Is this a good training schedule for beginners?

[bobo]

I just started running - a New Year's resolution to get in better shape. I bought my shoes from (link removed) and I found this beginner's schedule on the Internet and I'm on the second week now. The first week that I went out I almost died, but it's starting to get a little easier and I'm starting to fall into a routine.

Anyways, I was just wondering if this is a good training program to follow. So far it seems to be working well, but I thought that I'd ask for opinions from the experienced runners here. Thanks!

If this isn't good, could you suggest something else, with clear milestones. I'm the type that needs clear, attainable markers to reach a goal and stay motivated.

http://www.stowmarketstriders.org.uk/AdviceTraining/beginnersGuide.htm

I'm using the first chart - the one for complete running rookies.

[Ryan]

First, welcome to running and the site and I hope you don't mind that I removed the link that you had to where you got your shoes. It's more of a spam guard situation and protecting advertisers who pay the Hillrunner.com bills than anything against you personally.

As for that chart and the rest of the page in general, I would argue against certain points of the page in general but the page as a whole and the chart specifically do seem to give a very safe guideline. I don't know if you can find anything better that is so specific because the problem with running is that specifics can vary greatly from person to person, which makes it impossible to come up with broad based specifics that are right for everyone. I could say go out and run 5 minute segments with 2 minute walk breaks next week, which may be just right for someone but may be too much or not enough for you depending on a long list of variables.

[GTF]

http://www.hillrunner.com/forums/index.php/topic,2462.msg10047.html#msg10047