Running...

[Rookie]

You have 1 year to prepare which should be more than enough. Try doing the smaller things that can have an impact and ease yourself into things. things that you can make a start on:

• if you drive to work then park the car a little further away so that you have to walk further (walking an extra 15 minutes to work will not kill you).
• take the stairs instead of the lift
• go for a fast paced walk (2 miles or so) approx 3 times per week
• go swimming - easier on the joints
• reduce your beer intake to shift a few pounds
• try to cut out the junk food you consume - eat more fruit and veg.

Small things like this should make a difference. Good luck - you can do it!!!

[moorfield]

The Predicament

I'm overweight by about 2 stone, have done no excercise for 2+ years, and have no idea where to start!!

There have been a few threads recently regarding running gadgets and the like...so I'm looking for advice on where to start (and something more constructive that get your fat arse onto the pavement Brian!), and how to keep the enthusiasm up...I get bored very easily!!!!

TIA

Get yourself an mp3 player and start with these podcasts.

Couch to 5K

5K -> 8K

I used these to start, found them really useful, now running regular 8-10Ks quite comfortably. Lost a fair amount of the gut too.

You need to keep it up 3 times a week and if you're serious about doing the marathon you need to start NOW and aim to do a 10K by Sept / Oct.

[Clippy]

If you're serious, pop down to your local JJB Sports in about Aug/Sep and pick up an application pack. There's a complete training plan in there for the absolute novice.

It worked for me, I was about 3 stone overweight in September 1999, applied for the London Marathon, absolutly tulipped myself when I got accepted, but followed the plans as well as peoples advice (running club members/Specialist running shop staff have a wealth of knowledge), and completed the 2000 London Marathon in just over 3.5 hours.

Was one of the best things I ever did!!!

How much of the excess 3st did you lose and have you put it back on?

[TheBigD]

How much of the excess 3st did you lose and have you put it back on?

In total, I lost about 3.5 stone. I was well under the 'overweight' section of the BMI scale.

I did put some back on, and so I've tried to set myself challenges to keep me motivated. I've done this three times now, and is good for keeping me focused on getting out and excercising.

At the moment, I'm probably carrying a little excess timber, but I've been a heck of a lot healthier in the 9 years since I did the marathon

[FSM with Cheddar]

Get yourself an mp3 player and start with these podcasts.

Couch to 5K

5K -> 8K

I used these to start, found them really useful, now running regular 8-10Ks quite comfortably. Lost a fair amount of the gut too.

Looks like a good plan. I tried running for the first time (since school) yesterday, and was totally knackered after 5 minutes.

[Mich the Tester]

The Scene

GF Snail and I were sat eating breakfast yesterday, the TV is on in the background with the London marathon on.

The Conversation

Me - <shovels in a mouthfull of bacon, with a bit of egg and toast> I bet I could do that!
GF Snail - HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA...
Me - Burp! I could!!!!
GF Snail - HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA...
Me - I will!
GF Snail - HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA...Go on then.
Me - Okay then....oh tulip.....!

The Predicament

I'm overweight by about 2 stone, have done no excercise for 2+ years, and have no idea where to start!!

There have been a few threads recently regarding running gadgets and the like...so I'm looking for advice on where to start (and something more constructive that get your fat arse onto the pavement Brian!), and how to keep the enthusiasm up...I get bored very easily!!!!

TIA

Without wanting to seem rude, I'm interested as to what kind of build you have. I say that because I see a lot of people choosing a sport for which they're completely physically unsuited. Big lumpy fat guys seating and panting along the road trying to run 20 kms, or little thin people who spend hours on the weights trying to turn themselves into Arnie.

Choose a sport for which you're naturally built and you'll have much more chance of success. If you're a big chunky type then marathon running probably isn't the best choice; try something where your strength will be an advantage, like judo, a tug of war team or other strength type sports. If you're a naturally thin person, running might be great. Otherwise, a person of average build who wants to shed some fat might be better cycling, hill walking or canoeing. Personally I wouldn't even consider long distance running, because even though I'm fit (I train 4-5 times per week), I'm just not built for it and it will make my joints and back hurt like hell. Surely it's better to go and try a sporting challenge where your body will naturally be an advantage, or at least, not a hindrance?

[snaw]

Without wanting to seem rude, I'm interested as to what kind of build you have. I say that because I see a lot of people choosing a sport for which they're completely physically unsuited. Big lumpy fat guys seating and panting along the road trying to run 20 kms, or little thin people who spend hours on the weights trying to turn themselves into Arnie.

Choose a sport for which you're naturally built and you'll have much more chance of success. If you're a big chunky type then marathon running probably isn't the best choice; try something where your strength will be an advantage, like judo, a tug of war team or other strength type sports. If you're a naturally thin person, running might be great. Otherwise, a person of average build who wants to shed some fat might be better cycling, hill walking or canoeing. Personally I wouldn't even consider long distance running, because even though I'm fit (I train 4-5 times per week), I'm just not built for it and it will make my joints and back hurt like hell. Surely it's better to go and try a sporting challenge where your body will naturally be an advantage, or at least, not a hindrance?

Well, one of my very good mates is Buddha shaped, to say the least. He's got the most unlikely marathon running body you've ever seen, btu he regularily does runs marathons and last year he ran all four British Capital City marathons for charity (Think is was in the space of 3 months).

So I'd take what Mich says with a pinch of salt ...

[interested]

Join an athletics club and tell them you're a beginner and you have 1 year to prepare to run a marathon. Alternatively, try these tips

Once you can run 5 kms continually, which you'll probably do within 3 months assuming you're healthy, you can start a marathon training programme which you will find by using the wonders of google.

I'd advise you to start running 3 times a week, twice on soft ground like grass (a sports pitch or local park) and once on hard ground. Once you can comfortably run for half an hour, switch to two runs on hard surface and one on grass. Get some good running shoes too. I've always used Nike Air; expensive, but seeing as I'm 16 stone I need good shoes. Having said that, I never run more than 1 km at a time as my training is more sprint based, for rugby, but the importance of good shoes is the same.

Eat a light meal 2 hours before training; the last thing you need is a big bacon sandwich sapping your energy. After running, eat plenty of pasta, bread or spuds.

Don't be scared, there are lots of people who start running even in their 50s and 60s; try and do a couple of half marathons before you go for the big one. Good luck!

All good advice but go to a running shop (there's one near Victoria St called Run and Become) and get some decent running shoes. They'll get you to jog up and down the pavement and recommend a pair based based on your running style. You'll likely end up with Asics or New Balance rather than Nikes.

[Clippy]

In total, I lost about 3.5 stone. I was well under the 'overweight' section of the BMI scale.

I did put some back on, and so I've tried to set myself challenges to keep me motivated. I've done this three times now, and is good for keeping me focused on getting out and excercising.

At the moment, I'm probably carrying a little excess timber, but I've been a heck of a lot healthier in the 9 years since I did the marathon

Good for you. I'm in the process of losing my spare tyre and it ain't easy, especially as you get older.

Came across this list of fitness websites which may prove handy to anyone in the same boat.

[Cheshire Cat]

don't take this the wrong way, but you're probably on the wrong forum.
If you have a new found interest in running there are hundreds of websites with forums about the subject.
google "running" and you'll find them.
much more likely to get useful advice than on here, but please do update with progress.

Sites I've found to be useful from time to time
http://www.runnersworld.co.uk
http://www.humanrace.co.uk/
http://www.britishtriathlon.org (they do stuff about each individual event too.

Best of luck.