Running help

[Jarid in Cedar]

I am finally to the point that I want to start to pursue a goal of running a marathon. I have never done any distance running of any sort. I am in good enough shape that I could probably finish a 5K without walking(I'm not saying what kind of time it would take).

I need to drop about 60 lbs. Based on previous experience, it would take me about 4 months to accomplish this.

Given that I am an absolute novice, my questions are basic:

How do you pick out a quality shoe, and what should I expect to pay(I am a tight wad about clothes)?

Where are some good resources for training programs?

Should I wait to start training until I drop the weight? (I have had a knee scope for bad cartilage already)

Should I look to 2010? 2011? for a target event?

TIA

[Teenage Dirtbag]

I am finally to the point that I want to start to pursue a goal of running a marathon. I have never done any distance running of any sort. I am in good enough shape that I could probably finish a 5K without walking(I'm not saying what kind of time it would take).

I need to drop about 60 lbs. Based on previous experience, it would take me about 4 months to accomplish this.

Given that I am an absolute novice, my questions are basic:

How do you pick out a quality shoe, and what should I expect to pay(I am a tight wad about clothes)?

Where are some good resources for training programs?

Should I wait to start training until I drop the weight? (I have had a knee scope for bad cartilage already)

Should I look to 2010? 2011? for a target event?

TIA

Get your shoes at a running specialty store. Go to St. George if you have to. Getting the first pair right is crucial. They will analyze your gait and fit you properly. After that, if you want to buy from a big box store or online, that's fine. Honestly, though, I always buy my shoes from a running store, even if they're more expensive. The help and expertise they can give you is worth the money.

Hal Higdon has a Novice 5-K program that looks good:
http://www.halhigdon.com/5K%20Training/5-Knovice.htm

As far as weight, I'll defer to your expertise on all medical matters, but I wouldn't wait until you've lost it to get started, there's no reason to. If you're in the right shoes and you are smart with your program (meaning you increase effort and mileage using common sense), you'll be fine.

If I were you, I would have a goal of a 10k right now before looking at a marathon. Keep it realistic. After the 10k, bite off a half marathon. If you're still interested, go for the full. Don't put a date on the calendar and say that's when you have to be ready for a full. Let your body decide.

[ERCougar]

I am finally to the point that I want to start to pursue a goal of running a marathon. I have never done any distance running of any sort. I am in good enough shape that I could probably finish a 5K without walking(I'm not saying what kind of time it would take).

I need to drop about 60 lbs. Based on previous experience, it would take me about 4 months to accomplish this.

Given that I am an absolute novice, my questions are basic:

How do you pick out a quality shoe, and what should I expect to pay(I am a tight wad about clothes)?

Where are some good resources for training programs?

Should I wait to start training until I drop the weight? (I have had a knee scope for bad cartilage already)

Should I look to 2010? 2011? for a target event?

TIA

There are no good running stores in southern Utah. That said, I don't believe in good running shoes anymore (long convoluted explanation). Best place in Utah, IMO, is the Salt Lake Running Co (in...you guessed it, Salt Lake). I like the owner of the place in St George, but I think he sucks at recommending shoes and he doesn't take shoes back after you've run in them (an essential of any good running store, I say). If you buy the hype about good running shoes, expect to pay around $100 for a decent pair.

I don't think you have to necessarily lose the weight first, but I'd be ready to take a few days off at the first hint of pain. Also, build up mileage slowly, no more than 10% per week. No speed work until you're two months into it, if at all. Just focus on slow consistent runs. I love the Run Less Run Faster program, but any of the beginner programs will work. I actually think Galloway's programs are the best for beginners because he really emphasizes avoiding injury or burnout.

Anyone can run a marathon in six months if they don't care about time. So at this point, any 2010 race would do. But running in Cedar City in the winter sucks.

[Teenage Dirtbag]

That said, I don't believe in good running shoes anymore (long convoluted explanation).

Would you care to post the short, straight version?

[ERCougar]

If I were you, I would have a goal of a 10k right now before looking at a marathon. Keep it realistic. After the 10k, bite off a half marathon. If you're still interested, go for the full. Don't put a date on the calendar and say that's when you have to be ready for a full. Let your body decide.

This is a great idea. Half-marathon is my favorite distance--long enough to feel like you accomplished something, but doesn't beat up your body. The Las Vegas Marathon/Half Marathon is going rock n roll this year (bands all along the route) and that will be the first week of December. You'd have time to be ready for that.

[ERCougar]

Would you care to post the short, straight version?

Sure...just recognize that I know I'm in the minority here.

I posted a little while ago about the interview with this author:
http://www.amazon.com/Born-Run-Hidde.../dp/0307266303
and it got me interested in this. You can read the summary of his experience with this native tribe, but one of his points he learned from his experience was that the shoe industry has runners hoodwinked into buying expensive shoes that reinforce bad running form. He's not alone in this thought, as you probably know, but the more I read on this, the more I believe it. IIRC, around 90% of runners have some sort of injury every year, and this number hasn't changed a bit in many years, despite the "advances" of the shoe industry. He made the point that the FDA would never approve a device like this.

Anyway, it was a long interview and I've read a few more similar articles and thoughts and I think they make some good points. I've bought my last few pairs of shoes off the clearance rack of Big 5 (after never spending less than $100 before on shoes), and if anything, I've had fewer knee/foot/hip problems. Good enough for me.

[Jarid in Cedar]

Sure...just recognize that I know I'm in the minority here.

I posted a little while ago about the interview with this author:
http://www.amazon.com/Born-Run-Hidde.../dp/0307266303
and it got me interested in this. You can read the summary of his experience with this native tribe, but one of his points he learned from his experience was that the shoe industry has runners hoodwinked into buying expensive shoes that reinforce bad running form. He's not alone in this thought, as you probably know, but the more I read on this, the more I believe it. IIRC, around 90% of runners have some sort of injury every year, and this number hasn't changed a bit in many years, despite the "advances" of the shoe industry. He made the point that the FDA would never approve a device like this.

Anyway, it was a long interview and I've read a few more similar articles and thoughts and I think they make some good points. I've bought my last few pairs of shoes off the clearance rack of Big 5 (after never spending less than $100 before on shoes), and if anything, I've had fewer knee/foot/hip problems. Good enough for me.

So what qualities do you look for when you pick your shoes?

[ERCougar]

So what qualities do you look for when you pick your shoes?

Well...I bought my first few pairs from a good running store, and realize that I'm in the minority on my opinion. I'd still go there first to get your first shoes. Then experiment.

I still try to get motion-control shoes, although I'm not convinced that helps either. A good motion-control shoe has a firm midsole. To test this, try holding the front and the back and twisting. A firm midsole will resist this, a weak one will be easy to twist. But you don't even know if you need a motion-control shoe, so I'd go to a good store first.

[TripletDaddy]

I am finally to the point that I want to start to pursue a goal of running a marathon. I have never done any distance running of any sort. I am in good enough shape that I could probably finish a 5K without walking(I'm not saying what kind of time it would take).

I need to drop about 60 lbs. Based on previous experience, it would take me about 4 months to accomplish this.

Given that I am an absolute novice, my questions are basic:

How do you pick out a quality shoe, and what should I expect to pay(I am a tight wad about clothes)?

Where are some good resources for training programs?

Should I wait to start training until I drop the weight? (I have had a knee scope for bad cartilage already)

Should I look to 2010? 2011? for a target event?

TIA

60 pounds in 4 months?! wow.

what is your secret?

why is it taking me forever to lose this last 5 or so pounds that I want to lose?

[Teenage Dirtbag]

Sure...just recognize that I know I'm in the minority here.

I posted a little while ago about the interview with this author:
http://www.amazon.com/Born-Run-Hidde.../dp/0307266303
and it got me interested in this. You can read the summary of his experience with this native tribe, but one of his points he learned from his experience was that the shoe industry has runners hoodwinked into buying expensive shoes that reinforce bad running form. He's not alone in this thought, as you probably know, but the more I read on this, the more I believe it. IIRC, around 90% of runners have some sort of injury every year, and this number hasn't changed a bit in many years, despite the "advances" of the shoe industry. He made the point that the FDA would never approve a device like this.

Anyway, it was a long interview and I've read a few more similar articles and thoughts and I think they make some good points. I've bought my last few pairs of shoes off the clearance rack of Big 5 (after never spending less than $100 before on shoes), and if anything, I've had fewer knee/foot/hip problems. Good enough for me.

Oh yeah, my BIL was telling me about a documentary he saw about that. Don't they make running shoes out of old tires or something? I'll have to read up on it.

When I first started running I wore a pair of New Balance that were just laying around the house. Then I bought a pair of Adidas running shoes. Within a month I was in the doctor's office getting my knee checked out. After that I got fitted with stability shoes and have never had another knee problem. In fact I've been basically injury free with the exception of a stress fracture a couple of years ago.

That's an interesting point that the number of injuries has basically remained the same.

[Jarid in Cedar]

60 pounds in 4 months?! wow.

what is your secret?

why is it taking me forever to lose this last 5 or so pounds that I want to lose?

The last 5 lbs are a moving target because of water distribution, colonic contents, etc.

I actually get serious about it as compared to my usual lifestyle. I exercise 1-2 hours a day and I am diligent with my diet. I have bounced between 190 and 250 three times since moving to Cedar 8 years ago. I know that is not very good, but it is what it is. That said, my goal weight is around 175. My knees feel much better when I am below 200.

My trouble is when I am not being OCD about it, I can gain 5 pounds simply by smelling to odor from the donut shop.

[TripletDaddy]

The last 5 lbs are a moving target because of water distribution, colonic contents, etc.

I actually get serious about it as compared to my usual lifestyle. I exercise 1-2 hours a day and I am diligent with my diet. I have bounced between 190 and 250 three times since moving to Cedar 8 years ago. I know that is not very good, but it is what it is. That said, my goal weight is around 175. My knees feel much better when I am below 200.

My trouble is when I am not being OCD about it, I can gain 5 pounds simply by smelling to odor from the donut shop.

The last 5 pounds are on my lower abs, not my colon. That last bit of fat around the waist is really hard to burn off. Almost impossible. I keep eating at a deficit, but no luck. I wonder if my body is adapting in order to keep that last bit of reserves.

[Babs]

Sure...just recognize that I know I'm in the minority here.

You're not alone, though.

[Jarid in Cedar]

The last 5 pounds are on my lower abs, not my colon. That last bit of fat around the waist is really hard to burn off. Almost impossible. I keep eating at a deficit, but no luck. I wonder if my body is adapting in order to keep that last bit of reserves.

This is a good possibility. The other is that it is connective tissue that was previously used to support the adipose tissue(think blood vessels, sinew,collagen, etc). That type of tissue is not used for energy consumption by the body unless you are in a state of starvation, and even then it will pillage your muscle first anyway.

[Babs]

The last 5 pounds are on my lower abs, not my colon. That last bit of fat around the waist is really hard to burn off. Almost impossible. I keep eating at a deficit, but no luck. I wonder if my body is adapting in order to keep that last bit of reserves.

yeah, the lower abs are tough. I've been told by trainers there's a lot of genetics to that, too - that some people simply store watery fatty tissue there no matter what. I don't know if that's true, though. Did you try the yogurt thing? I've heard a lot of people say a steady diet of yogurt and eggs helps, but then egg might be counterproductive re: your cholesterol management.