Overwieght runners? Marathon a possibility?

Quoted message said:

Hello,
I am 39 and just started back running. I used to run 3 times a
week for about 15 miles about 10 years ago, but now I go out once
every 6 months for a mile or two. I am about 280 lbs at 5'10" and
have decided to set a goal of running a marathon this year. I'm going
to eat better, and focus on a 5K in a month, then maybe a 10K 2 months
later, and I figure I might drop enough weight to make a marathon at
the end of October (7 months). Is this possible? Are there any other
fatsos like me out there? I can run about 1.5 miles without too much
trouble, and I figure I'd add another half mile every week. Any
pointers? Toughest part is staying motivated and so I am trying to
enter a dialogue with runners if I can. Thanks.

You've made a good start by posting here. There are many others that
share the same goal. In fact, "techguy" comes to mind off the top of the
head - he just posted about his 3rd 5K race today. Check out his
previous posts. Pretty inspiring progress.

The other thing to do would be to post your training log in the weekly
thread here - "Training Week ending [Date]." You'll get good feedback if
you ask for comments about your training. Also check out other posts in
that thread and you might find others that share similar goals.

Good luck,
jobs

Quoted message said:

P.S. I used to be in the service so I am surprised that 280 snuck up
on me after 20 years.... :-)

Snoopy_

--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

"jobs" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
: [email hidden] wrote:
: > Hello,
: > I am 39 and just started back running. I used to run 3 times a
: > week for about 15 miles about 10 years ago, but now I go out once
: > every 6 months for a mile or two. I am about 280 lbs at 5'10" and
: > have decided to set a goal of running a marathon this year. I'm going
: > to eat better, and focus on a 5K in a month, then maybe a 10K 2 months
: > later, and I figure I might drop enough weight to make a marathon at
: > the end of October (7 months). Is this possible? Are there any other
: > fatsos like me out there? I can run about 1.5 miles without too much
: > trouble, and I figure I'd add another half mile every week. Any
: > pointers? Toughest part is staying motivated and so I am trying to
: > enter a dialogue with runners if I can. Thanks.
:
: You've made a good start by posting here. There are many others that
: share the same goal. In fact, "techguy" comes to mind off the top of the
: head - he just posted about his 3rd 5K race today. Check out his
: previous posts. Pretty inspiring progress.
:
: The other thing to do would be to post your training log in the weekly
: thread here - "Training Week ending [Date]." You'll get good feedback if
: you ask for comments about your training. Also check out other posts in
: that thread and you might find others that share similar goals.
:
: Good luck,
: jobs
:
:
: >
: > P.S. I used to be in the service so I am surprised that 280 snuck up
: > on me after 20 years.... :-)
: >
: > Snoopy_
: >
:
: --
: Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

Marathon doable? Yes. Advisable? IMHO, no. It makes sense to get a good
base of running under your belt before setting a marathon goal. 25-30 mpw
sustained is a good place to start when beginning a multi-month marathon
training program. Again, just my thoughts.

Regardless, it's great to hear that you've set a goal to lose weight and
become healthier. Good on ya- stay with it and you'll enjoy the benefits of
more energy, feeling better and buying smaller clothes!

Peace,
Brian

Quoted message said:

Hello,
I am 39 and just started back running. I used to run 3 times a
week for about 15 miles about 10 years ago, but now I go out once
every 6 months for a mile or two. I am about 280 lbs at 5'10" and
have decided to set a goal of running a marathon this year. I'm going
to eat better, and focus on a 5K in a month, then maybe a 10K 2 months
later, and I figure I might drop enough weight to make a marathon at
the end of October (7 months). Is this possible?

Your mindset is completely wrong, and will get you injured.

"Focus" on a 5k in a month. "Focus" on another 5k in another month. Spend the
first year getting better at running 5k/10k.

Gradually increase your training distances and mileage. This will take time,
because you need time to adapt to a given training program before moving up.

After a year or so of this, your 5k and 10k times will be much better, you will
be running more miles, and you will have lost some weight. Even though you're
mostly racing 10k and shorter, your weekly long runs are about 15k or so. Then
you can think about adding half marathons to your repertoire. Training for the
half marathon will give you a good foundation to start marathon training if
that's what you want to do.

Cheers,
--
Elflord

Quoted post said:

Hello,
I am 39 and just started back running. I used to run 3 times a
week for about 15 miles about 10 years ago, but now I go out once
every 6 months for a mile or two. I am about 280 lbs at 5'10" and
have decided to set a goal of running a marathon this year. I'm going
to eat better, and focus on a 5K in a month, then maybe a 10K 2 months
later, and I figure I might drop enough weight to make a marathon at
the end of October (7 months). Is this possible? Are there any other
fatsos like me out there? I can run about 1.5 miles without too much
trouble, and I figure I'd add another half mile every week. Any
pointers? Toughest part is staying motivated and so I am trying to
enter a dialogue with runners if I can. Thanks.

P.S. I used to be in the service so I am surprised that 280 snuck up
on me after 20 years.... :-)

Snoopy_

Will somebody live to 100? Will somebody run a 4" mile?
Sure, these things happen, but rarely.
I estimate your chances of running a marathon in a year to be almost
zero. Your very enthusiasm suggests burnout. We've seen that recently
in this group. People go nuts tweaking every heartbeat and end up back
on the couch where they were for 20 years, but not until they have a
big snack on the way. Then they just disappear from the group here.
Forget about any timetable for a marathon in the foreseeable future.
Concentrate on your weight and becoming a consistent runner at shorter
distances. Consistency is more important than mileage or speed. When
you can run 6-10 miles every day for say six days per week (and enjoy
it), you could begin to consider the marathon.

Running a marathon is great goal.
But I suggest working up to it in 2-3 years
for most people, else you end up with
expensive and painful career ending injuries.
Maybe a 10K race this autumn (1/4 marathon)
and a half next year.

Thanks for all the replies, I am realistic person at heart, the
Marathon is the ultimate goal for me. If it takes two years to get
there that’s okay too, my health, at least that of my knees and ankles
are paramount.

I used to run quite a bit had the odd 15 pairs of old running shoes
in the bottom of the closet :-), I don't know what happened. I am not
the same guy I was when I 10years ago, active duty, running 18-20
miles a week, but I need a goal in front of me to chase, I can’t just
run to be healthy.

I am looking at a 5k as a short term goal. I have 7 weeks to get to
3.1 miles, I run very slow now, but I am more interested in my
endurance and being able to run without stopping; building up my
stamina and breath. I can run a mile now, then walk a little at
completion to cool down. I think if I can add .5 to each week I
should be able to get up to the 5K in 7 weeks. After the 5K, I’ll
build up my mileage again and look to a run a couple of 10Ks, If I
am still able to run, no serious injuries and things feel okay for me,
I will increase mileage again and shoot for the half marathon.

I really thought it take a year to get up to that kind of mileage, but
the marathons I was interested in are in late October, early November
(NYC, Marine Corp).

Thanks for the encouragement, I hope to be here next week 

P.S. I was never interested in the time it took me to complete a race/
run, I always looked at time as how long I could run. 20 minutes, 40
minutes, 60 minutes, etc… Is a wrong notion of running?

Its kind of like saving a million dollars for retirement (in USA).
It seems formidable if you just look at the final goal.
However if you break it up into smaller stages, then each step
seems more achievable. Same thing with marathon from scratch.
Maybe 5K in 3 months, 10K in six months, 21K (half) in one year ...
Adjust one's schedule in how easy it is to reach each stage.

Quoted message said:

Thanks for all the replies, I am realistic person at heart, the
Marathon is the ultimate goal for me. If it takes two years to get

Why is the marathon the "ultimate goal" ?

Why not the 5k, or why not a 50k or even a 100 mile race ?

Marathons are packed with fat slow people who think waddling 26.2 miles
makes them serious runners, whereas the worlds best 5k and 10k runners do 20
milers in training week at about 6 minutes per mile, but don't run marathons.

Cheers,
--
Elflord

"P.S. I was never interested in the time it took me to complete a race/
run, I always looked at time as how long I could run. 20 minutes, 40
minutes, 60 minutes, etc. Is a wrong notion of running?"

Not even a little bit. We all run for different reasons. I now run because
it's good for my head. Keeps me happy, refreshed, energized, etc.

This board is skewed more towards the competitive, I believe. But the point
is, we all run (or wish to, in the case of injuries). How you choose to do
it and what your goals are is up to you. Your only real competition is you.
Always has been.

Good luck, our new friend.

Brian

<[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

I am looking at a 5k as a short term goal. I have 7 weeks to get to
3.1 miles, I run very slow now, but I am more interested in my
endurance and being able to run without stopping; building up my
stamina and breath. I can run a mile now, then walk a little at
completion to cool down. I think if I can add .5 to each week I
should be able to get up to the 5K in 7 weeks.
--------------------------------------------------------

I hope you won't consider any necessary walk breaks either a disgrace or a
reason not to try the 5k (or any other distance), or not to try one again
until you are *sure* you can "run the whole way".

But then I'm an older lady who doesn't have to prove or show off to the
crowd, & I don't care what others think of my running style or my running
gear. I also have regular setbacks -- illness, injury, medical time-outs,
whatever -- so I do a lot of backtracking in my "training program". It's the
perseverance that's important long term. I may never actually make it to
another 10Miler or 1/2Marathon (let alone *any* marathon) but I keep trying
to train up for one.
bj

Elflord said:

Why is the marathon the "ultimate goal" ?
Why not the 5k, or why not a 50k or even a 100 mile race ?

<flame>
Because the former is for pussies, the latter for the certifiably insane.
26.2 is the perfect distance
</flame>

mr.b said:

Elflord said:

Why is the marathon the "ultimate goal" ?
Why not the 5k, or why not a 50k or even a 100 mile race ?

<flame>
Because the former is for pussies,

If Bekele, El G and Roger Bannister are "pussies" and the fat 5hr waddlers
are the real men, then I'm with the pussies.

Quoted message said:

the latter for the certifiably insane.

Well, you got me there!

Quoted message said:

26.2 is the perfect distance

No, the mile is "the perfect distance". All other distances are for pussies.

Cheers,
--
Elflord

Quoted message said:

No, the mile is "the perfect distance". All other distances are for
pussies.

Meow! 🙂

-DF

Quoted message said:

Thanks for all the replies, I am realistic person at heart, the
Marathon is the ultimate goal for me. If it takes two years to get
there that’s okay too, my health, at least that of my knees and ankles
are paramount.

Good approach.

Quoted message said:

I used to run quite a bit had the odd 15 pairs of old running shoes
in the bottom of the closet :-), I don't know what happened. I am not
the same guy I was when I 10years ago, active duty, running 18-20
miles a week, but I need a goal in front of me to chase, I can’t just
run to be healthy.

Good idea to set some shorter goals like you're doing. Something you
might consider if you have the opportunities is to try different kinds
of races - trail, duathlon, triathlons, snowshoe, road, track, estimate
your finish time or constant pace for each lap, flat, hilly, etc.

Quoted message said:

I am looking at a 5k as a short term goal. I have 7 weeks to get to
3.1 miles, I run very slow now, but I am more interested in my
endurance and being able to run without stopping; building up my
stamina and breath. I can run a mile now, then walk a little at
completion to cool down.

That's a good goal to run without stopping, but, as BJ suggested, you
might also consider some walk breaks if they allow you to stay out
longer. For instance, run maybe 10-20 min or so, walk 1-2 min, repeat.
Times are just arbitrary suggestions. The trick is to walk before you
have to, that allows quick recovery, then resumption. That may allow you
to get more running in a particular workout and more total time on legs.
The walk breaks tend to disappear over time as long as you don't get too
regimented about them. Or maybe once a week have one run that you do
with no walk breaks to see where you are.

Maybe I missed it, but I didn't see what your weekly training schedule
looks like - in particular, how many days are you running for how long
(duration) and whether you're doing anything else like biking, xc
skiing, swimming, etc. Hilly hikes will also help you toward your goal.

Quoted message said:

I think if I can add .5 to each week I
should be able to get up to the 5K in 7 weeks.

Take your time and listen to your body as to what it can handle.
Remember to keep your runs at conversational effort, if you can, to
build your aerobic base.

After the 5K, I’ll

Quoted message said:

build up my mileage again and look to a run a couple of 10Ks, If I
am still able to run, no serious injuries and things feel okay for me,
I will increase mileage again and shoot for the half marathon.

Good way to progress.

Quoted message said:

I really thought it take a year to get up to that kind of mileage, but
the marathons I was interested in are in late October, early November
(NYC, Marine Corp).

Thanks for the encouragement, I hope to be here next week 

We hope so too.

Quoted message said:

P.S. I was never interested in the time it took me to complete a race/
run, I always looked at time as how long I could run. 20 minutes, 40
minutes, 60 minutes, etc… Is a wrong notion of running?

Many runners pay more attention to time and maybe intensity
(conversational effort with full sentences to start, but maybe shorter
sentences later after you've built some base). The body's physiological
responses are to time and intensity.

Good luck on your journey! And good on you for starting a new life style.

Dot

--
"The goal is training and adaptation, not destruction and injury."
- John Hardy
http://www.mountainrunning.coolrunning.com.au/misc/training.shtml

Quoted post said:

Hello,
I am 39 and just started back running. I used to run 3 times a
week for about 15 miles about 10 years ago, but now I go out once
every 6 months for a mile or two. I am about 280 lbs at 5'10" and
have decided to set a goal of running a marathon this year. I'm going
to eat better, and focus on a 5K in a month, then maybe a 10K 2 months
later, and I figure I might drop enough weight to make a marathon at
the end of October (7 months). Is this possible? Are there any other
fatsos like me out there? I can run about 1.5 miles without too much
trouble, and I figure I'd add another half mile every week. Any
pointers? Toughest part is staying motivated and so I am trying to
enter a dialogue with runners if I can. Thanks.

P.S. I used to be in the service so I am surprised that 280 snuck up
on me after 20 years.... :-)

Snoopy_

you will find that the lbs go on faster than they come off. But I
believe if you avoid injury and stick to your plan you should be able
to complete a marathon. My own personal piece of advise would be to
not worry so much about the number on the scale and worry more about
the weekly mileage. As you probably know the higher the MPW, the lower
the lbs!

Good Luck!

John

mr.b said:

Elflord said:

Why is the marathon the "ultimate goal" ?
Why not the 5k, or why not a 50k or even a 100 mile race ?

<flame>
Because the former is for pussies,

<eyebrow raise>

the latter for the certifiably insane.

Quoted message said:

26.2 is the perfect distance
</flame>

</eyebrow raise>

yeah your right breathing hard is much easier that running long and
keeping your heart rate down.

John

I am not a runner, or at least not a racer, I don't think of myself in
that term. Jim Fixx used to say everyone is a runner, I don't
aggree. I don't particularly care about what place I finish or how
fast I go, my mind set is on distance and endurance. That could be a
military mind set, run specified distance, the distance is timed, but
if you use 99.99% of the alotable time, who cares. I completed the
goal, pass/fail.

Why do people climb Mt. Everest, why not Bunker Hill? Why freeze your
fingers off and risk amputation, risk death? I don't know why people
do it, but they are driven to just that.

Now I am not driven, but I always wished I had completed a Marathon,
and it wouldv'e been a lot easier when I was a lot thinner and
younger, but to loose weight, get healthier, this was a goal I thought
I could complete.

Elflord said:

Quoted message said:

Thanks for all the replies, I am realistic person at heart, the
Marathon is the ultimate goal for me. If it takes two years to get

Why is the marathon the "ultimate goal" ?

Why not the 5k, or why not a 50k or even a 100 mile race ?

Marathons are packed with fat slow people who think waddling 26.2 miles
makes them serious runners, whereas the worlds best 5k and 10k runners do 20
milers in training week at about 6 minutes per mile, but don't run marathons.

Cheers,
--
Elflord

Also, I don't mean that a marathon is "the" ultimate goal, I mean to
say that ultimately, the marathon is the goal that I am striving for,
the 5k, 10k are short term goals I will use to achieve it.

Elflord said:

Quoted message said:

Thanks for all the replies, I am realistic person at heart, the
Marathon is the ultimate goal for me. If it takes two years to get

Why is the marathon the "ultimate goal" ?

Why not the 5k, or why not a 50k or even a 100 mile race ?

Marathons are packed with fat slow people who think waddling 26.2 miles
makes them serious runners, whereas the worlds best 5k and 10k runners do 20
milers in training week at about 6 minutes per mile, but don't run marathons.

Cheers,
--
Elflord

Thanks.

My schedule is pretty simple. I try to run three days a week, MWF,
take two off. I am walking a few miles on off days with my wife,
nothing strenous, just to talk about the kids, etc...; it's about a
half mile up hill, same course as my runs :-). Also, after a week I
would like to introduce some strength training on off days, especially
my legs. I never worked my legs out before, but since I am heavier I
am thinking about my abs, back, and supporting muscles for knees,
calves, quads.

As far as not stopping, as long as I have run I never liked
stopping. If I stopped and walked a hundred yards it was always more
difficult to get started again. It was as ig my knees and joints had
tightened. But, if I just kept trudging along I was fine. I don't
like to stop for stomach stiches either, it seems if I run through it
they would subside in about a minute. It could also be the drill
sargent yelling, "don't you quit on me!"

Dot dot.h@#duh?att.net said:

Quoted message said:

Thanks for all the replies, I am realistic person at heart, the
Marathon is the ultimate goal for me.  If it takes two years to get
there that’s okay too, my health, at least that of my knees andankles
are paramount.

Good approach.

Quoted message said:

 I used to run quite a bit  had the odd 15 pairs of old running shoes
in the bottom of the closet :-), I don't know what happened.  I amnot
the same guy I was when I 10years ago, active duty, running 18-20
miles a week, but I need a goal in front of me to chase, I can’t just
run to be healthy.

Good idea to set some shorter goals like you're doing. Something you
might consider if you have the opportunities is to try different kinds
of races - trail, duathlon, triathlons, snowshoe, road, track, estimate
your finish time or constant pace for each lap, flat, hilly, etc.

Quoted message said:

I am looking at a 5k as a short term goal.  I have 7 weeks to get to
3.1 miles, I run very slow now, but I am more interested in my
endurance and being able to run without stopping; building up my
stamina and breath.  I can run a mile now, then walk a little at
completion to cool down. Â

That's a good goal to run without stopping, but, as BJ suggested, you
might also consider some walk breaks if they allow you to stay out
longer. For instance, run maybe 10-20 min or so, walk 1-2 min, repeat.
Times are just arbitrary suggestions. The trick is to walk before you
have to, that allows quick recovery, then resumption. That may allow you
to get more running in a particular workout and more total time on legs.
The walk breaks tend to disappear over time as long as you don't get too
regimented about them. Or maybe once a week have one run that you do
with no walk breaks to see where you are.

Maybe I missed it, but I didn't see what your weekly training schedule
looks like - in particular, how many days are you running for how long
(duration) and whether you're doing anything else like biking, xc
skiing, swimming, etc. Hilly hikes will also help you toward your goal.

Quoted message said:

I think if I can add .5 to each week I
should be able to get up to the 5K in 7 weeks. Â

Take your time and listen to your body as to what it can handle.
Remember to keep your runs at conversational effort, if you can, to
build your aerobic base.

After the 5K, I’ll

Quoted message said:

build up my mileage again and look to a run a couple of 10Ks,   IfI
am still able to run, no serious injuries and things feel okay for me,
I will increase mileage again and shoot for the half marathon.

Good way to progress.

Quoted message said:

I really thought it take a year to get up to that kind of mileage, but
the marathons I was interested in are in late October, early November
(NYC, Marine Corp).

Quoted message said:

Thanks for the encouragement, I hope to be here next week 

We hope so too.

Quoted message said:

P.S.  I was never interested in the time it took me to complete a race/
run, I always looked at time as how long I could run.  20 minutes,40
minutes, 60 minutes, etc…  Is a wrong notion of running?

Many runners pay more attention to time and maybe intensity
(conversational effort with full sentences to start, but maybe shorter
sentences later after you've built some base). The body's physiological
responses are to time and intensity.

Good luck on your journey! And good on you for starting a new life style.

Dot

--
"The goal is training and adaptation, not destruction and injury."
- John Hardyhttp://www.mountainrunning.coolrunning.com.au/misc/training.shtml