Running good or bad?

I walked my first 5K. I did that in 49:49. I was 265 lbs. My knees bothered me and not just at the 5K. I had trouble lowering myself into a chair because they hurt so bad. I started with walking and added slow jogging. My last 5K I ran in 29:48 (first place in my age group.) I'm doing one in April and I'm hoping I can do it in under 25. It is addicting. I'm running my first half marathon on March 25th and my first marathon on May 13. My knees have never been better. Hey, a month ago I was hanging upside down on the monkey bars. Oh yeah... I'm also 51 years old. You can't tell me running is bad for me.

Running is terrible for you!

It only leads to more running and then entering races and generally kicking *kitten*! That and your uterus will fall out.

Don't say you weren't warned...

And don't forget the lesser mentioned side effect of a drawer full of t-shirts to commemerate your races!!


Just get out and do what you can. Listen it your body, it knows better than your chiropractor!

I have been getting discouraging comments too about running, from my friend who is a doctor and about 12kg overweight, and from my sister in law...who encouraged all her kids to race for school.
I said to my sister in law: I have never run, all my life, do I not get to run for a year or so now, in order to get fit, and to have fun? Its not like I have been pounding the pavement for 35 years. And she the said, yeah you are right, just enjoy it.

What I note is that of my 3 friends that I walk with, (including the doctor one) all are overweight and often skip the walking for a while because of feet and knee problems. e.g. swollen knees, plantar fasciitis , tendon problems. Weight related, I suspect. I still think they could run to build up their heart and muscles but for shorter runs. Like, run to the letterbox, something reasonable.

As for me, I did that 5km race walk, jog that you are going to do just a couple of weeks ago. Fantastic fun, the walk intervals allow recovery and your speed builds up. Go for it!!! My first days I 'hated' the effort of running. Now I am in love with the running high.
The aches and pains from running come and go and are muscle related. I broke all the rules and jogged/walked every day without recovery. To my amazement there were no consequences, just new muscles growing. In the morning I could hardly walk until I warmed up the muscles ( bad girl) but as the day went on I was fine. Next morning, same story but never any worse and eventually no pains at all.
Running on grass and tarred roads is better than concrete paths. Wear cotton socks and make your next running shoes rewardingly expensive. Don't thud, run quietly and lightly, taking small steps is fine. Listen to music, it keeps you going.

Well, *kitten*. If running's bad for you and you shouldn't do it, then what exactly SHOULD you do? Honestly? Lifting weights can cause serious injuries, cycling - don't get me started on crashes, swimming you can drown, cardio programs, also injury prone, what's left? The problem with your husband's quack is, if you ruled out workouts with risks of injuries, you wouldn't be doing ANYTHING!

When I reached 250, I'd had enough. Started fitness walking, which turned into running, triathlon (swimming, biking, running), weights, and for kicks and giggles kettle bell. I've had a few injuries. Gotten runner's knee a couple times, pulled my groin once or twice, even went to the ER from a bike accident. I wouldn't trade any of these in for the sedentary life they replaced. I know this may sound crazy, but it's true. I don't enjoy my injuries, but I LOVE LOVE LOVE what my life has become as I've gotten them. Yes, it would definitely be better if I could stay injury free. And I'm trying. Till then, I'm loving my running (and swimming and biking and kettle bell and weights).

Which makes me want to tell your husband's quack to stick it.

I just started C25K this week... and Im liking it and I just jog- No running for this FATgirl....LOL but Im feeling great! and Im at 230lbs- If I can do it anyone can!

I was a fat *kitten* when I started running 3 yrs ago. I didn't die. I was running a 14 min mile but I ran, lost weight, got healthy and now my fasted mile is 6.21. You can do it. Listen to your body not a chiropracter that doesn't run. You're doing awesome..Keep it up.

cinderbay - what does he know about you that qualify him to make that statement? I truly live in a world I don't understand.

I think your PCP is much more qualified to make statements related to your medical condition and the stress you are about to put on your body.

Sign up - train - and listen to your body!!!

I've told my sister in law (who is a chiropractor) and my chiropractor that I've been running and they think it's great. They don't personally like that exercise for themselves, but they think I'm doing awesom for running.

Chiropracters are not an MD. They don't have extensive medical training nor do they understand the in's and out's of the body. I'm not hating on them, but really if your physician is OK with it then go ahead. I would suggest that if you want to start running start slow and use a C25k program as you have selected. Listen to your body and progress at your own pace.

^^This!! Chriopractors are not actual doctors. Anything recommended by them should always always always be confirmed by an actual trained MD.

I think you and your doctor are much smarter than the chiropractor - he should be encouraging people to run if he thinks it's bad for you - that would make him more business <sarcasm>

Chiropractors ARE doctors. DC. Stands for doctor of chiropractic. They spend more hours in lab than medical doctors and study HEALTH and wellness...medical doctors study medicine and for the most part, know very little about health. They know how to write prescriptions.

I was a fat *kitten* when I started running 3 yrs ago. I didn't die. I was running a 14 min mile but I ran, lost weight, got healthy and now my fasted mile is 6.21. You can do it. Listen to your body not a chiropracter that doesn't run. You're doing awesome..Keep it up.

You're making me feel better about y 14 minute miles

I second that!!!!! I get overjoyed when I run a 12 minute mile...and that only ever happens for the very first mile of however many I'm running.