Running to lose weight

lessofkimberly

That is awesome. I love it. Last February when started exercising, I could hardly walk a mile in 20 minutes. And I had to use my inhaler numerous times during the 20 minutes. I am up to 4.78 miles in 60 minutes. And normally can get through an entire 60 minutes without using my inhaler. I consider that success. Each time I get on the treadmill, (I get on 3 days a week) I try to improve seconds from the time prior. Today was my best ever. And it really isn't that good, BUT it is better then the couch potato! LOL

KirstenTheFamilyCoach

so ... I started running in October of 2012. Today I did 11.91 miles in 2:50 (32° outside!) which is an average 14:17 min mile. My fastest mile came in at 9:28 (as tracked by Endomondo).

Is that a 7 minute mile? Nope!

Is that going to win me any race? Nope!

Did that burn 1568 calories? Uh-huh!

Am I friggen proud of myself? HELLS YEAH!

My favorite running quote right now: “fast or slow we all cross the same finish line”

My inspiration: Hey, Fat Girl:

Yes, you. The one feigning to not see me when we cross paths on the running track. The one not even wearing sports gear, breathing heavy. You’re slow, you breathe hard and your efforts at moving forward make you cringe.

You cling shyly to the furthest corridor, sometimes making larger loops on the gravel ring by the track just so you’re not on it. You sweat so much that your hair is all wet. You rarely stay for more than 20 minutes at a time, and you look exhausted when you leave to go back home. You never talk to anyone. I’ve got something I’d like to say to you.

You are awesome.

If you’d look me in the eye only for an instant, you would notice the reverence and respect I have for you. The adventure you have started is tremendous; it leads to a better health, to renewed confidence and to a brand new kind of freedom. The gifts you will receive from running will far exceed the gigantic effort it takes you to show up here, to face your fears and to bravely set yourself in motion, in front of others.

You have already begun your transformation. You no longer accept this physical state of numbness and passivity. You have taken a difficult decision, but one that holds so much promise. Every hard breath you take is actually a tad easier than the one before, and every step is ever so slightly lighter. Each push forward leaves the former person you were in your wake, creating room for an improved version, one that is stronger, healthier and forward-looking, one who knows that anything is possible.

You’re a hero to me. And, if you’d take off the blaring headphones and put your head up for more than a second or two, you would notice that the other runners you cross, the ones that probably make you feel so inadequate, stare in awe at your determination. They, of all people, know best where you are coming from. They heard the resolutions of so many others, who vowed to pick up running and improve their health, “starting next week”. Yet, it is YOU who runs alongside, who digs from deep inside to find the strength to come here, and to come back again.

You are a runner, and no one can take that away from you. You are relentlessly moving forward. You are stronger than even you think, and you are about to be amazed by what you can do. One day, very soon, maybe tomorrow, you’ll step outside and marvel at your capabilities. You will not believe your own body, you will realize that you can do this. And a new horizon will open up for you. You are a true inspiration.

I bow to you.

Original: http://flintland.blogspot.com/2012/05/hey-fat-girl.html

Oh2BeMaintaining

IMO speed in running is mostly based on weight. The lighter you are, the faster you go. Obviously fitness factors in. Last time I lost weight, I gained about a min per mile speed for every 10lbs I lost. I was running a few times a week, but I was a rower so it wasn't my primary exercise.

Thanks for posting this!!!
I started running (C25K) October 22 I finished it a few weeks before Christmas, I started Bridge to 10K this week and I am so slow! I keep saying I feel so heavy when I run, this has to get easier as I get lighter. I am running a 14 min mile according to my app, still very slow but improving. I am 100 pounds overweight and my 48th birthday is in a few weeks. You give me hope that as my body gets lighter, I will get faster and not feel so heavy when I run!

sgtrowley

Just do what feels right for you, everyones diffrent, as long as your improving.

Cheval13

IMO speed in running is mostly based on weight. The lighter you are, the faster you go. Obviously fitness factors in. Last time I lost weight, I gained about a min per mile speed for every 10lbs I lost. I was running a few times a week, but I was a rower so it wasn't my primary exercise.

.. not necessarily true. Yes, you can run faster the less you weigh, because for most people, the weight they lose is accompanied by choices which lead to higher energy and fitness as well. Point of reference: a 20.1 BMI person will run faster than the same person at 25.1 BMI because they are usually fitter. However, there is an ideal performance weight for everyone, and that is usually higher than the weight they would have no running simply due to having less muscle, etc.

For OP, whatever pace you run that pushes you is a good pace. The goal is to have that pace seem more and more easy until you are ready to up the speed and push yourself again. Remember, you won't necessarily win the race but you can always make it your goal to beat yourself, to get a PR. One can always improve on one's own performance. Speed is often genetic and the amount of time and guidance you have to train,

Also, as a reference: the average amateur fast girl will run a sub-6 minutes mile, sub-13 minutes for 2, sub 23 minutes for 3, sub 32 for 4, sub-40 for five, etc. The pace will become slower as the distance increases. Many can run 7-minute miles, but elite is less than 6 minutes per mile, even for a marathon. However, 9-13 is pretty average. Just keep running!

emtjmac

Don't worry about speed. Just go at a pace that is comfortable. Injuries happen before you know it, don't go too far or too fast too soon. The speed will come with time. Just go for comfortable, conversational pace and take in the scenery. You will go faster over time without even trying. I went too far, too fast, too soon and I haven't run for almost 3 weeks because of injuries to both feet.

kyedo

Don't get caught up with your pace, just get out there and go for it.

Last year when I really committed to getting out there and running everyday, i felt the same way.

Check out the book "No Need For Speed" by John Bingham; he really helps put things in perspective for new runners.

Tenicity

I am 5'5 32years. I can run a little over 2 miles in 30 or a little under depending on the day. But usually a 11-13 minute mile. I was just reading another post about speed or distance and most people were saying like a 7 min mile good? I'm just wondering do I really suck or is a 7min mile like for extreme athletes/runners. I feel I jog at a relaxed pace but i am still pushing myself. I am not new to running.. any thoughts...is what i am doing going to help with weight loss?? or should i be much faster?

Hi jlgarcia85631!

I know a lot of folks have already replied, but I thought I'd add my two cents.

First off, 2 miles in 30 minutes is AWESOME! People who are starting out have a tough time even getting around the block; that you can do 2 full miles is wonderful. That you can go as fast as 11-minute-miles is amazing for a beginning runner. Do NOT let the folks in the thread talking about 6-7 minute miles intimidate you at all.

As others have said, 7 minutes per mile is considered extremely fast. In fact, it is *SO* fast that at that pace, you would complete a marathon (26.2 miles) in 3 hours. A 3-hour marathon is *SO* fast that a person would qualify with that time to enter the Boston Marathon, the *ONLY* marathon in the country that actually has a qualification time just to enter. For most runners, to "BQ" (that is, to "qualify for a Boston Marathon") is considered the pinnacle of achievement. That should tell you how fast a 7-minute-mile pace is.

The dictionary definition of "running" for a lot of runners is 8 minute miles. And that's pretty fast. If you entered a half-marathon and could maintain an 8-minute-mile, they will likely assign you to the super fast corral.

Most beginning joggers are going to be anywhere from 12 to 15 minute miles, more than likely. A lot of that will depend on how in shape the person already is, how much they weigh, and so on.

I've been jogging recreationally off and on for decades now (mostly off), but as your body gets fitter and more accustomed to jogging, it will become easier and you will be able to start going faster. I lost a ton of weight last year and I was able to move out of walking intervals altogether and increased my half-marathon times from 3:48 a year ago, to my current PR I set a week ago, at 2:08:12.

Just stick with it, don't overdo it (so you avoid overuse injuries like achilles tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, runner's knee, IT band syndrome, stress fractures, etc.), and don't increase your mileage more than 10 percent a week. Stick with it, and you'll start to improve.

The MOST IMPORTANT thing is that you're out there. Doesn't matter how fast or slow. Just that you're exercising!