Going from fat to running a marathon - Advice and tips

[MadMac]

Nah, but I think it's down to gait and luck more than anything that people do. There have been a few studies that have shown that runners are less likely to have joint problems, but to me that's self selecting - if you are predisposed to getting sore joints, you're unlikely to keep running as an activity.

I would also add that wearing correct footwear is extremely important. I'm over pronating [I know that now] but in the beginning I had few issues with soles and joints as I was running in 'neutral' shoes. A trip to Athlete's Foot and they checked out my feet and gave me recommendation, picked a pair or Asics GT's which are with higher arch support and all my niggles disappeared. They don't last very long though, 8 months and I had to change them. Wearing Asics Kayano now, which are even better.

 

[Taylor]

Would a podiatrist be able to offer a more "fitting" solution?

 

[MadMac]

Would a podiatrist be able to offer a more "fitting" solution?

I'd say in certain cases yes. Mate of mine has flat feet and he had troubles walking for an extended period, never mind running. He had to go and see a specialist and ended up with custom made insoles that he then puts in his shoes. Apparently cost him around $300 just for the insoles.

I don't have flat feet but my natural walking motion is what they call over pronating, as in my feet roll inwards a bit when landing. When I went to Athlete's Foot, they got me to walk on some rubber that's hooked up to a computer which recorded my foot print while in motion. Like I said, after that, they pointed me to the section that had shoes for over pronators and that was it.

 

[PoopingHindi]

I'd say in certain cases yes. Mate of mine has flat feet and he had troubles walking for an extended period, never mind running. He had to go and see a specialist and ended up with custom made insoles that he then puts in his shoes. Apparently cost him around $300 just for the insoles.

I don't have flat feet but my natural walking motion is what they call over pronating, as in my feet roll inwards a bit when landing. When I went to Athlete's Foot, they got me to walk on some rubber that's hooked up to a computer which recorded my foot print while in motion. Like I said, after that, they pointed me to the section that had shoes for over pronators and that was it.

if you're looking to get fitted for running shoes i'd go to a specialty running store rather than Athlete's Foot.
they will at least put you on a treadmill to analyze your footstrike and gait. (footstrike while walking and running are completely different so im not sure what good that little rubber mat is)

some are staffed by podiatry students and one or two even have a podiatrist on staff. do some some research, find a good one and dont put too much credence in what the sales assistant from Athlete's Foot tells you.

 

[MadMac]

if you're looking to get fitted for running shoes i'd go to a specialty running store rather than Athlete's Foot.
they will at least put you on a treadmill to analyze your footstrike and gait. (footstrike while walking and running are completely different so im not sure what good that little rubber mat is)

some are staffed by podiatry students and one or two even have a podiatrist on staff. do some some research, find a good one and dont put too much credence in what the sales assistant from Athlete's Foot tells you.

Thanks for the good advice mate. I guess I never really thought about it. In a way it worked for me, so I might have just been lucky as those GT2000 suited me perfect. Had a bit of a read on the net and decided to 'upgrade' to Kayanos and those are even better. Easily the best runners I ever wore. That said, I'll certainly check out a specialty store next time as my weight and body changed a lot in the last 12 months.

Anyone know or recommend any in Perth, btw.

 

[GPW1]

Didn't want to start a new thread, and it kinda fits here - have a 10k fun run coming up in 2 weeks. Currently I've been running 3 or 4kms in my lunch break about 3 times per week and a longer 5-7km run on the weekend. (Also do weights 3 times a week).
How should I be looking at training for the next two weeks leading up to the run? Keep doing what I'm doing? Drop the weights? Shorter distances?
My goal is to beat last years time which was about 58mins for the 10k. When I run I feel as though I should be able to do it quicker than last year, but for some reason I'm nervous as hell. Maybe a bit of fear of failing.

Any tips would be appreciated.

 

[PoopingHindi]

Didn't want to start a new thread, and it kinda fits here - have a 10k fun run coming up in 2 weeks. Currently I've been running 3 or 4kms in my lunch break about 3 times per week and a longer 5-7km run on the weekend. (Also do weights 3 times a week).
How should I be looking at training for the next two weeks leading up to the run? Keep doing what I'm doing? Drop the weights? Shorter distances?
My goal is to beat last years time which was about 58mins for the 10k. When I run I feel as though I should be able to do it quicker than last year, but for some reason I'm nervous as hell. Maybe a bit of fear of failing.

Any tips would be appreciated.

im guessing you already have the pace to go sub 58, its just a matter of being able to hold it for long enough, so i'd be working on the endurance side of things

weights should be ok providing your body doesnt feel fatigued and i wouldnt do a leg day before your longer runs.
if you're super serious about race day you could drop the weights in the last week just to rest up a bit.

2 weeks doesnt give you much time but i'd do 2 of those weekday runs at well under your target race pace (sub 5.30 ks if possible) and try to get in a couple of long slower runs at closer to race distance.

 

[Willo_]

You get a tight back/neck when you walk?

How did you pick that up?

 

[Taylor]

How did you pick that up?

It was just a feeling.

 

[Willo_]

It was just a feeling.

I am seriously impressed

 

[AFDogs]

I was in a similar situation. I was 118kgs at my heaviest (6'3 in height) an am now down to 103kgs. Would still like to be a lot slimmer so I've actually started playing footy for the first time in my life.

It gets me running with friends, whom motivate you to push yourself. It is enjoyable (running towards something like a footy, or trying to chase someone down so much more fun than just simply running) and I'm really glad I've started.

That's my tip. I'm slowly building fitness and doing it in a fun, competitive way.

 

[Willo_]

So figured this thread was as good to bump as any, instead of starting a new one..

With the Melbourne Marathon yesterday, I completed my first ever race doing the 10k yesterday after 10 weeks ago deciding to stop making excuses and get healthy. My goal was an hour (having never done it before) and i was stoked to come in just under 57 mins.

Loved it, didn't skip on training - initially followed the C210k program but a few weeks out mixed it up going for longer runs on a Sunday and mixing in some hill runs and higher speed runs, changed my diet and lifestyle.. And started to enjoy running and the mental refresh it gives. Already have decided I'm doing the half marathon next year.

Did anyone else run? How did you go? Has anyone got tips from stretching out to the 21k... I did go for one run in my training that was 16k albeit very slowly.

I think one thing I enjoyed as much as anything is just how supportive the running community is, I had lots of self doubt about how I run etc.. To the point I prefer running at night or early morning where I feel like I won't be judged.. But every runner I have met is nothing but encouraging and supportive.. Really is brilliant.

 

[kickazz]

So figured this thread was as good to bump as any, instead of starting a new one..

With the Melbourne Marathon yesterday, I completed my first ever race doing the 10k yesterday after 10 weeks ago deciding to stop making excuses and get healthy. My goal was an hour (having never done it before) and i was stoked to come in just under 57 mins.

Loved it, didn't skip on training - initially followed the C210k program but a few weeks out mixed it up going for longer runs on a Sunday and mixing in some hill runs and higher speed runs, changed my diet and lifestyle.. And started to enjoy running and the mental refresh it gives. Already have decided I'm doing the half marathon next year.

Did anyone else run? How did you go? Has anyone got tips from stretching out to the 21k... I did go for one run in my training that was 16k albeit very slowly.

I think one thing I enjoyed as much as anything is just how supportive the running community is, I had lots of self doubt about how I run etc.. To the point I prefer running at night or early morning where I feel like I won't be judged.. But every runner I have met is nothing but encouraging and supportive.. Really is brilliant.

Great story, that is a pretty good time for a first attempt if you ask me.

Normally do a 12k this time each year but can't this year, am just starting training again now.

Mixing in hills and the longer slower runs is the key, that and interval training. If you just kept on doing 5 - 8 k runs at pace I find you tend to plateau a bit.

 

[Bigjobss]

Good advice above, mix it up a little. I love hill work.

Keep running consistently, pay attention to your body and dont skimp on recovery and stretching/massage. Foam rollers are great.
Slow build your distance too, just keep running and enjoying yourself and every now and then add a kilometer to one of your runs.
No need to rush unless you have a race in mind or you WANT an injury!

I have been doing a half marathon every weekend for the last 3-4 months and it took me a couple years to get to the point so that I can now do it and pull up fresh as a daisy. I never trained for an event or anything like that I just kept running consistently when not weights training and it kinda happened.
Most important thing is to smile, if it doesnt make me smile I slow down, speed up, take a rest day...or week.

 

[GPW1]

Didn't want to start a new thread, and it kinda fits here - have a 10k fun run coming up in 2 weeks. Currently I've been running 3 or 4kms in my lunch break about 3 times per week and a longer 5-7km run on the weekend. (Also do weights 3 times a week).
How should I be looking at training for the next two weeks leading up to the run? Keep doing what I'm doing? Drop the weights? Shorter distances?
My goal is to beat last years time which was about 58mins for the 10k. When I run I feel as though I should be able to do it quicker than last year, but for some reason I'm nervous as hell. Maybe a bit of fear of failing.

Any tips would be appreciated.

Wow, a blast from the past post.

For anyone that cares, I've kept up my running and have completed a marathon and regularly do 20-30km trail runs. I've mostly been focusing on the longer stuff but my 10km PB is about 47 minutes.

 

[Willo_]

So figured this thread was as good to bump as any, instead of starting a new one..

With the Melbourne Marathon yesterday, I completed my first ever race doing the 10k yesterday after 10 weeks ago deciding to stop making excuses and get healthy. My goal was an hour (having never done it before) and i was stoked to come in just under 57 mins.

Loved it, didn't skip on training - initially followed the C210k program but a few weeks out mixed it up going for longer runs on a Sunday and mixing in some hill runs and higher speed runs, changed my diet and lifestyle.. And started to enjoy running and the mental refresh it gives. Already have decided I'm doing the half marathon next year.

Did anyone else run? How did you go? Has anyone got tips from stretching out to the 21k... I did go for one run in my training that was 16k albeit very slowly.

I think one thing I enjoyed as much as anything is just how supportive the running community is, I had lots of self doubt about how I run etc.. To the point I prefer running at night or early morning where I feel like I won't be judged.. But every runner I have met is nothing but encouraging and supportive.. Really is brilliant.

So to update on this...

I have my first half marathon in 3 weeks, shitting bricks quietly but I think I've put in the work I needed, missed a couple of weeks training with illness and injury but really I've nailed 10.5 weeks out of 13 so far, I've lowered my 5 and 10k PB's and my overall pace is steadily improving, I've also dropped 10kg since I started running and have basically changed up my lifestyle.

 

[Willo_]

Tomorrow is the big day (or big run)!!

 

[RU_]

Good luck today!

 

[Willo_]

So I did it, a few mins slower than what i was hoping for which was disappointing, coming in at 2hours 10... about the 16-18k mark it got really hard and i was thinking that maybe doing half marathons wasn't for me.

A couple of days later i don't feel too sore and am already planning the next one i attack... go figure

 

[tangolikelama]

Haven't really ran for a few years but completed a few 21km's and 15kms in the past. Going to start training for the Melbourne marathon next week, giving myself a 16 week training block with 4 de-load weeks, then i'm off to Europe for a month in June. Then will have July, August and September to really hit the straps. Never done a full marathon before, i'm excited and nervous. My body has gone through hell the past few years from illness/depression - 78kg > 140kg > 92kg (now) hoping to get down to 78-80kg by the race. Biggest concern is injury obviously.. any tips appreciated.

 

[King Patty]

Given your running and cycling history it sounds like you know what to do with exercise, just need to watch the diet.

training for a marathon is pretty simple
- easy run, speed session easy runs, mid week long run, easy run, park run, sunday long run,
Would try and aim to build up to at least 50kms a week. I think I did my first marathon on that mileage.
IF your feeling not great swap out a easy run with some cross training - swimming / cycling, or have a rest day
stay injury free, manage niggles - stretch, foam roll.
Gradually build up mileage
and have a easier week once a month.

try and do a couple of 30km+ runs before the marathon if possible.