Yes! I am back training since December for my next 8k in March. It's been a loong time since I ran before that, but I am making progress on my mile times. I will get there again! Me and the treadmill.

I am also doing a good deal of strength and yoga for my training, what difference that makes for me this time around. It builds mental strength and confidence, so important for running.

Ok Cathydoe, chin up right now!

I'm 48 (and a half) and I could have posted what you wrote myself...

It NEVER EVER EVER occurred to me that I could run....

I was a high school and college athlete and I used to run and do all kinds of other physical stuff, but by the time I hit my mid-30s, I thought walking fast was hard.... I had a friend who started walking with me, but then she abandoned me and started running and training for a 5k. I felt so sorry for myself, because my running days were over....

The ONLY reason I thought of running AT ALL was reading about the girls at 3FC and what they were doing.

I was thinking about it last night while running on the track at the Y. What made me think I couldn't run? I CAN RUN. Not that fast, not that long, yet, but I don't feel like a fat old has been. I feel like I'm in my twenties again.

Here was the key for me. At 48 and 295, I started with swimming, and I swum six months, building up my endurance before I ever started. Swimming builds endurance but it doesn't hurt and it really helped me develop the baseline cardiovascular I needed without making every joint in my body feel like somebody had taken a hammer to it.

When I finally started running, I was shocked to find it wasn't that bad.

I was doing my own sort of modified program, and how I just started C25k on week two. Actually, I think I could have probably started with week 3.

Running kicks my butt in a good way, and since I started running 3 times a week, I've also starting losing again, after having hit a longish plateau.

So NEVER SAY NEVER my dear. I've no doubt that if I can anyone can!!!!

Thanks Uber...I am only saying never...okay...probably never because of my body. My knees and an ankle. But you are so true...maybe I will! You are so right...never say never! Cuz I said I would never get married again...and here I am as happy as Cinderella!

cathy,

I'm younger than you but I have osteoarthritis in my left knee. I also have a genetic issue with how my knees/hips are aligned that seems to aggravate my knee issues. Of course I'm only talking about myself, but my knees haven't bothered me much running as long as I wear good shoes but running sure is hard, especially on hills!

Great minds think alike. ;) I had just started doing interval training at the beginning of the year, but was then sidelined with a nasty cold. I plan to be back on the indoor track this weekend. My workouts are very similar to yours. I would start out with a brisk 1 mile walk (10 laps) to get the blood moving and loosen up. Then I would do an interval set where I would jog for a lap and then walk for a lap (5 laps jogging, 5 laps walking). I'd then take a quick break to stretch my legs and get them nice and limber. Now comes the running. :running: Interval set again, run a lap followed by walking a lap. (5 laps running, 5 laps walking). Another break to stretch out tight muscles (usually my calves). Then I go for a 1 mile jog, followed by a 1 mile walk, and end it all with some floor exercises to cool down and stretch. I'm still trying to break the 12 minute mile, but just haven't quite gotten there yet. I am so looking forward to nicer weather when I can start taking my workouts into the great outdoors.

Yeah, my knees suck too. I slipped on the ice about fifteen years ago, and I had a fracture that got missed. It didn't really heal right and then it threw off my hip. By last spring, I was also having chronic foot problems, probably something about my gait on that side, and the weight....

My knees still hurt when I squat and walk upstairs but I can't believe how much swimming helped me. It strengthens the muscles without putting pressure on the joints until you are strong enough that you CAN put pressure on the joints.

Honestly, nobody is more shocked or delighted than me. I was the ultimate unlikely candidate.:carrot:

(and how happy that you found love!!!)

Last year I was over halfway through C25K but then wimped out when life got busy towards the end of the year. I'm thinking about starting it again though :)

You can "run" on the elliptical. It's not quite the same "free" feeling, but it has pretty much the same benefits as a "real" run. When you first try it, set the elliptical on zero incline and a pretty weak resistance, balance yourself directly over the pedals (no slothing on the computer or handles!), pump your arms as you would if you were running (not holding onto the handles) and go! Your speed will be considerably faster than that even trot we tend to do on the elliptical because you aren't holding on and in more of a runnng stride. You won't aggravate your joints anymore than you would using the elliptical the normal way.

Another thought, depending on the severity of your joint problems, is that sometimes running on a softer surface helps. Ask your doctor before doing it, but if he/she gives you the green light, give it a shot. See if you can run on your high school track. The surface has that black, almost spongy layer that is known for being easier on your joints. Make sure to use the runner's stride - kind of a glide step rather than a jump-jump from foot to foot - if that makes sense? Invest in a good pair of shoes that were fitted for you and give it a try.

I only suggest these things because you seemed to really enjoy running. I have every confidence that you can build the body of your dreams without running also.

Can I just say - as someone who was never an athlete, never a runner - that running is empowering? Walking is fine. Eliptical is cool. Running is POWER. Even my slow-poor form-can only run one lap-getting passed by eight year olds-running is AMAZING! I swear your age goes down with each step you take. And it does hurt sometimes. But with time it hurts less. And your form gets better. And you go a little faster. And you feel even stronger. And pretty soon some of those years you leave behind when you run STAY behind when you stop. And I can't imagine how good it's going to be when I can run a MILE. I'll bet I won't feel a day over 30 on the day I first run a mile!

I'm so glad this thread is still going!

When I first went to the gym last April my trainer asked me.. Do you run? I just looked at him and said.. I DON'T RUN. and I was serious! HA HA.. I am now. Training for running takes lots and lots of patience! When I first started it was 90 seconds walking and 60 seconds running (at an incredible slow pace) and I felt like I was going to have a stroke.

My best advice - stick with it!

My second best advice - Plan a run in the future - say min 8 weeks away. If possible make it a low distance run. My first was the turkey trot at thanksgiving.. it was 2 miles.

More advice - DO NOT compare yourself to others. But do compare yourself with you! Only try to improve what you did. The runs I go to there are serious runners - and there are casual walkers - I consider myself somewhere in between.

Running is wonderful!!!
My next run is a 5K next Saturday - and I live in Green Bay, WI - so it will probably snow..lol.. but I'll have fun!

I am a runner - more of a jogger actually lol I am slowly working up myspeed but it's really a slow process for me! I have a nike + that I use to track my runs and do the challenges at nike.

Another C25Ker here, unfortunately on hiatus for the past week and a half because I hurt my knee. I hope it heals soon. I miss running!

I want to be a runner! I was watching someone run at the gym tonight, wishing I could do that..lol I know I'll get there.

I used to watch people run and wish I could do that too! I remember wishing I would WANT to do that. Does that make sense? I was in awe of what made "those people" get out of the house and push themselves that hard?

Now....I am one of those people! I would never have believed it a year ago! Now I am "that person" that goes running when it's -30 and when on holidays and .... Wow.

I guess....I am a runner! :)

momof5k - hubby and I were discussing the want to part of it recently. He is military and forced to stay fit because of it. He has to pass a fitness test each year that includes running. He hates running. He doesn't run until it is time to get ready for the test and then he runs for a few weeks to prep, runs the test, and stops for another year. He can run a 10 minute mile, no problem. I am just a baby runner and can't even keep running for the entire mile yet. My fastest mile so far is 15:41. However, I want to run, I work on it, I go voluntarily and work on it at the gym frequently, I have plans for races in the future that are not forced on me, I just want to. So we decided that even though he is more skilled than I am (currently), I am more of a runner because I have the desire. He has the desire to sit on the couch and read a book.