Obese to Marathon. Impossible?

ene

I started slimming world 5 months ago. I have lost nearly five and a half stone since then (74lbs) and over the last month have got really into running.

This time last year or even six months ago i would have gotten tired walking around the block but have completed some 5k runs and a few parkruns now.

I have entered the Great Ireland run 10k in April and have my sights set on a marathon or half marathon all going well.

This is my journey!

Start weight 19stone 11.5lbs

Current weight 14stone 8.5lbs

5k pb 30.30

The Black Oil

Best of luck and congrats on the weight loss. I'm going to point you to TM's thread as his background might help you.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057481211

ene

Thank you! I had actually read through that thread yesterday! Great inspiration!

Murph_D

It's definitely not impossible, plenty here have travelled that path. Sensible training is what it's all about, avoiding injury as much as possible (there are always setbacks, how you deal with them can be crucial).

Best of luck with it. Plenty of advice available so keep asking.

Twiggy69

Congratulations on your weight loss. I'd be interested in reading how you have achieved that success. Do you have a Blog or thread somewhere that I could follow. If so, you might PM me. Continued success on your weight loss and road to fitness.

ene

To be honest i have just stuck very rigidly to the slimming world plan- basically no fat unless you limit it. I think i knew i was reaching the point of no return in regards to my weight and just had to do something about it.

I have another 2 stone or so that i want to loose but I am really focused on increasing my fitness at the moment as I have found a new found confidence in my abilities!

I am very conscious about overdoing it and am varying the workouts i am doing- a mix of swimming, rowing, running and weights.

ene

Ok so went to the gym after work today and was feeling horribly tired but still made myself go.

I did a 10k cycle for warm up/cool down
1500m row

and a 3k run- one thing i did notice was i keep getting a annoying blister under the arch of my left foot! I have bought running socks (karrimor) but not making much difference. If anyone has any advice that would be great!

mbarr

ene wrote: »

and a 3k run- one thing i did notice was i keep getting a annoying blister under the arch of my left foot! I have bought running socks (karrimor) but not making much difference. If anyone has any advice that would be great!

I found this too when I started running; two layered socks really helped me in the early days. The 1000 mile brand ones I found great. After a year your feet harden up and you can pretty much wear whatever.

Good luck in your journey, seriously impressive weight loss.

Edit: looking at bluewolf's post below and rereading the location of your blister, bluewolf'a answer is probably closer to the mark!

ene

ene wrote: »

and a 3k run- one thing i did notice was i keep getting a annoying blister under the arch of my left foot! I have bought running socks (karrimor) but not making much difference. If anyone has any advice that would be great!

I had this and it was my shoes, I was over or under something pronating.
A gait analysis and proper shoes and I never had that issue again

Good luck

ene

Thanks for the advice- my mum is actually a physio and she did a quick gait analysis and looked at my shoes and thought they were fine. I have insoles in them as I have flat feet but may have to look into getting proper ones made maybe.
I might try to pick up those socks and see if they make any difference at all!

ene

Ran 3.5k today on the treadmill- felt I could have kept going but stupidly let the time run out and so completed it in 20 minutes.
Probably good that i did stop as when I got home blisters are now on both feet under the arch so really need to figure out what to do! I don't want to stop running as feel like I am just getting in the swing of things!
My gym is closing for maintenance tomorrow until the 27th so will have to get outside to run a couple of times over christmas!

Nonoperational

I find outdoor running far easier. Less boring.

The Muppet

The Black Oil wrote: »

Best of luck and congrats on the weight loss. I'm going to point you to TM's thread as his background might help you.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057481211

ene wrote: »

Thank you! I had actually read through that thread yesterday! Great inspiration!

Cheers , Congratulations on your progress so far. Its definitely possible. My 2 cent would be to Take it nice and easy and build your distance gradually, it took me three years to feel confident enough that I had the ability to tackle a marathon.

We're all different though , age , level of base fitness starting out, general health are all factors which will come into play , so what took me 3 years others have achieved in 1, you will know yourself when you are ready to take it on.

If I were starting again , I would do some parkruns and races earlier than I did, and would do some strength and conditioning too, Pilates would be a definite. Other than that be consistent , run three or four times a week and enjoy it.

The best of luck with it, you will have doubts along the way but if you follow a proven plan and remain injury free you can definitely get yourself into condition to run a marathon.

ene

I have started doing parkruns reducing my time from 38 mins to 30.30 so really enjoy doing those!

The only injuries so far are the blisters which i have mentioned so far but have just opened a early christmas present of two pairs of very fancy looking 'pro touch' running socks so hopefully have no more excuses!!

ene

So after a couple of days off for Christmas got off the plane and really wanted to go for a run (this has NEVER happened before!). Did a quick 3.5k 20 minute loop before dinner and really enjoyed it.

6 months ago i would never have even considered going for a WALK after getting off the plane so feeling quite chuffed with myself!

ene

Did parkrun this morning in 31.23 so not my best time. Found it hard today as there was a ridiculous amount of fog so could barely see my nose let alone any landmarks to keep me going.
We have a new years day double thing tomorrow so going to try and do both even if i just walk the second 5k!

Lost 3lbs over Christmas- god knows how but its definitely boosted my post Christmas mood!

ene

Ok so only did one park run today- it was horribly windy and wet so couldn't find motivation to get out twice.

Managed to knock 1minute 10 off of my previous pb getting around in 29.21!! I am absolutely delighted, brilliant start to the year!

Now have to decide what my new goal would be for 2017 as i had planned on doing a sub 30 minute!

Maximus Alexander

You'll be surprised how much progress you will make over the next 12 months if you keep at it. Something like 25 minutes wouldn't be a crazy target. You could look at longer distances too, 10k to half marathon. Well done on all your progress so far.

ene

I think i will aim for 28 minutes, then if (when) i beat that time i can reduce it again!

I have signed up for the great Ireland run 10k in April so need to start increasing my distance gradually.

ene

Was tough getting out today but hadn't been to the gym since before Christmas so needed to go. Ran to the gym 1.7km as warm up, cycled 5miles in 17 minutes and killed myself rowing 2500m in 9.56 which I was thrilled with as was aiming for 2000m in 10 minutes! Ran home up a hill which i hate but ran the whole way up and did the 1.7k in 10.06 which felt great after the gym!

ene

Had a tough day at work today and kept thinking about going for a run so went out before dinner.
I decided on a landmark about 2.5km from my house but realised when i got home it was further!
5.67km run in 34.05 minutes making this the furthest run I have done. I felt really great and next time might make it a bit further, cannot believe how great I feel after getting home and how proud of myself I am!

hillsiderunner

Great stuff , you seem to be getting into a habit now.

ariana`

Really well done on the new Parkrun PB and on the new longest run ever! If you stay consistent over the next few months that 10km race will be no bother too

rainbow kirby

Keep it up and keep chipping away at it - it will all happen for you if you build up gradually, enjoy the journey

You'll find as you run longer distances and more often in preparing for your 10k that you'll get faster - no reason why you shouldn't be doing 27-28 for Parkrun in a few months.

ene

Got another pb at parkrun this morning 28.38 am so chuffed as i was worried last week was a bit of a fluke! I have to learn to pace myself a bit more as I am either running quite quickly or out of puff and needing to walk for a minute. It is annoying as I know I can run 5k without stopping but my silly brain keeps telling to walk- silly mind games!

Maximus Alexander

When you become tempted to walk just slow down your running pace instead. Your heart rate will drop and you'll recover. Before long you won't ever have the desire to walk anymore, you'll just learn to ease off a bit when your heart rate gets too high.

ene

Maximus Alexander wrote: »

When you become tempted to walk just slow down your running pace instead. Your heart rate will drop and you'll recover. Before long you won't ever have the desire to walk anymore, you'll just learn to ease off a bit when your heart rate gets too high.

I think i know this in principle but its more the lazy brain side of me getting the better of me!

The Muppet

Sounds to me like you are running the Parkruns exactly as you should, Pushing youself as much as you can. Make sure your runs in the days following are easy paced .

Getting your pacing exactly right will take a bit of learning so if you need to slow down to get your breath back do.

I think most runners at all levels can get the urge to stop when they are pushing hard.

ene

Ye I am planning on going on a longer slower run tomorrow so hopefully will pace a bit better.
I think I just feel like a bit of a failure when i have to walk but suppose everyone does- well i hope!!

The Muppet

ene wrote: »

I think I just feel like a bit of a failure when i have to walk but suppose everyone does- well i hope!!

I can relate to that. when I'm feeling like that I just think back to where I was before I started running. No harm being a bit hard on yourself either if it drives you on.

ene

I didn't go for a run today but i had masters swimming this morning- about 2000m and then drills and went bouldering this afternoon which was great fun! It is something i would never have considered doing before i lost weight but i think i wasn't actually that bad at it!

Planning on going for a run after work tomorrow

ene

Was looking forward to going for a run all day and then the rain started- I got really frustrated and was planning on going anyway but literally the second I got home the rain cleared and it was just cloudy!
I set out slower then last time but ran further- an 6.09km in 37minutes so average pace was 6.04min/km so have beaten my last furthest run by300metres or so.
I know i was slower then my last run but was able to keep running for all but about 10 seconds of the run. I even sprinted to my finish point!
I definitely think I could go further next time and am looking forward to it already!!

ene

So after cancelling a gym class to have a rest day the OH convinced me to go for a run after work!
Ran 6.55km in 40.55mins so again quite slow but I started getting a giant blister lee then half way through the run so really proud of myself for finishing it.
I amnt sure whether to keep increasing distance or try to get quicker? I only walked for about 20 seconds, really just to remove my insole to see if that would help the blister! (it didn't)

Maximus Alexander

My 2 cent would be that more distance will make you quicker. Endurance is number 1 at this stage so keep building it.

Of course going fast can be fun too, so if you have a need for speed you could pick up the pace for the middle bit of one of your shorter runs each week. There's no need for anything to complicated at this stage though imo.

ene

I did my first volunteer stint at parkrun today- sorting out the tokens so nearly froze after my run! My time was 28.54 so not a pb but still i am pleased with my time and i think i have to learn that i can't get a pb every week!
Considering how cold it was 2 degrees but real feel -2 with a sea breeze I felt quite good about the whole thing. I felt confident running the whole thing (minus about 15 seconds) when my brain beat my legs.

ene

Masters swimming today- working on butterfly which i hate but did some leg drills and apparently my technique is perfect- i had to show the rest of the group. Now never in my life have i been told i did something perfectly so i was really chuffed!! Did some hypoxic breathing exercises too which nearly killed me but got me thinking is there a similar thing you can do when running to work on lung strength?
1825m according to my watch but did about 20 lengths drill so wasn't recorded!

ene

Longest run yet today after work--- 7.70km in 47.58 minutes and feel amazing i loved every minute of it! Bought some 'moleskin' tape to put over the places i keep getting blisters and it worked amazingly- first time my feet weren't sore! If it wasn't for the fear of my dinner burning to a crisp and the house going up in flames i think i could have run further- honestly on such a high, I felt so great and didn't feel stupid slow (even though i am sure this is a very slow pace!).

can't wait to get out and run again!

Blazer

Road running will give you plenty of blisters as it's a helluva lot harder than a threadmill. I found the same when I started running that no matter how much distance I was putting on the treadmill, no blisters. Switched to the road and bingo..hello blisters..as someone said get a gait analysis done, the fact you're getting them on your arch could suggest a high arch i think its called (i over-pronate so got the asics kayanos for myself), this is a must especially if you plan to keep up running. Sorry I never kept up the running but the first few years of kids you can forget it keep up the great work.

ene

Another pb 28.14 at parkrun!
Really didn't want to get up this morning, phone told me it was -4.... had to tell myself not to be a wimp but got out the door! Spent about 10 minutes walking around before the start mainly to keep warm so that might have helped. I felt like i was slower but maintained the same pace throughout the run except for the end when I had a good sprint end challenge with a guy about 30 years older then me!
I was so pleasantly surprised to get my time as I wasn't expecting to be that quick. I feel so chuffed with myself!

The Muppet

ene wrote: »

Another pb 28.14 at parkrun!
Really didn't want to get up this morning, phone told me it was -4.... had to tell myself not to be a wimp but got out the door! Spent about 10 minutes walking around before the start mainly to keep warm so that might have helped. I felt like i was slower but maintained the same pace throughout the run except for the end when I had a good sprint end challenge with a guy about 30 years older then me!
I was so pleasantly surprised to get my time as I wasn't expecting to be that quick. I feel so chuffed with myself!

Congratulations on the PB , Did you win the challenge with the older guy?

ene

The Muppet wrote: »

Congratulations on the PB , Did you win the challenge with the older guy?

no unfortunately he finished 1 second ahead- he bought me a coffee and said i have to beat him next week so the challenge is on!

The Muppet

ene wrote: »

no unfortunately he finished 1 second ahead- he bought me a coffee and said i have to beat him next week so the challenge is on!

That's the brilliance of Park Run summed up in a single sentence . Good luck next week.

ene

I know it made me feel so great! He knocked 4 seconds off his pb is well! I better bring money with me next week!

ene

So first disaster of a run today after work. Was so excited to get out and run was planning it all day. Only ran a km or so when i got the worst stitch ever, tried to run through it but it only got worse. Turned for home and ran 4.8km in 27 minutes.

I am still happy I went out and ran but wondering why i couldn't get rid of this stitch. The only reason I can think of was I was feeling a bit hungry after work but just wanted to get out of the house before i wimped out.
Any good hints about how to get rid of stitches? It was like torture!

ariana`

Well done on the park run pb.

When i get a stitch i curl up my hand and dig my fingers into the palm of my hand, i think it's just a distraction mechanism. Also, probably more importantly, i slow down the run and take deep deep breaths in through the nose that go right into my diaphragm and then breathe out slowly through the mouth. Usually it goes.

ene

ariana` wrote: »

Well done on the park run pb.

When i get a stitch i curl up my hand and dig my fingers into the palm of my hand, i think it's just a distraction mechanism. Also, probably more importantly, i slow down the run and take deep deep breaths in through the nose that go right into my diaphragm and then breathe out slowly through the mouth. Usually it goes.

Thanks for the advice, I will try that when I go out after work tomorrow!

I need to just find a few coping mechanisms I think.

ene

Had my best run ever today, I was looking forward to it all day and had even put dinner in the slow cooker so I didn't have to worry bout that when I got home.

Did a quick loop around the block before running down past Brighton pier and further into Hove then i had before. Felt great the whole time only getting slower towards the end as I was getting tired. Only walked a couple of times but I think it was more psychological then actually needing to stop due to tiredness which is good.

Ran 8.49km in 50.37 minutes average pace was 5.57 minutes per km which i have no idea if its fast or slow but it felt great!

I have never looked forward to exercise before and really enjoyed every minute!

ene

parkrun this morning, my challenger from last week was there and i still couldn't beat him! He set off too quick on the home stretch and I just couldn't catch him up. I had my second best time 28.24 so 10 seconds slower but still really happy about it!

I am finding the distance much more manageable and was happier with my pacing. I struggled more with the wind this morning- the parkrun is along Hove seafront so wind was really strong and I didn't get much relief when it was going the other way!

PeadarK

Good Luck! You're making some brilliant progress!

ene

Haven't updated this in the last week.

I went for a run after work and managed a 6k with more hills then I am used to which i enjoyed but need to get faster.

I did Marley parkrun for the first time on Saturday it was a lot busier then my normal parkrun and I found the first km to be just overtaking people. I didn't know the park so found not knowing how much longer I had to run was hard. Managed to finish in 29.50 which is a lot slower then normal but it was a harder course then just up and down a promenade!

ene

whoops 10 days since my last run!

was forced out after work by my better half who was all dressed and ready when i got home so i didn't have a choice. ran 7.74km in 44mins so again not particularly fast but i really enjoyed it once i got going!

had a very bad pain in my thigh for the second half of the run but seems ok now- hope its not something that keeps happening!