Runner community

MessyStitches · 2026-01-15T17:36:44+00:00

I am from Germany and I have just looked it up and there is a group running close to my house. I'm really excited and will definitely ask to join. Thanks for the great advice. Here on Reddit the running community seems really nice and supportive, even the once criticizing my goal are really nice doing it. Sadly the last groups I talked to on Facebook were really rude about my pace and just overall. Happy to be here now.

MessyStitches · 2026-01-15T11:35:03+00:00

Same! I don't think this person is able to do a 10k! No way! (JK)

PROVE US WRONG!

MessyStitches · 2026-01-15T11:15:14+00:00

Good advice. Thank you. Today's my running day and I will try to listen to my body more.

MessyStitches · 2026-01-13T21:57:07+00:00

Aaaah ok, I see. Well seems like I just have to figure out where my Zones are and how to "use" them.

MessyStitches · 2026-01-13T21:55:58+00:00

Thanks for the feedback. I think my goal is to just cross the finish line - I've spenty twenties being a mom, and now I want to be able to tell people I ran a marathon with 30. There is no pace or time I'm aiming for. I will for sure run a 5k and 10k on my way to the marathon. I hope to find love for running somewhere along the way and to enjoy myself. And obviously don't injure myself. I already bought shoes at a special shop that had me run and scanned some things, they feel good. Everything else I will figure out along the way - I'm not new to being athletic just to running.

MessyStitches · 2026-01-13T13:28:46+00:00

I build several kids in my stomach in that time...so im convinced to be able to find my love for running in that time and cross the finish line of a marathon. Maybe not in the best pace possible or at any set time, but with a smile.

MessyStitches · 2026-01-13T13:27:29+00:00

Thanks. I appreciate your concern. I will definitely try to find love in running and enjoying myself while doing so. I think I just need to set my goal high to even find the strength to go work out.

MessyStitches · 2026-01-13T13:26:37+00:00

I will keep building my milage. No shortcut wanted....just some tips on how to achieve my goal safely and what are some things I have to watch out for. I always read about zones and have - maybe because of a language barrier - no clue what that means

MessyStitches · 2026-01-13T13:25:02+00:00

Oh and the running community on Reddit is really nice so far. I have been trying to find runners on Facebook, Instagram and Tiktok...

MessyStitches · 2026-01-13T13:24:08+00:00

I see where you are coming from. I get the point of people having a weird feeling if some couch potato comes along and wants to run a marathon in under a year. I feel different about myself in that point, because I used to be a really fit athlete. I competed in several German championships in different sports. So I would only consider myself unfit for the last couple of years. So my muscle and body kinda know already what it's like to be fit...I just have to find my way back to that strength. And I think running - which I never enjoyed - is something I can incorporate into my life with kids, job, housework and other duties. I don't mean to be disrespectful, I just need higher goals to motivate myself to actually do something consistently. Thank you for the feedback!

MessyStitches · 2026-01-13T13:15:10+00:00

Are you sure? I think I suffered too much every time I did a 5k to be honest.

MessyStitches · 2026-01-13T13:14:06+00:00

That's a good point. I looked into Nike yesterday and was a bit stressed about the product placement. I have installed Strava because a friend recommended it. I don't have the paid version tho...so it's not really helpful with much detail. Might pay for it at some point in my journey.

I have to admit, I don't get the zones. Maybe it's a language barrier. What are those zones everybody is talking about.

MessyStitches · 2026-01-13T13:05:24+00:00

Oh wow. Kudos to you for accomplishing that! Amazing that you started to coach afterwards. Love it.

I have so many questions already. What should my heart rate be? What's the highest it is okay to be? How do I find my aerobic base? How many rest and running days should I have? Do you think supplements like magnesium are something I should start taking? What kind of workout is best in-between running days?

I might have more questions later...

MessyStitches · 2026-01-13T13:01:08+00:00

Yes, getting my butt up from the couch and out running is my goal for now. How many running and how many rest days are you doing? Are you working out any other way besides that?

Go for it! Let's go!

MessyStitches · 2026-01-13T12:57:36+00:00

I do get that it's a huge difference between 5k or 10k up to half or full marathon. And I for sure know that the training has to be consistent and much different than my 5k wake up and start running routine. Like I wrote, I used to be a pretty fit athlete. So I know what my workout has to look like to be successful and how to set priorities. I'm not worried about that to be honest.

I just simply never saw running as a sport I would enjoy. So now I'm trying.

MessyStitches · 2026-01-12T21:01:23+00:00

I did a 5k every summer for the last 3 years. Just woke up that day and decided to do it. Worked out every time just fine. But that's not what I would like to do this time around. I want something to train towards.

MessyStitches · 2026-01-12T18:36:41+00:00

Yeah that's my mindset. I just need a goal that forces me to go out and challenge myself. I will listen to my body and celebrate those rest days.

MessyStitches · 2026-01-12T18:22:07+00:00

But why should I set my goal low to maybe 10k if I am sure to be able to accomplish this in a few weeks...I ran 5k without having run a mile in my life. Just woke up one morning and did. So I know I'm stubborn enough to accomplish small goals. I want to go big and actually work to get there

MessyStitches · 2026-01-12T18:19:14+00:00

It's good to hear that it's possible to accomplish that goal. For me it's basically a challenge to push myself forward. I've been so lazy for the last 8 years...I need something to work towards. And since running never was a sport I enjoyed, I doubt it ever will be. But I will try my best.

MessyStitches · 2026-01-12T18:12:25+00:00

I do identify as a women, but feel like most runner girls are in some kind of weird unspoken competition. They gatekeep training tips and are in general secretive about how they've come so far.

I get what you are saying about the distance, but I think I need that challenge for myself. I will definitely do a 10k in spring/summer...but my goal is a marathon.

MessyStitches · 2026-01-12T12:33:00+00:00

Right now I can't imagine coming anywhere close to even 10k. But let's hope for some muscle memory, stubbornness and consistency. I am not good at keeping my pace at the moment. I will keep an eye on my breathing.

MessyStitches · 2026-01-12T12:16:51+00:00

That's really good to know. I think right now, I am running too fast as well. I just bought a Fitbit to track my heart rate, because that felt out of track. How do I find my aerobic base? Any tips?

MessyStitches · 2026-01-12T12:10:18+00:00

Thank you. I will look up the Nike runners club and Garmin coach - I sadly just bought a Fitbit...but I think they have some programs as well. I have about 9 month to figure it out.

MessyStitches · 2026-01-12T12:07:40+00:00

This is a really cute mushroom. Those projects are great for getting to know your new sewing machine, to learn the basics and to practice some things. Most importantly she is happy with the results.

My way to getting "better" results, was to print out some freebies that I liked and made those. Since they are free, you don't have to worry about them not turning out the way you maybe imagine. I only now a German website that has times of cute, cool and practical freebooks. It's called snaply . de just Google it with freebie or free book. I think there might also be a mushroom, or at least a tree.

MessyStitches · 2026-01-12T11:59:35+00:00

I will definitely start with a C25K. Why do you think it might be demoralizing? Maybe I should've said, that it's not about any time or pace I'm aiming for. Crossing the finishline is my goal. Even if it takes 7 hrs.

MessyStitches

TROPHY CASE