X-HS Distance Runner... now I am old, fat, and trying to get back in it... (Read 898 times)

I have to say, I have ALWAYs loved running. As a child I watched my brother, who was 13 yrs my elder, run every chance I got. Some of my proudest accomplishments were beating his benchmarks. I broke the 5:00 minute mile when I was 15. I averaged about 4:40/mile until I was about 22 (4:27 personal best). I could run forever and fast without much, if any, training. Now...I am 35...195 lbs (which is about 40 lbs overweight for my height)...and just started running again. First off, I love it!!! My legs are numb until about 10am, but after that I feel absolutely great. But I have these issues. 1) My wind is there...I never lose my breath, but my legs get tired. How do I get the legs back quicker, and make em have more endurance? 2) I remember the glory days...I run a little under a 12 minute mile pace, but I felt ok one day after three miles and pushed myself the last mile, I ran 10:30 4th mile (I was done after that though)...Should I even worry about pace and concentrate on extending the distance. If so, how much time should I try to cut per workout per week? 3) I am at 4 miles a day, at least 5 days a week...there is a Half-Marathon in Dec...is this an unrealistic goal to shoot for. 4) OK, I hate bringing it up, but it will stop a workout cold if it is an issue. I'm fatter than I used to be, and upper-inner thighs rub together...How do I prevent the heat rash that goes along with that, and how do I treat it if it occurs to get going again? Glad to be running again.

Welcome back! I was a XC runner in College then I discovered late night parties and women. I say I "retired" from running for 4 and a half years. Coming back feels like a fresh start! I don't know why I ever stopped? Good luck!!

Congrats on getting started. I think you're going to be successful, because you already love running. That's really the key -- nobody can stick with a program they hate forever. Mileage is much more important than pace for you. Just get out and run consistently. If a little speed keeps you motivated, do it, but make sure it's a small fraction of your total running. The bulk should be an easy pace. And easy means really easy, such that you can do it day after day and not get worn out or sore. If you're really out of shape, you might not have an easy running pace at all yet. A mix of running and walking might allow you to do more mileage safely. And mileage is key. The number one mistake you can make is to get impatient and push your body too hard too soon. Don't worry about getting your legs back "quicker". There's no magic shortcut. Life is not a sprint! You can keep getting faster for years, as long as you stay healthy and keep running. If you haven't read this already, check it out (it's been posted before here): http://home.hia.no/~stephens/torart.htm I really think the balance between motivation and patience is the most challenging thing about running. One extreme is a couch potato. But the other is a discouraged, injured ex-runner. There's actually a pretty wide range of safety in the middle, but it takes a certain level of emotional and intellectual skill to stay within it. I'm still learning.

Ed, I am trying my best to run longer...and not worry about pace. I will say that is hard to do, because training to cut time is all I ever knew when I ran before. Now it's about training to cut weight and build endurance. The 5k (Nov.10) I can definitely do, as long as view it as just another chance to get out and run, just with more people and a different course. I will have to guard closely that thing that tells me to chase the guy in front of me. The 10K (Nov.24) is a possibility, but that is considering how I'm doing. The Half Marathon (in Dec) - I honestly was going to just run comfortably for a few months and see where I was Thanks

Welcome, and congratulations on getting back into it! First, the important stuff - Vaseline works really well on any area that tends to rub or chafe. Some swear by BodyGlide, but I've never tried it (Vaseline works, and it's cheap). If you're really out of shape, you might not have an easy running pace at all yet. A mix of running and walking might allow you to do more mileage safely. And mileage is key. Ed4 makes a good point here. You may want to visit Jeff Galloway's site, www.runinjuryfree.com to look at his prgorams that incorporate running with brief walk intervals. At any rate, welcome and keep us posted on your progress!