Dh is a runner, I am not. I used to run cross country when I was in school, but that was ages ago, and I can't say that I was very good, though I did enjoy it. I've been thinking about running a 5k for the past 2 years. Our town has an annual race every Thanksgiving morning, and I'd love to run it with dh.

Is is possible for someone as overweight as me to finish this program, or do I need to lose weight before starting?

Any success stories would be greatly appreciated.

I dont know about the program, but i know something about running being big. Some days I can do like .2 of a mile with no problem. Other days I cant even do that. Yesterday my legs burned so badly and felt like they had concrete blocks tied to them. I dont know why it varies day to day so much. Im really upset with myself that I cant do more, but I just cant. So what I do is I walk swiftly mainly, and when I feel like I can run a bit, I run. Then when I cant do anymore, I stop. Then pick it up again when I can. I never was able to run even when I weighed 145, so I dont know if I'll ever be able to for longer than .2 of a mile.......

And I think that Thanksgiving run would be awesome! Maybe you can strive for doing it in 2010.........And think of it this way. You can do the race, then have your TG food and not feel guilty cause you would have done all that running already for the day.....

I didn't start C25K until I was around 220lbs but it wouldn't hurt to try it! In fact I wish I would have started it much sooner.

I started it yesterday!

I didn't do c25k because I found some of the jumps a bit too progressive but I did a learn to run program at 230 and was able to run for an hour and a half about 6 months later.

I've seen a few people at your weight run, but you'll probably have an easier time of it if you wait for just a bit... it doesn't mean you can't get your body ready. Walk! Lots... then walk faster... and if you have a treadmill start walking on an incline after that. This will get your cardio system more prepared for running and you'll have an easier time (i.e. Your lungs won't feel like they are on fire)

Running is very hard on the knees/joints/ligaments so you have to be very gentle at first. Make sure you have good shoes too... makes a world of difference. (Best to go get fitted for them)

If I were you I would give it a try. I am heavy but have been very lucky, made it to Week 5 with lots of improvement and NO joint pain. I'm 30 ("sorta young") but I think I'm just lucky--no family history of knee or hip or other joint problems. If you get started and it doesn't hurt (except of course your muscles) then keep going!

Besides good shoes, stretching also helps keep everything aligned, so stay loose.

I just posted a thread about this. I should have read this first! I've been thinking about starting C25K, too. If you decide to do it, I would love it if we could support each other during the process! Good luck with it!

Thanks for your input. I started the program yesterday, and will be extending it to 17 weeks. I'll be doing the first 8 weeks twice and might add a 4th day each week. I really want to run on Thanksgiving Day.

I was over 250 when I started and I am only one run away from "graduating".

Give it a shot!