I want to start running..... but Im scared!

[Blugirl 42]

Hello! I celebrated my 1st year post op by signing up for a sprint triathlon...... yes...... a sprint triathlon. haha..... I am at goal weight, and have been working out consistently ( boot camp) for 10 months now, but I have NEVER run in my life. I will train as hard as I can, learn how to swim, and ride a bike to do it....... however, I just dont seem to find a way to start liking the Running part....... how does someone who was overweight and ashamed of running can find passion in running? I REALLY need to and want to run, I want to like it, and feel confortable doing it. I just know that its my own brain that keeps me from running. all the emotional barriers we build around. I am afraid of falling, getting too tired, being too slow, etc....... how did you do it?!

[johnlatte 1,232]

sprint triathlon, wow, that's gutsy if you haven't don't a lot of this type of sports before. Good for you. I runand at first, I didn't particularly like it. I started in a treadmill and worked my way out. Ran dozens of 5ks before breaking my foot and that started the long slow spiral back into obesity. I'm running again, I run about 4 days a week. I started the couch to 5k program and that helps keep me motivated and provides some structure. Loving it? Not sure, but I do like how I feel afterwards. i love being able to run for 10-15-20 minutes at a time and not have to stop. I have a good running list of songs on my phone that I listen to and sort of just get lost in it. Before I know it, I'm done. I plan on getting back into 5ks and 10ks this summer and run with my kids who both are runners. I don't worry so much about what can happen if I do run, but I do worry a lot about what will happen if I don't run. I guess the real advice that I can give it to put one foot in front of another, rinse and repeat. Start slow, figure out what's comfortable for you and go from there. The passion comes from knowing the end result, not from the work it takes to get there. Good luck with this, I am really interested in hearing how you progress. Please keep us updated.

[Blugirl 42]

Thank You for your advice!! I hadnt even thought about the music! That cAn totally help. Its amazing how I got used to staying in my comfort zone for everything, and my body and mind just by instinct try to keep me from sweating , from getting tired, trying harder. I sabotage my own attrmpts....

[DonRodolfo 1,416]

Hello! I celebrated my 1st year post op by signing up for a sprint triathlon...... yes...... a sprint triathlon. haha..... I am at goal weight, and have been working out consistently ( boot camp) for 10 months now, but I have NEVER run in my life. I will train as hard as I can, learn how to swim, and ride a bike to do it....... however, I just dont seem to find a way to start liking the Running part....... how does someone who was overweight and ashamed of running can find passion in running? I REALLY need to and want to run, I want to like it, and feel confortable doing it. I just know that its my own brain that keeps me from running. all the emotional barriers we build around. I am afraid of falling, getting too tired, being too slow, etc....... how did you do it?!

At my first NUT visit, she said "walk 10 minutes a day every day". The first few weeks were hell as I couldn't even stand for 10 minutes without my back aching. I plowed through it and found as it got easier my body wanted to go faster and faster. As johnlatte said, I too love being able to run for 20 minutes without having to stop to catch my breath. Sometimes it's a bear just to get to the gym but I find once I'm done I'm so happy I did it. I cover the treadmill LEDs and let the voice prompt on my heartrate monitor tell me when I'm done (it tells me every 5 minutes).

Music: I sometimes run to a metronome but music is a lot more fun when I can find a song that is not too slow or too fast. And when I have time I'll do my own mixes at the speed I want them.

[Blugirl 42]

thank you guys for your support!!!!

[newoutlookonlife 46]

I have just started with jogging. Downloaded the couch to 5 k app and it has nice intervals to help you ease into it. The app always me to add my playlist as well which is nice. I too would have never been cought dead running before but now that I am down 78 pounds I find I am actually starting to enjoy it! Best if luck

[danyelleb 386]

Hello! I celebrated my 1st year post op by signing up for a sprint triathlon...... yes...... a sprint triathlon. haha..... I am at goal weight' date=' and have been working out consistently ( boot camp) for 10 months now, but I have NEVER run in my life. I will train as hard as I can, learn how to swim, and ride a bike to do it....... however, I just dont seem to find a way to start liking the Running part....... how does someone who was overweight and ashamed of running can find passion in running? I REALLY need to and want to run, I want to like it, and feel confortable doing it. I just know that its my own brain that keeps me from running. all the emotional barriers we build around. I am afraid of falling, getting too tired, being too slow, etc....... how did you do it?![/quote']

Hi Blugirl! Wow, u for being a risk taker! I'm like the other people on here that love the sense of accomplishment when I'm done with a run. My "mantra"/mindset is "I'm doing it because I CAN!" Too many years have past where I was limited by my fitness levels. I always wanted to do exciting things like run a half marathon, indoor rock climb, kayak, etc. I started crossing things off my list one by one. My husband and my children will sometimes ask, "mom, why do u wanna do that for?" To which I reply, "Because I CAN." It's empowering and addicting. I'm proud of myself and I'm so thankful that I am able to do what I want without being so consumed with fear (eg- what if I get stuck in the cave, it's so small?!)

Be brave, u can do it and then u, too will feel so proud. If u fall, u will get back up. It happens even to the skinny in shape peeps. If ur tired, slow down ur pace or walk. Who gives a flying flip if ur slow?! U will be a whole helluva lot faster than someone sitting on the couch!

U should check out the fitness and exercise section (forum?). There's a thread titled something like "couch to 5k anyone keen?" There's lots of people out there looking for encouragement and supporting others with running. U should check it out.

Best of luck!!

[Blugirl 42]

thank you all for your support! Today I went swimming, biking and running. Although for a short period of time, I still have 4 months to get ready for my first tri, and hope I can finish it! I can only swim 2 laps without feeling like stopping and run for two songs..... the biking is harder for me because I never learned how to ride a bike as a child.... I am just learning. I think the hardest part is believing I CAN! .... but I will get there!

[DonRodolfo 1,416]

thank you all for your support! Today I went swimming, biking and running. Although for a short period of time, I still have 4 months to get ready for my first tri, and hope I can finish it! I can only swim 2 laps without feeling like stopping and run for two songs..... the biking is harder for me because I never learned how to ride a bike as a child.... I am just learning. I think the hardest part is believing I CAN! .... but I will get there!

I'm not familiar with a sprint triathlon - what distances does this entail for each event?

[Blugirl 42]

its 600 m. swimming ( 16 laps), 20 km biking, and 5K running!