Running Questions?

jenny95662

Hey guys
So I always wanted to run. When I was at 200 pounds i started running on treadmill and doing couch to 5k outside. I enjoyed it it was my time to get away so to speak. Well that was back in 2007 when my husband was deployed. Now fast forward to 2012 and I am 280 pounds after having my 2nd kid and my dad passing and i want to start running a little again. Now my issue is when I run or workout real hard my right hip kills me for days after. I asked my doctor about this (he is the worst doctor and i am no longer seeing him because he never listened to me) he checked my hip by moving my leg and stuff and basically said your fat you cant run right now to do other things. Well I know you guys are not doctors so i dont need to hear the drama from same drama starting people on the boards saying i cant answer cause i am not your doctor. I want your stories Did you guys run when you were heavier, did you get pains in your hip area after or could it mean there is something more to my issue? Just curious on how you guys did it and stuff thanks for any info.

garlic7girl

My girlfriend was about 50 lbs overweight and did a full marathon! It was 2 years later that she lost the 50lbs. It can happen but she went thru a running program so learned correct way to run and use correct running shoes techniques.

BrianSharpe

When I started running I was at about 235 lbs, I had my fair share of shin splints and other assorted aches and pains but nothing in my hips.

Here's a link to an article t runnersworld.com to hip strengthening exercises http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-241-286--13410-0,00.html

Do you have a running store or running club near by? Many stores offer free running clinics and clubs are usually very welcoming of new runners.

One thing that helped me ease into running was walking, then walk/running where I started with 10 min walking/ 1 minute running and gradually progress until the ratios are reversed (there are lots of people running races using a 10 min run /1 min walk strategy). Don't try to rush your progress and listen to your body, if you have persistent acute pain try to find a sports doctor (most family physicians are clueless and many will still tell you running will wreck your knees - I'm surprised some of them don't still advocate smoking to calm your nerves and lose weight) .

Best of luck!

jenny95662

When I started running I was at about 235 lbs, I had my fair share of shin splints and other assorted aches and pains but nothing in my hips.

Here's a link to an article t runnersworld.com to hip strengthening exercises http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-241-286--13410-0,00.html

Do you have a running store or running club near by? Many stores offer free running clinics and clubs are usually very welcoming of new runners.

One thing that helped me ease into running was walking, then walk/running where I started with 10 min walking/ 1 minute running and gradually progress until the ratios are reversed (there are lots of people running races using a 10 min run /1 min walk strategy). Don't try to rush your progress and listen to your body, if you have persistent acute pain try to find a sports doctor (most family physicians are clueless and many will still tell you running will wreck your knees - I'm surprised some of them don't still advocate smoking to calm your nerves and lose weight) .

Best of luck!

thank you i will def look into all of this thank you!!!

tnrunningnurse

Have you had your gait analyzed at a running store to make sure you are in the right shoe. If you are running in the wrong shoe that could cause hip pain, or knee pain etc...I was training for a marathon about 7 yrs ago and started having ankle pain. I went to my local running clubs message boards and asked what I should do and everyone said the same thing...go have you gait analyzed. If your city has a running club use their website forums to find a "running friendly MD" ....but definetly have your gait analyzed.

robdahlgren0506

Check out Chi Running. It really is important to have good form when you run to prevent injury. I haven't been doing the Chi Running for long (am still learning and practicing) but it has greatly reduced my knee pain already by improving my running form and posture.

Hip pain while running is often caused by landing the heal on the leading foot. This sends a shockwave up through your body and can cause pain in the hips or knees. Land your foot basically flat and directly under your shoulders and roll your foot back and it should help a lot.

robdahlgren0506

P.S. I feel it is better to have a flat shoe and correct your gate than to compensate with shoes. I'm sure many will disagree, but these kinds of problems are often caused by under-used muscles that need to be trained. Corrective footwear just masks the problem (or can create it if someone with the wrong gate buys the shoe).

bhanis

Brian Sharpe has it right. When I started running about 3 years ago, I had a similar problem. My right hip and knee would get really painful, and my doctor all but implied that I was too heavy to run. (obviously, I haven't been back to see him.) I switched up my exercises and lost a little weight, but still wanted to get into running. I tried running again, even finishing a 5k, and had the same pains with my knee. I even did the run/walk method and that helped some, but when I ran for more than 60 minutes, my knee would act up again. I went to a short seminar for good form running at my local sports store, and they showed me on a video exactly what I was doing wrong. (Turns out I ran on my heels and would jar my knee with each step). Here is a link for the program offered by my store:

http://www.goodformrunning.com/

There are several stores listed that offer free clinics to show you how to run correctly, maybe there is one nearby you. If not, many stores offer very similar clinics. Usually they also offer training groups and coaching and they are always very welcoming and especially encouraging to newcomers.

I recently finished a half marathon, and I am now training for a 25k. My next step is to finish a full marathon this fall.
Good luck!

Still_Fluffy

When I started running I weighted 392 pounds at 6 feet. I couldn't even run a minute. I throw my hip out durning my first halfmarathon, but still finished. Four years after I started, I've lost 115 pounds, have run 2 marathons (I plan to do 2 more this year), 3 half marathon, and several 5k and 10ks.

Keys I learned:

1) Start slow, walk a minute then run a minute and slowly build up
2) Go to a running store and find shoes that match your feet and stride, look at getting fitted inserts for your shoes
3) Find a sports chiropractor that understands running
4) Rember slow is smooth and smooth is fast
5) Sign up for a race (5k or 10K to start) it will motivate you to contiune.

You're not too fat to run. Your too fat to run fast now. The more you run the more you'll loose and the faster you'll get.

Good luck.

Feel free to add me if you want running support,

trijoe

Shoes shoes shoes. Get thee to a dedicated running store, and let them get you in a good pair of running/walking shoes. This is the first and best advice.

Past that, you can do anything your body lets your mind dream up. It may just take you a while to get mind and body working it out together.

I started walking on a treadmill back in 2006. I weighed around 250. I couldn't run. I chaffed terribly. I had left knee problems. So, I thought "crock pot" - low and slow. Just keep plugging. I got faster, stronger, smaller. Eventually I started crossing over to slow jogging. I was terrified, as I'd heard all the horror stories of all the injuries that runners get. But I did it anyway.

By autumn 2007, I did my first marathon. I self trained and had no clue what I was doing. But I did it. That's my only true marathon, but I've done lots of halfs. I'm still not fast, compared to my triathlon/marathon friends. But I'm fast to me and that's what matters. I still struggle with knee problems and overuse injuries. But it's been worth every minute of it.

I don't "jog" anymore, I run. Except when I go so slow that MFP says I "walk very vigorously." HA! Boooooooooooooo... Still, I enjoy the heck out of it.

The only thing I can think to add is, running is fun. Lots and lots and LOTS of fun. It's a great way to enjoy a beautiful day. It's a nice treadmill workout while kiddo's are sleeping. It's huffing it up a hill and feeling like Rocky at the top of the steps. It's putting a little light thingy on my hat so I can run reallllllllly early before the rest of the house wakes up (might not be your cup of tea while hubby is deployed...). It's wearing silly socks. It's jelly beans and electrolyte gummies for a job well run. And it's tons of people who enjoy it as much as I do. You don't have to be good, or fast, or badass, or anything like that. But you do gotta try. Do that, and you'll come to love it, too. I promise.

You're not too fat to run. You're never too fat to try. You may not go as far or as fast as the speedy thin people. But who cares. Do what you can do, and be proud of it. Then the world - or at least the running community - will be proud right along with you.

Hope this helps.

jenny95662

thank you all so much!!!!! I found out from a friend new balance sight has a pro-care finder and helps find places that fit you for sneakers some not too far so will go check it out thank you all!!!

Pebble321

Good luck - it's quite possible to run at 200 pounds but you do need to be cautious about injuries.

I started running last January at around 204 pounds and am now running half marathon distances in training - but a hip injury stopped me from running a half marathon in February, so I'm heading for that in August now.

My general running advice:
- get good shoes and a supportive bra
- find a program that guides you through gradually increasing your running/walking times (I did c25K and lots of people like this, but there are others out there too)
- run SLOW. Really slow. I think it is better to build up your strength and endurance first and let speed come later.
- read up about good running form, this can help prevent more injuries.

And some specific advice about injuries
- if your hip pain doesn't go away in a few days go to a physiotherapist.
I've had a knee and hip injury in the last year and both times I ignored in until I could barely walk before I did something about it, which was not very smart.
The knee was pretty straightforward - I had a bit of treatment, learnt how to strap it up and was back running in no time.
My hip flexor damage took longer to go away - that was abour 7 weeks ago and its only stopped hurting in the last week. I had to stop running for a few weeks then build up gradually before I could run again.

You doctor doesn't sound helpful at all, but finding someone else who can help identify exactly which area has the problem is really worthwhile. Then you can workin stretching and strengthening the appropriate muscles to make sure that it doesn't get worse or come back again.

Enjoy your running, you're not too fat to do it, but you do need to be careful.