Lisa -

Wow. MY biggest worry would be working with my husband -:lol: !
Let me address yours one at a time:

"Here are my fears:
*I'll be too slow to keep up with the kids on our practice runs. Granted, I'll be running with the girls, who are generally slower than the boys, but I'm afraid I'll be too slow for them, which will look bad for a COACH."
Oh, please. Some will be faster, some will be slower - but I suspect you'll be just fine. Besides - who cares?? You WON'T be at the back, struggling for breath and having them all laugh at you - No, you won't... YOU WON'T! You are fit now, and a runner. Say it with me: 'I can DO this!'

"*I won't be taken seriously. Yes, I look different than I used to, and most of the kids know that I run now, but these kids saw me at 275. Will they respect me as a coach?"
I PROMISE you that they will respect you MORE for losing that weight. They'll look at you and think - 'Gawd, she used to be fat - now she's as fit - fitter! - than ME!' Will they respect you? Absolutely. They are teenagers - treat them with respect, they'll respect you in return. Go in as a coach, not as your hubby's wife.

"*I'm new to running. Most coaches did it in high school. Heck, my husband was in the Junior Olympics and has records at his school that still haven't been broken, I believe. Will they listen to anything I say? And DO I know enough, just from reading up on it?"

You didn't 'just read up on it' - you're LIVING it! I know you mean coaching, but your hubby will be able to help you there, outside of school. And who cares about 'other coaches' - how many do these kids know or have? The only person they might compare you to is your husband, right? Will they listen to you? Of course, if you go in confident and positive - teenagers LOVE or HATE their coaches, no in betweens. Be the one they love, by challenging them, and setting clear guidelines of who is in charge (hint - it's YOU!:lol:) You know who'll love you most? That girl who wants to run faster, but can't... yet. And you can give her that little pep talk about how YOU became a runner - one day at time :)

"*As much as I feel like I've gotten over it, I'm still the last-picked fat girl in gym class. Can I really consider being a COACH of a SPORT? It seems insane!"
:lol: It seems insane? So did losing a hundred pounds. And running. But you did it, girl! You are NOT in high school any more :) (thank goodness, right? ;))

Lisa - you CAN do this. You'll hate yourself if you don't. You can always quit if it's awful - but you don't want to be the girl who later wastes time saying "I wish I had..." I don't 'know' you, per se, but I know enough to know you can do this, and you should :)

:hug: Thinking of you in a big way - keep us posted, okay?? I know you'll be AWESOME. :)

Heather :D

Lisa-

Would you be expected to run with the kids? CAN you keep up with them? Get some numbers wrt how fast you'd be expected to be, and be honest with yourself. It's a pass/fail question, either you can maintain their speed for their distance while doing whatever you'd be expected to do, or you can't-- and that has nothing to do with how hard you've worked to get to where you are. Age and talent are beyond your control.

I'd be more concerned that (1) you've never been part of organized competitve running, and (2) you haven't been running for long. Also ISTM that part of coaching is having more experience and mileage in the sport than the coachees, and it's likely in this case that you haven't.

You've done a great thing for yourself and you can inspire other kids to become active, but overall my questions relate to whether this is the right spot for you. Truth, I'm not convinced either way.

(Mods, feel free to move this to the 100 pound forum if need be, but both my response and my outlook are coming from a different place and I think the running thread is the better fit.)

Maria, I wouldn't have to run with the kids every single time, but I'd want to most of the time. My husband says the girls run between 25 and 30 minute 5ks at the meets but at practice they generally run a bit slower. Obviously they push more at a meet. When I run a 5k distance, I run between 30 and 32 minutes generally. I wouldn't say I'm pushing myself THAT hard at that pace, and I certainly could hang with them around a 29 or 30 minute 5k run. They'll do some speed work during practice, but I'll most likely be timing them rather than running with them for that. I'll have to run some hills with them and maybe do a long run here and there. Long runs would have an easier pace (thank God) and I've worked up to a distance of 11 miles so I would probably be ok with their 5 or 6 miles. So I suppose I'd probably be pushing myself in practice, but I could still do it.

I've never officially been part of competitive running, no. I've certainly been heavily involved in helping out at track meets and such, so I'm familiar with how everything works, but no, I didn't run in high school. I don't know what "ISTM" means, but yes, one would expect a coach to have more experience than the students, and that's what troubles me most. I suppose that's why I would only be ok with it because I'd be my husband's assistant, and he has enough experience to make up for my lack, certainly.

You've brought up some very good points, Maria -- thank you! Lots to think about.

Heather, you've brought up great points too, and I sincerely appreciate your encouragement. The biggest reason I'm seriously considering this is for the chance to help the girls who are out there giving it their all even though they're not "natural athletes." I see lots of them, struggling at the back of the pack, and as much as my husband cares about them, he can't really see things from their point of view. He's never been anything but superfit and superfast. I think I could help them in a way most coaches couldn't. Most people don't think about high school sports in that way -- they'd rather just encourage the star athletes and congratulate the "lesser" ones for being involved but otherwise dismiss them. I want to be a different kind of coach. The good part about it is my husband would be there to handle the stars, because I doubt I'd be that much help to them!

ISTM = it seems to me. Sorry about that.

Let us know what you decide.

Hello everyone, a bit of a quick fly by post from me.

I did another 10k race at the weekend. I'm still not back to my fastest after the marathon, but I'm remarkably consistent - I managed to finish this race within 5 seconds of the time I did in my last 10k. I think it all comes down to putting on a vague attempt at a sprint finish in the last km both times to get under 50 minutes (I managed 49:55 last time and 49:50 this time!).

I did 11 miles this evening - my normal routine of 3 and a bit up to running club then the club run. I managed to just about finish by the time thundery torrential rain started, it caught me in about the last two minutes so cooled me off nicely before my shower without me being out in it for too long.

I've got a 7 mile club handicap race on Wednesday which should be interesting. I don't think I'll do my warm up before that one, in an attempt to keep the speed up all the way round it. Then hopefully a long run on Friday because I won't be running at the weekend - I'm going on a learn to climb/abseil weekend.

Checking in from vaca....

There is no way on god's earth that I can run here, in the Adirondacks. My calves are crazy knots from just walking everywhere. Running is NOT happening. After Saturday, everywhere we stay has a treadmill, and I can get back to it.

However, these hills are good for the tushy....

Sounds fun, onthetee! And walking all those hills will build some nice strength in your legs, which will make your runs easier later on!

I tried a tempo run today and it KILLED me. I can see how a weekly tempo run will really build my speed, though. I have to tweak it a bit, though. I did a 5-mile run today and planned to do the tempo pace from 1.5 to 3.5, for two full miles, but I could only keep it up for 1 1/2 instead. And then I had two full miles to finish and I was completely worn out. Next time I'll do a 4 mile run instead of 5, and I might slow down the pace until I'm ready to step it up.

As for the coaching position, I've decided that I'll take it if it's offered and if I can juggle it with my academic team coaching position. I plan to run with the kids on their easy, slower runs and just time them on their speed workouts. In all this decision-making, I completely forgot that most coaches don't participate with the kids during practice, and they certainly don't do it ALL the time. I was basing my decision on how my husband coaches, but he's kind of exceptional. ;)

Today was the start of Week 3 of C25K and ouch, pain! My SIL tells me I need to drink some caffeine before running and eat a banana after to stop the soreness. Anyone have an opinion on that? I made it through my run and it wasn't me being out of breath or my muscles that were sore, it's this absolute almost bone pain in my shins. The muscles are sore too just not as bad as the other pain. I'm hoping a few more weeks will tame my body - I think it's just in shock that I haven't quit yet!

You've got shin splints, Cakses, and bananas and coffee won't fix you.

Google for shin splint stretches and make sure you're wearing proper running shoes.

Week #5 of the c25k starts tomorrow...20 minutes of straight running by the end of this week whaaaaat? But I can do it...gotta get through the first 2 workouts first...lol.

Long time since I posted, and far too long since I ran.

I came down with a virus a couple weeks ago and then (probably as a result of the viral illness) got diagnosed with Bell’s palsy a few days later. It’s most likely going to be fine and I’ll be back to normal in a few weeks, but it’s had me in a real funk.

Finally went out for a 2 mile “just do something” run yesterday. Felt pretty good, almost forgot what endorphins feel like. I’ll be getting back in the swing gradually this week. I just can’t sit and let this silly thing keep me from doing good things for myself. Plus a quick scale check in the morning served as a biting reality check.

LisaMarie – What an opportunity! I can see where you might be hesitant, but I would think about how you and your husband could balance as a coaching team. Like you said, those who struggle need a coach just as much as the star runners! Hope it all works out.

Glad to see so many of the c25k folks doing well.

Hope to be back to report on running progress regularly again.

Hi all :wave: -

*SO* busy this week - but wanted to say hello and keep moving! Finished Day 3 of Week 6 of C25K this morning - LOVE my treadmill! :)

Can't believe I am actually doing it - running... I never thought I'd be able to do Day 1, let alone week three - and now I am nearly running 4KM... not long 'til I am runnning 5KM! And the best part is, the 'end' of the programme now feels like the beginning of more challenges for time and distance... and maybe even hills... one day... :lol3:

Have a great week, folks!

Heather :D

Hi everyone!

Hoping I could join your thread....

I just started the C25K program on Monday and I have day 2 tomorrow.

I am looking forward to learning a lot from everyone here.

Have a great evening!

shananigans -- Thanks for cheering me on! I'm hoping the coaching thing will all work out, but it's not definite yet.

Heather -- you're doing soooo great!! Keep it up!

Penney -- it's so good to see you in this thread! I just noticed that you're in VA -- me too!

I ran 9 miles this morning and it was TOUGH. I don't know what was wrong with me. When I got back I was actually quite dizzy. I even had a bit of a side stitch during the run. I hope my 12 miles on Friday aren't like that!

Today's my 1-year anniversary of changing my life, by the way!

Hi runners, well, unfortunate circumstances have led to the end of my running hiatus, a small bright spot anyway. So just swinging by to make the public commitment to get out Thursday a.m. (the first day I'm allowed to run after the medical procedure) and run (or run/walk probably after my two month break) a couple miles.

Anne

Lisa Marie - Where are you in VA? I am in northern VA.... 9 miles???? and I was impressed with my 1.5..... Way to go!

Anne - Good luck on your run!

Okay - I did day two of the program.... Ended up doing 1.5 miles.... I was hurting but not too terribly bad - I think I will be better by Friday. My knee was really bothering me.... but I figure that is to be expected with my weight. Besides - it's the same one I hurt when I was younger and playing a lot of sports. So I think that I just need to give it some extra training.

Take care everyone!

Today was my second run of week 3 and it was tough on the 3 minute jogs to keep motivated. I made it but I kept looking at the clock just willing it to move forward faster. I was hoping my body would shape up a bit faster and if on Friday I am still struggling I am going to repeat this week again to try and build up stamina. I really do enjoy the feeling of running though and I have finally mastered breathing that doesn't make me feel like I am having an athsma attack! Woo hoo!

I am trying to get back on track with my eating plan as well so some of this weight can come off so running isn't as hard. Running with 70 extra pounds is difficult! I am proud that I have made it this far without injury or just plain old giving up. I can't wait to run 5k on week 9!

I had fun last night, we did a club handicap race which was just a bit under 7 miles. The weather was actually pretty nice for once, although it was quite muddy underfoot. I ended up overtaking more people than overtook me which was nice (they set the slowest runners off first with the intention that everyone finishes at roughly the same time), and I came in within a minute of the time they had predicted for me (over, but I blame the mud...). We had a bit of a social after which was also a nice excuse to chat - I finally came clean to running club people about the weight loss thing too. I didn't tell them before because I wanted them to get to know me as a runner rather than someone who's lost weight.

Bah - rotten start to the day... I must be tired. I only managed 15 minutes on the treadmill, instead of 25 :( I must just be over-tired, I guess. Back at it on the weekend.

Keep up the good running, everyone!

Heather :D

You SHOULD be impressed with your 1.5 -- you just started! That's fantastic! Oh, and I live halfway between Richmond and Charlottesville.

Helen, I know what you mean about not wanting to be known as someone who lost weight and instead just being known as a runner. I'm starting to feel that way, the closer I get to my weight loss goal and the more I progress as a runner. Especially with this coaching thing. If I do take the position, I'm looking forward to a few years down the road, when I'll only be coaching kids who didn't know me at 275 pounds!

Today's an off day for me. I was going to run a couple of easy miles but I'm having some pain in my right ankle, the one I broke a few years ago. Eek. I hope there's nothing wrong!

Ok, I ran/walked/shuffled but did NOT crawl my 2 miles this morning. I did not take a watch because I did not want to know. But it was slow. The good news is that I ran most of it, at least in smallish stretches. I'm trying not to be disappointed given that I haven't run in more than 2 months, and a week ago I was being prepped for surgery, but you'd never know I ran a half in January.

OK, the goal for the rest of this week/weekend is to get out once more, with a run-as-I-feel-like-it jaunt, and then try to get a little more disciplined and build back some more of what I lost next week.

Anne

wndranne, you'll be back on track in no time! It's great that you're getting out there! :hug:

I went ahead and did a quick 2.2 miles after all, and I foolishly did it in the over-ninety-degrees heat of the afternoon. I barely beat the storm, though -- now there's a crazy storm out there. I intended to take it really slow but because it was a short run I was faster than I wanted to be, which proves that building up mileage really does make you faster whether you intend it or not.

Hi everyone,

I haven't posted in awhile since I have been in and out of town.

After today's 5 mile run I actually saw 145 on my scale well...145.2 but still it was exciting.

Everyone is doing so well. I am struggling a bit to stay on track in the heat.

Yesterday's run was better, less sore but now I am coming to the "I'm not in good enough shape" to do this part I believe. So far I have tricked my body into doing this, but on those 3 minute runs I am dying by the end. I am going to keep trucking along as best as I can though.

If three minutes isn't easy DON'T MOVE ON TO MORE. You've had years and years to get into the shape you're in now. That's not going to change in three weeks.

I had a nice run this morning, I ended up doing 14 miles before work. There's nothing that quite beats that smugness when you get into work already having done your long run for the week. Admittedly my legs will keep reminding me about it all day, but at least I've got people to go and get drinks for me!

Try slowing down just a tiny bit. There is a huge cardiovascular gap for most people between their fastest walk and their slowest run and that is what needs to be built up. 99% of new runners run too fast for their fitness level and that actually ends up making take longer to get in shape.

7 this morning. I have been slow slow slow slow lately - I was running along at what FELT like 9:45 effort and it was 11:40 pace unbelievable.

Helen - I cant imagine how early I would have to get up to do my long run on a weekday. My Wednesday mid-length run is getting painfully early as it is.

Anne - good to see you back out there:hug:

I set my alarm for 5:30 and was out of the house at about 5:36. The run took just over 2 hours which gave me time for stretching, a shower at the gym (and breakfast!) and still getting into work well before 9. It's only half an hour earlier than I normally get up, and worth it once in a while if it's the best way to fit things in.

hey everyone!

I just finished week #5 of the c25k program...and it feels great.

Who knew I could run 20 min no stopping or walking?

And next week the bar gets raised higher.

I'm thinking about running a 5k when i complete the program...just to finish for starters...next summer hopefully i'll be aiming for times and getting competitive with it. But for now I'd just love to complete one.

Great job, Glitterlicious - feels awesome, doesn't it???

Enjoy the start of week six - it'll feel so much easier now!! :)

Heather :D

Ahhhh yes....Jealous now...:D 9 am to work- there in lies my problem, I'm already getting up at 5 to do a 7 miler. :p

Someday...someday. I am counting the months until BOTH kids are in preschool/kindergarten and I still wont be working that year and I will have 2 1/2 hours all to myself.

I completed week 3 of C25K and I was forced to run inside my home today due to weather and waiting on my husband to come online in Kuwait so no gym. I ran much slower because I had less room to run and I made it through just fine without dying so maybe next week I will tone down the run segments a little until I am in better shape. So I am going ahead with week 4 on Monday and hoping for the best!

As for getting up early to fit a run in, I've been spoiled this summer because I haven't been working (I'm a teacher). I won't know what to do when school starts! Of course, I've been getting up early anyway to try to beat the heat.

I did 12 miles today! Longest run yet, and it was tough but I made it. Surprisingly, I haven't been completely dead all day.

Where is everyone??

I did 4 miles this morning -- it was a tempo run, so I did a 10-minute pace for a mile and a half in the middle of it. That's fast for me, but it was relatively easy to do it today. I'm having some twinges in my achilles tendon, which scares me, so I have to keep an eye on that.

How's everyone else doing?

I'm pretty much sitting like a zombie on the couch and staring blanking into space, largely due to my DH's inability to get DD to BE QUIET on his mornings. I may have to have a weekend away, just to sleep.

Anne

I haven't been running at the weekend because I've been ROCK CLIMBING! it was fun :D Even if the instructor was the scariest bloke I've ever met - he does 50+ mile fell races :faint: (scary in a nice, how fit must he be sort of way)

Just finished 18. :faint:

It went really well, my feet are a bit sore, but normal sore, not the toe pain I used to get. chugged a gatorade and some cold pizza because I had less than 60 minutes to eat, shower, and nurse ds (currently doing) before we take dd to a movie. how is that for post run nutrition :lol:

Hey, cold pizza sounds like a perfect nutritional choice! Congrats on 18 miles, that's impressive!

Me, I did two 10 mile runs this weekend. Didn't really intend to go that far either day, but the weather here was just so nice, I wanted to keep going and going.

You guys are doing some serious running!!

I did 8 miles this morning, and it was a really good run! About an 11:45 pace, which is fast for me on a run that long, especially since I did the first 3 miles with my sister-in-law with her short legs! :lol: It was good, though -- I had enough energy for a little push at the end. It was nice and cool this morning for the first time all summer! I hope the sun hides like that on race day -- I'm starting to worry about those last two miles on the boardwalk with the hot sun reflecting off the ocean!

Hi, I don't even know if I belong here, but I just started Couch to 5k on the Cool Running site and am on my second workout of week 1. It got much easier this time around, though there were still some tough spots. But I look at you guys' runs and think I must be a total wuss lol. Hopefully, I will be there one day !