Runner's Success?

Kelll12123

I started taking running pretty seriously about a month and a half ago as I began training for a half marathon this summer. I'm already noticing some changes in my body and I'm really excited about it.
I'm interested in seeing (and hearing about) success from other runners for motivation. GO!

LivingtheLeanDream

I like having really shapely legs, running has certainly been what gave me those as well as an overall lean-ness

Keep up the great work!

starbucktigh

I've done a few 5ks in the last 6 months, and this week I've started training for a 10k. I've noticed that my endurance has improved in running and cross training workouts, that I really look forward to running now like it's a privilege instead of a chore, and my husband has said the running and lifting has made my body look more lean and tight. I'm still far off from my weight loss goals, but my body is changing, and close are fitting better now!

ajanegaudet

I'm training for a full marathon in Spring and I've lost 11 lbs since January. I'm only half way through my training so I'm hoping to lose more in my stomach and butt and hopefully 10 more lbs!

abarriere

That's awesome, not a success story here, but a question...did you do train for 5K's and 10K's and then decide to go for half marathon, or are you just going big or going home?

I started running in January, and could only run 10 minutes at a time, but now as of last week I ran 53 minutes non-stop. I run slow, but still, pretty exciting!

I still have some lbs to lose, so maybe that will make me faster!

ajanegaudet

Last year I ran for 10 mins and I felt absolutely winded. I ran 900 yards. I then tried just running 1km each time for a week. The next week I increased it to 2km then 3. I started to really up my mileage when I hit 10km and made jumps from 10 to 14. I ran a half marathon in October in 2:39. I used to be a seasoned runner but got out of it for 2 years and basically had to start from scratch in March 2014.

Kelll12123

Thank so much everyone! I love these stories. I ran a 5k last summer when I was about 40 pounds heavier than I am now and less serious about running (I did it because my friends were doing it). I guess you could say I chose the "go big or go home route" because I'm not really training for a 5k or 10k, just the half marathon. I'll probably run a few smaller races this summer before the half marathon, but those are just for fun, not for my goal.

Right now, I'm up to eight miles at a time. I run 4-5 times a week with varied distances and average 9 minute miles. I used the elliptical all winter, but that was mostly to burn calories. Running has made me feel really in shape! In the last month and a half, I've lost almost five pounds, but I can definitely see a difference (I'll post photos in the next post).

Kelll12123

My stomach has always been my problem area, and I think running makes a difference!

LivingtheLeanDream

@kelll12123 wow impressive! your pace is great, I just can't get mine above 5.2mph when I'm doing 5 - 6 mile runs, endurance is something I'm working on. I started over a year ago so progress is slow with me, I seem to get injuries if I push myself harder or for longer.

WickedPineapple

I started running a year ago irregularly. I started training for a half marathon in mid-January. When I started last March, I couldn't run more than a few minutes at a time and my run/walk was probably around 3.5 mph (17 minute mile). These days I can run for over an hour straight at about 5.2 mph (11.5 minute mile), and I'm up to 7 mile long runs. My goal by the time of my half is to average around a 10 minute mile, but I'll be happy just to finish it!

It's definitely changed my body quite a bit. I'm definitely leaner overall and my legs appear more muscular. My balance is better and I think I'm a little less clumsy because of that.

Supermom883

just starting to run...i can fun 3 miles in 46 mins. I run for 7min at 4.0-4.2 then walk 2 mins at a 3.5 for the life of be i cant run any faster than that....i also am still heavy at 266 so hopefully i can get all that done by the time of my first 5k in june

_Waffle_

When I'm not drinking too much beer or eating too much food it does help burn off extra calories. Mostly I love it because my endurance is through the roof now. I can finally keep up with my brother on those hiking trips in Colorado. He lives there so he's cheating.

danacalder1

I started running in August 2014. It was a very slow run/walk. I've built up to running a 3-4.5 miles non stop. My pace varies right now between 11:30 to 12:30. I signed up for a half marathon in October. That high after the 5K got me pumped. I'm going to sign up for other 5Ks and 10Ks in between while I train. I love the way my legs have gotten lean and my thighs have muscle. My balance is so much better.

ShellF415

I started running about six months into my weight loss journey after I built up some endurance on the elliptical. I started out doing a few minutes at a time and now do up to 7.5 miles at a time and run 20-30 miles a week. I haven't done many races though just because I don't have anyone to do them with. I love that I get more calories each day and I love the feeling of accomplishment when I beat my old PR.

Kelll12123

ShellF415 wrote: »

I started running about six months into my weight loss journey after I built up some endurance on the elliptical. I started out doing a few minutes at a time and now do up to 7.5 miles at a time and run 20-30 miles a week. I haven't done many races though just because I don't have anyone to do them with. I love that I get more calories each day and I love the feeling of accomplishment when I beat my old PR.

How long did it take you to get up to 7.5 miles?

yusaku02

When I was knocking on the door of 200lbs and finally decided to make a change I started by running a daily 5k and cutting out snacking at work. Didn't matter how long it took to finish or if I had to stop and walk. I'd complete the 5k every day. After a few weeks I didn't have to walk and after a couple months I cut my time by 10 minutes (down around 21 minutes or so).
I eventually dropped down to 153 which was only 5 pounds off my high school weight. I completed a marathon last October and since then I've been weightlifting and putting weight back on but in a good way.

williamwj2014

Running is good but try to mix in some weight training if you aren't already. I grew to love running back when I started my fitness journey but I got injured in December so I had to do less of it. Running is good for burning calories and fat in the short term but weight training will burn more fat outside the gym and besides, you will look and feel great when you begin to tone from weight training but like you, I want to do a marathon at some point.

cranden

Just be careful not to over-estimate how much you're running and use it as an excuse to eat "treat" aka "crapola". Its a great exercise but dont forget to cross train! 5K's are addictive!

dougii

I began running about 4 months into my lifestyle change with visions of high school cross country running through my head….turns out I couldn't even run a 1/4 mile (and that was excruciatingly painful). C25K and C210K and a few races and then running with my dog pre-dawn and now I run 5 - 8 miles on a regular basis. I lift weights and do some other cross training but running is my go to exercise. Just about to reach the 1800 mile mark which tells me on cold, snowy, winter mornings that I am really running somewhere in the Florida Keys about now Run strong!

KathleenCora

I started running September 2014 doing a C25k and running my first 5k in November 2014. In January 2015 I started training for a 10k I have signed up for in May. It's been a little slow getting past 3 miles for me bc of some slight injuries. My first 5k time was 39:20 and now it's 34 min. My longest run so far has been 4.5 miles... And with my time improving I'm usually between 10-11 min mile. It's been a real challenge learning to run but omgoodness I just love the accomplishment of actually running!! Haha I can say im a runner, and I can actually run. It has helped me lose almost 50lbs... And has helped me like the shape of my legs, my thighs in particular. They are still big mind you but have better shape.

upsaluki

I'm down 47 pounds since starting couch to 5 k about 8 months ago. I run about 20 miles a week now. I'm thinking about gearing up for a half marathon now.

fitfatty88

So excited that you bit the bullet and signed up for a half!
My friend asked me in November 2013 if I wanted to run a half marathon with her in May 2014. I thought she was crazy to even ask me because I was def not a runner nor had a runners body. The most I had done was 1 or 2 fun run 5Ks the previous years. But I did it, at 288 lbs I wasn't very fast but I did it. Then I did another one in September and got an even better time.
This year I have two planned, as well as an 8K and a 10K. If my times are good enough I'm going to consider signing up for a full for 2016.
Training this time last year I would run/walk on the treadmill averaging a 4.2/3.3 and spent more time walking than running. My average mile time was around 16 minutes, maybe a little less. Since the beginning of this year, I've taken my training a lot more serious and upped my runs/gym time. In January my average mile time for 3 miles was 14:38/mile and now at the end of March I can get a sub 13 min mile. Still slow by mosttt peoples standards but I've lost 30 lbs in the past 9 months and my endurance is much better. My 4.2/3.3 is now a 5.0/4.0 average treadmill speeds and now I run more than I walk.
Outside of the numbers...I feel better, I sleep better, people ask me to slow down because I don't realize how fast I'm moving, I used to slightly jog a few steps then need to slow down and walk across parking lots because I'd get winded...now when it's too cold out I can just run to my car lol, and how strong my legs feel make me want to lift heavy and do more so the rest of me feels just as strong.
And now I'm antsy for my 7 miler this weekend...

IndiaGuerita1983

I started my fitness journey weighing in at 265 lbs at 5'2. I started running using the C25k app and I ran my first 1/2 marathon in October of 2014 with a finish time of 2:39. I currently weigh 193 as of this morning. I fell off track for a little while after the 1/2 marathon because I felt like I 'deserved' a break from logging and being careful. My "happy weight" is around 175 so that's what my current goal.

positiveenery

Kelll12123
That's awesome!!!
Inspirational story. I signed up for half marathon in May 2015. I'm a slow runner averaging about 11:30 -12 min per mile pace. Hopefully. I can follow your foot step, and able to run 9 minutes per mile some day. I have a long ways to go, but I will work hard towards my goal.

mac1time

I began running last June and I love. I started off just for health reasons but now it's relaxation for me. My journey has taken me from 367 to 230 and running was a huge part. Continued success!

SuzySuzerson

Love reading these!

For the past few years I've been a casual runner- I'd run 2.5 miles or so once or twice a week at 12:30 min per mile. I would be pretty beat afterwards, and had a pretty difficult time pushing myself. Around the holidays my dad asked me if I'd run a half marathon with him- it's something we have both been talking about for what feels like forever.

So at beginning of this year we signed up for a half marathon and that goal was just what I needed! I started training on January 4th and since then I have dropped about 30 lbs and I'm running an average of 10-11 miles per minute- I could not have imagined running a 10 minute mile a year ago. Just that success has made me want to keep going and continue to improve. Strength training has been super helpful- I can tell my core is stronger and that had helped me during long runs.

I also can't believe how much I love running now.. It's become so therapeutic. I feel more focused and less stressed at work and I sleep so much better. I feel like once I stopped putting pressure on myself and mentally accepted that change doesn't happen overnight or even in a week, that I would have to be patient and keep at it, I was able to just be in the moment and enjoy running.

I'm SO proud of my dad, who will be 70 this year, for putting so much focus on his health. I can tell he's lost weight and he seems so much happier and relaxed.

JustSomeGuy83

I'm slightly envious. I wish I could get into running but I absolutely hate it.

Charliegottheruns

I'm saving mine, I'm still waiting for conformation.

loratliff

Just started a thread on this: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10124187/if-youre-thinking-about-starting-c25k#latest

MDF247

I'm still old, slow and chubby but running the past 18 months or so has given me back a lot of tone in my lower body that had slipped away over the past 10-15 years. My core is stronger than it's ever been, somewhere underneath the blubber. Running has allowed me to really enjoy getting out in the woods for long hikes which feel pretty much easy now. I hiked the Grand Canyon from the south rim to the river and back last Thursday in about 8 hours... something I NEVER would have been able to do a couple years ago. Thanks Running!

Oh yeah, nevermind the fact that I can go run 10 miles whenever I feel like it. That's a pretty great feeling.