convinced, but it was the singing that put me over.  I LOVE to sing so maybe that is the key.  I sing under my breath all the time anyway.  And the out and back, although I always figure  "I can just walk home.."  We were out for a good three hours for a ramble on the weekend, and I could have gone longer.   It's just the darn running...

StormintheUK, Good luck with your running.  Maybe you should sign up for soccer..  that'll get you running!  And don't say you have to be fit before you can play - just get out there and do it!

Pink, some of my fittest days were when I was on the pitch in high school.  Some of my friends back home I think play on an indoor team during the winter.  I'll surely enquire about joining up with them.  I find it a lot easier to exercise and run when sports are involved.

You are both very welcome!  Happy I was motivating....You'll have to remind me of this in a few weeks when my long run milage is in the teens!

IMO, time of day is a personal preference.  I prefer to run in the morning.  It's a bit cooler and I find it a little safer on the roads, but I don't live in the UK so I can't really comment on the safety of the roads where you are.  Frankly running in Southampton scares the crap out of me and I don't do it alone!  Too much traffic.  I do find running in the AM boosts my metabolism for the rest of the day. It's like coffee to me.  I find if I push my run to the evening, I'll skip it.  When I get home from work, I always seem to find something else to do.  Plus, running in the morning tends to make me eat better through the day and I swear I sleep better at night.  When I run in the evening it's always hard for me to settle down to sleep.

Singing, snapping - whatever it takes!  I'm used to people looking at me like I'm crazy...running in the rain, the sub-zero weather.  BF and I run together and he does not like to talk, so I asked if he would mind if I wore my iPod and he said as long as I didn't sing!  REALLY!  So I spare him...Although I still talk to him.  It's a one sided conversation, but it helps pass the time.

There is nothing wrong with walking when you go out for a run.  Sometimes you need to.  Jeff Galloway is a famous running coach and his most successful marathon training program is a walk/run.  So don't feel discouraged if you have to walk. 

When you are beginning to run, it's going to be hard.  You may not be able to run a mile without walking and that's okay!  Don't get discouraged.  You need to build up your milage and your fitness and then you will start to see results - I promise.  Just stick to it!

Stormin - go for the football!  That's stamina if I've ever seen it!

ugh, day one was rough.  I think I did about a mile, but it was mainly fast walking.  A couple of 30 second burst here or there.  By the time I got home my calves were burning and my lower back hurt.  I guess that spare tire didn't help me out.

Pink, some of my fittest days were when I was on the pitch in high school.  Some of my friends back home I think play on an indoor team during the winter.  I'll surely enquire about joining up with them.  I find it a lot easier to exercise and run when sports are involved.

please tell me it's "real indoor soccer"  with boards and 6 a side..  Now THAT is huge fun!!!  In eastern Canada there is a ridiculous trend to build these "indoor pitches" but they are definitely NOT for indoor soccer.  It is essentially just to keep up fitness over the winter.  Real Indoor soccer will certainly build up your fitness and it's a fun game!

yea, its proper indoor with the pitch surrounded like a hockey rink.  I love indoor and soccer in general.  I just sent an email to a couple of friends in the states saying we were coming home and to save me a spot on the roster.  The timing should work out well.  They only play once a week, but that should motivate me to do something during the week to help build up my stamina.

Plus I want to drop the weight so I look good for my newborn.  Only 2 more weeks before we find out the sex!

my biggest problem is snacking during the day.  I need to buy fruit or something and snack on that as opposed to cookies.

ugh, day one was rough.  I think I did about a mile, but it was mainly fast walking.  A couple of 30 second burst here or there.  By the time I got home my calves were burning and my lower back hurt.  I guess that spare tire didn't help me out.

Hey!  I never said it would be easy! 
How did you feel today?  48 hours after is usually the worst, but muscles start to recover after that.  Lower back pain could be due to posture while running.  It's common.  Strengthening your core muscles helps...yes, that means ab work! 

my biggest problem is snacking during the day. I need to buy fruit or something and snack on that as opposed to cookies.

Drink lots of water.  Eating snacks that are high in fiber also helps you feel full. 
I get the evil munchies too.    Today I had Sun Chips - I know not that bad, but still unnecessary!

i find it hard to get healthy snacks here.  I don't have a car so I walk to a Somerfield, but it's just a little one so they never have things like baked chips.  only the fatty ones.  I know its no excuse but.......

day 2 put me in more pain than day one.  I ran the same route but had to walk more.  It must be a posture thing because my lower back was throbbing.  yesterday I did not run because I went to my hour long kickboxing class.  But i'm not to sore it seams from the running.  Just some minor back aches.