I ran my first 5k today in 28 minutes. I was not planning to run much at all and just wanted to see how my feet, knees and ankles would do on the treadmill I have at home.

Up until today, I have been using my elliptical for the last few months, since being cleared for exercise other than walking. I started it out at 4.5 mph and slowly increased it up to 6 mph by about 5 minutes, after the warmup jog. I kept a constant gait and was not huffing and puffing at all, I could carry on a conversation with someone. I really started to feel the burn at around 25 minutes, but kept push myself. In order to prevent injury and preserve energy, I tried to relax my body as much as possible and lean not the run a little. These are tips I picked up from my chai running book that stresses running long distances without injury.

Felt great and no feelings of injury to feet, knees or ankles. After a few weeks of this I may go participate in some public running event. After running, I still had some upper body strength to do some arm and chest training. I shall see how my feet feel tomorrow. They feel great today along with good circulation throughout my legs. No bursitis around my ankles ( was worried a bout this) nor any aches in my knees.

I posted this to encourage others to get out there and push your self with exercise goals, even if you are making them up as you go in an exercise. Your body can do it ( if it is in the right physical shape). I have been mentally blocked for a long time from running or even getting on my treadmill because of a foot reconstruction 2 years ago. Now, if all goes well, I will be running 2-3 times a week for 5k combined with elliptical 2-3 times a week combined with weight training on 2-3 of those overlapping days with cardio.

I have been losing about 2-3 lb a week for last month so hope that running is going to kick my body in gear so I can lose my last 15 -20 lb. Started at 360 at my highest, 335 at surgery and am now 210.

Way to go!

Opps, I tripped and accidently ran a 5K. I can't wait to accidently run a 5k someday!! Awesome exercise progress, congratulations on your success and determination!

Opps' date=' I tripped and accidently ran a 5K. I can't wait to accidently run a 5k someday!! Awesome exercise progress, congratulations on your success and determination![/quote']

Hah, that's a good one. you can do it! I probably would not have been successful if I tried, say, 2 months ago when I was significantly heavier. For me, I think 240 is my cutoff weight where running will cause injuries.

No aches today. A good sign!

I do have a question about eating. My calories are about 600-900 with high Protein, low carb and low fat(5 months out). Should I make changes to this if I am pushing my body with high intensity exercise?

No aches today. A good sign!

I do have a question about eating. My calories are about 600-900 with high protein' date=' low carb and low fat(5 months out). Should I make changes to this if I am pushing my body with high intensity exercise?[/quote']

I definitely upped my carbs and cals. I can feel it if I didn't get enough carbs the day before running. You will feel like there's no gas in the tank with your body if ur not consuming enough. My stride and movements also become sloppy (uncoordinated) and take more effort. Pdxman was a great resource for me. He's helpful and knowledgeable. U might wanna personal message him.

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Damn you piss me off. I've been running for several months and I'm just now getting to that distance, and no where near that fast. I quit. I'm taking my ball and going home.

Damn you piss me off. I've been running for several months and I'm just now getting to that distance' date=' and no where near that fast. I quit. I'm taking my ball and going home.[/quote']

I'm not sure if you are being comedic or really are pissed off. I hope the former rather than the latter. Regardless, do not quit your progress now on running. You have been an inspiration for me since the beginning of my sleeve journey.

Just tongue in cheek mate.

I wanted to follow up on the post and state that I dropped 3 lb when I weighed 2 days later. This was a nice surprise from my usual 2-3 lb a week. This week loss has been 5 lb total. I guess my body needed the little kick in the tushie to let go a little faster.

Wow! 5 pounds in one week is awesome! Running will definitely give you a swift kick in the tushie for sure.

Fiddleman, I am enjoying running so much....I never thought I'd say that. I'm honestly having trouble taking days off between runs. I honestly don't think my body is conditioned to be running long runs every day so I'm trying to build up gradually, but my mind is eager to start running half marathons (or at least a 10K). I've been doing a ton of reading on barefoot running and I've been doing almost all of my running in my Vibram Five Fingers the last couple of weeks. I must say, I'm taking to these shoes like a fish to water. It's not the shoes per se...it's the form you adopt while using them. My knee pains have totally gone away and I'm not huffing and puffing. I don't believe everyone should suddenly go barefoot, but I do believe the barefoot running form is highly beneficial for preventing injuries and allowing one to run pain free.

Fiddleman' date=' I am enjoying running so much....I never thought I'd say that. I'm honestly having trouble taking days off between runs. I honestly don't think my body is conditioned to be running long runs every day so I'm trying to build up gradually, but my mind is eager to start running half marathons (or at least a 10K). I've been doing a ton of reading on barefoot running and I've been doing almost all of my running in my Vibram Five Fingers the last couple of weeks. I must say, I'm taking to these shoes like a fish to Water. It's not the shoes per se...it's the form you adopt while using them. My knee pains have totally gone away and I'm not huffing and puffing. I don't believe everyone should suddenly go barefoot, but I do believe the barefoot running form is highly beneficial for preventing injuries and allowing one to run pain free.[/quote']

I will need to try those finger shoes out to see how they work for me. I was thinking about taking 2-3 days in between runs, but it sounds like 1 day may be enough to recover. I felt great the same day, fine the next day and then a little quad soreness on the 3rd day. On the 4 th day I felt "repaired" and back to normal. So how much rest do I really need after , say, a 30 minute 5 k?

If you do try the Vibrams, I suggest reading the "how to guide" section of barefootrunninguniversity.com. It takes some adaptation to build up to that style of running unless you are already a forefoot striker.

As for recovery, I think it's different for everyone. I think mine is improving. I ran saturday morning and then again today, sunday afternoon. When I first ran, I couldn't run again for 2 weeks. That was in September.

I'm not there yet..but I'm joining you runners in about 30 pounds..watch out

Fiddleman' date=' I am enjoying running so much....I never thought I'd say that. I'm honestly having trouble taking days off between runs. I honestly don't think my body is conditioned to be running long runs every day so I'm trying to build up gradually, but my mind is eager to start running half marathons (or at least a 10K). I've been doing a ton of reading on barefoot running and I've been doing almost all of my running in my Vibram Five Fingers the last couple of weeks. I must say, I'm taking to these shoes like a fish to Water. It's not the shoes per se...it's the form you adopt while using them. My knee pains have totally gone away and I'm not huffing and puffing. I don't believe everyone should suddenly go barefoot, but I do believe the barefoot running form is highly beneficial for preventing injuries and allowing one to run pain free.[/quote']

Hi - we share some overlapping goals between the two of us with regards to running 1/2 marathons.

The following 5k and 10k plan resource might be helpful:

http://www.runchuckit.com/index.php/training/5k-10k-training-plan

My friend and work colleague helps maintain this site (she is a marathon runner).