If you dind't start jogging/running yet

BerryH

Sex would only win hands-down if you could also go out shopping for special shoes for it!

Ummmmm....I believe you've seen some of my footwear collection....

And I thought you wore your thigh-high patent leather numbers down to Tesco!

Brownski860

i tried the C25K twice.. I just can't do it. I think perhaps I'm still too big. Also, I think I need better sneakers. Also, Its hard for me to keep to a schedule of every other day for training b/c my schedule is ever changing. For now, I'll just stick to power walking. Seems to be working for my body. Maybe once I lose 50+lbs I'll be light enough to start jog/run.

JsGirl93

Just started! In week 1 of c25k! I'm sore, but loving the feeling!

bcattoes

I've tried to go running/jogging but I have absolutely no endurance. I can't go more than 250 m before I have to stop and spend 5 minutes panting and chugging water. I can do about 3 x 250 m before I get a really painful stitch in my side and have to stop. The other day I decided I would run the 1.20 km from my place to the gym... I made it but I had a pounding headache that cut my workout short.

So I walk instead. I use an app to track my distance, speed, calories burned, etc. Since July 21st, I've walked 97 kilometres and burned almost 7000 calories. Walking can be a great cardio workout too and it's less tough on your joints.

I wish I could run, though, and maybe if I try again when it's cooler I'll have better luck.

I had the same problem when I first started running. I started out by walking and running alternately until finally I built up enough endurance to run the whole distance. But you are correct, walking is great cardio and you can definitely get in shape just by walking.

SueInAz

I tried the C25K twice.. I just can't do it. I think perhaps I'm still too big. Also, I think I need better sneakers. Also, Its hard for me to keep to a schedule of every other day for training b/c my schedule is ever changing. For now, I'll just stick to power walking. Seems to be working for my body. Maybe once I lose 50+lbs I'll be light enough to start jog/run.

I was never able to run before and starting at 45 years old, I didn't think I'd be one now, either.

I had a lot of difficulties with C25K at the beginning, too, which for me was in April. I ended up creating my own Week 0 where I jogged for only 30 seconds and walked for 90 seconds. After a few weeks, and some conversations with other runners, I'm sticking to intervals. I'm up to 3 or 4 minutes running and 1 minute walking, with an eventual goal of 6 minutes/1 minute for the length of a 10K. Maybe even a half marathon. I'm not pushing for speed at this point, just trying to keep to a 12 minute mile.

Don't be afraid to take it slower if you need to. This isn't some sort of contest or endurance race. If it's too much, back off, but keep trying. My suggestion would be to add a few bursts of jogging in with your power walk, even if it's just 15 or 30 seconds at a time, then walk for several minutes again. I'm betting you'll find those jogging sessions get easier and easier as well as eventually getting longer.

TheGoktor

Sex would only win hands-down if you could also go out shopping for special shoes for it!

Ummmmm....I believe you've seen some of my footwear collection....

And I thought you wore your thigh-high patent leather numbers down to Tesco!

Waitrose, dahlink, Waitrose....one simply cannot abide Tesco!

beckyinma

C25K week 7, Got through the first 20 minute run of week 5 and wanted to shout it from the mountain tops! It really does feel SO GOOD!!!

TheGoktor

C25K week 7, Got through the first 20 minute run of week 5 and wanted to shout it from the mountain tops! It really does feel SO GOOD!!!

Go you! It's such a brilliant feeling, isn't it? Very, very well done! :flowerforyou:

lucky1304

Running is better than Xanax. And *almost* as good as sex.

+1

TheGoktor

I tried the C25K twice.. I just can't do it. I think perhaps I'm still too big. Also, I think I need better sneakers. Also, Its hard for me to keep to a schedule of every other day for training b/c my schedule is ever changing. For now, I'll just stick to power walking. Seems to be working for my body. Maybe once I lose 50+lbs I'll be light enough to start jog/run.

I absolutely agree that you do need to be able to schedule in regular runs but they don't have to be at the same time every day (although I admit I prefer to run in the early mornings). You might have a point about the running shoes - I do feel this is something which really cannot be compromised. A really good sports bra is a must too.

I don't agree with your comment that perhaps you're too heavy! I started a few weeks before my 48th birthday, at 60lbs overweight. I've lost 22lbs since then, and am fitter than I've been for goodness knows how long!

When I first started C25K, it was really difficult, and there were several times during that first two weeks when I was quite literally in tears from the pain in my thighs after a run (I use the term 'run' very loosely!). Some MFPers will no doubt remember that. Berry will - she really helped me during that time!

I've blogged about my first experience of C25K - you may find it useful.

http://icanyoucanwecan-blog.blogspot.com/2011/07/c25k-week-1-not-quite-ready-to-engage.html

However, I persevered, and I am so glad I did. I just told myself that giving up was not an option. I applied the same stubborn attitude to my running as I do to life - nothing is going to get the better of me!

I haven't graduated C25K yet because at Week 6, I went back to the start so that I could run with my friend, who was inspired by my efforts (yay)! We got up to Week 8 a few weeks ago and then I got a cold, which went to my chest, plus I had a few days off because I got shin splints (which are fine now). For the past two weeks, we've repeated W6, D2 so that I can re-build my stamina (my chest is almost recovered now) and fitness levels. We also changed our route to include long uphill runs to further build up my levels (one side of the entire park is all uphill). Although it was hard, it seems to have done the trick!

We've decided that we're not going to go with the rest of C25K just yet because although we've both run 25mins with no walking several times, neither of us are ready to go back to that just yet, so on our next run, we're doing 5mins brisk walk to warm up (I usually do 30-60 mins cardio before we go out as well - *that's* how much fitter I am now!), and then run 15, walk 5, run 15, brisk 5min walk to cool off. We'll do that a couple of times and see how we get on, but I predict that it won't be long before we reduce the walking to 3 mins in between, and up the length of the runs. We'll probably be running for 30 mins in less than a month...I hope!

The point of all this is that no matter how big you are (and Brownski860, your starting weight is roughly my current weight!), you *can* run if you really have a mind to. And if you don't believe me, look at this video:

http://www.c25k.com/ben_video.html

Now tell me you are too big to run!

fmbarbuto

I'm not a runner at all. Zumba was my exercise of choice for the last 3.5 years. I've always wanted to learn to run and am in week 2 of C25K and LOVING it so far! Just gotta make sure I'm nourishing my body prior - felt a little sluggish yesterday!

My legs are the biggest part of my body and I've burned anywhere from 270 to 325 over the past few weeks with this (I use the Polar FT4 so I know my number are accurate)! MFP is a huge motivator for me and I'm thankful I belong to a group of C25K'ers here - I definately benefit from the support of others!

So thank you for your post!

apetranovich

I totally feel the same way. I was going to start my C25K yesterday outside but all of a sudden I felt like I was going to embarass myself and feel humiliated, so I did 1.5 hours of walking instead. I'm also scared I won't be able to do it because I have asthma that is not always under control. I feel like I'm too heavy to run, but I have decided to buy myself my dream shoes (the Vibrams) research the new way of running and try to go with it. Thank you to the person that posted this..I needed the encouragement:)

jernigan51

Great post! I just started jogging and feel exactly the same way! Hard at first and felt silly, but less than 3 weeks later have already noticed a huge change in my strength and ability to go further, longer! Proud of me, proud of you, and proud of everyone else working so hard!

sweetsapphire85

I've been wanting to run for years, but never thought I was in good enough shape to do it and would get winded way to easily. I just started watching Extreme Makeover weight loss edition last week and thought If he can get a 300lb woman to do it I should be able to at 150. (exercise induced asthma has always stopped me since I was 13 so I was afraid of having an attack)

I started outside jogging for a bit then alternating a bit with walking, and yesterday I just gave the treadmill at the gym a go. (I've never been able to figure out how to run on them as I could never find a speed that works or would be terrified of falling off the back). I'm only 5'1" so the normal speeds everyone goes is different as my stride is so much less, so I figured if I walk at 3.5-4.0 maybe try 4.5.

I was able to jog for 33 minutes almost non stop (only 8 minutes were spent walking) and was able to breath the whole time! I was so happy with myself that I finally did it!

BerryH

Those worried about asthma and weight, I can assure you there's a way you can run. I did a marathon at 14 stone (196lbs) with exercise induced asthma. You just have to find the right pace for you. Obviously carry your inhaler unless you're absolutely sure you can get round your planned run without it.

I hardly ever use my asthma inhaler now, only when I've been doing a particularly tough set of hill repeats, sprints or a tempo session (yes, you'll be bandying these kinds of words round like a pro within no time!).

Just bear in mind that when you start running feels harder than any other exercise you've done before. Just go for 30 seconds or a minute at a time using a programme like C25K. Still too hard? RUN SLOWER! There is a pace you can do it, I promise!

And there is no shame in taking walk breaks even when you're experienced. I find I cover long distances faster doing run 2/walk 1 minute than trying to plod round slowly and getting slower... and slower...!

And I agree, do go to a proper running shop to get your first pair of shoes fitted. You'll suddenly feel like you're running on air!

tamcrit

I TOTALLY agree!! I ran track/cross country in high school, but hadn't run in 20 years, until last year when I began my weight loss/lifestyle journey. I was seriously out of shape. I started the C25K program and could barely run the 60 second intervals, but I keep going. I ran my first 5K last May 2010, first 10K last October 2010, and kept on going a little longer a little farther...ran my first half marathon in January 2011, and have my 4th half coming up on 8/21. My New Years reasolution was to do a running event every month of 2011, and through August I have done 2-5Ks, 2-10Ks, and 4-halves. I NEVER in my life thought I would run half marathons, particularly starting at age 43, so if I can do it, anyone can. I also lost considerable weight during the process.