I want to be a runner but am far from one

aw8899

I want to run or at least be a good jogger. I have dreams where I am just running free without a care in the world. The thing is I am too heavy for long periods of time and I am afraid to run or jog in public for fear of being judged and made fun of. I do a lot of walking walk every other day from school and around the city with my boyfriend. I average about an hour to two hours of brisk walking every other day. Walking is fine but it has gotten boring and I want to up my cardio and calories burned. Any suggestions?

theNurseNancy

Put in some head phones and do some trail/outdoors jogging. Focusing on whats ahead of you and the music will keep you from focusing on anyone else :]

aallison85

http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

Check out this fantastic website that helped me start running. I absolutely love it. You really start out slow and it works! Good luck!

seasonalvoodoo

Try Couch 2 5k, there is an app for it. I did it when I weighed 258 lbs and finished it. I just ran my first half marathon in March and I am still overweight (now 193 lbs). I am also a very slow runner, but a runner just the same!

ansonrinesmith

Take it from someone who started this journey at 375lbs. Anyone can jog.
I used the Couch to 5K (C25K) program to start and just recently finished my first half marathon.
Who cares what other people think.

DaveC29

C25K is another good running program that is popular. Got me going!

realredhead79

couch to 5k programs to start.

coolrunning.com gives you the program

runningintoshape.com is a great website for you to download each weeks playlist with the maker of this telling you when to run and when to walk and gives you encouragement along the way.

Skeena4

I know how you feel! I used to think the exact same whay, but seriously - what do YOU think when you see someone who has a long way to go (ie. a bigger person) running in public? I know for me I think "Wow, that's awesome, look how hard they're trying, good for them, way to go, etc etc!"
And really, they're MY hero's because they don't care!

If you still look pretty at the end of a workout, you're not doing it right.

Let's go!

katheharwood

To start, congrats on wanting to step it up and continue your healthy lifestyle. It's absolutely normal to feel insecure about running in public. I've been there myself. There is a great program called "Couch to 5k". http://www.c25k.com . It's a 9 week program (can be done on a treadmill too) and it has helped a few of my friends, including me. Check it out and good luck!

dperich1968

Check out C25K on active.com. Love love loved it and it turned me into a runner. I am now doing the bridge to 10k. Did a Mud Run this past weekend and my first 5K will be Saturday 5/28. For me it has become addicting and I get that feel so free feeling every morning while I am running before anyone is awake.

Good Luck and Never give up!!

GreyhoundGuru

I'm doing the "Couch 2 5K" program, and it helps tremendously to start slow.
It's a 9 week program.

Week 1 is Walk Briskly 5 minutes, then run for 60 seconds, then walk for 90 seconds, then run for 60 seconds, and so on.
Each week you increase the running intervals.

I'm on Week 2 now. So far, so good.

And trust me...I understand what you mean about being heavy and running in public. I just finally decided, who cares?

All I care about is that....in 9 weeks, I'll be able to run for a full 30 minutes at a time, and that will be an accomplishment :-)

LilRedRooster

Honestly, I'm a regular runner, and I wish I would see more people out there running, even if they're bigger. Once you find that feeling that running gives you, where you feel like you could go forever (admittedly, this isn't always a super-fast pace), you never want to stop running ever again. That's an amazing thing I wish everyone could have.

Don't be afraid to start doing something because you're worried about what others think. For every person who might think that you shouldn't be out there, there are 10 thinking "Damn, good for her." I guarantee you.

kgalea

I started on the elliptical to build up my cardio (I found it easier to go longer distances/times), then started adding shorter runs before completely switching over to running. I still do the elliptical when I don't feel like running, but I found that it really helped get me prepared.

Just make sure you push yourself on the elliptical - try to keep a relatively steady pace (strides/min).

Another thing that helped me was to have an inspirational "mantra". I signed up with Team in Training to run the Detroit Marathon in 2004 (1 year after starting to run) and the Detroit Marathon "saying" was "You CAN do this" - I would repeat that saying whenever I would feel like quitting/giving up.

CrumCake81

Try the Couch to 5K program. It's great!

KourtneyP83

Agree with the others - I am using the couch 2 5k app from Run Double. You only have to jog in the beginning for 60 seconds...I have repeated that week more than once. I was super nervous about people in my neighborhood judging me in the beginning but I finally just got over it...big girls gotta exercise too!

tyildirim

C25K! It's the Couch to 5K program. I'm doing something very similar right now and I'm in love with it. It starts you off slow, small amounts of running and jogging, speeding up and getting longer as you go. And the beauty of it is, you can always customize it to suit you. Also, a book I've been reading says to vizualize, picture yourself running, imagine it. And also choose a route first, maybe walk the route a time or 2 until you feel comfortable with it and then head out for your run! I've been doing it about 4 weeks now and I can easily jog for 20 minutes per stretch. Good luck!

http://www.c25k.com/

mhardest

I used to be far from a runner, too. I threw on some headphones and a watch one day and went with the flow. I always tried my hardest to just go as long as I could. I started by walking 5 minutes, running 5 minutes, walking 5, etc. I did this for 30 minutes total. At the end of every 5 minute running period I felt like I was going to die and it took some serious convincing that I could do this! LOL! I just ran my first 5k last month and am working toward a 5 mile race at the end of May. It is possible, believe it or not!!! I could have written your same post last year. Also.... who cares what others think of you. I don't care how silly one's stride is or how slow they are going. When I see any runner I always think to myself "Good for you!" Good luck to you as you "become a runner!"

MontagneGitane

Yet another rave for c25k here. This coming from a girl who never ran voluntarily before in her life because she thought she "hated" it. Now I'm practically addicted. I'm only on Week 3, so just running 3 minute intervals, but when I started, I could barely get through the 60 second ones. If I can do it, anyone can.

omotomi

try using interval on the treamill,that way u can run and jogg,it kind of trains u 2 start running gradually,hope this helped,u can always start with an incline of 8.0

duetwithjosh

Just get started! Let people think what they will for now.... they'll be doing a double take in six months.

I'd strongly recommend running in minimalist shoes. If you're worried about your weight, you need to be super careful with your form. Most running injuries are caused from absolute overexertion, bad form, or a combination of both. Minimalist shoes allow your feet to give you more feedback which generally helps you to instinctively find proper style and gait.

Form cliffnotes as a fairly new runner:
- Land on your fore or midfoot!! Can't stress this enough. Heel-striking is bad, bad, bad. It's bad for your joints, is inefficient so you expend more energy, and is statistically proven to increase injury risk.
- Keep your arms loose, don't pump them to your chest. You basically want to keep them in front of you but very loose so you're not building up tension in your shoulders with each landing. I'm still working on finding a good balance for this one.
- Land with your knees slightly bent (more just 'loose', again), and your foot almost directly underneath of you. If you land too far forward of your center of gravity you put unnecessary stress on your knees and ankles.
- Fast cadence is good. 180 strikes per minute or so enables (if barefoot or in proper minimalist footwear) your arches, tendons, and calves to more or less act as springs... this saves you from some muscle fatigue and helps reduce impact.

SHERRIE134

I have the same vision as you. Always could picture myself running or jogging. I recently started jogging on my treadmill to music, becuase I have the same fear of running in public. One day, I will venture out. I will not give up on this dream , so you don't either. Just start and let the music take you away....

hesn92

couch to 5k is a wonderful program...

I dream of being a runner too. Literally lol. I have dreams every once in a while where I'm just running and running and running... then I wake up and realize I don't have enough endurance for that in real life hah. I'm in week 4 of the C25K and I love it!

moochachip

Have you tried to couch to 5K program? I started this January at 19 minutes run-walk pace, and thanks to it as well as plenty of practice, can now run two miles in 14 minutes.

My biggest tip: Just do it. Nike seems to know what they're talking about.

steflbrown

I felt the same way!! I started Couch to 5K a while back, got hurt, and restarted a few weeks ago. It's a fun program. Tells you when to jog and walk and you can listen to your own music. I'm almost able to run nonstop now and it's a great feeling!

NotParis

I am 250 and my hubby is 280 and we ran 3 miles today, You are not too big to run!!

Mom0fTwo

http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

Check out this fantastic website that helped me start running. I absolutely love it. You really start out slow and it works! Good luck!

this^^

jonchew

I'm 52, and NEVER ran till last November - like many of the others posting here, I started with the C25K. If you really want to start running, this is a great way to do it! It's funny, I've also had the same feelings about running "in public" (still do, in-fact) as you. I feel inside, that I'm not really a runner, & that I must look goofy as hell trying to run... but then again, I've been by several people - people that should know (like PE instructors) lately, that yes, I AM a runner... so who am I to argue???

pmkelly409

Just get started! Let people think what they will for now.... they'll be doing a double take in six months.

I'd strongly recommend running in minimalist shoes. If you're worried about your weight, you need to be super careful with your form. Most running injuries are caused from absolute overexertion, bad form, or a combination of both. Minimalist shoes allow your feet to give you more feedback which generally helps you to instinctively find proper style and gait.

Form cliffnotes as a fairly new runner:
- Land on your fore or midfoot!! Can't stress this enough. Heel-striking is bad, bad, bad. It's bad for your joints, is inefficient so you expend more energy, and is statistically proven to increase injury risk.
- Keep your arms loose, don't pump them to your chest. You basically want to keep them in front of you but very loose so you're not building up tension in your shoulders with each landing. I'm still working on finding a good balance for this one.
- Land with your knees slightly bent (more just 'loose', again), and your foot almost directly underneath of you. If you land too far forward of your center of gravity you put unnecessary stress on your knees and ankles.
- Fast cadence is good. 180 strikes per minute or so enables (if barefoot or in proper minimalist footwear) your arches, tendons, and calves to more or less act as springs... this saves you from some muscle fatigue and helps reduce impact.

don't forget about breathing!! in thru the nose out thru the mouth!!!

tbresina

My sis is doing c25k and it is really working wonders, she is 5ft 7 and approx 200lbs. She was just like you at first , scared to run in public and 3 wks later she is close to running a mile non-stop and doesn't care anymore what others think, you can do this......make it a goal!

DocGu

Anybody who judges you for running is just jealous. I can guarantee you that 95% of the runners out there will be very supportive and encouraging (and the other 5% isn't worth talking about).

Running takes a lot of hard work and patience and persistence. It will get better but it won't get better overnight. But as you progress you gain little victories all the time. Revel in the small victories.

And when you get to the point when you can run free with not a care in the world you can look back at all the hard work you have put into it and be proud. It is a wonderful wonderful feeling and I wish everybody could understand what it is like.

alarae

I just turned 41 and never ran until last spring. I was about 60 lbs over weight. I start a minute at a time. Then I started the C25K. Its the best thing I've ever done. I am competing in my fourth 5k this weekend and although I am far from fast, I really enjoy it. Pick a 5K you want to do, start C25K and get started. There are ALL ages and body types at these races and soon you'll feel like a pro. Best of luck!.