Serious Question... Opinions Please

tiggerhammon
tiggerhammon Posts: 2,211 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Okay.... I currently cannot run. I mean at all. Seriously. I can't even jog the length of a block. I was a runner in high school and for awhile after and really want to get back there again. I have no reason I can't (no health reasons or anything) aside from just being overweight (about 60lbs over weight) and way out of shape. I made myself and my daughter (age 8) a promise - that, after baby, I would train for and run a family triathlon with her.
There are two upcoming family triathlons here - one in October and one in April 2015. The distances are a 400yard swim followed by a 10mile bike and then a 5k run. I can swim well and bike alright but can't run AT ALL! If I were to start something like C25K now, do you think it's possible I could be there by October? Or should I plan for next April?
I am not sure I could keep up with a program like that though with an infant..... Opinions?

Replies

  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    When I did my first triathlon I was not prepared at all. Swimming was my worst, I was ok at biking. I was not at the point I could run a 5k but I did it anyway. I did walk a lot and that is fine. My goal was to finish and I did.
    C25k should give you time to be ready for October, but that is assuming no hiccups in training. Either way, I think you could be able to get to the point you could walk/run to finish.

    I tend to be on the "go for it" side. For me the battle was the swim, you've got that. You can do the bike. Worst case scenerio - you walk the run? Finish last? (I did that too, it's no big deal).
  • Lemongrab13
    Lemongrab13 Posts: 206 Member
    C25K is only half an hour three times per week, so I don't see why even with an infant you wouldn't be able to fit that in your schedule.
    Don't make excuses before you start :tongue:
    I think logically that April makes more sense since if you can't run at this point, running a 5k AFTER all the swimming and cycling is going to be incredibly difficult.
    But at the same time signing for October will encourage you to exercise more so you'll be ready...
    Can you trust yourself enough to not give up by April?
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    I should clarify. I am not saying don't wait til April. It does give you more time to train and more wiggle room with setbacks. But if you want to go for October, depending what your goals are, I think it could be doable too.
  • morgnsam
    morgnsam Posts: 1
    I say go for October. It would force you to get serious with your training and give you no time to make excuses not to train. If you choose April, you have that many more months to procrastinate on your training (back-to-school, winter/cold, the holidays). Besides, if you do the October one and enjoy it, you can continue your training and make a goal for yourself to beat your October time in the April race!
    As far as not being able to run... Look into programs that get you started in running. I am NOT a runner. I'm terrible at it, but all I did to start was have a stop watch and I would walk 5 min, run 1, walk 5, run 1. I would do that for a few days, then I would increase my time to 2 min on the run, etc. Within a couple of weeks I was up to being able to run for a half hour straight. This was all by walk/running at least 4-5x per week. It will get easier the more you do it. Starting it is the hardest part! I hope this helped. Good Luck!!! :0)
  • trinatrina1984
    trinatrina1984 Posts: 1,018 Member
    Good for you this sounds great! as others have said c25k is only half an hour at a time and from what i have found so far its a pretty good programme. I guess it depends how you prefer to work. In theory you could do it in October if you really get on the training but if it was me i would give myself until April to make sure i was confident i could complete it in a reasonable time.
  • tiggerhammon
    tiggerhammon Posts: 2,211 Member
    Sorry it took me so long to respond. Been busy.

    We have decided to go for April. Mostly because of the heat right now - it has hit 115° here already this year and August is usually worse. So, unless we go run by 6am then we don't go. Once the sun comes up, its miserable outside.
    So, we don't manage to get up and out by 6am very often so I think we need a little more time and chance to run through the fall.

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