Running at over 200 pounds in weight?

Lots of great advice. I'll add my story.

I'm a 45 year old male, 5'11". I started running in January 2012 with C25K. At the time I weighed 307 lbs (already down from a high of 347).

Thanks to MFP and running, I dropped 77 more pounds and have continued to run. To date, I've run 5 half marathons and am now training for my first full marathon later this year. I've put back on a bit of the weight, so I am still at 250 pounds. Even at my lowest I was 235ish.

Here's my advice if you want to run.

1. Heed the advice on shoes. Get good ones and use them just for running.
2. Follow the plan with C25K... only run 3 days a week during that 9 weeks. Don't try to throw in any additional running. Do cross train if you feel like it (walking on non-running days is fine).
3. Especially during C25K, make sure you stretch after your runs. You will be stressing your muscles, bones and ligaments in your legs and feet in ways that they are not used to.
4. If it feels too hard, slow down. The biggest thing to cause injury in beginning runners is trying to run too fast.
5. If you feel like you can't run any slower... see number 4 above.
6. Your body will adapt and strengthen your legs, but it takes time. Don't be in a rush. If you feel pain, back off for a day or two so you don't overdo it.

Good luck!

Ted

I started doing C25K at 210lbs and I had to stop after 2 sessions as my knees gave out completely.

I started to have terrible trouble with my knees, hips and ankles (all weak areas for me anyway) and the pain become something I could not ignore anymore.

Such a shame as I was really enjoying it! I also have the same trouble when my Husband and I hike, coming down is MUCH harder on me that going up the mountain and i'm sore for 2 weeks.

It completely depends on how you feel. Take it slow and give it a go!

I will be trying it again once the majority of weight has come off (I am aiming for 140lbs so a fair way to go yet) but in the meantime doing some brisk walking and home DVD's.

I hope that this helps you

Kaela x

Here's my $0.02 -

I started running at 281 lbs. I completed my first half marathon in May at about 279 lbs. I'm training for my second half marathon in September and while I haven't weighed myself yet this month (weird personal challenge) I'm def not under 200! lol. It is possible, but here's my tips:

1) Listen to your body. Nobody knows you but you. If your ankles feel weak or your knees are aching, nobody is forcing you to run. JUST KEEP MOVING. Even if you run 0.25 miles and walk another 2, that's more than you may have done the week before.

2) Go to a shoe store. Find out if there's a Second Sole or Achilles or something similar near you. They can look at your gait and what your needs are and find something that works for you. I was getting microblisters and knee pain on my right side because of my previous running shoes. They were great for short distances but my 8 mile practice runs were killer. A solid pair of cotton socks (put them on fresh before you run, not a pair you've been wearing all day) and my Adidas Boosts and I was golden.

3) I saw someone previously mention body glide...I only really used that when I started going out for more than 5 miles at a time. But it's different for everyone. Honestly, my best piece of workout gear outside of my shoes was a nice pair of compression leggings. I find my legs fatigue less and at like $12-17 a pair at Old Navy...you can get a few. Plus less issues with chub rub or shorts riding up places you don't want them to

4) HYDRATE! Keep yourself hydrated not only through a run/walk, but just throughout the day. I keep an embark water bottle on my desk all day at work so I can see "ok I have 12 oz left..." You're less likely to run into quick muscle fatigue and cramping if you're hydrated properly. High quality H2O all the way.

5) Don't forget the post-run stretch! It KILLS me when I see someone run and be like "ok cool" and go about their day. Just 5 minutes of static and dynamic stretching after a run can save you a WORLD of pain. You'll thank yourself in the morning if you do this.

6) If you sincerely have concerns (and not because someone you're friends with is like 'omg you shouldn't run you'll hurt yourself!')....talk to your doctor. That's what they're there for. A $20 copay is much easier on the wallet then a $3K deductible on knee surgery later on, ya know?

Anyhow, go out, run your legs out, have FUN! Get some good headphones, make a playlist and jam out. Have fun at that 5K! You'll do great.

Poppycock!

I started running at 325 pounds... I was slow as a geriatric turtle running thru molasses, but I ran.

Running is one of the things that helped me lose 100 pounds.

Concentrate on Form.

Concentrate on Healthy eating.

Find a program that works for you.

Drop the unsupportive friend who said people over 200 shouldn't be running. They are wrong on so many levels!

Get out, get busy, get running and HAVE SOME FUN!

And For what its worth... I will always be over 200 pounds and I just completed my 25th Half Marathon this year!

Rant over!

You're doing fabulous! Any other questions?

PS -> You did know that running actually strengthens the bones and muscles in the legs right? Food for thought article ->

http://www.runnersworld.com/health/benefits-running?page=single

You gotta do what works for you..............

I'm over 300 and I've recently starting adding jogging intervals into my walking. My doc said to go for it and take it slow, if I start to hurt, go even slower. And my husband started running again a few weeks ago, he is around 220 and ran for 30 minutes straight yesterday. It can be done.

I'm over 200, and while I can't do it for very long intervals (maybe a few minutes at a time with walking in between), running is my favorite activity. I use it as a double-duty activity: cardio and lung strengthening. I'm trying to help improve lung function - I'm a choir teacher.

The funny part is...since I started walking a few months ago, and started adding jogging intervals a week ago, my knee no longer bothers me, my breathing hasn't been as labored, but my shins kill me! I cut my workout short today because I started limping. I made an appointment to see my doctor to get advice on how to keep up with running but minimize or eliminate pain.

Mostly, I am going to agree with what is being said on this board - do what feels right and listen to your body. Using decent running shoes that are not worn out will prevent multiple injuries.

I started C25K at 266 lbs. I have run many races including 4 half marathons. Go at your own pace and listen to your body. Take necessary rest days. You can do it! I am still on my journey to get under 200.

I am ecstatic. Last week I was walking at a 28 mph pace. Yesterday, with adding just a few jog intervals I brought that down to 24 mph. Tonight, added more jog intervals, and without even trying, I brought it down to 22 mph.

Jeeeeeeeeezus you guys are fast.

I am ecstatic. Last week I was walking at a 28 mph pace. Yesterday, with adding just a few jog intervals I brought that down to 24 mph. Tonight, added more jog intervals, and without even trying, I brought it down to 22 mph.

Jeeeeeeeeezus you guys are fast.

Pretty sure it's 2.8 and 2.4 mph

Well I Already did it with around 190. The more important, is to hear your body. If you feel knee or ankle pain, you should avoid until you muscles can protect you joints better. If for any reason you fell pain, just walk at a fast pace, climb stairs, hills, whatsoever. It's not the same thing, a person with 200lbs that never exercised and starts to run, or a person with 200lbs that already does some kind of exercise and starts to run.

P.S. sorry for any bad english or grammar, but it's not my home language

While I realize the type of jogging I do isn't near as hard as actual jogging, I do jog in place with my Wii fit. I do about 10-15 minutes, and it doesn't seem to bother my knees. It's more my calves that scream in pain, but it's a good pain.

My friends son was about 300lbs and he started running daily. I'm not sure for how long n he lose all that weight. He looks great now. He looks like a totally different person.

I say GO FOR IT!

I'm 230 and struggle with moderate knee pain and chin splints so what I do is walk at a steep incline. That kicks my butt and I end up burning more anyway!

REad later :bigsmile: