I want to run but...

firef1y72
firef1y72 Posts: 1,579 Member
edited November 29 in Fitness and Exercise
A little background.

I'm a 44 year old woman, bit of a shortar$e at 5'1", weighing in at 252.2lb (down from 289.5). I walk 7 days a week and weight train 2-3 times a week. Blood pressure, sugar etc is all normal but I am hypermobile with an athritic shoulder.

When I last saw my doctor 15lb back he told me I shouldn't go above 3.5-4km/hr or push my hr above 125 and that I was pushing myself too hard by working with 4.5km/hr intervals because my hr was going up to 130ish.

Now I did scale back a bit but seriously walking at 4km/hr doesn't feel like I'm working hard at all, even 4.5km/hr now only brings my hr up to around 115. I want to improve my heart health and from what I understand I need to bring my hr up to around 130 to do that.

I've signed up for a 5k in July and would like to start the C25K program, but am now wondering what weight I'm supposed to get down to before I start.

Replies

  • litsy3
    litsy3 Posts: 783 Member
    If your doctor told you that 15lbs ago, it sounds like enough time has gone by for you to go back and consult him again.
  • RuNaRoUnDaFiEld
    RuNaRoUnDaFiEld Posts: 5,864 Member
    Did he say why? My heart rate gets way above that (160s) when I run and my GP has never questioned it. Do you have some heart problem etc?

    I'd go back and ask why.
  • scolaris
    scolaris Posts: 2,145 Member
    If you want to bridge the walking to running, walk for speed goals by tracking splits and add hills. But by all means talk to the doc first.
  • CassidyScaglione
    CassidyScaglione Posts: 673 Member
    @RuNaRoUnDaFiEld but how old are you? there are different target zones for different age groups. Young people can go up to 160 without hardly trying.
  • sstolii123
    sstolii123 Posts: 205 Member
    Sounds like it's time to visit your DR again. The C25K program is rock solid and many runners have started there. The first phase should now keep you inside the limits the DR gave you. Good luck! next thing you know you will be training for a 10k, then a half then a full!
  • 20yearsyounger
    20yearsyounger Posts: 1,630 Member
    edited February 2016
    Get a HR monitor. That's the best thing I did early so that I could stay my limits and progressively improve my health. Heart learned to adapt to increased intensity without me over doing it.

    Edit: Responded to fast. I see you already have one. Are you on any beta blockers that would make your heart rate lower? Part of the story seems missing if your doc says 125-230 is too high.
  • RuNaRoUnDaFiEld
    RuNaRoUnDaFiEld Posts: 5,864 Member
    CassidyScaglione wrote: »
    @RuNaRoUnDaFiEld but how old are you? there are different target zones for different age groups. Young people can go up to 160 without hardly trying.

    A 125 max heart rate would mean that the OP can not go above even aerobic range. If I'd been advised that then I'd want to know what was wrong with me to cause the Dr to say that.

    http://www.meet-your-running-goals.com/target-heart-rate-chart.html
  • firef1y72
    firef1y72 Posts: 1,579 Member
    Thanks for all the replies. I've no idea why that particular doctor was being so cautious, possibly it's because my BMI was still over 50 at that point and I tend to become rather obssessive about things (autistic tendencies) or it might have been that he was a locum.

    Went back to see my actual GP today (who told me I wouldn't be able to lose any weight myself 37lb ago in November) and he's happy for me to push my walking speed and HR up, but doesn't want me to run until I'm at least under 200lb because he's worried about my knees dislocating. So I guess I'm going to stick with walking for now and work at getting my average speed up.
  • 20yearsyounger
    20yearsyounger Posts: 1,630 Member
    firef1y72 wrote: »
    Thanks for all the replies. I've no idea why that particular doctor was being so cautious, possibly it's because my BMI was still over 50 at that point and I tend to become rather obssessive about things (autistic tendencies) or it might have been that he was a locum.

    Went back to see my actual GP today (who told me I wouldn't be able to lose any weight myself 37lb ago in November) and he's happy for me to push my walking speed and HR up, but doesn't want me to run until I'm at least under 200lb because he's worried about my knees dislocating. So I guess I'm going to stick with walking for now and work at getting my average speed up.

    I can understand the knee part. My body hurt when I first started running. At a lower weight, my body feels much better and I run a lot. If you have access to other equipment you can always do something like an elliptical, stationary bike etc which has a lower impact, and maintain the HR you want to maintain. That will help you also improve cardiovascular wise until you are ready to run.
  • blues4miles
    blues4miles Posts: 1,481 Member
    firef1y72 wrote: »
    Thanks for all the replies. I've no idea why that particular doctor was being so cautious, possibly it's because my BMI was still over 50 at that point and I tend to become rather obssessive about things (autistic tendencies) or it might have been that he was a locum.

    Went back to see my actual GP today (who told me I wouldn't be able to lose any weight myself 37lb ago in November) and he's happy for me to push my walking speed and HR up, but doesn't want me to run until I'm at least under 200lb because he's worried about my knees dislocating. So I guess I'm going to stick with walking for now and work at getting my average speed up.

    Plus having a solid walking base is REALLY going to help you when you start walk/jogging. Too many people start it out of nowhere, doing no walking, and can barely WALK a 5k let alone jog it. You'll find it much easier if you have a solid walking background. Keep up the great work!
  • 7lenny7
    7lenny7 Posts: 3,498 Member
    Just to throw in an anecdote about how well walking can prepare you for running, I offer up my story.

    In March of last year, I bought a fitbit and started walking. A lot. I walked fast enough to raise my heart rate and make it a work out. I increased my step count, particularly on weekends, and often went over 25,000 steps.

    Two months after getting the Fitbit, I went to a 5K fun run/walk with a group, fully intending to walk it. I got pressured into running it and to my shock, I was able to run the whole thing. Two key points. First, my walking was enough of a workout to build up my endurance. Second, my friend made me go SLOOOOOOWWW, which prevented me from wearing out too quickly.

    My point being, don't get discouraged if you can't start a C25K program right away. Walking can be a cardio workout and start getting your body ready for a run.

    BTW, my legs were in total pain for a week afterwards, but it was worth it. It get me interested in running and I'm now training for my first marathon in May. I'm 49 and have lost 46 pounds since March wit 12 more to go.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    CassidyScaglione wrote: »
    @RuNaRoUnDaFiEld but how old are you? there are different target zones for different age groups. Young people can go up to 160 without hardly trying.

    I hope you're not referring to 220-your age. I'm 60 and my resting HR is 48, during a threshold ride the other day I hit 169 on the bike and when I'm running hills you don't want to know.

    OP, I'm glad your regular GP has a little more sense.....I agree with the others, the walking will give you a good base & consider cross training (it addresses muscular imbalances and adds variety!)
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