[myhoagie02]

Training for one is not easy, but it's not impossible. Take it from me....it can be done.

Five years ago if you would have asked me to run....anywhere....I would have told you I could only do it if my life was in danger. I'm an ex-smoker, I partied too hard in college and I've never played any sports...ever.

As age crept up on me and my middle started spreading...I started to run. First it was walk for 5 minutes, jog for one minute. Over time I got to where I could do 1 mile at a time then 2 miles and eventually 3 miles. For TWO years, I couldn't manage to get any farther than 3 miles....until a friend talked me into running a half marathon with her.

I first signed up for a 5k which went well. Then I got a training plan and a goal (a $60 registration fee for the race was a pretty good incentive for me to RUN!) I was running several miles/week in no time.

I managed to get a knee injury which I recovered from before the race, but I ran with shin splints for two months and didn't recover from those until a month after the race. I also was unhappy about my performance the day of the race, but I finished it. I didn't finish the race by my goal time of 2 hours and 30 minutes, I stopped to walk many times and I got the worst calf cramps I've ever endured. Looking back I realized what I did wrong and what I didn't do at all.

I've since completed another half marathon and met both my goals. I never thought I could do. Having completed two half marathons, I've got my eye on running a full marathon. I also have renew confidence in myself and anytime I'm faced with a challenge, I think back on what I thought I never could accomplish and did. It's a great feeling.

I'm not an expert, but I've learned from trial and error. Needs some motivation? Advice? Ask me. It's always good to have a "pal" when you're training for a race.

[mathnut]

Congratulations on your half-marathon accomplishments!! I too was a non-runner until I finished having babies and couldn't get the weight off. Like you, I started walking, then run-walking, then running. 5k's were a great motivator and I eventually signed up with the Leukemia Society to run a marathon. That was 10 years ago! I'm still running, but I haven't done any more marathons (my knees can't take it). If you haven't looked into joining the TNT, I recommend it. (I think there are teams for other ailments, too.) They set me up with a coach and a running schedule to make it to the big day. We had meetings periodically with guest speakers like chiropractors and shoe specialists and I learned so much. Plus, it's a great cause to raise money for. Good luck in meeting your next goal!!

[myhoagie02]

Originally Posted by mathnut

If you haven't looked into joining the TNT, I recommend it. (I think there are teams for other ailments, too.)

Thanks, mathnut! I have looked into TNT, but don't have any chapters nearby. Fortunately, a local running store does marathon training each year.

Sent from my iPhone using AFullCup

[Lululover97]

I think it would be fun to do a marathon! The only things that stop me are: 1) i am not a fast runner. I have really long legs and like to run but i am constantly slower than others. 2) athsma. I have athsma and cant run for more than a minute or so without stopping and being out of breath. I run/walk 1-2 miles every day but still seems to do no good. Any advice?

[myhoagie02]

Originally Posted by Lululover97

I think it would be fun to do a marathon! The only things that stop me are: 1) i am not a fast runner. I have really long legs and like to run but i am constantly slower than others. 2) athsma. I have athsma and cant run for more than a minute or so without stopping and being out of breath. I run/walk 1-2 miles every day but still seems to do no good. Any advice?

Lululover97 - there are many people that run/walk marathons. I don't know much about asthma and running. I wouldn't worry about how fast you can run. I don't run that fast. I probably run 11:30 min/mile.

[Lululover97]

Ahmmm... I run about a 14 minute mile... :cough:

[mathnut]

That's fine Lulu. Most people don't enter marathons to win, but to finish. You can always try a half-marathon first.

[Lululover97]

I very well may!

[richiesbaby]

4 years ago I was 220 lbs and gaining when I saw a pic of myself and cried. Everything hit home!... I have always loved walking, so thats what I did!... I started dropping weight down to 190!... Then a friend of mine invited me to join a series of 3 5k's ( you challenge yourself to better your own time)... I thought great I can do this... After all I am running on the treadmill 3 miles... This should be easy!.... My first 5k I ran about 1/8th of a mile and thought... WHAT DID I GET MYSELF INTO!!? ... (big difference between a treadmill and outside I found out LOL) I finished my first run in 45 min. By the time I did my last run I was able to complete it in 33 min. I think... I have since dropped down to 150 lbs... and after 10 mos off have gained back 12 lbs.... I began running again this morning (found a safe place to run outside...) MAN DOES IT FEEL GOOD TO BE BACK! I didn't realize how much I missed it!.... All this to say I am 48 yrs old and can do this.... Try it...You may just surprise yourself!

[mathnut]

Congrats on the weight loss Richiesbaby!! And good luck getting back into it.

[richiesbaby]

Thanks Mathnut!