Hi all,

I'm on my way to 53, and on my way to my first-ever 5K!  Just started training a few weeks ago, and I am striving for an early October run.

Working on breathing and endurance, not speed.... I want to finish a 5K, not "win" a race.

Cindy

Hi Cindyn50: I am finishing up W3D3 this week as well (tomorrow to be exact!) I hope W4 goes better for me lol. I seem to be struggling with the last 90 sec of running with my shins but I think I know the problem. I need new running shoes and also to work on that area. Good luck on your W4.

Everyone on the east coast have a good and safe weekend!

Stretching is definitely key, but also try to keep in mind that your training conditions and race conditions will likely be vastly different and thus you'll have different results. I did several training runs prior to last night's 5k, and I did them in 34 or 33 minutes, which was my target for last night. I forgot that I run early in the morning, when it's still cool, when I haven't been beaten down by the pressures of the work day, when I still have energy. Last night was hot, humid, muggy, and I was tired from a long day. My time was 40:37. Needless to say, I was extremely down on myself about that until I was reminded that I'm used to running in the cool morning before I've put in a full day of challenging work. Plus, they extended the course to 3.5 miles. And threw in a couple of really big hills that none of us knew were in that area.

Bottom line is that if you're used to running soon after waking up and before you start the rest of your day, you're going to run differently at the end of the day after running around doing everything else you do all day. And you're going to run differently in cool, dry conditions than you will in hot, muggy conditions. It's just the way it is - so don't expect your typical results from training in different conditions.

Accept that now and you'll avoid the mini mental crisis I had last night.

Happy trails!

KeachyMama

This is a great thread.  I'll be 43 near the end of October.  At the end of 2009, I decided that I was tired of feeling fat and tired and after some medical issues popped up, I said it's time to do something about this.  I've never been overly active and at the time I had about 90 lbs to lose (a bit less now).  So, I started walking and doing other exercise and got awful pain in my left ankle.  After a trip to the doctor, I ended up having surgery on my achilles last June.  At one point, I thought I might never walk normally again, let alone run.  I've been working hard on my recovery and finally feel like I'm getting back to normal.  In June, I decided that I wanted to run to improve my fitness and cleared it with the doc.  It's really funny, but I can picture myself running in my head.  My high school gym teacher would really be proud of me if she could see me now - she tried to get me to run indoor track in school.

I just completed W4D3 this morning.  I believe I run slower than I walk and my walking isn't all that fast but it keeps me moving. One of my knees bothers me but I know I have arthritis in it and I'm working on building core muscles to help it out.  The ankle pain is getting better everyday!  I'm going to do a 5k in September and then a 10k (gulp!) in early November.

Hey, isn't 40 the new 20?  Keep on going everyone!

You're doing great!!  I hope to one day get to the 25 minute mark.  I  have enough trouble just running for 5 minutes straight.  Keep going!!

Visit me in: Photoshop cs5 tutorials

SMOOTH, I had this most definitely when I first started to run. I hadn't ever been a runner until 2003 and just started slowly then, less than a mile, and my knees and ankles hurt. I remember also being discouraged and frustrated. I went out and purchased a knee brace and backed off on the running a bit and just kept trying. I ran outside on the pavement and read that this is brutal to the joints, so I switched to running on a treadmill at the gym for a while. There is just no comparison to being out in nature and in the open air so I went back to running outside and I just kept trying. I also made a point to get really good shoes, for me these are Brooks, and got the right fit too. I've been running now for years without pain in my knees and I believe it's because the body and joints become accustomed to the running. I've done some reading and know a bit about physiology and think that when the body experiences stressors, it will build up resistance and become acclimated to the activities. I think that you can do it, just don't over-do it, ease into it slowly and try running a bit, and then walking for a bit. Over time, I believe your discomfort will lessen once your body gets used to the practice. Keep us updated on your progress!

This is a very motivational thread!  I was sort of a  runner when I was 39 (gearing up for a trip to Hawaii and the Big 4-0!)   After that carrot was no longer dangling in front of me, I slacked off  all the good habits I had developed.  Fast forward to 7 years later, and  I am 35 lbs heavier than my lowest weight (ouch...that hurt to type  that), and not feeling good about it.  My clothes don't fit right, or at all, and I am uncomfortable with how the fat feels and looks on my 5'5" frame.

So....I started C25K this past week.  I've gone out twice so far, and I am amazed at how out of shape I actually am.  Running 60 seconds is quite a challange. I need to get used to breathing again.  But...I will go out again and again and will keep pushing on.  I experienced some pain in my right quad yesterday, as well as mild shin pain.  I didn't really stretch  before I ran, which was a stupid newbie slip-up. Never again.  Also ordered some new running shoes -- Ascics Keyano 17 -- that I think will help.

There are 5K Turkey Trots everywhere at Thanksgiving, and while I probably won't participate in one (I am traveling for the holiday), I do want to be able to run 3 miles by then.

Good luck everyone!

I am right there with you.  Heard about this plan on the radio this morning.   I am 46 and need to lose about 40 lbs as well!   I am worried about my hip joints.  They ache all the time. 

I wll start day 1 this evening (under the cover of darkness)

Hopefully I can stick with a low fat diet and reduce the weight quickly to reduce the stress on my joints. 

Good Luck. AND DONT GIVE UP!!   Maybe we can keep each other motivated.

Sandy