Runners -- how did you start?

I too wanted to adopt a more active lifestyle post RNY.  I started by walking immediately after surgery.  After a couple of weeks I was cleared to increase my activity.  At that point in time I started walking with my Golden Retriever, Bayberry.  My rule was that I had to walk fast enough that she had to actually trot, which meant I had to walk slightly faster than my normal walk.  We walked everyday and I didn't notice that I was having to walk faster and faster as Bayberry became more and more fit as well.  Then one day, I realized I just couldn't walk fast enough (I am only 5'1" so I don't have a big stride.) and I looked up at thought I wonder if I can jog to that mailbox and I DID!  This started what has become a new passion for me - running.  Who would have ever thought....I used to think the only reason to run was because someone was chasing you and you were going to die.  I started with the Couch to 5K program (still with Bayberry).  I ran my first full 5K the day before my first surgiversary.  Since that time, I have become an avid follower of Jeff Galloway who uses a run/walk program and have run many 1/2 marathons and 2 full marathons.  I have never been fast and never will be, but it is about finishing the distance for me.  I continue to challenge myself.  This past January I was able to complete the inaugural Disney Dopey Challenge (5K, 10K, 1/2 marathon, and full marathon in 4 consecutive days).  I continue to run a variety of distances and will try to run atleast 1 full marathon each year, but have started to look at  Ultra runs to add longer distances in one day. 

Each year since my first 5K I have created a goal for the year - first 1/2 marathon, as many double medals as I could (things like the Dopey with multiple distance runs on consecutive days), first marathon, etc.  This year my goal is to earn 14 runDisney medals.  I am on target at this point and will finish with Half Marathon Weekend on Labor Day weekend.

I, like you, was intimidated with the idea of going to a running group/ training sessions, etc. and still am.  What I have learned though is the running community is almost as open and supportive as the bariatric community.  I do not run with anyone (except my dogs sometimes) and I find it is a wonderful time for me to clear my thoughts and I have a lot of time to think through a lot of things depending on the day.

Best wishes to you.  I strongly recommend that you look up Jeff Galloway.  He has many apps for a variety of distances and many books.  He is VERY supportive of the bariatric community.  (He was actually an overweight kid growing up.)  I have met him on several occasions and he sincerely wants to help  people succeed and meet their goals.

Perhaps that was your Golden Retriever in some of your photos?  Very cute!  I don't think my Shih Tzu will cooperate with running.

Your story makes all of this seem so doable.  Thanks for sharing it.  My surgery is in exactly one week and I'm taking all of the suggestions I can get and figuring out how to incorporate them post surgery.  And I'll definitely be looking up Jeff Galloway.

I haven't looked at my pictures on OH in a longtime, but I have one of Bayberry that I am going to add, b/c if she is not there she certainly should be!  :-)

Okay, so I would have to agree that your sweet Shih Tzu is probably not the best running partner! (Although she/he definitely would be a good partner on your beginning short walks and will keep you motivated and up and walking your first couple of weeks post surgery when you are encouraged to walk frequently, but not cleared to exercise yet.) Maybe you live near someone with a dog with lots of energy (larger dog - most sporting breads) maybe the owner would pay you a little something for taking their dog for a jog. That would be awesome, a complete win-win!
Another thing that I have found great, is to listen to self-help, encouragement, meditation books while you walk.  I am not much of a reader, but I really dislike being read to even more.  I discovered that walking/running is the only time my mind really just wanders and I have completely random thoughts and it is great therapy.  If I listened to "self help" books my walks helped me reflect on my life and what are my goals.

How exciting one week til the beginning of the rest of you life!  Way to be proactive in thinking about the lifestyle changes that will need to happen to help make your journey the best it can be.  One of the best advice I heard prior to my surgery was to go thru all of my cabinets, refrig, freezer, etc. and look at EVERY label.  If it does not fit into what will be your new relationship with food get rid of it. (not enough protein, high fat percentage, too many carbs, high sugar/sugar alcohols, etc.) Then make a commitment to yourself that you will not bring those things back in your house.  I live by myself so I didn't have to think of other family members, which I understand how this may be difficult with a big family.  On the other hand, I do have friends over to my house and they all know that I do not have potato chips, cake, soda, etc. and they have all adjusted to bringing their own and they know to take the left overs with them! The other thing I have learned (and you are already starting) make sure to schedule "YOU TIME."  I do not mean relaxation time, but time in your calendar to plan your meals, schedule your walks, etc.  Like everyone, my calendar is full of meetings, deadlines, things I needed to do for other people, etc. and I would never things of cancelling an appointment with someone else, but I let all of those things run non-stop.  If I did not schedule (and I don't mean plan it into your day.  I mean set an appointment time and physically write it in your calendar, set a reminder, etc) I would get bogged down with things and the first thing that I skipped was my walk, yoga, etc.b/c the only person impacted by not doing that was me and that was okay.  WRONG!  To this day, I look at the upcoming week and decide what days and times I am going to run, lift, etc. and I write it into my agenda.   Then I treat it just like I would an appointment with my boss. I wouldn't dare cancel! 

My journey has not been the smoothest for me by any means, but each of the challenges have only reconfirmed by commitment to make this the best journey I possibly can.  You CAN and will do this!  The surgery gives you a tool and although your surgeon has give you a basic owner's manual, it is your job to customize the owners manual to make the tool work the best it can!  One step at a time!

Jeff Galloway is AMAZING.  I love him.  At the Tower of Terror expo last year, I got to thank him for encouraging us to just go run.  That walk breaks are fine, and actually serve a purpose, helping you to cover more ground.  I'm slow, but I did the DL 10k with diverticulitis and hemorrhoids.  Every thing since then, including the surgeries, has seemed easier by comparison.  :)

My husband is now an avid runner.  I'm hoping to join him.  He did Dopey, too.  His first marathon was the Disney 20th.  He wanted that medal! 

Wow!  Diverticulitis and hemorrhoids I can only imagine how uncomfortable that was.  I can totally understand the idea that everything is easy in comparison.  It is good to get the rough one first! It is great that you have your husband for advice from his running experiences.  One of the hardest thing for me was figuring out what I can eat before, during, and after!

Best of luck to you!  Maybe we will run into each other at a run!

My husband is a ROCK STAR, and teaches me every day what kindness is about.  (I also just took a percocet cause I overdid it today.)

We'll be at the same event some time when I start running.  On a lark, I looked up all of the current races to see if I could sign up to give myself a goal.  There are a lot of races here in the Bay Area, but I wanna do Disney races!  They keep getting more and more popular!  All full.  That is, unless I wanna do the Marathon...or GOOFY, in January.  I was thinking more of a half!  We've agreed not to do family trips for January, because he has to be too selfish (his words) with his running time.  It's just not fun for me and the kids when he has that much running to do...

My husband went from couch potato to marathoner in 12 months.  It wasn't something he set out to do.  Like someone posted below: it all started with a walk to the corner... 

He started walking.  Then, did Couch to 5k...5ks...10ks...10 milers...and pushing really hard, a marathon.  Now, he runs 200-250 miles/month.

Start slow.  The Couch to 5k program is amazing.  I've done it.  There is nothing like the feeling of accomplishment when that 20 min run that you see in the weeks ahead arrives, and you can do it!  And it feels fine!  The process works.  I highly recommend you check it out.  There are apps that will let you add your own music and it gives you audio cues to walk/run.  Once I'm feeling better, I'm going to start from square one again.  (derailed by Lyme disease and diverticulitis the other times I tried.)

Just this morning I told a friend at work about my impending surgery.  She is super fit -- always running, in the gym, and we occasionally take a yoga class together.  I had assumed that because she runs it has always been easy for her.  It was reassuring to hear that she wasn't a huge fan at first and it was in fact quite difficult.  But she worked through it.  And she offered to run with me to help me work through it.  The great thing is I really feel her offer was genuine and that she would in fact be super patient with this beginner.  She was so positive about the surgery in general.  She couldn't stop saying what a great thing I'm doing for myself and it was quite a boost.  Great friends really are the best!