I can't run. I want to but I'm struggling.

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Replies

  • michelegurr
    michelegurr Posts: 55 Member
    LISTEN TO YOUR BODY...if it says don't run yet, then don't! The last thing you want to do is blow out a knee or an ankle then you won't even be able to "Just" walk for awhile! Walking is better for your joints (the more you weigh the more stress is put on them but works exponentially!). If you truly want to be a runner someday, then great! But maybe for now try power walking: walk at your fast pace (I happen to be a fast walker naturally myself), but add some exaggerated arm movements for a more aerobic workout. I can never be a runner because while I don't have bad knees per se, it just plain is not comfortable for me to run BUT there are plenty of other choices out there (Gonna throw in my plug for the Wii video game system - get any of the Just Dance games - you WILL get an aerobic workout LOL). Also, another plug for a favorite thing: if you wanna run and your biggest complaint is The Girls hurt from bouncing all over the place, then go to titlenine.com and they have the best selection of bras for any size woman! Anything from cute little AA's to The Girls Will Not Bounce We Guarantee It bras! Remember marathon runners do not just wake up one morning and go hmmm let's I dunno...run 25 miles today! They spend lots of time preparing and working up to their goals and if you can do myfitnesspal you can become a runner...in time! AND my favorite saying, anything worth having is worth working for! Good luck!
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    How about me? I just turned 60 years *young*. I've never run but I have a treadmill and have been slowly jogging maybe 1 minute then walk then when ever I think I can do another... jog...any other over 60 joggers out there? Jen

    I won't hit 60 for a couple more years. I ran my first 5K at 52 and I know lots of runners in their late 50s and up......it's never too late to start, it just takes a little longer for the changes to happen.

    Take it slow and easy and be consistent, you'll surprise yourself (in a good way)!
  • geerunz
    geerunz Posts: 163 Member
    I would suggest you google the Galloway method. It is interval running and you should have great success with it.

    ^second this :smile:
  • teamnevergoingback
    teamnevergoingback Posts: 368 Member
    Two words........slow down.

    When I first started running I was around your weight (235 or so) and could barely go around the block without feeling like death would be a relief. I used a "run" (more like a shuffle) 1 min, walk 9 which then moved up to run2 walk 8 etc etc until I could "run" 10 minutes without stopping. Since then I have run 5ks, 10ks, half-marathons and sprint triathlons & duathlons.......it takes patience (don't rush the progress) and perseverance.

    If you can walk briskly you should be able to make the transition using a method like I've described but keep the pace slow, focus on building endurance first.

    This. Plus it's realllyyy hard to run when you have stuff moving around. I tried to start off running as well, but it didn't work when I was at 215, so I switched to the elliptical, that I ended up loving! Running is pretty high impact when you have a lot of extra weight on you. No worries though! I would also recommend a gradual interval program like this one above, or the Galloway method as suggested by someone else. Don't try to just go as fast as you can! Work on endurance and then speed.
  • LoosingMyLast15
    LoosingMyLast15 Posts: 1,457 Member
    I'm just about getting the courage to run on the treadmill. I am kind of scared of running in front of people but feel more comfortable doing it on a treadmill than out in the street. I'm worried people will think I'm too fat and can't keep up. Reality is - I can't.

    I weigh 230lbs and can walk at a brisk pace for miles and on a gradient. People often comment that I walk too fast but that's normal for me. It gets my heart rate up and I can burn up a sweat but I feel I can get more benefit from running. After a warm up, I can jog or run for about 30 seconds and then I feel like I'm ready to throw up. My chest burns, my boobs hurt, my legs hurt and I feel dizzy. Is this normal for someone who doesn't normally run? I thought I'd get some benefit if I can run for 30 seconds and then walk for 5 to get over the horrible feelings I get, but how can I learn to run properly?

    If I can get my heart rate up and sweat from a brisk walk, will running be any better or does it not matter?

    slow down! stop "competing" with the people on the next treadmill or trying to run at the speed they are running at. i started out doing 30 seconds on a treadmill at 4.8. persistence and dedication are your friends. we all start somewhere and 30 seconds is a good place to start. check out c25k too it may help.

    for me i started running because i got bored walking, i just wanted the walk to be over so i figured if i just ran it i would be done that much faster. i ended up just going further and then realized i enjoyed it. i love running in races - i get such a high from them it's crazy good. crossing that finish line hearing everyone cheering you on OH IT IS SUCH A RUSH! so asking if running is better - yes it is (for me).
  • AshleyMeggg
    AshleyMeggg Posts: 148 Member
    C25K is good, but I had better results with this app. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/zombies-run!-5k-training/id566596422?mt=8 Its super entertaining, and it doesn't push too hard.
    With whatever program you follow though, don't be afraid to repeat it as many times as you feel necessary.
  • FrauHaas2013
    FrauHaas2013 Posts: 615 Member
    I'm just about getting the courage to run on the treadmill. I am kind of scared of running in front of people but feel more comfortable doing it on a treadmill than out in the street. I'm worried people will think I'm too fat and can't keep up. Reality is - I can't.

    I weigh 230lbs and can walk at a brisk pace for miles and on a gradient. People often comment that I walk too fast but that's normal for me. It gets my heart rate up and I can burn up a sweat but I feel I can get more benefit from running. After a warm up, I can jog or run for about 30 seconds and then I feel like I'm ready to throw up. My chest burns, my boobs hurt, my legs hurt and I feel dizzy. Is this normal for someone who doesn't normally run? I thought I'd get some benefit if I can run for 30 seconds and then walk for 5 to get over the horrible feelings I get, but how can I learn to run properly?

    If I can get my heart rate up and sweat from a brisk walk, will running be any better or does it not matter?

    Why don't you try HIIT? walk for a couple minutes, then sprint for a couple minutes, then repeat the whole process for 20 minutes. Burns as much as straight jogging for 60 minutes (I've read, anyway).
  • NH_Norma
    NH_Norma Posts: 332 Member
    C25K

    I second this! I have bad asthma and found it really difficult to run initially, but on Saturday I ran for 20 mins solid and totalled about 4 km (including the warm up/down walks)!

    Go slowly at first - if you feel out of breath slow down. Do each week over and over until it feels easy then move on. But overall, remember that no excercise is wasted. If you don't feel ready to start the C25K yet, go for brisker and brisker walks until you feel fitter.

    www.nhs.uk/livewell/c25k/

    OMG you give me hope!! I also have bad asthma and like the OP really want to run. I'm just getting started, trying to avoid running on pavement to save my knees (about 90 pounds to lose). I feel like you have given me permission to take a month on week 1 if I have to. :)
  • calibriintx
    calibriintx Posts: 1,741 Member
    Say!
    In the dark?
    Here in the dark!
    Would you, could you, in the dark?
  • NH_Norma
    NH_Norma Posts: 332 Member
    Say!
    In the dark?
    Here in the dark!
    Would you, could you, in the dark?

    I could (try)! I bought a headlamp this week! :glasses:
  • Hbazzell
    Hbazzell Posts: 899 Member
    Start walking up hills or on an incline on the TM, this will give you a good work out, but will be less stressful on your joints and such. You will start shedding pounds and getting more comfortable getting sweaty and out of breath in front of people (which is what we are all there to do anyway). The better you get at hills, the faster you should go. Maybe start at 2....then 2.5....then 3....then 3.5 until you are at a jog at around 4.5-6 depending on your stride. You are going to do awesome. You are doing this for YOU!
  • razors_girl23
    razors_girl23 Posts: 32 Member
    I also say try C25K. I really wish I would have started this way. I wasn't as heavy as you when I started, but I sure was slow. Don't worry about what people are thinking. You're out there and that's all that matters. The only people you should be comparing yourself to is yourself.

    When I started running, I couldn't run 200 metres without stopping. I've just completed my first marathon. It hurt like hell, but I did it. My 5k time has also dropped from an hour with a big rest at half way, to 27:xx mins non-stop at a pushed pace. Stick with it. Running is the best thing I ever did for myself.

    I'm also a big proponent of Galloway's run/walk method. I do all distances 10k or over this way. No way I could have done a marathon without using it.
  • MinimalistShoeAddict
    MinimalistShoeAddict Posts: 1,946 Member
    I also say try C25K. I really wish I would have started this way. I wasn't as heavy as you when I started, but I sure was slow. Don't worry about what people are thinking. You're out there and that's all that matters. The only people you should be comparing yourself to is yourself.

    When I started running, I couldn't run 200 metres without stopping. I've just completed my first marathon. It hurt like hell, but I did it. My 5k time has also dropped from an hour with a big rest at half way, to 27:xx mins non-stop at a pushed pace. Stick with it. Running is the best thing I ever did for myself.

    I'm also a big proponent of Galloway's run/walk method. I do all distances 10k or over this way. No way I could have done a marathon without using it.

    I agree with all of this!!
  • mayonie1
    mayonie1 Posts: 296 Member
    Download app C25k in your phone, its the best app. I'm coming from a 5km race now and I've improved by 15mins speed than my previous and thanks to c25k program.
  • Frankie_Felinius
    Frankie_Felinius Posts: 1,398 Member
    I glad this was posted. I'm 211 and want to jog on the treadmill and this is just what I needed to read!
  • NH_Norma
    NH_Norma Posts: 332 Member
    THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!! I got on the treadmill for 20 minutes and was able to jog 2 minutes at a time at 4.2. Not fast, but faster than a comfortable walk and about 90 seconds longer than I could do at 5mph. Building endurance at this low speed seems so much smarter, and feels like success instead of failure! I may need to just stick to the treadmill though because left to my own outside, I know I'll "sprint" and not be able to do much at all.
  • rickyd88
    rickyd88 Posts: 75 Member
    Thanks everyone for th great advice. I'm back from the gym and 2 sturdy bras later ...

    I ran for 3.5 minutes at an 8.5km/hr pace. I rested for 90 seconds and managed it again. Now I'm going to use c25k to build up my stamina. I never thought I could run for that long but you're right ... I was sprinting before and that's why I felt deathly ill after a few seconds.
  • DEEDLYNN
    DEEDLYNN Posts: 235 Member
    I started running about 7 weeks ago. I'm just ready to break under 300 lbs. (Probably this week)....I use C25K. It's hard....but it's sooooooooooooooooo worth it. I ran my first mile consecutive 3 weeks ago (yes, I deviated from the program). It was not planned, but I just kept running. SLOW....SLOW.....SLOW!!!!!!. I'm very slow, and can walk faster....but my whole body feels great...when I find the pace and my body is in sync with itself.

    DO NOT WORRY ABOUT WHAT OTHERS THINK!!!!

    My first day, I started on the treadmill ( I now alternate inside/outside). There were seasoned runners on those machines. People that I know (it's a work), and I knew they did 5K's and 10K's and they were always looking at their times. Guess what. I got on and I just did it. No one said anything that day...but now, they ask me how it's going. They ask how I like it. They've even included me in conversations where I can gather information and get advice.

    Just DO IT!

    Especially, if it's something you've been wanting to do. I've wanted to do this for more than a year now...and 7 weeks ago, I took my first running step...and I haven't looked back.
  • Lyerin
    Lyerin Posts: 818 Member
    C25K is really great. I was in the high 190s when I started the program and was able to follow it all the way through without problems. I started out running at the local high school track early in the AM when there were only a few elderly people there to see me "run." LOL Actually, those folks gave me some of the best encouragement ever.

    I gradually got more comfortable with running and having people see me do it.
  • yoovie
    yoovie Posts: 17,121 Member
    no one thinks bad of people exercising.

    unless that is how YOU look at people who are overweight and exercising - in that case - stoppit.
  • BerryH
    BerryH Posts: 4,698 Member
    Here are all my running tips for beginners.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/BerryH/view/20-things-i-wish-i-d-known-about-running-when-i-started-103936

    Note point one:

    When you start out, it’s HARD! Even if you think you’re fit, running is so different to anything else you’ve done before you will get out of breath quickly. Stick with it. Can’t manage a minute? Go slow. Still can’t? GO SLOWER!

    It could even be slower than your speedy walk. Just get used to doing the different action and the speed will come with time.

    And get a bra specifically designed for running - sometimes just general high impact ones don't do the job. If you take a big cup size, think about wearing two - quite a lot of us bigger-boobed exercisers do this.
  • elainecroft
    elainecroft Posts: 595 Member
    I started running at 225ish, ran a 5k, and made it up to a 1/2 marathon before I made it below 200 pounds. So yes, you can run at (mostly) any size.

    I used to be incredibly worried about being judged, not being fast enough, etc. etc. etc. Once I did start running with others (first I found a super supportive friend, and then I moved on to some groups/races), I found that 90% of people are SUPER supportive and understand that everyone goes at their own pace. There will still be jerks out there, but I think you will be pleasantly surprised to see what a supportive running community there is out there, especially for people just starting out. Its like any other hobby - people are really excited to have others join in on the fun and get to share advice, talk about running, etc.

    And secondly, I echo that you should run slow. Run a lot slower than you think you should. It'll feel weird at first - I started out running slower than I walked, but it helps your body get used to it, and then you can start training programs and going faster, etc. Years later, I STILL run pretty slow (and probably always will), but I've learned that it doesn't really matter - what makes you a runner is going out and doing it, not how fast / how far you go. So enjoy yourself, and kudos to you for running! :)

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