Still fat

[The_Tick]

But we have created a goal as a family to run a 5k in November as a part of a fundraiser.

My wife was a runner until she was diagnosed with Ankiospodilytus or however it is spelled.

My oldest is a runner.

My youngest is built like I am but much much smaller. She runs a 11:30 mile at school each week, so she is going to be better at it than I am.

My goal is to run it in under 45 minutes. That is snails pace to most of you but the last time I really ever ran was in high school at football practice. I occasionally run when playing church basketball but I don't really consider that running.

For someone that is in the 350ish range, any recommendations on how I should start out? My goal is to not break or tear anything (other than pants).

I talked with my wife about getting one of the Garmin things and she is all for it. She just wants to know what my heart rate was when I have a heart attack and die.

[ERCougar]

Go buy this book:
http://www.amazon.com/Galloways-Book...7784624&sr=8-1

There's no one better than Galloway at getting people starting running.

HRM's are also really helpful to let you know what level of exertion is appropriate. Biggest mistake newbies make is overexerting themselves and then either injuring themselves or burning out.

[happyone]

HRM's are also really helpful to let you know what level of exertion is appropriate. Biggest mistake newbies make is overexerting themselves and then either injuring themselves or burning out.

I know this is what happened to me, when I started running again. I got really sore knees and hips. That is one one the reasons I mainly walk and am just starting to jog again.

[RobinFinderson]

Go buy this book:
http://www.amazon.com/Galloways-Book...7784624&sr=8-1

There's no one better than Galloway at getting people starting running.

HRM's are also really helpful to let you know what level of exertion is appropriate. Biggest mistake newbies make is overexerting themselves and then either injuring themselves or burning out.

I checked out that Galloway book on Amazon, and it looks great. Our copy will arrive next Tuesday.

As for Tick, what are folks' thoughts about running with 300+ pounds on his knees and ankles? That sounds like it might do some damage. Is running with that kind of weight such a good idea? Or would he be better advised to work on some low impact cardio for a while? At what point does weight become a concern regarding joint stress?

[Surfah]

I checked out that Galloway book on Amazon, and it looks great. Our copy will arrive next Tuesday.

As for Tick, what are folks' thoughts about running with 300+ pounds on his knees and ankles? That sounds like it might do some damage. Is running with that kind of weight such a good idea? Or would he be better advised to work on some low impact cardio for a while? At what point does weight become a concern regarding joint stress?

I don't know. I suggest, what any book or exercise program would also suggest, is consult with your doctor before beginning. Now I didn't. But it was the scale at the doctor's office that motivated me. I'll never forget though a doctor one time reviewing my chart and saying that I must live a very sedentary lifestyle. I actually took offense to this and told him I didn't. I told him that I played basketball at least once a week and at the time I was playing in a softball league and an indoor and sand volleyball leagues. Every night I had a game of some sort. He rolled his eyes in disbelief. But this fat boy is an athlete.

That was the truth. The other side of that and the awful truth is I had very poor eating habits. I ate fast so I never felt satiated. I'd then gorge myself with more food until I did. I'd finish my plate and then usually my wife's or daughter's. I ate a carb and sugar rich diet.

I decided for me that before I started running I wanted to get my weight under 250. That was 40 lbs roughly I had to lose. I was worried about the abuse my joints would suffer. I also wanted to be in reasonable shape so as not to get discouraged if the running got to be too much. I did that and have ran at least 4x a week for the past 3 weeks. It's been awesome. I usually have about 3/4 of a mile warm up and cool down and I have been running essentially a 5k in between. The loop I do is about 3.07 miles total when I run on the outside of the road.

Tick, you know yourself and your body better than anyone else. So work within your limits but also push yourself so you grow stronger. Best of luck.

[Teenage Dirtbag]

I checked out that Galloway book on Amazon, and it looks great. Our copy will arrive next Tuesday.

You've probably already found it, but he has a web site as well. jeffgalloway.com

[RobinFinderson]

Hey Tick. I hope you didn't find my post offensive. I've only recently begun to run, and am struggling like crazy. I have been living a fairly sedentary life myself for the last couple of years. One of the first things I noticed when I started running with Faith is that I could feel it in my shins and knees in ways that I never remember noticing as a younger and more active person. That took me by surprise, so this has been on my mind for the last couple of days.

It is great that you are running, and I offer you my sincerest hope that you might accomplish all of your personal goals in pursuing this. It sounds like we both have our work cut out for us, as we are both pretty new to this sport. Cool that we have CUF, no? The runners here, with their experience and suggestions are a fantastic resource. Thanks runners!

[The_Tick]

Robin,

No offense taken whatsoever. I appreciate your concern for me.

I actually start my first run this Monday. I am going to pick up some fat guy running shoes this weekend to try and limit the pain.

I am going to pick up that book also.

Here is my plan for the first week:

M W F - 1 mile walk, 1 mile jog (I will alternate jogging and running every 30 seconds), 1 mile walk

T R S - 10 mile bike rides. (I do this now no problem. Don't even get the butt hurt)

Sunday - Cry

My youngest is going to be doing the same routine with me when she gets back to us from Utah on Aug. 1st.

My wife and oldest started running yesterday and they ripped off 3 miles in under 30. I hate them.

I have come to the realization that if you aren't experiencing some type of pain you suffer from one of the following:

1. Paralysis
2. Death

Pain comes with age.

[The_Tick]

And...the forcast for the forseeable future is 104-107.

So I like the degree of difficulty.

[ERCougar]

As for Tick, what are folks' thoughts about running with 300+ pounds on his knees and ankles? That sounds like it might do some damage. Is running with that kind of weight such a good idea? Or would he be better advised to work on some low impact cardio for a while? At what point does weight become a concern regarding joint stress?

This topic is so controversial that very few doctors will be able to give you a good answer (although there are plenty who will BS their way through an answer). This topic, contrary to popular belief (and many physicians' beliefs), is not settled. There are sports medicine specialists who say that running, even when overweight, is actually good for your knees, as long as mileages are controlled (any good book will give you guidelines for this) and rest is incorporated into the schedule. There are others who say that it's really bad for your knees and you're asking for long-term problems. I suspect the truth is somewhere in between. Being fat is bad for your knees. Losing weight is better. Walking is always good for your knees, and there's no controversy there. If I were overweight, I would pursue a walk-jog combo (Galloway talks about this a lot), gradually increasing the percentage of time I jog as I get in better shape. Along with this, I'd pursue a weight-loss plan. Running as you lose weight is certainly not as hard on your body as being overweight, and it's one of the quickest, cheapest, and most convenient ways to burn calories and make your weight-loss more permanent.

[Teenage Dirtbag]

And...the forcast for the forseeable future is 104-107.

So I like the degree of difficulty.

Dude, please be so careful. I ran 3 miles in 98 degrees last night that effort-wise were very easy for me. I was only out there for 27 minutes but found myself wishing I had brought a bottle of water. You could be toast before you even know what's happening to you.

[The_Tick]

I hear ya TD.

This is normal temp for the summers here. DT and I golf in this stuff.

I ride with a 2L filled camelpak and I imagine I will be doing the same with the running.

Most of this will happen between 8-930 at night when the temps drop back down to the mid 90's.

How sick is it when the overnight low is 81?

[Mr Incredible]

This topic is so controversial that very few doctors will be able to give you a good answer (although there are plenty who will BS their way through an answer). This topic, contrary to popular belief (and many physicians' beliefs), is not settled. There are sports medicine specialists who say that running, even when overweight, is actually good for your knees, as long as mileages are controlled (any good book will give you guidelines for this) and rest is incorporated into the schedule. There are others who say that it's really bad for your knees and you're asking for long-term problems. I suspect the truth is somewhere in between. Being fat is bad for your knees. Losing weight is better. Walking is always good for your knees, and there's no controversy there. If I were overweight, I would pursue a walk-jog combo (Galloway talks about this a lot), gradually increasing the percentage of time I jog as I get in better shape. Along with this, I'd pursue a weight-loss plan. Running as you lose weight is certainly not as hard on your body as being overweight, and it's one of the quickest, cheapest, and most convenient ways to burn calories and make your weight-loss more permanent.

I started on a treadmill doing walk-run intervals. I got a season of 24 on DVD and watched one episode (40 minutes) each session. It kept my mind of how much running sucked and kept me going a decent amount of time. At three workouts per week that's 8 weeks. I did two seasons of 24 during the winter before heading outside.

[cowboy]

What TD said. My rule is to put out a bottle of water every 1.5 to 2 miles if the temp is higher than 85. Be careful.

[Pheidippides]

I hear ya TD.

This is normal temp for the summers here. DT and I golf in this stuff.

I ride with a 2L filled camelpak and I imagine I will be doing the same with the running.

Most of this will happen between 8-930 at night when the temps drop back down to the mid 90's.

How sick is it when the overnight low is 81?

Fuel belts are also very good for this sort of thing. I have one.