How fast/long could you jog when you were 220+lbs?

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Replies

  • hmjohnson25
    hmjohnson25 Posts: 100 Member
    I cannot run on a treadmill! I don't know what it is, but my body cannot figure it out. And I remember trying to run at 5 mph and there's no way I could sustain that pace. So, when I started running, at 250, I did Couch to 5K outside. I love that program. Like others have said, it eases you into it and you start to find your own pace. There's no shame in walking when you need to or slowing down if your body needs it. I had to repeat a few weeks of the C25K program because I just wasn't ready to move on. Do what you need to do to be successful at it.
  • Mugster111
    Mugster111 Posts: 2 Member
    I agree that running outside is much easier than on a treadmill. I just get so bored staring at the same thing for a half an hour or longer, and staring at the numbers on the treadmill can drive me crazy. I've always played sports (rugby, hockey) but endurance running was always really hard for me. When I first started running outside I would set tiny goals for myself, like run to the next tree or mailbox, then walk a bit but pick another goal for where I will start running again so I don't walk for to long. I've been able to build up my run to a continuous mile, but I don't know if running will ever be my thing.
  • sdreed25
    sdreed25 Posts: 208 Member
    It's all relative to fitness really. I've seen people well over 220 lbs completing 10km and marathon races, if you train but eat a ton you'll be fit but still overweight........ so really it's how far can you run for your current fitness level. And the answer to that is how far you can run now, keep adding to it 0.5k or 0.25 miles each session, any time it's tough repeat and then push on the session after that.
  • nordeast_yah
    nordeast_yah Posts: 38
    Heavyweight male here (6' 0", started c25k at 320, down to 290 now).

    My "jogging" speed is about 4.1mph, and I just finished W5D3 which is 20 min straight.

    I can't say enough good things about graduated programs like C25K (also 100pushups, etc).

    Babysteps will get you to where you can do more.

    I couldn't even start C25K at week 1 -- I had to do week -2, week -1, then week 0.

    Just keep at it and you will truly shock yourself doing more than you thought you ever could.
  • cyngorman
    cyngorman Posts: 6 Member
    I just started working out like a month ago, on the treadmill I started at 2 for about 45 minutes and that was hard. I have been able to maintain this and have slowly worked it up to 3 for 45 minutes. I think it depends on the person and what works best for you. Good luck to all of us!
  • jchite84
    jchite84 Posts: 467 Member
    Weight is not sufficient for determining how fast/long a person can run. I started running at 250 lbs and worked up to completing a 5K in about 40 minutes, weighing about 240. That was still faster than my wife who weighs 130 and cannot run a mile. I started running about a year and a half ago - today I weigh about 205 (still heavy for a runner) and regularly run 15-20 miles on my long runs. My 5K time is 29-30 minutes.

    Use a program like Couch to 5K. Worry about completing a distance (such as a 5K) and worry about speed afterwards. It will come as you get better running, you will run faster as you lose weight. Run outside where you won't be locked into picking a speed. Run a speed that is comfortable for you.
  • ruffnstuff
    ruffnstuff Posts: 400 Member
    It's all relative to fitness really. I've seen people well over 220 lbs completing 10km and marathon races, if you train but eat a ton you'll be fit but still overweight........ so really it's how far can you run for your current fitness level. And the answer to that is how far you can run now, keep adding to it 0.5k or 0.25 miles each session, any time it's tough repeat and then push on the session after that.

    What he said...it's all relative to fitness. I started off about 250 (even before coming back to MFP in August), but for my size was in decent fitness shape and was able to get right to running intervals on the elliptical. I definitely had to work my way up to running longer stretches, but if you take it in small increments, it'll actually come quicker than you think. Keep pushing on and you'll get to places/goals you didn't think possible! Good luck!
  • joannadalina
    joannadalina Posts: 112 Member
    I weigh 218lbs, 5'6 and can jog consistently for about 45mins - 60mins at least 3 times a week. Average pace ranges anywhere from 13-15mins / mile. Not a speed runner by any means, I run for the distance.

    best of luck :)
    Joanna
  • blueboxgeek
    blueboxgeek Posts: 574 Member
    I'm 211 and jog at 4.5mph. Very very slow I know but I keep increasing the time. I started out at a minute. Before long I was doing 5 minutes. I eventually got to 11 minutes and then in the space of 2 weeks quickly increased to 18 mins. I'm now at 24 minutes of continuous jogging which I am super proud about. Basically I set the timer on my treadmill for 45 mins, walk the first and last 5 mins at 3mph then just jog and walk brisky as much as I can the rest of the time and aim to always try and increase the distance I cover, even if it's only by 0.01 of a mile.
  • beckyboop712
    beckyboop712 Posts: 383 Member
    Considering I was running the entire time I was gaining weight, I can't fairly answer this. I ran a half marathon (13.1 miles) at an average of 13 minutes per mile pace (4.8 on the treadmill) when I was at 226 last summer. This summer, 10 pounds less, I ran the same race at a 12 minute per mile pace (5 mph). I'm currently at 214 (though I have a lot more muscle and have lost more inches than pounds) and I run for 3 miles, an average of 5.7 mph or 10:31 per mile pace. It all depends on where you are and how much you think you can push yourself. Just be safe when increasing your mileage otherwise you increase your risk of injuring yourself. Do what feels comfortable to finish a workout, speed will come later.

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