Learning how to run again!

Hey everyone,

I've been on this site for about 3 weeks and have been actively trying to lose weight for 4.5 weeks.  I'm currently 24 yo, started at 137 and am now down to 128.5.  I gained 20lbs of weight right after graduating college (I was 115 when I graduated and I now trying to get back to that -- I'm only 5'1'').

Anyone, this post isn't about my weight loss, but more about how happy I am that I finally learned to run again!  For most of my life, running has been difficult because I have some congenital heart abnormalities.  I started exercising against very slowly with walking and then proceeded to elliptical.  Just this past week did I even attempt getting on the treadmill.  I started out with a couple days of the coach2 5k program, and then today, just out of the blue, I decided to see if I could run a mile straight...and....I CAN!  I thought it would take me sooo much longer to do this.  I ran a 9minute mile and felt like I could keep going after (but didn't because I don't want to push it).  This is all after taking a long break from exercise of 2 years.

One of the biggest things that enabled me to do this, despite keeping up with a 5-6 day/wk exercise schedule, is that I changed my running form.  It seems that before I was always hitting directly on my heels first, but now I am concentrating on striking the balls of my feet first.  It's a much LIGHTER feeling when running and I really think it made a HUGE difference.

So, as well as sharing my success...ladies and gents...check your running form!  You could have my problem too =).

Thanks everyone!

Hi,

The correct placement of the foot is hit with mid-foot. If you run on the balls of your feet you could have problems later on with your tendons. 

Also, have you checked with your doctors to ensure that you are OK to run? It may feel great but in the end you don't want to do any damage. 

Otherwise, have fun and be healthy.

Congrats!  I've convinced my husband to do the couch 2 5k program and it feels so good to be out running again.

I know what you mean about running on the balls of your feet ... it was the only way I could build up my endurance without destroying my knees.  No problems so far, and I've been running that way for at least the past three years.

No worries I am okay to run -- my abnormalities are fully functional, I just have to listen to my body (ie, too out of breath and I must stop).  My cardiologist has actually told me that I'm better off if I keep my heart in good shape.  And you are right about striking mid-foot...I don't think I'm actually hitting on the ball entirely, it's just that I concentrate on trying to do that instead of hitting completely on my heel and I end up with something in the middle.  Thanks for the comments =)

Maybe you can give me some advice about running.   I LOVE to walk, but I feel like, as I am getting older, I should take it up a notch.  I would love to jog, but whenever I try, I always end up sore the next day, and not in a good way.  Either my shins really hurt or I have pains in my lower back/hips while I'm running.  What could be causing this?

I also need some help with motivation...  I'm a HUGE snacker.  Mostly its out of boredom.  I love things like pretzels and crackers, and can easily put away half a bag or box at a time.  All the while I know I should stop, or not even start, but I just keep going.  I actually look forward to it all day.  I don't know how to stop this habit.  Any suggestions? 

Thanks!

Hey hlthpromo,

Thanks for replying -- I'm pretty new on the forums on this site so it's nice to hear from people.  I started caloriecount about 3 wks ago and weight loss efforts 4.5 weeks ago.

Walking is GOOD.  That's how I started.  Running just might not be for you, but if you can, maybe go to a gym and have an instructor check out your running form?  It sounds like you are really jarring your body.  You might not be stretching your shins enough either...my favorite stretch is to stand facing a wall, put your foot up against it at like a 45deg angle, and lean into it (towards the wall) a little. The reason I noticed I was landing on my heels is because I just move to a new apt and the workout room has walltowall mirrors.  The thing that got me shifted from waking to running was the couch2 5k program (http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.s html -- you should really check it out, just scroll down to the bottom of that page).   I like it because it doesn't put a lot of pressure on you as it is very gradual.  You might be sore because you are trying to do too much too fast...your bones need time to strengthen and repair.

As for the snacks, that is also hard on me.  My current fix was to stop buying the bad stuff and replace it with alternative good stuff.  Currently my snacks in the house are frozen peaches or strawberries (no added sugar), ginger snaps (you can find some that are pretty low in calories..the ones I have are from trader joe's and you can have 14 of them for 120cal), and these really good icecream bars made by "SO delicious" that are only 100cal each.  Fudgsicles are awesome too.  I tend to have more cravings for sweet things though so I'm not sure what salty alternatives would be good..maybe someone else out there has ideas?

Good luck with everything =)

Thanks so much for the advice.  I'll be sure and check out that website, too.  I'm sure I'm doing something wrong.  :)

I'm fairly new to this as well, but haven't been very consistent with it.  I'm trying to get better at that.  I guess I didn't want to log all of my eating because I knew I was doing something wrong and didn't want to have to admit it or see it, or deal with the guilt of it!  But maybe that's exactly what I need!

Congrats to you on a job well done.  It sounds like you have had some great success with this program.  I wish you luck!