Too fat for c25k?

[aquitenonnymouse 206]

I started a HEAVILY MODIFIED c25k 6 weeks out from surgery. I asked my doctor at my 6 week follow-up and he gave me the green light. I went to a running store and told them what I was doing, and my budget. They found me perfect shoes. My shoes cost about $90.

I started by jogging 30 seconds and walking 60 seconds, and worked my way up from there.

[Butterthebean 8,146]

Getting a shoe with a good foundation, adequate (not over) cushioning can go a long way in keeping injuries from happening.

Unfortunately, the studies show otherwise. I read a great article about gymnasts recently. They were trying to figure out ways to reduce their injuries, and found that when they increased the padding on their landing areas, the injuries increased. When they decreased the padding, the injuries went down. Having more padding, the gymnasts landed much harder and that's what caused the injuries. The padding reduced impact, but not torsional stresses on the joints which is what causes many injuries.

But my point is not that everyone needs go barefoot or wear minimal shoes, my point is that form is infinitely more important in regards to injury prevention. Everytime there's a running thread on VST, 8 people recommend that someone go get fitted for running shoes. But what we really should be saying is go learn how to run, otherwise the shoes don't really matter. It's like a race car driver having good driving gloves....what good do they do if he can't drive?

[Fiddleman 4,376]

I see where you are coming from now BTB. For others - One super approach to developing good form with quiet impact is ChiRunning. Both BTB and I run with this technique and find injury is way down and run potential is way up. I happened to have learned ChiRunning before buying my expensive fitted running shoes. I still encourage everyone to get fitted in addition to learning how to run softly, with grace and relaxation. It will also help you win races (disclaimer: no experience with racing yet, but it sure helps with endurance, speed and stamina).

[Recycled 2,182]

I can settle this very easily. Wait.......... The alternative will be upon you before you have time to discuss it here. It's called gettin old. The knees will be titanium/plastic and the feet will have plantar fasciitis. You can be 90 lbs. soaking wet and the only way you're running is if an escaped tiger is chasing you. You new best exercise will be called ......walking.

[Butterthebean 8,146]

I can settle this very easily. Wait.......... The alternative will be upon you before you have time to discuss it here. It's called gettin old. The knees will be titanium/plastic and the feet will have plantar fasciitis. You can be 90 lbs. soaking wet and the only way you're running is if an escaped tiger is chasing you. You new best exercise will be called ......walking.

My plan is to be one of those 80 year old marathon runners. That way I can win my age bracket by default, because everyone else in it is dead. We will see how that plan works out.

The guy that taught me Chi-running is 63 and he still runs marathons every other month.

But if it doesn't work out, there is always cycling.

[Butterthebean 8,146]

Here is a rather long, lengthy and technical article about proper running form and the effect of certain running shoes. But it's pretty much everything you ever wanted to know about running and injury prevention.

http://naturalrunningcenter.com/2013/01/24/treating-running-injuries-form-vs-footwear/

[Fiddleman 4,376]

BTB- By the way, how are those sketchers working out that you previously had mixed feelings on?

[Butterthebean 8,146]

BTB- By the way, how are those sketchers working out that you previously had mixed feelings on?

I've warmed up to them quite a bit. They are my long distance shoe now because I cannot go more than 8 miles in the Vibrams. I've had 3 runs of 9 miles or more in the Skechers recently and they really felt good.

[johnlatte 1,232]

I read the article and I'm still skeptical about this. I'd really like to see how the studies were conducted. I'm guessing they studied folks running on a flat straight course and didn't take into account, hills, trails, treadmills vs tracks vs pavements. I totally get the minimalist movement in shoes was a terrible idea and I think that the article seems to lean in that direction more than anything. And form, yes, that is important, but not everyone is going to go out their front door and have perfect form nor will they have access to a running coach to do an extensive diagnosis of their gait, stride and foot strike. I just don't believe that it is possible to discount what the appropriate shoe does for preventing injuries. Like I said in my own experience, running in a crappy pair of cheap New Balance trainers, vs. running in a the pair of Sauconys that I use for street running, made a world of difference. It's like running in a pair of wooden shoes vs. running in a cushioned, comfortable environment. I had terrible shin splints in the NBs and had none in the Saucony's. My PF flared up running on asphalt in a old pair of Sauconys that I hadn't ran in, in years and were pretty worn out and had nothing left in the heel and minimal support left in the mid-foot. My Brooks Ghost that I use on most treadmill runs still lets me run with the PF and be almost pain free on either the treadmill or the street. Not trying to argue and I think the article has a lot of merit, but there's more to the story I think.

[OneWritersSoul 353]

I see where you are coming from now BTB. For others - One super approach to developing good form with quiet impact is ChiRunning. Both BTB and I run with this technique and find injury is way down and run potential is way up. I happened to have learned ChiRunning before buying my expensive fitted running shoes. I still encourage everyone to get fitted in addition to learning how to run softly' date=' with grace and relaxation. It will also help you win races (disclaimer: no experience with racing yet, but it sure helps with endurance, speed and stamina). <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />[/quote']

Whatever the outcome, thanks for mentioning ChiRunning! I'm going to look into this. Though I'm just starting (and I may not ever get beyond a mile, to be honest!) I feel that I'm lacking grace and as though I'm louder than ten rhinos!

Sent from my iPhone 5 using VST

[erp 2,016]

Amy, I'm 60 lbs overweight and started running last week. Did my first day of C2K this week. Got 22 minutes in so I'll be repeating day 1 until I can complete it. Take it slow, listen to your body.

[Brenda0928 145]

I was 300 pounds when I started running. As for being fitted with good shoes' date=' I think it's highly overrated. A 12/hr shoe store employee watches you run for 3 minutes and then prescribes shoes for you based on what the shoe companies tell him to tell you. Shoes with more cushioning and arch support have been proven to cause injuries and all the so called "motion control" and "stability" shoes for over pronators and under pronators don't prevent injury in any way whatsoever.

The truth of it is, if your running form is good, it doesn't matter what shoes you're wearing. And if your form is bad, it REALLY doesn't matter what shoes you're wearing .

As you can tell, I've got strong opinions about it all.[/quote']

Hi, I disagree with some of what you said.....My podiatrist is also a competitive runner and speed walker and we believe the right fit IS VERY IMPORTANT, however you are right about the store personnel only selling what they are told to....check with a podiatrist, they probably have a variety of specific recommendations for brands/models based on your specific foot needs...I have walked and trained before in poor fitted shoes and it caused more for problems than I started with....just be selective and make sure they feel right. Good luck.

[Nicolanz 1,484]

Also, its hard to have good form if you don't have shoes that accommodate your arch. From personal experience, the shoes stopped my shin splints and knee pain. If they don't make a difference for someone else, I'd consider them very lucky.

[riss523 26]

I started using that app presleeve when I was 130lbs overweight. I signed up for a 5k this coming September and I wanted to get a head start on training for it! Especially since I knew I was going to lose a few weeks post op!! Just go at your own pace! Listen to your body!!!

[AceyKay 21]

I started the app about 4 weeks out from surgery at 275 lbs ..... I am now 16 weeks out at 230 lbs and can run a full 5k and my first race is next Sunday! I definitely don't think u are too over weight to start you have to start somewhere right?!?!? It's not easy at first but I NEVER thought I would be able to run over 3 miles....but now I am able to! I also just started the 10k app! Good luck cause if I can do it anyone can!!!!!