From the monthly archives:

January 2010

Running Overweight

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runningoverweight

Running overweight is a huge concern for many people. I’m here to tell you that runners come in all shapes and sizes. I’m an overweight runner – as a female weighing in over 200 pounds. When I started this process – I weighed more than 250 pounds – and am working my way down. I’m inching in on 220 pounds, but as you can see – my size is not stopping me.

My hips are not screaming, my knees are not crying, and my body can move just like other people.

What I’m learning as an overweight runner – is that running is 90% mental – along with 10% physical exertion. Now, don’t get me wrong – it’s hard, and it’s not something for everyone…but if you want to be a runner you can. Stop making the excuses — because YES – you too can be a runner.

Here’s where most overweight runners have their issues. They say something like – “I can only run for about 1 minute, and then I’m breathing so heavy….”

That’s everybody’s issue when you first start out. You need to train yourself to become a runner. Unless you’re some young kid – it does take a little work. You start out with an interval training program – and you start by maybe running for 60 seconds, and then walking for 60 seconds…then the following week – you bump that up to running 90 seconds, walking 60 seconds. There are many programs out there for this – but I highly recommend the C25K at Cool Running or C25k.com. (C25k = Couch to 5K) You slowly build your endurance, and allow your muscles and lungs to adapt to the changes slowly. The C25k program takes you there in 9 weeks…

Last night, this plus size runner ran 4 miles, and I felt great. Listen, if I can do it…you can too. Trust me on that….I know lazy, I know being overweight, and I know me. If I can do it, you can too.

More than anything – I’ve learned I have to believe in myself. I ran 4 miles last night, and I didn’t wake up sore, I didn’t wake up achey – I just woke up proud. Wednesday, I have a 7 mile run I have to put in. I’m slow – and it will take me a long time, but I’ll do it. In March, I have a 1/2 marathon I’m doing….and one of the things my running group taught me – is that runners come in all shapes and sizes – and we all have the capacity to get up, move our bodies – and cross a start line. Whether you finish that race is only a piece of the puzzle…it’s getting started, getting moving – that’s where winning starts.

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Hydration Belts, Backpacks and More

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Here’s the thing – I’m new to all of this, and have to figure out what works for me. Right now, what works for me is sticking a bottle of water in the cup holder of my treadmill. Of course, once I’m outside – fuel becomes an issue. I went through all of this research earlier to find a fuel belt for my longer runs….

I was told to get used to what you’ll be using during a race, and after reading reviews – opted for the Nathan Speedbelt with 2 10 oz bottles. You can read about by clicking on the link. Here’s what I’m finding out – I don’t like that around my waist when I run. Hmmmm, that’s not good.

I decided to play around with something else, and just ordered a Camelbak. I have no clue if I’ll like it, but I was able to get a good deal on a particular color of one style. It was originally listed at close to $60 – but I got it on sale for less than $40 — and the price moves up and down. My tip, check the pricing on the different colors. The black and gray was like 60, the blue was 50, he red was 40, etc….never hurts to check, and you can get a deal – I think the solid black was on sale too. Anyway, I picked out this one…

cambelbackwater

Camelbak 2010 Rogue 70 oz Hydration Pack (Racing Red/Charcoal – 70 oz.)

As I do more and more races, I think I’ll appreciate finding something that works for me. Will this? I guess I won’t know until I try it. I do know I have the waist belt thing of the other – so if this feels better on, great.

I have 3 1/2 marathons on my list to do this year, with another I’m looking at. I also just decided this week to train for a full marathon on top of it for Jan 2011. If I do that, I’ll probably add an 18 miler in LBI in November as a training run…so we’ll see how it all goes. At least I’ll have two water fuel options at this point. I hate how you don’t know if you’ll like something until you run with it. What doesn’t bother you on a 2 mile run, suddenly pisses you off on a 5 mile run….so with many more miles to go, I’d rather be happy with what I’m wearing.

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Finally On the Run Again

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ontherun

It’s on! I ran 4 miles last night and I’m feeling fine this morning. While I’m still having issues sitting with my tailbone, running is a non-issue now! I’m so happy to have that over with, because I’m getting anxious with my first 1/2 marathon coming up in March.

I lost about 2 weeks of running – so I was cautious with my first long run. Now that I know I’m good to go, I’m jumping back in and am ready to rack up more miles once again.

It felt awesome to be able to run 4 miles and there was a piece of me that knew I would have been able to push out another mile if I needed to. So I know I can do about 5 right now — but I should be up to about 7 this week. With the small backslide – my confidence took a nosedive – but after yesterday’s run, it’s back!

I’m ready to go! I’m on the run again…

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Should I Go?

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go

I’ve been really torn whether I should sit it out a little longer, or if I should try to push through and start running again. It’s a hard decision to make when close to 2 weeks after a fall you still have pain and swelling. Do I try to work through it and progress with my running – possibly causing more damage — or do I keep sitting it out until there’s no pain? Tough choices…

I was feeling really down today because I felt like I was falling farther and farther off my training schedule. My discomfort is exactly where it was last week – and nothing has changed.

I decided to test out the waters tonight, and if it stays the same, the heck with it — I’m pushing forward. Here’s the thing…with your tailbone you mostly feel the pain on bending, sitting down or getting up. Walking isn’t a painful process…while if you run which can be a bit jarring, it can cause more swelling which causes more discomfort down the line.

You know what? I ran a mile tonight and I was happy — I felt so good! I don’t know how I’ll feel in the morning, but it felt so good to run again. I never thought I would say those words, but it’s true. I felt free like I was allowed to really move again.

I’m going to ease back in do 1-2 miles a couple times this week and if I can stay consistent without doing more damage, I’m back in the game and will start to increase my mileage again.

I just couldn’t sit sidelined anymore. This coming from a lazy couch potato who never dreamed she’d have become the woman she is becoming…amazing. LOL, of course tomorrow I may not feel this jovial if the swelling has increased, but at this moment – I feel WONDERFUL.

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New Runner Halted

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runs

I’m so darn frustrated. Being a new runner – one of the important things I’ve been developing is a pattern. I’ve been running even if I don’t feel like it – if it’s a day to run. That’s important. It’s a hurdle I’ve had to overcome – keep moving, even when I’m not in the mood. Get my shoes on, even if I’m tired, moody, not “feeling it”, or whatever. What it’s done for me is slowly built in running discipline. I go, because it’s my day to run…

Running has turned to walking this week – because my tailbone is still giving me issues – much more than I anticipated. I’m not a happy camper, that’s for sure. I’m so mad at myself for falling down those darn stairs, because I was doing a chore in a stupid manner. My fault…I was being lazy while I worked around the steps.

Anyway, one of my fears right now is “losing that discipline”. I’m good at knowing I should do something, but I’m also a master genius at procrastination. If I’m not careful, I could trick myself right out of that great habit I build up. That scares me….so for now, I walk. I do a “rolling hills” program on my treadmill and walk – but I ache to run, and I am terrified of backsliding enough to where I fall into a pattern of laziness I’ve known too often in my life.

MUST.KEEP.MOVING….I have a half marathon in under 2 months…whether I run it, or end up having to walk it – I will be there, and I will give it my all – that I can promise.

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New Runner Takes a Fall

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rear

Vacuuming this weekend turned into a gymnastics event as I took a spill down a couple of stairs. I landed square on my rear after some incredible maneuvering on my part (no clue how that happened) – and came down hard on my tailbone on the corner of the bottom step. I was thrilled that I didn’t hurt my legs – but I’m now aware that a bruised tailbone isn’t especially a fun experience.

I’m grateful it wasn’t too bad, and while I may have a bruised bum and ego – my legs are in tact.

What’s interesting about moments like these is that everything slows down. How does that happen anyway? How are we totally aware of every nanosecond in a situation like this, but not say going to the fridge and pouring yourself a glass of milk?

Anyway, what went through my mind in those moments was something like “NOT MY LEGS!” All I’m thinking is I’m in training, ya know?

So last night was my first day to do my scheduled miles (3) after my fall. I froze up and didn’t do them. I was nervous it would hurt. I am not enjoying the process of standing up and down right now, but walking seems to be okay – just not sure I was ready to take on 3 miles. I decided I need to confront this tonight. I’ll be walking, not running, my 3 mile train tonight. I’ll see how I feel after the process and again in the morning. If I feel okay – I’ll be back to my running schedule – and that’s good, seeing as I have a 5 mile run this week!

I realized the word of the week is TENACITY…keep going, be steadfast, hang on…that’s how you get there.

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