To all you runners....

A couple of months ago one of the guys on this board recommended doing a 5K. I think I've talked about it on here before. Anyhow, last Saturday I participated in my first 5K since surgery. I'm almost 14 months out. I'm at my goal and I thought it would be awesome to run in a 5K. So I did some training. I wasn't super diligent about it but got out there a couple times a week for 6 weeks. I finished the race in 41.34

I am having a hard time with being able to keep running.. so.. my question is.. Is there a special way of breathing when your running so you can keep it going longer? Or is this one of those times when you just have to keep at it and eventually your lungs will be able to breath heavy longer? This may sound like a silly question but I was very upset after my run. My 9 (soon to be 10) year old son is going to participate with me in another one at the end of the summer. I'd like to be able to run the entire 5K at that race.. I'll take any tips I can get from experienced runners.. Feel free to PM me or EMAIL me or anything with tips. I figure I've got the rest of May, June, July and August to train so I can run the entire length of the race next time. I was so disappointed with the time I had for this last race.

I did get a lot of encouragement. I mean, I'd have never even imagined running or wanting to run 180+ lbs heavier.

Thanks in advance for any and all advice.

Have I mentioned lately how great this board is! Thanks to all you guys out there that post regularly and provide inspiration to the rest of us.

 

If you're still heavy, it's going to be hard to keep running for a while. Maybe you need to slow down a little. I would definitely keep working at it. Do a lot of long slow distances. Then, at least once a week, go to a track and do 400 meter repeats (1 lap) a little faster than your long run X 8 or even 12. Rest 45 seconds to one minute in between.

Persistance at a slightly faster speed on the track with rest in between will eventually make running longer at a slower speed easier.

Best Wishes,

Dave

Steven, I ran in a 5K and finished middle of the pack about 3 summers ago. Then I went in for my Panniculectomy stopped my running, and have never quite gotten back to it The way I was. For me, a complete/Total NON-Athlete, I did it by doing a little at a time. I was walking 3 miles a day, and looking for a way to be done with my walks quicker. So I would walk 2 ¾ miles and jog/run the last ¼ mile. Then I started walking 1 mile, jogging/running ½ a mile And then finishing out with walking. Bit by bit I did a little more running and a little less walking Until I was able to fullout run 3 miles without even really fighting it. It was a little fun and new so it kept me motivated to do more. Once I stopped however, It was like "losing religion." I couldn’t ever get that "feeling" back for it. I do run/jog ½ a mile or so now just to finish up My walks a little sooner so I can get back to work, But I haven’t been able to get in the groove again. If you are running now? Keep it Up!

Some people have used (very successfully) the plan of- Couch-To-5K-Plan It's full of Tips. At least that’s the one I see folks post about most often. Best Wishes- Dx

Thanks guys.. I am going to keep at it.. I too was a complete and total NON-Athlete. This has been a completely new journey for me. I'm not that heavy anymore. I'm about 188 or so depending on the day. I was really hoping to learn about some new training technique.. but I'll keep up the training and see if it gets better.

I am meeting with my PCP on the 20th and I'll see if my asthma has returned.. Hopefully not.

I'll keep you guys posted...

Another thing that is easier said than done, but if you can do it, may help you to finish the race: Don't go fast the first 1/3 of the race. Start line competition is detrimental to anyone later on, and it's especially bad if you're having difficulty finishing anyway.

Hope this helps,

Dave

Don't be embarrased to run/walk even the 5k distances.  You should try running 5 minutes, walking 2 mintues.  Then after a month try to increase your run ratio.  Eventually you'll find yourself running and enjoying the whole thing.  Good luck. Rob

Here is a repost from a post I made on another thread. I am reading Running for Mortals which is a great book for the beginning runner.  Anyway, I don't have a clue as to what your issue might be but my suggestion is to take some time and see if it gets better.  If if does, it was probably an overuse issue.  Too much too fast.  

As we begin a running routine, the first thing that improves is out cardio vascular system which can show measurable improvement in 3-6 weeks.  The next thing to show improvement is the muscular system which shows in 6-12 weeks.  That means that the areobic system omproves 2 to 4 times faster than the muscular system.  When people feel better with the cardio after only a few weeks, they tend to push themselves harder when the mucsles aren't ready yet.  You have to pace yourself because the muscles need you to.  

Now the skeletal system takes 6-12 MONTHS to go through a cycle of improvement.  Your joints, tendons and bones take a long time to respond to the starting of activity.

Your heart and lungs feel great so you pu**** and make your muscles mad.  After a few weeks they are okay so you pu**** again and now your tendons and ligaments get pissed at you.  The bottom line is that it simply takes time for your body to catch up.

I have just gotten to 250lbs down from 360 in 5 months. I am starting this program today in the gym called Couch to 5k in 9 weeks. Check out this website it seems very do able! http://c25k.com/ I have never ever been a runner in my life, even as a kid I would only run in short spurts never for any length of time.

I loosely followed the couch to 5K program that Scott posted a while ago.

 Thanks though! I am working through it.