Just another person telling you yes you can do this!  SeeFluffyRun and AtFatManRunning have lots of good ideas and I also post on the 200+ board. I am almost 250 and 5'4" and I just ran a 5K last weekend. I can't emphasize enough the slow part that everyone is saying. Don't try to run too fast; take it easy especially when you get to the longer runs. I ran my 5K in 16:16 mm but when I first started running 20 min - 30 min - 50 min at a time; I was running 17mm at least or more and my heart rate got pretty high. I have a Garmin 305. Now after a few months my heartrate is down and my speed is increasing.

A Fat Man Running,

Thanks for your response and all the information you provided! I've read your blog and I find it to be so inspiring. I'm definitely struggling with these middle weeks, I know I can complete the program - but it's just hard when you don't see any improvement in a week, when you have in the previous weeks. I'm going to keep going, I know so many others have been able to succeed and I want to be one of them! Knowing that you went from huffing and puffing through the first week (like me) to running 30 minutes without stopping is uplifting to all of us! I hope your kids are really proud of you when you run your first 5k!!

Thanks for all of the support and inspiration!!!

Christina

OK - Everyone agrees that you can do it.   Me too!

But the big question now is:

     Have you started yet?

Get out there and get it done!

I did, and the C2K is behind me and I'm still running.  

     Go for it!

SeeFluffyRun, I had two questions about your recommendations:

1. There seems to be more than one C25K app for the iPhone now. Which one were you recommending?
2. If someone's not wearing an actual Nike shoe -- I've been told that, for my flat feet and weight, I should go for New Balance -- do the attachable pouches they sell for the NikePlus work well? Or do they interfere/encumber, making the gadget more trouble than it's worth?

Thanks!

You can do it!!!!  I am currently 80 pounds over-weight...I started running in June of this year...well that is what I call it but really it is a slow jog!  I have completed two 5K's and I am doing a 10 K this weekend!  If I can do it, you can too!!!  What helped me was when someone told me to SLOW DOWN!  I was jogging too fast and I could only do 6-8 minutes then I would need to walk.....This is my advice,  Get on a treadmill, walk at a nice pace.  A pace where you are not walking for enjoyment but you are not breathing too hard either..  you can hold a conversation with someone as you are walking...now bump your speed up .3  Yes you read that right....  bump it up so you are going only .3 of a mile faster.  Now pick up your knees and jog!!!!!  See how long you can jog at this speed.  The first time I did this I jogged for 38 minutes, the second 78 minutes!!!!!  You will be amazed.  At this point you need to get in some endurance, you can work on your speed later. 

After doing this for a few weeks, I ran 1 mile outside and timed myself.  (I do not think you can go by the distance on the treadmill as it never coresponds with real distance outside.)  Be sure to try to run the same pace you were doing on the treadmill.  This will give you an idea of your pace.  I was jogging a 13 minute mile.   My first 5K my goal was to run my race at my pace and to finish it without walking regardless of my speed...many people passed me!  But I didn't walk!  I did it in a just a bit longer than 13 minute miles.  The second 5K I did I ran it in 12 min 25 sec miles!  My goal this weekend is to run the whole 10K without walking..and I am not going to worry about my time!

I also challenged myself to a three hour jog/run on the treadmill.....I have done this twice!  This was important for me to know, mentally, that I CAN run for three hours straight!  If I can do that...What else can I do?  Now I am working on doing that outside.   My longest outside run without walking is currently 7 miles.  I did that after coming off of a night shift with no sleep!  Running really is 80% mental!  Everytime you want to stop, challenge yourself to go three more drive ways, 1 more song, 1 more minute...whatever you can do!  Then do it again!!!!

You can do it!!!!!!

Absolutely yes you can do it...I started July 2008 wearing a very tight size 20 and now wears a comfy size 10 and finished my first HM on 10/18....my fitness center at work just asked me to give a write up of my "fitness jouney" to be used as an inspiration to others...now that's cool!  They key is you need to want this more than you want that (fill in the blank) food.  Healthy lifestyle choices is really the key and that is after many years of yo yo dieting and bad habits. GO FOR IT!

Cyndi