Running/Racing & Training...what to expect?

[AEdoesRnY 531]

One of the things I'm most looking forward to about losing weight is getting into jogging/running. Each time I was at the bottom of the weight loss yo-yo, I loved doing 5Ks and building up to be able to jog as much of them as possible using intervals. I never got super speedy, but I was pretty proud of the few I managed to finish under 40 minutes (at over 250 pounds).

I am one month post-op and looking at signing up for a couple races to look forward to/plan for/train for, and I'm wondering what kinds of expectations are reasonable. For example, there's a 15K race that takes place in mid-April that looks really fun. They also send out a 12 week customized training plan ahead of the race to help you prepare. I can't decide if it's ridiculous to even be considering taking on a race of that length, or if it's reasonable given the amount of time and probable weight loss between now and then...right now I think I'd sign up for a shorter race this fall like the annual Turkey Day 5K on thanksgiving and then build up to the 15K.

The smart answer is probably don't sign up for any longer races until I've completed shorter races and see how I'm doing, but I'm curious about your experiences with running an building up stamina post surgery!

[AEdoesRnY 531]

As I reflect further, 15K seems awfully ambitious right out of the gate. For now I'm signing up for a Halloween-themed 5K that takes place on 10/27/2018. I feel like that gives me time to do C25K (or at least some of it) and 'dip my toe in the water' in terms of racing!

[missbike 0]

You need to go train before you get excited about competition. Thats how youll find out whats going on.Didn't say what your weather is, but youll have to deal with hydration issues. I'm a cyclist with plenty of accomplishments in the sport before I blew up and any endurance sport means sweat. You may need a Camelsback to keep drinking.

Events are fun,but why dont you get yourself a good excercise jones. Workout buzz is a lovely thing! And training for the sake of training is how people progress and achieve excellence at anything.

Every body is different and you need to go some miles to see how things are working. And you need a bike. The strain on your feet and knees is asking for injury. Start back mixing up powerwalking and biking, youll be ready to run when you get to below 200. And actually, you can powerwalk races. Spin bikes are cheap now, you can use them in front of the TV. turn a fan on. Ligament repairs are hellish, you don't want that.

you want knees at 60? You want to run a marathon someday? Start slow and get strong ligaments, don't overstress your joints. The slow boring conditioning will give you speed later. Learning to use a heart rate moniter is a good idea too.

i havent had my surgery yet, but I was on half a dozen world teams in the Eighties. Training I know, excercising in a big blubber suit I know too. You need to crosstrain. It will get you to running.

.

Edited September 1, 2018 by missbike
Thing I forgot...

[jess9395 5,448]

On the other hand I’d never run a mile in my life outside of high school PE. Started couch to 5k four weeks after my sleeve surgery (SW 271) at age 44. Ran my first half marathon 9 months later. Still at it and have plenty more and some full marathons under my belt too. Running a trail half tomorrow. I’m five years post of and maintaining a 135ish loss.

[AEdoesRnY 531]

On 08/31/2018 at 23:27, jess9395 said:

On the other hand I’d never run a mile in my life outside of high school PE. Started couch to 5k four weeks after my sleeve surgery (SW 271) at age 44. Ran my first half marathon 9 months later. Still at it and have plenty more and some full marathons under my belt too. Running a trail half tomorrow. I’m five years post of and maintaining a 135ish loss.

Thanks for your perspective! I find the races and working toward that kind of thing highly motivating which is why I asked! I was doing plenty of jogging at 250lbs and really enjoy it so I don’t want to wait until I’m under 200lbs to start...

I am going to do a 5K this fall and go from there! Thanks!!

[AEdoesRnY 531]

On 08/31/2018 at 21:53, missbike said:

You need to go train before you get excited about competition. Thats how youll find out whats going on.Didn't say what your weather is, but youll have to deal with hydration issues. I'm a cyclist with plenty of accomplishments in the sport before I blew up and any endurance sport means sweat. You may need a Camelsback to keep drinking.

Events are fun,but why dont you get yourself a good excercise jones. Workout buzz is a lovely thing! And training for the sake of training is how people progress and achieve excellence at anything.

Every body is different and you need to go some miles to see how things are working. And you need a bike. The strain on your feet and knees is asking for injury. Start back mixing up powerwalking and biking, youll be ready to run when you get to below 200. And actually, you can powerwalk races. Spin bikes are cheap now, you can use them in front of the TV. turn a fan on. Ligament repairs are hellish, you don't want that.

you want knees at 60? You want to run a marathon someday? Start slow and get strong ligaments, don't overstress your joints. The slow boring conditioning will give you speed later. Learning to use a heart rate moniter is a good idea too.

i havent had my surgery yet, but I was on half a dozen world teams in the Eighties. Training I know, excercising in a big blubber suit I know too. You need to crosstrain. It will get you to running.

.

Thanks for the thoughtful and thorough response! Cross training and slow and steady will always be part of my training plan for any race, but I’m not willing to wait until I’m at 200lbs to jog/run. I’ve done plenty of 5K races walking and doing combination of jogging/walking, and working toward events and tracking my paces is a major motivation for me in both cardio and strength training. Jogging/running is something I’ve enjoyed every time I’ve been more in shape, even though I have been around 250lbs at minimum! I’ll keep what you said in mind and maybe I’ll kick myself later, but I’m going to be working up to jogging/running as soon as I can along with the strength and cross training!

[wjgo 272]

I would just do a typical couch to 5k training plan. There are varieties from 9 to 12 weeks. I'm near the end of a 12 weeker that will go few extra weeks for me because it is a conservative plan and my pace is slower than the plan anticipates.

From there get a half marathon training plan. 15 k is only 6k about short of a half marathon. That will be longer than a 12 week program. 32 weeks is doable, depending on your weather or tolerance for using a treadmill in inclement weather.

I suggest this.... Do a 5k and do what I am doing. I am only training g a 5k, so I can be prepared for a GoRuck.com light challenge. Just look it up.....

Sent from my XT1609 using BariatricPal mobile app

[Bree130 26]

I’m 5 months post op and running about 4 miles 4 times a week. I’m trying to prevent injury so resting in between.Cross training is something i need to do more but I love the simplicity of jogging and love how far I’ve come in 5 months. I have about 7 more lbs to lose until I hit 100lbs lost. Once I get there I will invest in personal training and begin toning and building muscle hopefully that will propel me to a 10k. I can’t wait 🤩 Good luck to you on your journey.