Ok so I was banded on June 18th and I am in full swing of the workout phase. I walk every evening, and My goal is to be a runner. Let me fill you in and tell you that growing up I was athletic, I played softball all through school and was really pretty good. Yes I know everyone says that but I was pretty decent. So the point is I used to be athletic but I was never a runner, and I have always dreamed of being a runner. My sister went through lap band about 2 yrs ago and ran a marathon last year, and missed running it this year because she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She is almost done with chemo and wants to run again. My goal is to be able to run with her next year ( and keep up). So my question is: HOW DO I BECOME A RUNNER??? My atheltic days seem to be slipping my mind...help me out here please.. Any advice is appreciated!

I ran before surgery. 2-3 miles a day. Not a marathon but I weighed 230 lbs at 5 feet tall. I was banded on 6/7 and have started running again. I run intervals with walking. That's how most marathon runners train. I have several friends who are runners as well. Start small. Run 1 minute walk 2 minutes. Do this for 20 minutes. Build up your stamina and wind. I'm back up to 2 miles but I've also added 5 miles on the bike

Ag: seems we are close in measurements. I am 5 ft and I started at 234. I just hit the 218 mark today! I totally slacked last week and got off course with exercise and I am paying for it dearly!!! I have started trying the run/walk theory and seem to do ok, but man I am sooo out of shape! a minute seems like forever when I am huffing and puffing and pounding the pavement! I think I need to give it time and keep at it! Thanks for the advice, was thinking that might be the right track to take! Congrats on the weight loss and exercise goals! Best of Luck in your journey!!

thanks dreaming, pm me anytime! I thnk it helps that I ran before surgery as well.

I am not a Jillian Michaels fan but I do love her quote " If your not dying, barfing or passing out, keep going" I'm paraphrasing so forgve me if I'm a bit off.

I am very competitive so I keep that saying in my head. And it does help, sometimes you just push through and find reserves you never thought you had!

oh and I have pictures posted n the Junebugs social page. I helps me stay honest f I know folks are seeing me in my spandex and bra!

google walking to running training sites. Nike plus coach has a good site as well. Huge hugs to your sister. What a great example she is. I applaud both of you for your courage.

I saw the pic in your profile, youre gorgeous! good luck

Me too. I've been an athlete my entire life. Even broke my leg 3 years ago playing in a softball championship.

Runners World mag has a webpage the is for the public on training to run. It's title has something to do with Couch Potato to 5k.

Try a search and see if that helps. I found that it helped me in the past. Also in the newest issue of fitness magazine, there is an article on getting ready for a 5k or a 10 k.

Couch to 5K

Cool Running :: The Couch-to-5K Running Plan

Couch to 5K

Cool Running :: The Couch-to-5K Running Plan

Thanks for doing the research!!! I used this when I was running and I need to break it out again to get back into the swing.

Couch to 5K is amazing. They have podcasts that you can download to your ipod and it will tell you when to run and when to walk.

I want to chime in and echo -- Couch-To-5K is where it's at! :grouphug:

Your body is stronger than you think. For me, starting any moderate impact exercise is the worst...the first 5 or so minutes I have myself believing I'm dying...then I sort of go over the hump, my body's endorphins kick in and I'm good to go! And the high I always feel afterwards is totally worth it. I'm looking forward to increasing my exercising too and at least, jogging around my mom's neighborhood (we live in the country so I can't jog around our house).

Blessings, Michelle

I want to be a runner too!!! I am still waiting for a surgery date as of right now and cant wait!! I was also pretty athletic growing up , cheerleader and softball player. Never ran though! But I D-R-E-A-M of being a runner and running a 5k 10k and half marathon. My brother and his fiance are big runners and they say the feeling you get when you complete one of these is the MOST amazing and gratifying feeling you can ever experience. I cant wait to start training. Let me know how you are doing...good luck!!!!

I'm with you in the wanting to be a runner thing. In high school I did softball and hockey and even though I was about 150-160 with lots of muscle, I had large breast and could never run with out feeling like my stride was messed up and my breast hurt. I had a reduction a few years after I graduated, but by then I was out of work out mode. I think it is hard for people who always got exercise through sports to realize how important it is to begin a work out routine when high school is over! Esp people who would have been fat were it not for being in a sport year round,

anyway I just downloaded couch to 5k yesterday and I am looking forward to being able to really run / jog for 25-30 min. on the ground, which I found out recently is NOTHING like the treadmil!! I have been doing good on the treadmil walking for 5 min and jogging for 5 min but when I tried it with my kids at the park I could hardly jog for 2 min :grouphug:

anyway good luck and my goal is to do our local 5k run / walk for breast cancer

I was never athletic in high school. I've been overweight since I hit puberty. So running a 5K was a huge goal I had when I chose to have surgery. I started the C25K program March 8th (at 209 lbs) and ran my first 5K May 8th. Since then I've ran 4 more 5K's, an 8K and I'm signed up for a 10K in October.

I highly recommend the Couch to 5K program. It's made me a runner!