How fat is too fat...

[dinabean]

I weigh 230 and I did a sprint tri in May. My goal was to run the entire run portion, and I did (although the bike leg was my best leg, woo hoo!). I've also run several stand alone 5Ks and a 15K. I am slow -- so very slow, 15 minute miles slow. But I followed the Couch 2 5K plan, and worked my way up to running slow and you know what? I love it. I am not good at it, but I love it. I always thought I had knee problems and so couldn't exercise, but I manage just fine and don't actually have any joint pain. Biggest suggestion is invest in GOOD running shoes -- go somewhere to get a run assessment, etc. (or, if you decide to do the minimalist running thing, start even slower).

I really think the couch 2 5K plan was key for this working for me -- it's just the right balance of challenging but not overdoing (do NOT cut out the walking warm up and cool down!). I was amazed that I want from total non athlete to triathlete in 8 mos. (Started C25K in Sept of last year, started spin classes in Nov and bought a bike soon thereafter, and then started swimming in January, culminating in the race in May).

Be careful, of course, check with your doctor, the usual. But really? Go for it! I found I felt better, wanted to eat better, and I did lose about 20 pounds (i've regained 10 after falling off the wagon a bit, but am starting to creep down again).

[tulip]

Years ago, I did a training program with a running club in your area. It was very similar to the Couch-to-5kprogram, although it wasn't called that. I ended up really enjoying running, which had always been a chore before. I had no injuries because it is a very gradual program.

I stopped because I moved out of the area and did not have s suppotive running group in the new city. I never picked it up again. Yet.

PM me if you want the name of the organization. It was very convenient to you, and I think they are still active.

[jessmarimba]

Like they said, go for it! But having the right shoes is probably going to be pretty important for you. And if you're worried about joint damage, it never hurts to run on softer surfaces (grass, dirt, etc.) - it actually uses more muscles to trail run vs. road run so you'll burn slightly more calories too.

[limewave]

Blueberry, I started running when I weighed over 300lbs. I began by walking a block and then trying to jog a block. Each week I tried to go a little farther until I could run an entire mile. It took several months. But I was going from completely sedentary to trying to be active. You have the benefit of being a cyclist!

I didn't have special shoes--although, it never hurts to have a good pair of running shoes if you can afford them. I wore sweats, shirts, and shoes from Walmart.

It may seem hard at first, but keep at it. You can do it!

[OakLeaf]

I think that the greater the load on your joints, the more important it is to have good running form. Like Knott says, if it hurts (during or after your run), learn a different way of doing it.

Yoga is great for strengthening the stabilizing muscles in your hips and feet that are so important for running. If you don't already do yoga, do some targeted hip and foot exercises a couple of days a week.

"Good shoes" (or good running surfaces for no shoes) are important, but just be aware that when we say "good shoes," we mean shoes that fit you and don't have an excessive heel-to-toe drop. When someone at the shoe store says "good shoes," they often mean shoes that are expensive and have a lot of trademarked "features." Make sure they fit. If they squeeze your toes or foot bones together, if the sides of your feet rub the sides of the shoes, if your toes aren't completely straight, find another pair.

[channlluv]

Limewave, you weighed over 300 lbs when you started? Wow. You look fantastic in your avatar pic. What an inspiration.

Blueberry, I tried an experiment in August. I planned to do a 5k every day in August. I got five days in when I hurt my knee -- I overdid the jog portion. I was attempting to do what Limewave described: alternate walking with jogging, and slowly increasing the jogging portion. I ended up hurting my right MCL and I was off my feet and in a knee brace for about two full weeks, and I'm still limping when I get up from sitting for a while. And I was wearing the cushiest running shoes Nike makes, according to the Shoe Dog guy at Road Runner Sports.

I suggest if you go to get good shoes, make sure the person who is assessing you is experienced. My guy wasn't. He'd just moved here from Arizona because a buddy of his got him a job at the store. He was an athlete, but maybe not so much an expert in helping people with special needs pick out shoes.

I weighed 225-230 when I hurt my knee, so yes, I'd say I was too fat to run, but that's me. You may be in a lot better shape than I.

Good luck with your search for good shoes and taking up running.

Roxy

[oxysback]

Here's a bit of inspiration for you, Blueberry!

http://wimp.com/beinspired/

[KnottedYet]

And I was wearing the cushiest running shoes Nike makes, according to the Shoe Dog guy at Road Runner Sports.

There's the problem right there. That guy didn't have a clue what the heck he was doing.

[Blueberry]

Thank you all! I really appreciate all of the inspiration.

I do have a couple of small issues I'm working on - and will watch very carefully as I start to experiment (did a little last night late with no apparent ill effects). I have a knee that's been grumpy since a direct impact fall on concrete (sporadic pain, mainly on stairs). It's been X-rayed and had an MRI. The doc can't find anything wrong, and the PT can't either. Short of scoping the knee, they've told me to just go with it. It has been well over a year - but the more exercise I do, the better it feels - so I'm going with it.

They did OK tri's - well, they think I'm crazy for my ultimate long distance goal, but otherwise are OK with it.

I'll go in search of shoes. I have Fivefingers that I wear hiking and around - but I don't want to put that much stress on my feet (and knee) yet (have been working on dropped metatarsal heads that are improving and were not aggravated last night). I have a pair of shoes that may or may not be running specific that I played with last night - I'll be looking for something with a wider toe box as those are a tiny bit narrow. And I'll look for something with not much drop - any recommendations? My feet have really taken the fivefingers to heart and have widened in the toe significantly (not a bad thing - just an odd fit thing).

Thanks again - you all rock!

[channlluv]

There's the problem right there. That guy didn't have a clue what the heck he was doing.

And I don't know enough to know the difference. They were recommended in the SELF roundup for the best new shoes of the Spring.

So if I get stiffer, more supportive shoes...

Roxy