Running

Lots of great advice in the sticky post at the top of this forum:

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1217573/so-you-want-to-start-running

Running or not, find something that you can do after the big day. Don't lose weight for one event because you'll probably just quit and get fat again once the moment passes.

My only other advice is start SLOW. Jog slow and work on getting to where you can jog one slow mile and work your way up from there - speed will take care of itself.

I started running four years ago. I just put on my shoes and ran. And then I ran a little farther. And then I ditched the traditional running shoes the "experts" told me I needed. I found my own shoes and kept running. I keep it very simple. The only time I ever follow a program is if I am going to run 50k or longer. I do not run for any other reason than I just love to run.

Congrats on getting married in October I am getting married on 10/10 as well this year. I have also decided to start running not only to become healthy for the wedding I am finding it is a huge stress reliever and need one of those lol. I have found shoes help a lot the first time I started I ended up with really bad shin splints because of the shoes I had on. That forced me to stop running it caused so much pain on my legs. This time around I have the right shoes and am almost up to a mile a run before I have to stop. I agree with everyone start slow I can run at 3.9MPH but I run it instead, now sometimes I can run 4.1MPH. Good luck *weird I also find it helpful to sing my car loud on my way to the run it helps to open up my lungs to breath better.

I think getting past the "omg this sucks" phase can be very different from one person to another. I also think in some ways it never goes away, it just doesn't come up until you are pushing new limits again.

I can't really put it in a few words, or even paragraphs (I tried). But for me I started by running for short bursts on long walks and had never even run one full mile yet on those walks. I was regularly going 6 miles on these walks so I signed up for a 10k thinking that might help me run further, plus I could live the rest of my life knowing I ran a 10k. The 10k was a memorial run for a little girl who died of cancer, and recently my mother in law had also lost her battle with cancer. On race day I just kept going in spite of the "omg this sucks" because that battle against running a little further seemed so ridiculously small in comparison to something like battling cancer. Even as the "omg this sucks" turned into "OMFG THIS REALLY, REALLY SUCKS" I still felt stupid complaining about it that particular day, given the subject in my mind that day.

I ran the whole 6.2 miles without stopping. It was the first time I had probably ever run a mile in my whole life, and I ran 6.2. Whatever feeling I had DURING the race no longer mattered, I had done something that made me feel so incredibly proud, among other feelings. Yes, I was sore for a couple days, but it did not suck. It felt...GOOD. As strange as that may seem.

I had not planned on being a runner until after that race. So that is what got me past that "omg this sucks" phase originally. I found a new "omg this sucks" phase while training for a half marathon. I hear there is another one during full marathon training at mile 20, but instead of "omg this sucks" it's supposed to be more like "omg nothing could possibly ever suck in such a manner that this suck sucks". I look forward to feeling that "suck".

kansasgrl1500 wrote: »

I would also recommend that you watch your calories very carefully. I know when I first started running regularly I was starving all the time, and so I consumed more than I should, which damaged my deficit.

Fortunately MFP tracking makes this easier to monitor.

One thing that can help is to reduce carbs and raise fats and protein some, both to help keep a feeling of satiation longer and to ensure needed protein is there for muscle recovery and building. The body when running / training slow doesn't need to be pre-loaded with high carb fuel and avoiding carb loading on training runs should help the body's fat burning machinery kick into gear more efficiently, a definite win.

Most days I have nothing before running but water, or today before a long run (longer than an hour/12k) I'll have a couple of eggs a few hours before. And water.

I'm just finally getting out of the "this sucks phase." Today was my first crack at a new week where I ran for 15, and 17 minutes with a four minute walk break between. I probably could have done the whole thing without a break, and still gone for maybe another ten minutes, but I'm taking it slow to make sure I don't put too much stress on myself since I'm still 250+lbs.

Last week... last week still sucked... HARD. I was doing three sets of ten minutes with a four minute walk break, and still wanted to die. This is the beginning of my 7th week.

I get so pumped to go run. I get my shoes on and get into a pace. And then, a couple seconds later, I'm wanting it to be over. The one thing that gets me through it is music--it's a"ll about the beat". I'm keeping some Black Sabbath and Zeppelin and adding some Nicky Minaj and 2NEI to my playlist.

I'm new to running and my style is evolving. I found that short and quick strides helped strengthen the areas needed for running (hips, lower legs...). I tried different styles like Pose and Chi and like practicing those techniques as I feel they help propel me better than my beginning heel strike stride. I run 2 miles and like to sprint at the end. I would like to run a marathon one day but my goal is to perfect a short sprint.

The one thing everyone agrees on is taking it slow to prevent injuries. And run like "The Critic" Jay Sherman(anyone remember that?)--your trainer could walk beside you at your running pace. Speed will eventually come.

K3rB3ar89 wrote: »

I'm abit concerned cuz I sit just under 250 so this will be a process for sure haha but I would love to try it out. Plus I think it's less about weight and more about endurance cuz someone 150 pounds could be more outta shape then the 250 pound person. At the gym I can do hard cardio with the best of them but from what I remember running outside is much harder. I'm not outta shape I'm just fat hahaha..

Why not just walk, until you feel more comfortable? And I do not use "just" to imply walking is less effective, it is usually simpler, regardless of weight, fitness level etc. If you do not enjoy running, are obese and concerned about how this will affect running, and you have this "that sucks" feeling, why not just aim for longer and longer walks? It is cardio, it is effective, it is easier to adjust it to your pace and go for longer distance/time and it will make running easier after a while.

With me absolutely a 'love-hate' relationship with running. I'm new to running (just finished C25k in April and did my first 5k in May). The first mile or so I definitely find myself thinking 'this sucks', but I eventually start to feel better and feel so accomplished when I'm done. Some days will be better than others. I'm still working on form and breathing ... but getting better. I had a piece of cake this past Saturday night and man-o-man did Sunday morning's run ever hurt!! Felt as though I couldn't control my breathing and just felt like sludge. I think at the next graduation party I'll bypass the cake if I know I'll be running the next morning...the smarter choice!