Overweight beginning runner (Read 2136 times)

I am really glad I saw Grumpy's thread.  This is exactly the advise I was looking for! 

I am new to running, and it is very difficult.  As a matter of fact, I suck at it! 

But I am determined to give it a chance! 

Hey JeepChick, just treat it like an old CJ in low range...one foot in front of the other slow and steady, just keep chugging. Run some, walk some if you need to.  You'll see great progress by being constant.

JeepChick, I suck at running too, but that's OK!

My husband's best advice was to run SLOWLY.  He said give your body a chance - don't make it a battle.  Especially when you first start out on a run, jog incredibly slowly.  Then you can pick up a LITTLE speed after a few minutes.  If it starts feeling hard, slow down!  He was great at running with me and telling me to slow down when I felt like I was almost standing still. 

Also, keep at it!  You'll have days where you think you never want to run again, and then the next day you run, anyway, and it's amazing.

skyedog, thanks for the reminder about form.  I know I need to stand straighter, so I'll concentrate on that.

 

Hey JeepChick, just treat it like an old CJ in low range...one foot in front of the other slow and steady, just keep chugging. Run some, walk some if you need to.  You'll see great progress by being constant.

 ***jeepwave***

Thanks for the analogy Milktruck - a great mental pic to carry with me when I struggle!

Skyedog:  regarding Form....  I like to think that my spine is fairly vertical when running ( ahem... "jogging." To say I can "run" like others here would be a flat-out lie!   )  However, I do have to constantly remind myself to sit up straight at work.  Been conscious of that for years, but it is a hard habit to break.  I am of the "heel first" tribe, not "toe first."  And I believe I pronate normally.  "Softly and quickly" - that helps, thanks.  I think usually I'm pounding along, and it seems weird.

Here's the thing:  I bring my dogs with me when I run.  They seem to enjoy it, and they can clearly keep pace much longer than I can, so it's not like they're holding me back.  However, I notice that I "lock" my left arm in place, an that is the side where I hold their leashes.  I do try to relax, but it is difficult.  I'd hate to leave them at home - they need structured exercise too.  Thoughts?

Teresa:  I'm SO glad you 'fessed up!  Now I don't feel so bad!  I'll keep the (lack of) speed in mind, too. 

MrPH:  THANK YOU.  I do Choose To DO It.

Thank you, everyone, for the support!  It's good to know that everyone had to start somewhere, and we can all benefit from others. 

Hello all-

I've been wanting to start running steadily for a while now, and with the semester over, it is time to get serious. I'm 5'9" and about 210 pounds. I have been exercising regularly for the past few months, and have seen great results. Better muscular tone, and better endurance on the eliptical, as well as some weight loss (about 15 pounds). The problem is, when I switch to the treadmill, I tire much quicker and my feet feel swolen and painful after only a short distance. I keep trying, but it seems like it is difficult to improve. 

My question is thus, am I doing something wrong? Should I focus more on weight loss before I start running? That seems counterintuitive as running is usually a means to the end. Would a trip to a running store to find a better shoe be helpful? I'm currently running on Asics GT-2130s which seem to fit comfortably, but I'm not sure if they should be tighter. 

I'm open to suggestions. Thank you in advance!

 Congrats on your move towards better health.

The key sentence in your post is "my feet feel swollen and painful after only a short distance."  Your body is telling

you that either running, or the way you are running is too much right now. Do you keep track of your heart rate? It's not a bad idea when you are starting out. If you have an access to a heart rate monitor, try running with one, but keep your heart rate under 180-your age as an experiment (e.g. if you are 40, keep your heart rate under 140 beats per minute). If you can't do it without walking, you should probably be walking before you start running. You can build your aerobic system a certain amount with walking, and as it builds, you will eventually be able to run some of the time, and eventually, all of the time, at the same easy effort. If you use a heart rate monitor, you can walk a pace that keeps your heart rate at what is considered an easy running one (like 70% MHR or 180-age). As your aerobic system builds, you will have to walk faster to stay at the same HR. Eventually, walking will be uncomfortable, because you have to walk too fast to get the HR up. Time to run. Build the aerobic system easy and slowly--don't sacrifice your health. Some beginners quit during that first year due to injury, overtraining and ill-health from doing something they aren't ready for. Some don't quit because of the injuries, but they didn't have to get injured.  Good luck.

--Jimmy

First of all: good work to you guys who are just starting.  Running IS hard.  The fact that you are making changes & seeking feedback is 110% ahead of most people. 

I have been running for 10 years & have completed a couple marathons a year x 8 years.  Bottom line: if I compared myself to a lot of people who run - I SUCK!  Long ago, I had to loose that notion because it prevents me from reaching my best!  The point is - try & try again & allow it to be hard and take quite a while sometimes before you achieve the little goals that make you feel like you "suck a little less" (LOL).  Keep seeking feedback & get a couple great running books to read up on things that will keep you focused & motivated!

Running is definitely not an instant gratification physical challenge - it's an activity that requires #1 patience & #2 consistency & #3 training your brain sometimes more than your body (for example: when the brain says "you are soooooooo slow, you totally run awkward, or it's just not for you" eventually you learn to say F OFF to those thoughts & realize if you keep saying F OFF to thoughts like that or excuses not to try again - you have found the secret to success and will reap the awesome benefits physically & mentally that are so worth all the work you will put in)

If I listened to my thoughts or other people's comments about my running over the past ten years - I would never have achieved the MANY things I have from running.  All the effort is absolutely worth it.  The rewards take time but if you stick with running on a consistent basis: you will be amazed how it changes your life.

GOOD LUCK.

My question is thus, am I doing something wrong?

You are doing just fine, probably need to walk some on the treadmill instead of a lot of running.  Sore ankles will get better, but don't let them become a permanent injury!  Just accept that running is tough on the feet, ankles, knees, hips, shins, calves... etc etc.  Build up much slower than you think!  And enjoy it.