Runners -- when did you start?

It's a goal of mine to be able to run. Right now, I'm walking. I've tried to run a bit (like 1/4 lap) and I about die. I also feel like my legs are made of lead and that it probably isn't too good for my knees to be doing it at my weight.

So, when is it comfortable to start? Any advice, runners?

I started by walking after surgery at a gym.  My son was in the day care at the time.  I only had an hour to work out.  After a while I wanted to get more exercise in the 30 minutes that I allotted for cardio.  That just led me to go faster until I was running.

You can follow the couch to 5K program.  Just google it.  If you are heavy, you may want to wait a bit but you really know how you feel.  Good luck

Congrats on your progess so far!!

I took a class from an instructor, who ran the Boston Marathon annually. Her recommendation as a fitness instructor was no running until under 200 lbs. This was many many yrs. ago, however a co-worker was recently told the same thing by her fitness coach.  Until you get to that mini-goal, why not try to increase your walking speed and stride length? Also do some "hill work", by walking up hills. It will be a good foundational workout for when you are ready to start incorporating some jogging.

Make sure to monitor your heart rate as well. You can google target heart rate zones, and get information there...

Take care!
Kathy

I started off with walking on the treadmill.... Within 2-3 months I began running on the TM at about 300 pounds. I would def say take it slow and steady. However, I do not think you should wait until you are under 200 pounds to run. Your body is stronger than you think. Carrying lots of excess weight has made our muscles, bones, and tendons suprisingly strong and you should start running / jogging whenever it feels right. Sprinkle a little jogging into your walks and gradually increase that. Scott also mentioned the coach to 5k program, a GREAT suggestion..... www.c25k.com Best of luck and congrats on your successes!!!!

I started by walking on the treadmill. I gradually increased my speed till I got comfortable enough to try to run. At first, I would alternate between walking & running gradually increasing time & speed. I have now run 3 5k's and plan on doing a 10 in May and half marathon in October.

Good luck in your training and enjoy  getting healthy!

Jet

 

I also recommend the Couch to 5K program.  I've used it as an app on my iphone for months with great results.  If you happen to have an iphone or itouch, I really recommend it.  You just import your own playlist, click on the app, and hit start for whatever day you're on in the training program.  The app then tells you over your music when to walk and when to run-- it's a no brainer.   At first, I would do the intervals alternating walking and walking faster.  Now that I'm almost to my goal weight and my fitness level has really increased, I do the intervals walking reallly fast and running.  I love how the program has allowed me to use it differently as my fitness level has increased. 

I also just really enjoy intervals, which keep me interested.  I imagine that in the future I will continue to use C25K alternating between running and running faster. 

Good luck!

Meg

I also recommend the C25K ( i just finished the program). It worked great. the first day of ea*****rease I felt like I would die. LOL, but the second day each week felt better and on the thrid day I knew I could do the current routine! I'm running 30 minutes now with no walking at all. Never thought I'd get there! If you want to continue walking for a while longer You could start trying to increase how fast you walk/ how far you walk/ add in some hills etc. just make it more challenging. Welcome to the boards and Congrats on your upcoming surgery! Do you have a date yet?

Thanks for the tip on the couch to 5k. I'll check it out. I had never thought about having stronger muscles due to "weight lifting" 24/7! LOL

Oh yes, I miss being so strong!  I feel like an absolute weakling now.  I can barely wrestle a heavy door or a super-full grocery cart, where I used to move large furniture with ease (all that extra booty padding came in handy). 

I started running when I was under 200 lbs.  I think I'd lost ~80 lbs when I set out, and I thought I would die, too.  I think the first week of couch-to-5k is jog 30 seconds / walk 90 seconds?  I made it about 15 seconds, and only about 3 times.  After 10 minutes of warming up and cooling down with my 5 minutes of "training" in the middle, I was DONE.  But I came back and did it again a few days later, and it was amazing how quickly my endurance increased.  I'm still slow as a garden snail, but I can last so much longer. 

To echo everyone else, couch-to-5k rocks.  I thought it was awesome.  Don't get hung up on your speed, just look at how long you're going... there's lots of time to get faster later.  I still do intervals now - I jog 9 minutes / walk 1 and I finished a half-marathon that way in October. :)  Good luck!

I don't know if I am anyone to emulate, but my first 5-6 months I spent lifting and walking - progressively increasing my lifting (including lots of leg work) and moving to the elltptical, where I could pace my workout to my heart rate.  I did that until I was doing that ellitptical for about 40 minutes straight with my heart rate at 80% or so, while still lifting a lot.  That's when I shifted to running and haven't really been on the elliptical too much, and have cut down quite a bit of the weight lifting.