Can I Run!!!

canirun09

Hey just looking for a bit of advice, support and what ever else people might have to offer!!

I started to run today after a few weeks of walking. I am overweight 14stone, very unfit and looking to change alot in my life!

My wonderful boyfriend is a runner and he is now my new coach!! I only jogged 900 metres and had to walk then job again for a little while then walk. I was absolutely wrecked! I felt like my head was going to explode, I felt dizzy and of course seriously out of breath!!

Basically what id like to find out is has anyone ever started to jog like myself with no real other exercise and succeeded? And also can EVERYONE run?? Do you have to have been doing sports the majority of your life??

My boyfriend is a great support but to be honest im not very mentally strong when it comes to physical exercise hence why im so over weight !! And when he tries to encourage me I tell him where to go as he looks like so effortless doing so! He has always been fit played sports all his life..

Any tips or stories greatly appreciated!!

rainbow kirby

First off - welcome to the A/R/T forum, we have cookies gels

When I started running just over a year ago, I was very overweight (just under 15 stone @ 5'6") and incredibly unfit as a result of having done basically no exercise for 2 years, apart from the odd walk to the shops. I felt the same as you when I started, 3-4 minutes of running would have me feeling like I wanted to keel over and die, and I looked like it too! I followed the Couch to 5k program, completed it in the recommended time and got hooked. I've since lost just over 4 stone and I'm training for the Dublin Marathon at the moment. I do think that anyone *can* run (barring injury) - but whether they *want* to or not is a whole other matter!

Advice - if you're trying to lose weight, your diet is just as important as exercising, so keep an eye on that too. Also, make sure that you are in the correct running shoes for your foot type. Go to a proper running shop and they should be able to give you advice. Make sure too that you have a good sports bra, there's nothing as uncomfortable as the twins bouncing around like mad when you're running.

Puck

Alternating walking and running is very common and is a great way to get into running. Your experience sounds pretty normal for an unfit person just starting to run. Don't kill yourself though, take it handy and just try to keep making little improvements, the only person you're competing with is your old self. The Couch to 5K plan (www.c25k.com) is great and you might want to look into it. If you're concerned about injury or going too far too soon I'd have a word with your GP, maybe even show him/her the C25K plan and ask if they think there'd be any problem with you doing it.

Remember to smile, running is fun.

[EDIT: Ha kirby beat me to to recommending the C25K programme by mere seconds, but I guess that shows how well regarded it is.]

canirun09

Thank you both for the replies!! I thought it was only me I felt like such a failure that after one lap 400m I was ready to give up! I am gonna check out the couch to 5k it sounds like a great program!! Any more stories keep them coming im inspired already!

Bally8

rainbow kirby wrote: »

Make sure too that you have a good sports bra, there's nothing as uncomfortable as the twins bouncing around like mad when you're running.

Ha ha I lolled:)

rainbow kirby

Another tip - sign up for a race. If there's a 5k in your area, sign up for it, even if you have to run/walk it. It's a bit of a motivator to have a date marked on your calendar!

littlebug

Hell yeah :cool: Of course you can run. I'm pushing 40 and was never sporty. I started about 6 months ago and have lost 2.5 + stone but more importantly I feel bloody fantastic!
I would echo the others recommendations re couch to 5k etc. If there's one near you the Fit4life groups are a great way of starting off with others at the same level.

I just realised you said you ran 900m.... for my first couple of weeks I would maybe manage half a lap and after that I would run the length of three lights and then walk 3 lights etc so yeah... of course you can run!

Bally8

Hi canirun09, well done on the decision to start running. I started running for the first time 4 years ago after years of doing nothing too. I was overweight and very unfit. My boyfriend at the time was big into running and cycling and he encouraged me to run and became my trainer for a short while. I was grateful to him for getting me out there but somehow I always felt a bit inadequate and like I was holding him back from his own workout. I started running with friends 3 times a week- well walking mostly with bits of jogging at the start building up to 30 minutes and within 12 weeks I ran my first 10k race.

I have fallen off the wagon a few times (when I met my finace I didnt run for the first year of our relationship) but I believe once you get hooked by running you can never really leave it. What I love about it is that you can really quickly see improvements, whether it be jogging an extra minute this week or losing another inch off your waist.

Best of luck with it all

canirun09

Rainbow my boyfriend races and I was telling him about the couch to 5k programme so we are planning on doing a 5k in 2 months!! Great idea thanks!! And as for the twins yes they are a major problem Im going to invest at the weekend!!

Little bug I didnt do the 900 all at once :eek: I did one lap almost died walked for one then jogged for half almost died again! Walked for one then jogged for half! It was my bf encouraging me saying i ran 900m lol!!

canirun09

Thanks Bally ! 10k after 12 weeks Well done!!

I agree with what u said I feel like i was holding my bf back too but he has a race tomorrow nite so he didnt mind! Looks like ill be going it alone from now on though as he trains with a group of friends!

rainbow kirby

canirun09 wrote: »

And as for the twins yes they are a major problem Im going to invest at the weekend!!

My recommendations here - Berlei Shock Absorber level 4, or the M&S maximum support. And get black if you can.

You doing the Rathfarnham 5k?

earlyevening

Look at the photos in the before and after thread. If you stick with it, the weight will fall off you and there's no limit to how fit you can get. There are several examples of it from the posters here.
The first night I went out (4y Ago), I got 200 yards and thought my lungs were on fire. This week I plan on doing 57 miles.

canirun09

I was looking at them earlier. The pictures are an inspiration to all!!

57 miles!! Fair play!! Might be me some day!!

canirun09

rainbow kirby wrote: »

My recommendations here - Berlei Shock Absorber level 4, or the M&S maximum support. And get black if you can.

You doing the Rathfarnham 5k?

Thanks for the advice! No Im from Cork!

canirun09

Never mentioned that I smoke Would love to quit but im afraid if I will be taking on too much if i do both at the same time!

earlyevening

Do both! I did! You wont feel like smoking as you see yourself running more easily.
It all depends on how much you want it...

canirun09

earlyevening wrote: »

Do both! I did! You wont feel like smoking as you see yourself running more easily.
It all depends on how much you want it...

Did you do both at the same time?? When I came home today I didnt feel like smoking at all because i felt so good!! Until this evening and boredom took over!

earlyevening

Y. Both at the same time. I only started running to kill time in the evening to help me stop smoking.

RoyMcC

canirun09 wrote: »

Never mentioned that I smoke Would love to quit but im afraid if I will be taking on too much if i do both at the same time!

If you're serious you will need to quit the fags - they will hold you back in the breathing department and you'll always struggle.

Best of luck with your running - great to have you on board.

osnola ibax

RoyMcC wrote: »

If you're serious you will need to quit the fags - they will hold you back in the breathing department and you'll always struggle.

Best of luck with your running - great to have you on board.

+1, you gotta give up the smokes, you won't improve as you would like if you keep smoking.

Finally, maybe this has been mentioned before but start posting a training log in the sub forum, it's a brilliant training tool

Carb

canirun09 wrote: »

Did you do both at the same time?? When I came home today I didnt feel like smoking at all because i felt so good!! Until this evening and boredom took over!

I quit one week after starting to run. I planned it this way to be able to better appreciate the benefits. I run most evenings to pass the time (stops me thinking about smoking. Same goes with food. If I go for a run, I'll have a small heathyish meal afterwards. If I don't go for a run, I'm very tempted to head for the freezer.

This was about 8 weeks ago. The first couple of weeks will be the toughest, but if you stick at, you'll see rapid progress. Also, start a training log/have a read of the other logs on here, inspirational stuff.

Edit: Osnola beat me to it regarding the log.

corkcomp

canirun09 wrote: »

Never mentioned that I smoke Would love to quit but im afraid if I will be taking on too much if i do both at the same time!

hey op, the smoking will make it VERY difficult to start running, even for a fit person it has a huge impact (speaking from exp here!) if you are able to try a slow jog first thing some morning BEFORE having a smoke you could notice a big difference ...

even a non smoker who is just starting out cant really expect to just be able to run straight off .. start off with 20 - 30 mins fast walking every day and after a few weeks start running (slowly) for 5 mins, walking for 5 etc etc and build up slowly ...

HardyEustace

Yes, you can do it.

I started running in about April, did the mini-marathon, loved it and went on to do the Dublin marathon six/seven months later.

I was a smoker at the time.

If you do a search through my posts, I've described the journey in a little more detail.

You can do it. As mentioned in another post I'd recommend joining fit4life.

Mink

I'll second all the posts above. I was unfit, hated running, did C25K & can now run the 5K & lost 10lbs in a couple months in the process. I'm fairly addicted now.
I also smoke & have no intentions at present of giving up but I can feel in my body that I'd probably have better runs if I was a non-smoker.

peanuthead

Hi canirun09

Can I just start by saying, its lovely to see how honest you are about your running/smoking etc..

I started running end of may/june this year. Work and things have gotten in the way, but I still managed the 5mile in July - 59mins [i was ill] and the 10 mile last week - 2hrs [I was in fine form!! why so long!!]

I'm doing the rathfarnham 5k too - and Ive signed up for the Half Marathon. Its tough going as a beginner, but the buzz you get from taking part, and completing the race no matter how long it takes you is unbelievable!!

I was so proud of myself for completing the 10mile I almost cried at the end!! haha, sad but true!!

Of course you can run.

HardyEustace

The thing about running and smoking is that it turns a negative

Oh I HAVE TO GIVE UP smoking (but I don't really want to, well, I do, I don't, I do, I don't)

into a positive

Oh, this smoking is interfering with my running, I WANT TO RUN FASTER AND LONGER, sure I'll stop smoking, I don't care about it so much but I LOVE RUNNING.

peanuthead

I've never smoked, so i don't know if this works or not, but a friend of mine (who hasn't successfully given up yet - but he has feck all will power) said that if you give yourself a date to start quitting, say, for example, September 20th.

That way, your mind has a while to adjust to the fact that you're going to be quitting, and also, you start to look forward to this big day of change, and find yourself looking forward to the challenge, anticipating the day, and looking forward to trying to give up!!

Sounds good, but I don't know.

Also 2 friends who did give up - very successfully - used Alan Carrs book!!

Okay thats sort of dragged the thread off topic ...

RubyTuesday

I am also overweight and was very unfit but I started running a few weeks ago and even though it can be hard, there is a great high afterwards! I started with 3 minutes walking warmup, then 1 minute running and 9 walking, do that 3 times a week. Every week, increase the running by one minute and reduce the walking by 1 minute. You will be running 30 minutes in a few weeks and have built it up slowly! Best of luck!!

canirun09

WOW!! Thanks for all the replies!! Im getting some great info here! Im going to set a date to quit as suggested by a poster . My sons 3rd Birthday is in 2 weeks and im doing the couch to 5k and will be on my 2nd week so will aim to quit on sept the 5th!! Ive done it before and found it easy enough because I wanted to do it and I feel the same this time round I want to run and I want to quit smoking !!!

Thanks again for all the support!

Also has anyone any tips on how to keep my mind occupied whilst im training?? I try to think of all the positives getting fit healthy losing weight but the pain seems to override all these thoughts!!

snowey07

HI there

I started running a few weeks ago as I piled on the pounds after giving up the smokes. To do both ( running and stop smoking) at the same time would make perfect sense

I smoked twenty a day for 20 years and I feel great now and im addicted to running - the adenilin buzz is so much better than the fags.

im following the c25k as well, i was just running but i though it was better to follow a proper program. The podcast for ipod and mp3 are available
here

coolrunning also has a great noobie forum.
I go my sports bra in Debenhams - they do the shock absorbers brand. €44 but worth it

Tzetze

I started the c25k program a couple weeks ago also, just finished week 2 today. Great to see so many here in the same boat. Like everyone else, I really can't believe how much I'm enjoying running.

I like to use these podcasts while out there. If the music linked to isn't your cup of bovril, google for some others, there are many out there for all kinds of musical tastes.

Good luck everyone, keep up the good work!

spurscormac

I'd like to add to the calls to join a fit4life group.

I started with my club that way this year, and found that the commitment to the group sessions helps get you out even in bad weather, much easier than going on your own.
I'd done the individual sessions for a couple of years but found I'd drift in and out of training every few months.

While I was coming from a slightly fitter starting point, I was still overweight, but since starting the fit4life, I graduated from the jogging to running group, have set pbs all summer, and lost about a stone in weight.

Of course you can do it, you just need to get as much encouragement & as many reasons as possible to keep it up, and you will succeed.

carbsy

I'd like to add that I've just stopped smoking (10 days and growing hehe) and have gone back running as I had got completely out of shape from way too many bottles of wine at night and takeaways etc.

The thing is, when you come back after a run, you have no interest in eating unhealthy as you feel great and don't want to ruin it by eating junk.Running is seriously addictive.Glad I'm back doing it.

About 2 years ago I was able to run 10k at around 4.5min a Km but then I went back on the smokes and drank way too much (went from 11 stone to 13) and when I started again a few weeks ago I could barely run 1k! I could not believe it and it scared the pants off me so..... back running now but it will take me a while to get to 4.5min a Km pace but I will get there! I'm 35 btw.

asimonov

spurscormac wrote: »

I'd like to add to the calls

I started with my club that way this year, and found that the commitment to the group sessions helps get you out even in bad weather, much easier than going on your own.
I'd done the individual sessions for a couple of years but found I'd drift in and out of training every few

Of course you can do it, you just need to get as much encouragement & as many reasons as possible to keep it up, and you will succeed.

offtopic sorry! How are you after Sunday spurscormac? Did you recover?

carbsy

Oh I nearly forgot, I did 2.5k tonight at 5:05 min/km.Not great distance but I'm more interested in running under the 5min/km and working up slowly.I use a Nokia N95 complete with Nokia Sportstracker for the speeds etc.It's brilliant for motivation!

Tzetze

carbsy wrote: »

I use a Nokia N95 complete with Nokia Sportstracker for the speeds etc.It's brilliant for motivation!

Sounds interesting. I use the same phone... must check it out. *googles*

spurscormac

asimonov wrote: »

offtopic sorry! How are you after Sunday spurscormac? Did you recover?

Sorry to go back O/T, suppose I've recovered but ain't done any real stretching or strengthening on the knee.
Been working some ridiculous irregular hours this week - ie, I'm currently working right now, will be until about 3am. Monday night was supposed to be similar but ended up being 12 hours from 10pm to 10am as the installation went belly up.

Sleep in tomorrow & off Friday, hope to get some work done on the knee from then on with a bit more regular hours.
Waiting on delivery of a foam roller too to help with the ITB.

RubyTuesday

SpurCormac, I see you are Galway based like myself. I am very interested in the Fit4Life group you mention. Can you give me a bit more info? Thanks for the info on the Couch to running program!:)

b.walsh

hi,this is my first time on boards.i was lookin for advice on how to start trainin or how to get my tri ireland number.im told ya cant join a club without this number.any advice..:(:(

spurscormac

RubyTuesday wrote: »

SpurCormac, I see you are Galway based like myself. I am very interested in the Fit4Life group you mention. Can you give me a bit more info? Thanks for the info on the Couch to running program!:)

To go slightly off topic again, I assume you're Galway city based.
If thats the case, then check out www.galwaycityharriers.com for details on the Fit4Life sessions and who to contact about joining.
They are at 7pm from the church/library at Westside every Tues & Thur, but we're currently on a months break, due to start back on Sep 8th.
All levels are welcome to join.

If you're based outside the city, there's Athenry, Tuam, Loughrea, Clare River Harriers (Claregalway) and Craughwell ACs. I think they all run the program too, so you can look up their websites and contact them from there about details of their sessions.

canirun09

Thanks for the podcast tips tzetze!! Started the couch to 5k yesterday and found my ipod a great help as I knew exactly when to start etc plus I couldnt cheat!!

Does anyone know if the day break is really important ? Its just that im working all day tomorrow so did my 2nd day of the programme today.

Thanks again for all the tips !!

RoyMcC

b.walsh wrote: »

hi,this is my first time on boards.i was lookin for advice on how to start trainin or how to get my tri ireland number.im told ya cant join a club without this number.any advice..:(:(

Hi, suggest you start a seperate thread and I'm sure you'll get replies.

snowey07

canirun09 wrote: »

Thanks for the podcast tips tzetze!! Started the couch to 5k yesterday and found my ipod a great help as I knew exactly when to start etc plus I couldnt cheat!!

Does anyone know if the day break is really important ? Its just that im working all day tomorrow so did my 2nd day of the programme today.

Thanks again for all the tips !!

I think the rest day is quite important as it gives your body a chance to recover and adjust to the excercise. Youll be better able for the next run and have less chance of injury.

On my rest days I power walk around the block instead of just sitting at home. I often work till 9 at night and i go out when I get home, its only half an hour after all

Serafijn

Hey OP,

I started the couch 2 5k programme in February this year. It was tough, but if you stick to the plan and are strict with yourself about following it, then it really does work.

I completed the Frank Duffy 10 mile race in the Phoenix Park last week, ran the entire way with no walking and finished in 1hr 47. This is something that would have been impossible this time last year, it would actually have killed me! I am really enjoying the running and doing the half marathon next month!

Some advice from my experiences so far: run nice routes in the country, parks, along rivers etc; get an iPod and make a running playlist full of your favourite feelgood tracks; and MAKE yourself go out even when you don't much feel like it. You'll be glad you did

Disclaimer: I just posted this somewhere else, sorry for shameless cut & paste!

Tzetze

Just wondering how things are progressing for the OP. You still hanging in there, Canirun?

RubyTuesday

Thanks a mil Cormac, definately will be a help to train with a group over winter. Going to start Thursday night. I can jog for about half an hour, so should I go in the beginners or joggers group?:rolleyes: