How do I get started and what the heck am I thinking!

MelodieRocksIt

Okay so I am embarking on the c25k program - downloaded the "Chubby Jones" podcasts and with the cooler weather here in South Florida and ready to start however I keep asking myself - am I nuts?! I hate running, hate being outside and getting hot and sweaty and attacked by bugs, have to deal with a DD chest, a shoulder with more metal than a hardware store, am more than 100lbs overweight and did I mention, I hate running ;-)

So why am I doing this? I think I need to do this precisely because I hate it, I need to prove to myself that this time it is for real, this time I am going to change and this time I am going to succeed.

Tips and encouragement welcome and possibly referral to a shrink

PaytraB

LOL! Awesome first post. You know your demons and are ready to face them.

First, start slow.....then go slower. Speed will come in time. Your first "run" periods may be slower than your "walking" periods.
Bring along some music or an audio book to distract yourself. Before long, you'll be outrunning the bugs, so don't worry too much about them.
You live in a nice climate, which will make getting outdoors pleasant.

You can do this. Before you know it, you'll be looking forward to your training sessions.
Go slow......

likitisplit

There are answers for all your questions. For instance: http://www.movingcomfort.com/Juno/350025,default,pd.html

But, while that's true, I would question doing something you hate as a mark of success. Wouldn't incorporating something you love as a regular part of your life make more sense in sustaining fitness as a lifestyle?

On the third hand, a year ago I had just done my third run, still hated it and was completely positive that I'd fail at some point. Nobody enjoys being hot and sweaty or bugs. Everything on my body bounced and jiggled and swayed. I didn't really start enjoying it until I hit 8 weeks. I have no idea why so many people think that running would be great, especially since so many of us have failed at it again and again. Except that it IS AMAZING, but it takes a long, long time to get yourself there.

Plexgut nailed the secret to success above. Run as slowly as you physically can. If you can't finish an interval, go slower. The amusing thing is that's the advice I STILL get from experienced runners a year later. Because it really does solve about 85% of problems in running. She's also right...there are very few bugs that can fly as fast as you will be able to run.

Running is more effective than any shrink.

Additional Inspiration:
Julie Donahue did the C25k program right after me and I still check out her blog as she's so committed and amazing. Here's the post from her first race: http://www.halfajulie.blogspot.com/2013/07/first-5k-is-over.html

And here's the post "Hey Fat Girl" that is SOOO true that it makes me cry every time I read it: http://flintland.blogspot.com/2012/05/hey-fat-girl.html

rduhlir

Where in South Florida are you? I know Florida weather, I grew up in Ocala. Good idea to start when the weather is cooler, lol.

As the other two have said, go slow.

Another thing you might want to look in on is a running group, or club. Something that will help you find socialization in what you are doing. If you have a friend who is embarking on this with you, and agree to meet up, you will less likely quit. That is why I ask where you are in Florida. I would look around where you are at and see what is available to you.

MelodieRocksIt

Thank you Plex and Vard! I am going to go to "Fit2Run" to have them fit me for sneakers and I see they stock the bra's you mentioned. Love the links you posted.

I will be doing the "Run or Dye" 5K on 3/22 with some friends

likitisplit

Thank you Plex and Vard! I am going to go to "Fit2Run" to have them fit me for sneakers and I see they stock the bra's you mentioned. Love the links you posted.

I will be doing the "Run or Dye" 5K on 3/22 with some friends

Cool. Under the "Train to Run" area on the Fit2Run website, some of the stores have 5k training groups that you might want to try. They all look like they have running groups. Great tool.

If they don't have Moving Comfort, grab a woman who works there and ask what the busty girls use...that's how I found the Juno (which is awesome!!!)

MelodieRocksIt

So I did W1D1 last night - yes, I actually did it and more than that, I enjoyed it :-) Question is 10 weeks long enough to get me up to a 5K? One of my friends is doing one on 2/15/14 and wants me to join.....

PaytraB

Well done!
Probably. You will be able to do the 5K. You may need to stop for walk breaks. You will probably take longer than 30 minutes. But you will be able to cover the distance easily so you can certainly & confidently join the race with your friend.
Remembering back, in 10 weeks I could run a 5K stretch on a good day but in a lot longer than 30 minutes.

likitisplit

Well done!
Probably. You will be able to do the 5K. You may need to stop for walk breaks. You will probably take longer than 30 minutes. But you will be able to cover the distance easily so you can certainly & confidently join the race with your friend.
Remembering back, in 10 weeks I could run a 5K stretch on a good day but in a lot longer than 30 minutes.

That's because you never raced. Race day magic would have swooped you over the finish line. In WAY longer than 30 minutes, but you would have been able to run it all.

PaytraB

:laugh: That's probably true. I should race one day just to see what its like and experience this "magic".

tonybalony01

Congrats on starting! That's generally the hardest part.
I live in north FL, so I've had to deal with all the same things you listed (except for the chest part since I'm a guy).
I also hated running. It was just something that I never got into or was good at.
After a couple weeks of doing the program, I started looking forward to my walk/runs and enjoying them.
I did my first 5k in May and finished in a little over 30 minutes, and I had to take quite few walk breaks.
But I finished!
The goal is to get you to a 5k in under 30 minutes, but, for a beginner, I'd say that's a pretty lofty goal.
I just made it my goal to finish, and I accomplished that. My goal for my next 5k is to be faster than my last one.
Just do your best and keep going.
Good luck and have fun!

MelodieRocksIt

Thanks all! I am not worried about the time, I just want to finish :-) also this is a night run "Neon Vibe" so I think the party atmosphere will help plus being with a group of friends, at least two of whom plan to walk most of the way....

RBXChas

Inside the Mind of Suz (www.kissmyblackass.org - yes, that's the name of the domain, I promise, and she jokes about it, too) is a good blog about a very heavy lady (Suz) and how she ran C25K and then did Bridge to 10K. She's got some good podcasts in mp3 format if you just want the music with audio cues and don't feel like dealing with an app.

However if you look it up at work, your employer might not appreciate your visiting that domain!

Chin up, though; I live in Charleston, SC and have many of the same weather- and bug-related challenges as you. I did C25K in 2011, had another baby earlier this year (I wasn't allowed to run during my pregnancy due to a bleeding issue), so I'm on week 2. For me it's like starting over (especially because I gained a ton of weight during pregnancy again), but I remember how much I enjoyed running once I got into the groove of things. (I used to hate running, too.) I feel like it really reshaped my body.

Early in the morning and late in the evening were my favorite times to run for the best weather, and I got so used to running in the dark that running in daylight messed with my head and made me feel like I was running at a snail's pace. You obviously have to be more careful and self-aware in the dark, but I prefer it to daylight running.

Races are awesome! I perform seemingly miraculous feats in races. I'm not hyper competitive, but I get a little bit competitive during races. I also love the feeling of community in them, like when other runners cheer you on, or if you slow down to ask someone who looks like they're struggling if they're ok. It somehow feels like a massive group effort

You'll be able to do a 5K in 10 weeks, but it might not be 30 minutes. Just be patient; your pace will improve in time!

Best wishes!

Edited for typo

MelodieRocksIt

Thanks all! Last night I went for a nice long walk with the family after dinner and we decided that on nights my husband and daughter don't have karate (I used to do it too but had to stop due to the aforementioned hardware store in my arm) we will all go for a nice long walk after dinner. This will keep me moving on the days I don't run. Night is definitely better for me to run as the weather is cooler. Being an ex-South African I am very safety conscious and am staying in my community for right now which is very safe. I am so psyched to finally be embarrassing this!