Suggestions for Clydes/Athenas & Running?

I used the Couch to 5K plan to kick start me after ACL replacement. My cardio conditioning sank quick post injury and surgery so I started from scratch. Here are a couple of links to get you started. The first is a link to the plan the second is to some podcasts to use along with the weekly schedule. In 9 weeks you can be running a 5k without stopping.....

http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

http://www.ullreys.com/robert/Podcasts/page4/files/category-7.html

Just keep on keeping on.  You'll get better, it just takes time.  If you treat your training like a 'marathon' and not as a 'sprint' (slow and steady, taking your time, the finish is miles away instead of yards etc)  you'll do fine.  follow the training programs too, they focus on training for an allotted time, not distance.  The distance will come as you become more comfortable working out in the time frame

Also follow the "can I walk and still be a triathlete" thread and look to the galloway method, where you jog a bit and run a bit to help increase time.  I've been doing that and its helped me w/ my endurance and distance.

Pretty much what everyone else has said.  Don't think you're going to jump right into running and be doing under 10 minute miles for 5 miles.  Remember running is HIGH impact.  Us clydes have a propensity towards repetitive type injuries and overuse type injuries.  So with all that said:

(1) Good shoes are a MUST!  If you're going to break the budget on one piece of equipment make it your running shoes.

(2) take it slow.  start with a walk/run program, make incremental increases in your training each week but no more than 10% in volume.

(3) listen to your body, if you start to break down, i.e. pain in the shins, of the achilies, or the bottom of the foot, take it down a notch.  Suffering a significant run related injury as a clyde can set you back months, thereby destroying any gains you made in pushing yourself too hard.

(4) Remember, you're in this for the long haul.  Don't expect to be racing in the IM world championships in Kona this year.   Make realistic goals.

(5) And yes walking during a race is totally acceptable!

(6) Have fun!!!!!

I'm 265 and running can definitely be tough on the legs. There has been some excellent advice given already. I definitely 2nd the getting fitted for proper shoes if you haven't already (so important). I only run on grass, newer tracks (better/softer materials) or my gym's treadmills (most have some impact absorption) as I feel that reducing stress on the leg joints while heavy now will not only help reduce issues today, but hopefully prevent arthritic knees & all in the future.

I too did the couch to 5k program and think that the Jeff Galloway method ( http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training/walk_breaks.html) should be incorporated as part of it's design is to help reduce injury (a longer run doesn't have to be all running, the walk breaks are so helpful).

Many of us have been in this position and I'm sure you'll find something that works well for you, stick with it!

How's this for fate/kismet/luck: my wife's cousin just emailed us a 30% off coupon for FootLocker!  Looks like I'm buying shoes today...

Can I suggest that you stay away from Footlocker??  The majority of people in Footlocker have absolutely no idea how to fit someone for running shoes.  Saving 30% in the short term will seem pale in comparison to the problems the wrong shoes can cause you when running.  While I am new here and still debating the tri or not to tri question, I have completed 11 marathons and countless half marathons, so I can say that proper fittings are as important as the shoe you buy and actually may save you money since reputable running stores don't steer you to a shoe simply because it is new and the most expensive.

If anything, buy at the running store and then buy a second pair at Footlocker of the same kind and alternate your usage.  Rule of thumb is 300 to 500 miles on a pair of running shoes.

Happy Running!! 

Lots of great advice on getting started. As you progress, you might find that as your endurance increases and new enemy in the form of chafing will rear its ugly head.

1. Compression Shorts - Under Armor are the best, but expensive. C9 stuff at Target works pretty good and is much cheaper.

2. Don't shy away from the Body Glide/Chamois Butter/Bag Balm.  

Funny you should mention the Footlocker issues... wound up using the coupon to get the kids new shoes (sheesh do the little ones grow fast!), but not for me. First of all, the footlocker was staffed by high-school aged kids who looked at me like a dog being taught calculus when I asked about over-pronation. And the selection was miserable, to boot. 

Wound up at two different stores, both with very knowledgeable guys--runners themselves.  At the first store, he had me try a few different shoes, but I still overpronated a tad too much in all of them.  To my shock--and deep gratitude--he suggested I head upstairs to their rival (apparently he worked there previously). He suggested I talk to the manager and try on some of the Brooks shoes. 

The manager he sent me to was also very knowledgeable, and after watching me walk and run (if you can really call it that at this stage), and checking my feet, my posture, and the tread of my current shoes, he had me try on several different shoes, including Asics Kayanos with an insole.  After jogging around a bit in 3 different pairs of shoes (with and without insoles inserted) and his recommendation, I settled on the Brooks Beast shoes--and gave me his card in case after a few runs if I don't like the shoes, I can return them. As I was making my purchase, the first guy dropped by the store to make sure I'd been taken care of.

Unbelievable, to me.  Or ...is that kind of care and concern for a noobie runner normal at the more "specialized" stores?  All I know is I'm feeling very lucky. 

And I feel very lucky to have discovered this site.  Thank you all very much for the advice and support.  

(Can't wait to try the shoes out tomorrow!) 

+1 on getting running shoes from a running shop.

Last week I purchased new shoes. Tried on over 16 shoes. Ran in 3 outside the store (Yes, they encourage you to do so to get a feel for the shoe and they watch you run as well) and bought the best 1 for me. I walked away with Brook Infiniti's. 

Thanks all for the great advice and words of encouragement! I finished my first week doing the Coolrunning.com 9 week Couch to 5k in my brand new Brooks Beasts, and am feeling great about it, and looking forward to ramping up next week from 60 sec run/90 sec walk to the reverse. It was tough for the first run, but by the third my cardio had improved enough that I wasn't gasping like a blowfish on dry land.

From browsing and searching the forums, I know ChiRunning is something of a controversial topic, but I have to give it some of the credit... after reading the book and giving the techniques a try, I'm surprised by how little (almost NO) soreness I have after my runs!

I've had none of the debilitating shin splints, ankle pain, knee pain of the past. It's more like they know I did something yesterday, but not as if they're in actual pain. Neither do I have the sore and screaming quads & calves... I know not everyone's a fan, but frankly, this ChiRunning thing has allowed me to run without the super-long recovery required previously with "traditional" heel striking, quad/calf intensive striding (I have kinda big, freaky strong slow-twitch quads--and tended to run by "powering" through strides). And more running equals more progress.

Also, I've been meaning to ask... what's the deal with compression shorts? I've been running in my baggy old sweat-shorts or basketball shorts. Do they make that much of a difference? If so, I may need to take a trip to Target...