I am thrilled for you!  I just started training for my first half marathon about six weeks ago. I  have since added yoga (which I did normally) and some strength training. 

First, recognize how PROUD you should be of yourself.  90% of the battle is getting past your front door.  Or, if you are like me, getting off the couch and putting my running shoes on! 

Also...your first time at a running-specific store is going to be amazing.  The great thing about runners is that - hey - while it's a solitary sport, there are so many groups and events you can join with other people!!  Runners have this crazy tendency to stick together...there's no such thing as a weakest link - only a strong team looking for a strong finish!

I'm proud of you!  Find a great store and suck in all of the information you can! 

Becky -

Don't give up...no matter what!!!  I am overweight, like you and wondered if I could run at this weight.  Luckily, I had a friend of mine who I had gotten all the info from, who was overweight as well.  I asked him...can you run if you're fat?  Not meaning him, but myself....he just laughed!  We can run, even if we're overweight.  And if you have to repeat a week...you just repeat it...as many times as you need to, to feel comfortable about moving up to the next one.  I think it's probably taking me twice as long (18 weeks) to do it... and you know what?  It's OK!!!  You're up and you're moving and that's what counts.  You will feel better and you will be able to move more..I promise that this will happen.  I noticed the other day..it's not as hard as it used to be to take the stairs, to walk at a brisk pace for 45-60 min.  It's not as bad as it used to be...to pull weeds.  It will get easier!!!  Hang in there!!!!  Just keep moving.  :O)

Dawn

CJWeb -  Welcome! Fantastic that you're starting this program and have joined us online.  I've found the Newbie threads to be informative, supportive and fun, especially when you're starting out. 

So sorry about the sports store drones.  What town do you live in? Chances are if you're remote, you'll prob have to make the trek to a larger city to get what you need. And in the end, it would be well worth it.

WELCOME!

Go to runnersworld.com.  I'm pretty sure they have a shoe fitting guide there that will tell you the type of shoe that is best for your particular feet type. Then look again there to see the types of shoes they recommend for your foot type.  It really is best to try to find a good running store in your area but I think this is a good alternative if you can't.

Becky, don't give up, it does get easier.  The key is starting off really really slow.  You might think that someone could pass you at a walk but that doesn't matter, so long as you are jogging at a speed that you consider running and one that isn't killing your lungs.  Another thing is while you are getting use to it do some walking on the days that you don't do the program, it will also help you along.

I'm 30yrs old and I'm also 100+ pound overweight, 57kgs (now) to be exact.  I had been walking for a while and lost a wee bit of weight doing that then I one night I wasn't able to do my usual walk as my pants kept falling down.  I have horses so I stole a bit of baling twine to use as a belt and decided to go for a walk while the horses were eating.  Next thing I know I'm jogging/walking.  This first one I was probably only jogging for about 30 sec all up and walking two minutes.  It was bloody torture! but I felt really good at the end thinking I had done it.  Also the distance at the time seemed so long but its now far to short!   I started doing the c25k program after that and I do have to repet the weeks to be able to progress.

Yesterday I decided to not do the actual program but just run as far as I could then walk just to see how far my running has come, I was able to do two lots of 3min 30 sec and a couple of 2min 30sec before calling it a day, didn't want to over do it.  This is a huge mile stone for me.  I have never been a runner, always a walker, last time I tried to take up running (about 5 years ago) I got serious shin splints, looking back now I was just doing too much and going too fast.  I did start off this time getting splints but after doing some reading I discovered that I need to bring the speed back a bit, which worked for me.  I needed to allow my body to strengthen and get used to it.  If I think its about to get sore I just slow down a bit.  I also imported some KT Tape (I live in New Zealand) for shin splints and it truely does work, for me at least.

I've lost 10kgs now (think that is 22 pounds) and I feel much better for it, still have a loooong way to go but I'm enjoying running now, not something I ever thought I'd say!  If I can do it, believe me, you can aswell.

Salemsister--I know exactly how you feel!  But, I just completed the entire C2k5 and now able to run 3.1 miles whereas I couldn't even barely do the 1 minute of running on week 1.  Each week I was always nervous about the upcoming week wondering how I would ever be able to do it, but I just did it.  The day that I ran 20 minutes straight blew my mind!  Last night I finally accomplished running the whole 3.1 miles and did it in 36 minutes--that was the farthest and longest I have ever ran (this would be week 10 for me so maybe I am technically one week late on running that far).  However, just keep doing what you are doing.  If you feel like it is too much, repeat any weeks.  But I'm thinking if you follow the program, you will be just fine.  My only other advice would be not too concentrate on the upcoming weeks, just what you are suppose to be doing right now so that way you don't feel overwhelmed.  I just kept telling myself, I haven't come this far and done this much work to stop running and start walking now!  Then I would envision myself being skinny and being able to wear all those cute little clothes by next summer!  hehe!

I've lost 11.5 lbs and 4inches in my waist and 5 in my hips!  And to be honest, I haven't really changed my eating habits too much (maybe just smaller portions)--I just make SURE I eat something for breakfast, a snack about 10 am (like a banana), light lunch and then a decent dinner--I'm sure the several times a day of eating has kicked up my metabolism and has helped quite a bit.  I think a lot of people think not eating will help but your body actually goes into 'starvation' mode and stores whatever you eat as fat to reserve it because it doesn't know when you will eat next.  So keep that in mind as well!  Hope this helps a little bit!