yet another thread about running...

mdyorston

Hi everybody. Relatively new here and I have been contemplating running. I just text my mother to tell her and her response was " I wouldn't recommend hon, orthopedics say too hard on joints. Not good for overeight, need runner's body. Sorry, just what I've heard. Walking is better"......smh.

I am 5'6 and 198 pounds. She is usually very encouraging so I am kind of pissed at her response.

How hard is it on your joints ?

Your thoughts and encouragement please.

ridofthegoodies

Everybody is different. That said, I run - check my stats - and I have no issue. Start slow, cross train, build the muscles you need to stabilize your joints with weight training and you will be running like a pro in no time. See you at the finish line.

kayla554

Running and walking burns the same amount of calories it just takes longer to burn them when you're walking. Personally I just do light jogging/ fast paced walking, I don't think running is too bad for the joints makes your legs stronger and healthy.. As long as you don't go overboard go at the pace you feel comfortable with.

xsmilexforxmex

I say run but start slow. Use something like C25K so you don't push too hard at first and can get your lower body used to the trauma. It can be easy to hurt yourself when you're just starting.. It also puts a lot of pressure on ankles, knees, hips and lower back and someone who weighs more might have a higher chance of having pain from it. When I started running the 1st time I didn't have a problem, I was 135 lbs. Now that I'm 160lbs and trying to get into it again I feel like I get ankle pain and shin splints so quickly... it's been a challenge working myself into a regular routine without having pain.

natalie412

I have been running for a year, so no expert here, but I am 5'5 1/2" and started running at about 150 lbs (ab 130 now) - didn't notice any problems, but I was not very overweight. I know there are a lot of overweight runners - just listen to your body. Make sure you are using good form (goodformrunning.com) - most running injuries come from form issues. Use a Couch to 5K program - it works you in slowly with walking and running intervals. That is how I started, and I am now training for my second half marathon.

mdyorston

Thanks everybody! I feel better now:flowerforyou:

AmyRhubarb

I've had people tell me the same. I've been running for almost a year, no problems (and I'm 44!).

I started slow with the c25k program, which worked great for me - check it out. Starts you slow and builds you up gradually so you ease into it - less shock to the joints and muscles, because it's definitely a lot different than just walking. I'm still running just three days a week, and have always been careful to not do too much too soon. I have had a few run ins with knee pain, but each time it was solved by backing off the distance (trying to go too far too fast), or by getting new shoes. Good shoes make a world of difference.

If you really want to run, I say go for it! If it's something you love, you'll stick with it, and if you're wise with how to go about it, you won't have any problems with injuries or your joints. :bigsmile:

I just ran 7 miles today - my longest distance ever! I feel fantastic. :drinker:

ehmadore

I ran at 240 pounds using the C25K. I can run 2+ miles now at 218. Go for it.

hottiebikerchick

couch to 5k....enough said.

rmarley05

I too started running at over 230 lbs! It can totally be done, like others have said, start slow and work your way up! C25K is a good program for beginners! Good luck and have fun with it! I'm now running the distance of a 5K 3 times a week! It can be done and its enjoyable!

hottiebikerchick

couch to 5k....enough said.
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and I ran my first 5k this last spring and I weighed 235!

mgnmsn

i started running at 235 and i run anywhere from 2 to 5 miles at a time now. i experienced a little joint discomfort at the beginning, but after resting it felt better and now i have nothing. go for it! i love running! add me if you would like.

Loves418

I try to jog on the treadmill. I was up to 3mins at a 4.6 speed..then I developed a heel spur..not sure if it was from the weight and all that it brought to my feet...I really love the treadmill and I am in recovery now with my heel and started jogging again but only a minute at a time..eventually I would love to be doing it longer. I won't run outside as I am always nervous to be outside alone..its my NY mentality and I am only 5ft tall..so yea..lol the tread it is..my advice is get EXCELLENT sneakers..wish someone had told me that originally...

lmc8774

There has been research done in the past few years that showed that running isn't hard on your knees or joints and that runners had no more problems with osteoarthritis than non runners. I say go for it. I've been running for years and have heard the same thing over and over that I am hurting myself but I don't let it phase me. The harmful effects of being overweight or obese far outweigh any potential damage from running. Just start slow and be patient. Running is like anything, it takes practice! Good luck.

Oh2BeMaintaining

I started the Ease into 5K app at 250 and was able to finish the program without joint pain. I did have shin splints in the beginning but stretching after my run and 2 Aleeve before my run got me through it and in a couple of weeks I felt pretty good. When I finished the program, I was running for 30 minutes, my distance was about 2 miles so I wasn't running fast but I was running and was 30 pounds lighter. This week I start W2 of the Bridge to 10K app. Get a decent pair of running shoes and go for it!

basillowe66

I have been running for about 30 yrs. I missed about 10 yrs but have been back at it for 2 yrs. I think you need to get good shoes, not necessarily expensive, but like Nike or other name brands. When you start, start by walking and as you warm up, just jog slowly until you are tired and then go back to walking and just keep repeating for several s=days and you will find that you are running more than you are walking.
It is important to move your arms straight forward and straight back wards. Your legs should go the same, straight froward and straight backwards. You don't want to flayly your arms around that will make your legs do the same. If you take it easy and let your legs and body get used to it, you should be ok.

Basil

Add me to your friend list and keep in touch

pattiken

Don't be upset with your mom, what I did was fixed up my I pod with slow and fast songs, and "waggled" is what they call it, when you walk then jog. A soft jog is better than running, she is right I have heard that a lot also about running. Hope that helps you in what you plan on doing.

nikki_zav

I'm 5'7". I ran two half marathons weighing over 200.

Running is very hard on your body if you have bad form, try to start too fast, and set out to do a 5K on your first run.

That being said, C25K is wonderful to start. You can absolutely run and learn how to do it well so you are pain free and enjoy your time hitting the pavement.

Hadabetter

Your mom is right. Lose some weight first, then run.

mdyorston

thanks again everyone, I really appreciate the support. I did download c25k,haven't looked at it yet as my grandson just came home and he's got me doing a different kind of running

phoenixgirl81

Do you have any known problems with your joints? If you do, ask your doctor/specialist before you start running. I have rheumatoid arthritis and both my regular doctor and my rheumatologist told me I needed to start out by walking and to build up my leg muscles before I started running because I needed stronger muscles to be able to support the added stress on my joints (ankles, knees, hips). When you run, your posture will change a lot. If you haven't started out by walking then you are going from basically sedentary and your muscles not needing to support your joints at all to runing and your muscles needing to support joints at all angles and paces and you can risk doing yourself an injury.

Having said that, a program like c25k is great. I had started out losing weight not really having the energy to even walk to the letterbox. I started walking 10 minutes a day and building it up from there. Once I had the endurance to walk for a longer period of time without wanting to drop in a heap, I started to do the c25k program. The first 60 second jog...I thought I was going to die...literally. But it does get easier. 6 weeks after that I ran my first 5 km at 104 kg (229.28 lbs) and I am signed up to run my first 10 km in the last week of Feb (currently 97.2 kg - 214.29 lbs).

It doesn't really matter what weight you are...it matters how you let your muscles develop. You need to build endurance muscles to jog/run. Don't expect to be able to run first time out the gate. Both my doctor and rheumatologist have said that the way I've slowly gone into this is great. My rheumy said that she was happy for me to keep running as long as I kept building muscle to support my joints. She did, however, make me promise never to run a marathon..,she didn't think that my joints would be able to cope with the jolting for so long.