Running success stories

I started with a Couch to 5K plan about 2 years ago, I've since lost nearl 4 Stone and am in the process of training for a marathon.

I didn't go from walking to running. I actually started using the elliptical first, and really pushing myself on it. It's low-impact, so much easier on your joints than running, and allowed me to build up a decent amount of aerobic/cardio endurance at a higher intensity than walking. Then, once I did decide to start running, I was much better prepared.

If you don't have access to gym equipment, the Couch 2 5K program mentioned above is a great schedule for transitioning into running. Just go as slow as you need to so you don't get hurt, repeating weeks as many times as works for you.

I did actually gain some weight when I started running, but that wasn't from the running itself. It made me hungrier and I was overeating that hunger (not tracking calories). So be aware that that might happen, and don't give in, and you'll be fine.

And go buy cute running clothes. It's a proven fact that looking good makes you faster.

Another recommendation for C25K! Yesterday I went for a run just for the fun of it, and didn't do one of the scheduled days. I was shocked when I ran about two miles with no walking breaks. I never would've thought that possible just a little bit ago

So that's the basis of the question...

If you can't run for 60 seconds, then you're almost certainly trying to run too fast. Slow down until you can run for 60 seconds, then that's your pace to work at.

C25K Week one is a warm up walk for 5 minutes, then eight repeats of one minute running with 90 seconds walking, followed by a 5 minute cool down walk. It's very common in the C25K forum to see the same comment, and the answer is always to slow down. The point of the plan is to run continuously, not to run fast.

That is me!!!

My legs would cramp up and I would be out of breath after 5 minutes. All I wanted to do was run. I would literally dream about running. I got a trainer and she just said "if you can run then don't" she was terrible.

I bought a used treadmill. Got a MP3 player and loaded my favourite songs. It took about 3 months of using the treadmill 3 times a week for 20 minutes.

I can now jog/run for 20 minutes and the fat melted off.

Just start with a jog and each week go a bit faster. Your leg muscles will grow and lungs will get better and calories will be burnt!!

beemerphile1 wrote: »

Maybe you aren't ready to run. How fast do you walk? Can you walk four miles in an hour or less?

That's irrelevant. I can run for an hour straight (11 minute miles) without being able to walk at a 15 minute mile pace.

I would recommend slowing down, too. Even if you already think you're going too slow to call it a run. It's a hard piece of advice - I didn't listen when I was starting out, either.

I would suggest looking at Jeff Galloway run/walk/run program. That is what I used when I first started to run. I will admit I was very slow at first. It took awhile but slowly my speed increased along with my distance. I am now running without walking breaks and I just completed my first marathon with a time of 4:42 (9:50 pace). It will take time and but just stick with it. Like others said perhaps you need to slow your pace down a little.

I was originally 136 pounds over my BMI ideal weight. I started walking after losing my first 32 pounds on diet. Once I was walking long distances briskly with ease I started adding in some running for short bursts during my walks around the point I had lost 56 pounds. I wasn't following any program, simply trying to keep up the challenge so I burned the most calories. The distances increased over time and I have since run a 5k, 10k and half marathon. I've currently lost almost 90 pounds total since I first started losing, with 34 of those pounds being since I started running. I still have over 40 pounds to go to get to that BMI weight, but at this point I'm truly a little less concerned with weight and more concerned with body strength as that helps me become a better distance runner.

I started running as a means to lose weight, however I quickly realized that successful weight loss starts in the kitchen. I don't account my weight loss to my running, I simply note that running made it easier to do so in the kitchen.

Like the majority of the people here, I started with the C25K program on January 1, 2013. Yes, I was a New Year's Resolutioner. I stuck with the program, listening to what everyone said about going slow, and if you think you can go slow then going slower. I remember, my runs started out around the 13:30 pace mark (or 4.5 mph on the treadmill). I kept with it and ran my first 5K that following March. I kept at it, researching and learning about my new fitness regime. That following summer I ran my first half marathon...then ran my first marathon this past December. I now hold an average pace in the 10:30s.

Running will supplement your weight loss, but make sure you are supplementing your diet to support your running. Many people forget about that part. They start running, keep their diets extremely low, and end up injured. Diet is a big contributor to injures, especially if you cut calories too low. Just remember that old saying, "You can't out run a bad diet." Because it is true. If you monitor your intake...investing in quality carbs (whole grains, fruits, vegetables), getting in protein, not over doing it on sweets, remaining adequately hydrated...then running will help a lot with your weight loss. Just make sure you are allowing yourself the room to enjoy life as well, or you may find yourself becoming over whelmed and abandoning running.

Runners are one of the most welcoming group of people out there...to keep up with it, I suggest maybe finding a beginners running group in your area (if there is one). They can help you keep at it when it starts to get tough (and it will, it does for all of us).

Love your story, SchweddyGirl!

I started C25K in October and have since successfully completed a couple of 5Ks, a 15K (9 miles!) and am training for a half. Yesterday I ran a 6-mile training run and felt great.

C25K really works. Run (much) slower than you think you need to.

autumnblade75 wrote: »

beemerphile1 wrote: »

Maybe you aren't ready to run. How fast do you walk? Can you walk four miles in an hour or less?

That's irrelevant. I can run for an hour straight (11 minute miles) without being able to walk at a 15 minute mile pace.

I'd agree that having a specified walking pace doesn't help, but I'd generally recommend that anyone wanting to start C25K is able to walk continually for 30 minutes first. That makes C25K W1D1 a fairly limited increase in demand, rather than quite a big one. Of course the pace one walks at does rather influence the corresponding running pace. Personally I walk at about 5mph, so 10Km in less than an hour wasn't a huge stretch, once I could run for the hour.

autumnblade75 wrote: »

beemerphile1 wrote: »

Maybe you aren't ready to run. How fast do you walk? Can you walk four miles in an hour or less?

That's irrelevant. I can run for an hour straight (11 minute miles) without being able to walk at a 15 minute mile pace.

I would recommend slowing down, too. Even if you already think you're going too slow to call it a run. It's a hard piece of advice - I didn't listen when I was starting out, either.

Not really, the OP says they walk 5-6 times per week for an hour. If it takes them the entire hour to walk one mile, they might not be ready to run. The average healthy/fit person should be able to walk at a 15 minute per mile pace.