Aint nothing like getting the chemical fix after a run. I'll feel jittery and restless if I miss 2 days in a row, so I dont. Just commit to walking with a mixture of jogging, not running. Build up your body and psychii first. After awhile you will be hooked.

You're 80-90 pounds overweight and haven't run in 10+ years. Why do you think you're going to have extra energy now? Extra energy isn't going to get you out there running, it's going to be a result of that running!

My suggestion is to forget all about what you were ten years ago. That person does not exist anymore, and nothing you do will bring him back. Even if you do get to where you're putting in the same performances as that person, you still won't be him - you'll be who you are now but in better shape. In other words, train based on your current condition, not some rosy memory of what you used to be able to do.

My suggestions, having come from a similar place three years ago, are as follows. First, find one or two things about your diet that are contributing the most to your weight, and change them. For me it was too many Cokes. I didn't cut them out completely, but I severely restricted the number I allowed myself. After a couple of months to allow these changes to become a habit, pick one or two other things about your diet to change. If you do things this way you're not asking yourself to make a huge life-style change all at once - that's hard to accomplish. Over time, however, you'll get to the same place, but you'll do so in smaller, more easily accomodated steps.

Second, start training based on where you are now. That might mean forgetting about running for a couple of months and just putting in more time walking. If you do run, consider a program like this site's couch-2-5k program. (I didn't even know about that program, but my self-coached workouts followed the same principles.)

I'm confident that if you follow these two principles - improved diet to lose weight, slow buildup of exercise - you'll soon find the energy you're looking for.

If you haven't already, go get a physical to rule out medical reasons for feeling extremely lethargic. Lots of people don't run and don't feel that way, so there may be a medical issue you need to address. Also, it sounds like perhaps food has replaced running as an addiction. Might be good to work on some of those issues w/ a counselor or group. As many of us have proven, running alone won't take care of a weight issue, especially when we're not in our 20's anymore!

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Progress, not perfection.

Do it before work.

Get a heart rate monitor and start Gallowrunning (running with walk breaks), keeping your heart rate under 142 beats per minute (Maffetone Training), whether your walking or running. You have a lot of extra weight and you want to take it easy, making sure you stay aerobic at all times until you've dropped the weight. You want to be healthy and uninjured while you do this, and this strategy will improve those odds.

Make some goals. Boston is a good long range one, but you need shorter, more tangible ones. Start with a mile a day, and go a little extra every week. No more than a mile extra. Once you get to 20 miles per week, increase by 5% per week. You can also go by time instead of mileage. Use the same principle of increase. You want to stay healthy and uninjured.

Make a goal to run/walk a 5k this fall. Not trying to race it, but just showing and going the distance, being part of the healthy scene. Perhaps in December. Then make another goal, maybe run/walk a 5 miler.

Be patient, go one day at a time, one session at a time.

Also, I suggest you follow hrad/eassy day approach at some point. Hard days are more miles or time, and easy days are less miles or time or rest. Also, every 4th week or so, cut back your time and rest, then pick up the following week where you left off.

I used to way 60 pounds more than I do now. I began walking first for many years, then I became a runner/racer when i was 50 pounds lighter.

You can do it.

Join a running/walking club! Get active.

There is a good thread about Galloway's ideas on Coolrunning, and also a good thread in basic training on Maffetone Training.


Good luck. Think healthy heart, healthy lungs, good relationships....


--Jimmy

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Its all will power... just suck it up and get out there.