Will I ever be able to run 5k?!?

I am pretty heavy compared to the typical runner at 218lbs but nevertheless, I've started a C25K program and I'm going to work through the weeks at my own pace. I usually run (I use that term very loosely) every other day and am repeating week 1... yup... week ONE lol My interior dialogue goes something like this: Just make it to that poll, hold your boobs down, did that ***** say walk yet?! It's pretty demoralizing sometimes LOL

My shins often hurt and I'm not the most graceful thing you've ever seen but I AM determined, so I have that going for me. I guess I just want to hear from other folks who were over 200# and have had success. Would it be reasonable to register for a race mid July? I'm pretty nervous as that doesn't seem like a lot of time, but I would like to have a goal!
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Replies

  • KANGOOJUMPS
    KANGOOJUMPS Posts: 6,474 Member
    YES!!! IT TAKES TIME!!! YOU CAN DO IT!
  • kahyee
    kahyee Posts: 63
    Yes you absolutely will. I never thought I could run a marathon. But i did last saturday. Remember your body will always do what your mind tells it to. You just have to be aware of what your mind is saying.
  • Just gotta do it! It doesn't matter if you finish last, it's the fact that you started and tried! =) And it WILL get better with time.

    If you don't try, how do you know? =) GOOD LUCK to you in July!!! And remember, you have roughly 12+ weeks between now and then to prepare that much more!!!
  • Shoechick5
    Shoechick5 Posts: 221 Member
    You will but it takes time. I was the same as you, I made it to level 3 a few times and couldn't get any further. I ran for 12 minutes straight this week but it's taken a while to get there. Keep going!
  • ladybird1771
    ladybird1771 Posts: 99 Member
    You can do it! I didn't think I'd be able to but yesterday I did it! And you can too! :)
  • CasiiD
    CasiiD Posts: 22 Member
    You totally have this! I started at about the same place. Make sure you have good shoes. If you haven't already, go to a local running store where they can observe your gait, check your feet and get you well fitted. There are no judgements there, so don't worry.

    I also use the Jeff Galloway method with run/walk intervals. Believe it or not, I get better times this way than only running!

    Good luck with your training. :-)
  • amann_84
    amann_84 Posts: 33 Member
    You can do it! I was once weighed almost 300 pounds when I began training for my first 5k and by the end of that year not only did I run a 5k I also completed my first half marathon.
  • Calliope610
    Calliope610 Posts: 3,782 Member
    I started C25K on 03/12/13 and I'm repeating Week 1. I also weigh 218 (actually 217.4 this morning). We can do this together.
  • pianolover2012
    pianolover2012 Posts: 168 Member
    About 10 years ago I completed several 5Ks. I trained for 4 months (during which I weighed around 215). I hated the experience because I trained with two other ladies who ran faster than me. I was almost the last person to complete the races everytime I ended up losing about 50 pounds in the process,though. .I recently began running again and am finding that I enjoy running by myself now.

    My thoughts are this:
    1) if you are MOVING- you are WINNING!
    2) no one can make a judgment about how fast/slow you are running if they are not willing to run themselves.
    3) the feeling of accomplishment is beyond words!
    4) you do not have to be a world-class runner to be considered a "runner".

    Keep it up! Goals will never be achieved if you do not strive for the goal! Good luck! Go for it!!
  • PurpleTina
    PurpleTina Posts: 390 Member
    Yes, absolutely.

    I started heavier that you, and can now run 5K + (doing Half marathon in 4 weeks, longest run yet 9 miles). Take it at your own pace, and don't worry if you need to repeat a week, more than once if you like. Make sure you take your rest days as well, even if you think you don't need them. And a goal is a great thing to aim for, July seems perfectly sensible.
  • ajhugz
    ajhugz Posts: 452 Member
    I am 227 and I started couch to 5k. You should make sure you're wearing proper running shoes and have proper running form. Yes sign up for the 5k! Some 5k are beginner friendly and you can walk/run/jog as long as your slowest is a 15 min mile.
  • lem_orc29
    lem_orc29 Posts: 179 Member
    You absolutely can do it. I started C25k in December at 235 lbs. Last weekend, I ran my first 5k in 36:56 at 217. You will get there. It is hard, but it is worth it! Keep pushing through. You'll be amazed at what your body can do if you force it. :)
  • heckenhocker
    heckenhocker Posts: 28 Member
    At my running club, we have a starter group. That conversation "HOW much further, can't I walk yet" happens with nearly all newbies. Skinny ones as well as rounder ones.

    I remember my first "run". Slowly up the road....oh no, there are some workmen....can't stop there....darn. Have to keep going till round the corner. Die quietly while pretending to stretch....jog even slower back :-)

    Hang in there, repeat week 1 as many times as you need. But if you stick at it, July is fine for a race entry.
  • SarahRruns
    SarahRruns Posts: 15 Member
    ABSOLUTELY!!! If you need a very inspiring and motivating book, get "Running made easy" by Susie Whalley and Lisa Jackson.
    It tells you everything you need to know about running, as well as some success stories of some people (like one woman who started training at 300 pounds)

    But yes, you'll do it! Always believe in yourself and be very positive! Telling yourself that you can do it is worth half the training :)
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    Yes. Register for the race. Continue your running program and run your race. Doesn't even matter if you have to walk for portions of it, you'll love the feeling of accomplishment. Sign up today
  • grapefruitannie
    grapefruitannie Posts: 122 Member
    I've just started too (like today first day lol), and i am over 200lbs so feel free to add me i you want support along the way.
    :)
  • Kissybiz
    Kissybiz Posts: 361 Member
    I started it a year ago at about 285 lbs or so. I only did it as much as my knees tolerated, but even doing it just once every week or two, my knees and my stamina got better and I progressed to weeks two and three. Some days I'd do two programs back to back if I was going for a long time. I think if you stick with it consistently, you'll be able to do the run by July definitely.
  • TylerJ76
    TylerJ76 Posts: 4,375 Member
    Yes.

    Last summer I did 2 triathlons, a 10k, and a handful of 5ks at 330-340lbs. Just keep working..
  • ozigal
    ozigal Posts: 173 Member
    You can do it! BUT if your shins are hurting, go and get properly fitted for running shoes before you end up damaging yourself.
  • houlee
    houlee Posts: 60
    All the replies on here are really inspiring! Thank you for asking this question. I'm at 210 lbs, and I had issues with the C25K waaay back when I was 150 lbs. I repeated each week 2-3 times, but never finished it. Now I'm motivated to (1) get a better bra to strap my girls down and (2) start this again. And I say go ahead and register for the race. It will be an extra thing to keep you motivated and committed to the program, and you can always walk for portions of the 5K.
  • KathyMarie1970
    KathyMarie1970 Posts: 68 Member
    You can do this!!! I started C25K at 275 pounds last March and I ran my first 5K at the end of May. Now I'm training for a half marathon next month and I'm still over 200 pounds. It gets easier. I thought I was going to DIE that first month. Just don't give up. I ran 9 miles today! If you would have told me last year that I would ever be able to run 9 miles I would of laughed at you!
  • You can do it. I'm not > 200lbs but everyone starts somewhere. I just wanted to say make sure and get some good (recommended by the running store) shoes. Save your shins and stretch your shins.
  • Sweet_Gurl_Next_Door
    Sweet_Gurl_Next_Door Posts: 735 Member
    you will do it. I ran my first one and i was 220 pounds then when I did my first one. I finished with a time of 47:40

    you can do this . I was 2 pounds heavier than you were and I did it and made it to the finish and so will you.
  • mygrl4meee
    mygrl4meee Posts: 943 Member
    I am at 216 lbs and doing the couch to 5k ap. I am in week 6 and I am not going to lie it's a *****. It's a struggle to push through but I am determined to see it through to the end. I may never run again or may run but I want to say that I did it. In the beginning, I didn't devote 3 times a week to it but when I noticed the runs getting longer.. I rearranged my other workouts to make it fit three times a week. My advice to you would to just do it.
  • jcmartin0313
    jcmartin0313 Posts: 574 Member
    YES...YES...YES! I was well over 300 when I ran my first one last May. I began running in January 2012 and literally could not run 1/2 a mile. I am down to 245 and just finished my first half marathon. I have a bad knee, herniated discs in my neck and back and a bad ankle. It hurts like hell, but I promise when you do it, the joy is well worth it!
  • ash8184
    ash8184 Posts: 701 Member
    Stick with it! I've been there. In my opinion, 90% of it is mental and 10% is fitness. Granted, that 10% fitness is huge, but if you tell yourself you can push further each time, you can! Keep up the good work!
  • mjculbertson4512
    mjculbertson4512 Posts: 157 Member
    Register, run the 5K or walk, just get there. Personally, I walk a 5k. Haven't since last fall, and I have been training. Anxious to see what my times will be now. Have four lined up for next month and just one, the Berkshire Invest in Yourself in May.(this is the first one and I really wanted to participate).

    I am concerned about your shin splints. Try training on a flat run for a bit. Warm up, run, cool down. Then STRETCH!!!! I cannot repeat that enough.

    If you are in the Omaha area, feel free to message me.

    Question to the group, what do I do with all of the shirts I am collecting?
  • MissFitee
    MissFitee Posts: 106 Member
    I don't think weight is what really stops a person. I was fairly skinny but still with the mind of a fatty. I was about 120 pounds and I just couldn't run lol. I could walk faster than I could run... So I really think it's just about practice and technique... and mind set.
  • digressions
    digressions Posts: 19 Member
    You can do it!!!! I was about 220 lbs (now about 181) and bored with my gym routine when I first decided to give running a go. HA! I made it about 30 seconds before I was out of breath and felt like I was going to die! That was only 8 months ago. I kept plugging away at it. I didn't *exactly* do a C5K program, but just ran as far as I could until I had to walk, then repeat. I used mapmyrun.com to figure out a 5k route in my neighbourhood.

    I ran my first official race on New Years Day 2013 (in -10 temp with snow!) and finished in 36:30. While that is by no means a fast time, I was not even close to finishing "last" and wouldn't have cared even if I was! The overwhelming feeling of crossing that finish line was one of the best feelings of my life.

    Advice - if you are getting tired, try slowing your pace before just giving up and walking. You'd be surprised how quickly you can recover by just slowing down a little bit! Also, don't let the mere *sight* of a steep uphill stretch stop you! Look at the ground, take it slow and steady. Keep your strike soft and invest in good shoes - you don't want to hurt yourself. Most importantly - You GOT this!

    Also, it's true - running really does help melt off the pounds. My weight loss had slowed considerably, until I started running. Another 40 pounds practically fell right off!

    Good luck - you can do it!!!
  • bobf279
    bobf279 Posts: 342 Member
    I started at 225 and really had to take my time don't push it, pain doesn't mean always mean gain, go at your own pace and you'll get there. I have recently hit one of my goals to run under 10 minute miles and my 5k time is now less than 30 mins. Runkeeper is my app of choice and proper running shoes were a god send to get ride of aches pains and shin splints.