Hello everyone, new/old runner here (Read 201 times)

That sorta gives me hope and pause. HAHA. I am certainly not a narcissist dick but I have been told I am too blunt.... 

Regardless, my legs are killing me but I am holding the line to keep my pace. 2M tomorrow and done for the week... Rest and stretching all weekend then back to running Monday. 

Gotta push till the end

If your legs are killing you, dial back the pace on that individual day. Pace is not the most important thing. It's a number and some days what is easy or hard will be different. Most runs should be at an easy conversational pace; if you can't talk at least in short sentences, it is too fast. 

I've found that for me, my easy pace is one at which I can freely sing along to any music I'm listening to, FWIW.

Thanks everyone for their kind words. 

I actually skipped Fridays workout and just lifted (light weight +reps).  My legs feel really good today but I kept it to an east 2M. The 3 days off did me good. 

The biggest hurdle is I need to drop weight. I am simply too heavy. I run on a gravel track and I don't even want to think how bad my legs would hurt if I ran on cement! 

Luckily, as of now, no pain in any joints just simple aches from use. 

I'll try to take off 50 pounds by sept.

Thanks for the advice please keep it coming!

50lbs lost in 4-5 months for a 30-something isn't outrageous, especially if they are really overweight to begin with. Me at 57 and 170lbs trying to lose 50lbs in 5 months might kill me because it would go below a baseline of muscular necessity and body function, but for someone 34 and 250-300lbs, not so much.

An increase in activity and cutting out empty calories should do it. There are all kinds of opinions and "plans" for losing weight, but most knowledgeable people have arrived at a combo of low intensity cardio (walking) and weight lifting as the healthy-fast way to do it. And of course modifying diet to reduce rich foods. Don't try to go cold-turkey, still have that cake or BBQ, just fill up on salad, fruits and vegetables first so you have a smaller portion of the rich food. But DO go cold turkey on soda, regular AND diet. Try flavored seltzers or waters instead.

And yes, loss of weight is a BIG boost in performance. When I crept up to 185 I was slothful and even 3-5 mile runs were a chore. Even just 10lbs lighter I noticed a big difference. If I was serious about running, I'd try to get down closer to my college race weight below 165. Yes, big for a runner, but I'm more in the mold of Nick Symmonds than Kipchoge, I'll never be skinny.

Spammers

Just be patient. I was in the same boat as you a year ago, but I am at age 56. Ran in high school and college and for a few years after that. Never really fast but could put in miles. Last summer I set a goal of running a half-marathon - in 2020. I gave myself a year to train. I picked a destination half-marathon trail run that looked like fun and registered. Started very slowly; every time I got back into running, I would put on miles too quickly. I tried to run 6 days a week. Just too much with too little rest for a middle-aged guy. Also, at 215 lbs and 5-9, I needed to take the weight off slowly. 

Now, I'm 10 weeks out from my race and, assuming it's not canceled for COVID-19, should do okay. My goal is to finish.

Here are some practical things I have learned through this:

> One day doesn't make a difference. Feel like crap? Walk or bike instead. One run isn't going to make or break you. As you get older, rest is more important.

> Find a plan you can work with. I have been using the Nike Run Club app. I didn't take these too seriously but have found they are a good mix of motivational runs, hard workouts and so on. I just plugged in the half-marathon plan and went to town on it. Easy to do and the cost - free - is good. Even if you don't plan on racing, just having a plan is worth it.

> Buy some new shoes. 

> At least once a week, find a group to run with. Accountability will keep you on track.

> Don't eat after 8 p.m.

No no, I wholeheartedly agree. This will be my third time trying to get back into running and I have hurt myself both previous times. 

I am 6ft, I have slight gut but I have sprinters legs. I am not worrying about pace yet. 

It is the third week in and I feel good-which hasnt happened when I tried to push it. 

I figure I can start sprinting at least once a week if I make it at least 3 more weeks. But importantly for me, is being able to do it every day. 

My prime running days I was running at 200-so I need to get 50 off........

I figured the lower back pain was natural and I just have to push through it. Guess there isn't a magic bullet to fix this...

Do you know why you got hurt? Sounds to me like you’re doing too much too soon. Try slowing down, build a decent base, forget the sprints/speed crap, and take more rest days. Just my two cents from an old geezer!