Dumb Question....About Running?

Okay kids - This is a dumb question - but I have to ask anyway...

I am a big girl - and lately I've been wanting to try my hand at running. I can't ever think of a time that I EVER wanted to run - except for now.

I know that running is something that requires endurance and obviously something that you'd work yourself up to. I have this big desire to at least start running - even if it is for 5-10 second increments during my walk - is this a good idea?? Does anyone have suggestions on how to start?

I mean, I know its not going to be a wonderful sight (for others) seeing a big girl attempting to run - but I'm not doing it for anyone else - just me...

Advice please!!

THANKS!!

http://caloriecount.about.com/forums/post/276 98.html

That's the learn to run thread and I'm doing it.  I started powerwalking and if you are able to do that for a long period, then you may be ready to add jogging. 

if you look in my journal, beatrice, you'll find a run/walk program that starts with only 15 seconds of running at a time.  you're welcome to cut & paste!  and good for you!

i think thats a great idea, i am a runner myself and it has helped with weight loss. i would start by doing whatever you can handle, if that means 5 minutes one day then its fine. try working up to it by doing maybe 5 mins everyday for a week and then 10 mins the next week and so on. push your self! itll be worth it!

hey beatrice,

first off, i think it is AWESOME that you want to run!! super awesome!

 

I decided on March 13th that i was going to try my hand at running. I asked a million questions on this site, and got great advice on sneakers, bras and everything in between.

Istarted out with my block. Just from my house to the end of the street. It wasnt so bad. Next day i added a 2nd block and so on and so on.

Last tuesday I ran 3 straight miles on the boardwalk!! Well, when i say run, i mean jog. Slow and steady works for me. I carry a handheld GPS so i know exactly how far i am going.

 

 Lots of times i run(jog) .5 mile,

walk .5 mile.

then walk 1 mile

and run(jog) 1 mile.

do what feels right, dont push it, even if you are going to run in short bursts, dont flat out RUN as fast as you can...just keep it steady and slow. that way you wont burn out so fast!

 

i wish you the best of luck, and i hope my advice can help you in some way!

peace,

jadaka

It is a fantastic idea, I started running in Nov. of last year using the couch to 5K program. 

http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.s html

I was quite out of shape andcould barely do the frst workout to completion, but now I am up to running 3-8 miles,5 times a week.  The nice thing about the program is you can stick with any week as long as you want until you feel ready to prgress.  There are even podcasts you can download that go along with the program.  The first week starts off with 1 minute running/90 second walking  intervals for 20 minutes total.  My one piece of advice for you is to keep it SLOW.  I cannot stress this enough.  You may even find that your "run" feels slower than your walk.  Thats ok, you will get faster, don't concentrate on speed, just keeping up a nice slow pace for as long as possible

Because you are heavy, please go get yourself a good pair of running shoes.  Running puts something like 3-4times your weight on your joints because of the pounding, so the right shoes is vital for everyone, but especially when you are overweight.  Go to a running store and get fitted. 

The running has been not only fantastic for my weight loss (24 lbs so far, only about 5 or so more to go), but my attitude and just my mood in general.

I just did my first race this past weekend, and it felt great! 

Good luck!

I agree with everyone else, running is a wonderful idea! I think what's really important is that you pick a time goal that you want to run for, say 10 minutes to start. Then jog/walk/run in whatever combination you need to last 10 minutes. From there you could choose to focus on running the 10 minutes straight, or you can bump up the time and aim to keep running/jogging/walking for 20 minutes. The important thing isn't really consistently running for long distances but keeping your heart rate up for a long time. It may be a while until you can run for 20 minutes straight but it won't take long for you to have 20 minutes of cardio.  Just remember to get your heart pumping and keep it pumping the entire time. Keep in mind that while walking you need to keep your heart rate up, so make it a power walk and don't walk longer than you need to. Once you feel like you can handle say another 30 seconds of running, go for it!

I know I can say for myself that if I ended the workout everytime I stopped running for the first time I would have missed out on miles of extra exercise. You'd be surprised at how quickly your legs can recover, even after you feel like you couldn't possibly take another step... just a minute or two of walking and you'll find energy in your legs you had no idea was there.

Best of luck to you!

As everybody else has said - running is a great idea.  It got me started on my weight loss journey when I was 105kg, and now I love it so much.  Two pieces of advise 1) get good specialist running shoes and 2) get a really good sports bra (I actually  wear two when I run...keeps everything locked in place!)

Happy running Ax

I have to offer a word of caution in the face of all the positive comments:

Watch your knees.

I don't know what you weigh, but you refer to yourself as a "big girl". Knees weren't really built to take the impact of long-distance runs, and much less so if the impact is increased by excess body weight.

If you're not set on running, I might pick something else. I know that running is hardcore and becomes a "way of life" for people but maybe you could be a swimmer or elliptical-er :) as your way of life instead of a runner (and maybe in the future, an ex-runner with bad knees!).

If you are set on running, please get some good shoes (maybe professionally fitted), replace them often (there are guidelines for this online), and stop at the first hint of joint pain. When muscles hurt, they recover and maybe even get stronger. When joints hurt, they tend to only get worse...

Just be careful, running has a higher injury rate than just about any other sport.

This article does a pretty good job of explaining the potential dangers.

Have you ever used an elliptical? Different placement of your feet on these can simulate jogging or climbing stairs and is so much less harsh on your joints. You could start out on one of these and see how you like it. While running is more intense cardio, I prefer the elliptical for the low impact benefits.  Using mine has helped strengthen my heart and increase my endurance. I have also lost 5 inches off my hips (a big plus). Good luck in whatever method you choose.

That is awesome that you're going to start running!  I started last week.  I've been doing every other type of cardio and working out a lot, but running intimidates me because of a history with shin splints.  I'm just posting to second (or third) what other people are saying about the impact on your legs because of your weight.  I definitely agree with the shoes and whatnot, and starting with the eliptical is good too (that's kind of what I did).  If you're going to go ahead with this though, I'd suggest running on grass or a soft surface to lessen the impact.  Also, try to avoid running down hills, as that also is a lot more impact.

good luck!

That's exactly what you should do - small increments of running at a time.  I did couch to 5k, which is the same idea.  Go girl!  Have fun :)

Hi Beatrice! I just wanted to say - Go for it! You can do it. I was intimidated at first because like you I am a big girl - but now I love it. I started out doing 5 minutes and then one day I just decided to run as long as I could and it turned out I was limiting myself because I was actually capable of running for 15. Since then (about two months) I have worked up to 40 minutes straight. I have one suggestion for you as us big girls usually have, well, big girls, I just got the Lily of France in action sports bra and it helps so much - straps 'em down and makes it easier to run and jiggle less. Also, get an mp3 player of some sort and get some fast paced music. Stretch before and after too because it will make a difference, especially with shin splints. To stretch for those - just squat down so you are sitting on your heels and rock slowly back and forth. Okay, one more thing, a running coach saw me running while she was doing her workout and corrected my form. She said I was lifting my feet too high when I run. She said to keep them close together (width - not stride) and low to the ground. Kind of a one foot right in front of the other thing and it made all of the difference because I was working too hard for little result. I am excited for you because this is going to be a great step for you! I hope this helps. Good luck!