Howdy, runners, just found this thread! I'm getting back into running after only having jogged sporadically over the last few years and am glad to find a group of fellow travelers : ) I jog much, much slower than I did in college (probably partly age) but I'm curious how much my higher weight is affecting things. Have any of you found your times speeding up as you lost weight? I'm curious how much I'll need to lose before I see a difference in my running capacity...

Ive read/seen stuff about this, and although i cant remember the EXACT numbers, its something to the effect of for every 5 lbs you loose (i dont remember if its just body fat, or overall weightloss) your speed improves by soomething like 15 seconds per mile.....like i said i cant remember the exact numbers, but they arent HUGE, however they ARE noticable...so YES, your running will def get faster as you loose weight, and also get in better shape...ever notice how EVERY SINGLE competitive runner (think olympian) weighs about 100 pounds sopping wet, with no apaprent body fat??

Yes, losing weight helped me get faster, definitely. In my early 40's, I lost weight, started running, and did a few races, halfs and a full marathon. I did the run/walk thing and I think my best 5K time was maybe 31 minutes or so. My best half marathon was 2:26. At the time, I weighed in the low 120's.

Then I fell off the wagon for about 2 years, regained it all (and more), and had to start over with the weight loss thing. I couldn't even run at all when I started exercising again -- what a come-down after finishing a full marathon several years earlier!! As I lost weight and regained fitness, I started running again, and eventually found I didn't even need to do the run/walk thing any more. I'm a good 10 pounds lighter now than when I was running before and quite a bit faster. My 5K PR is a little over 26 minutes and my half marathon PR is 2:01. So yes, for me, that extra 10 pounds has made a significant difference.

Thanks, ladies, for the info! Can't wait to see it happen for myself : )

Hey girls. I am halfway through my HM train9ing meaning up to 6 miles as my long runs. I am however worried how I am going to finish 13 when it seeems like I am running forever doing 6. I love running but it worries me that I won't make it, It is wierd because I know I can run 7 miles next week for my long run without dying. any tips, advice or suggestions??

I am proud of my 6 miles BTW. I did it in 1:10:20. I was ecstatic the first time I did it!!!!

Cake- just take it 1 mile at a time. It'll be ok when you get there.

hi all.
i'm 5'3, 126 pounds, in good shape, work out 6 days a week and run more or less each one of those days. however, i cannot seem to run more than about 15-18 minutes at 5.5 mph. I do warm-ups before, I stretch, etc...and I do not smoke so that is not the issue.

I'm trying intervals right now...5 minutes uphill climb, 5 minutes running, to see if it builds up some endurance.
Any tips???? I'm really interested in running and one day I hope to have the ability to train for a 1/2 marathon.

Also, I sometimes get cramps during my runs. I usually drink half a bottle of water while I'm warming up on the elliptical. Should I not drink so much until after my run? Thanks!

Biju - I think as far as the water goes. I think the key is to stay hydrated all day so during your workouts you can sip occassionally rather than drink. Also if you want to run longer just slow your pace and work on endurance and then gradually ramp up your pace. I guess it is like, "what is more important...pace or endurance"?

Ennay - Thank you. I checked your running log.....awesome. It was inspiring to look over. I keep a hand written training log but it was neat to see someone else's.

biju, how long have you been at it? it sounds like you're at a good starting point, but as cake pointed out, you could always slow it down to start. though the interval training you mentioned will prob help a lot.
as for me, i've really been slacking off lately. only been to the gym twice a week the last couple weeks instead of my normal 3-4. went for a run yesterday and it wasn't so good. i think this run/walk thing we've been talking about lately as a way to extend our endurance is actually kinda just making me lazier and giving me an excuse to not push as hard. i'm not sure. yesterday i already had to walk a min and a half after two miles. i eventually made it 5 miles in around 50 mins, but there were many many walking intervals in there. it's not bad. it's just not as much as i used to do before i gave myself the permission to stop.

4.5 for me this morning. The last mile was tough, and I found my legs walking without my brain's permission. Ah, summer.

Anne

dancer - just to follow up on the weight thing. Its often hard to say because most people who lose weight while running are ALSO gaining fitness. I had a bout of depression this spring and gained about 8-10lbs over where I was this time last year. My running is back, I think from a fitness standpoint I am close. But on the same races, on the same courses I am pretty consistantly 20 seconds per mile slower which fits very well with the 2-3 second/mile/lb rule.

But dont think that weight loss is all the gain you will get in speed. Fitness and consistancy over the long haul will do far more.

Mine do that too, sometimes! Particularly up hills. I suddenly find myself walking and wonder how it happened. That's when my brain tells my legs to get moving, and they have this little argument.

My brain usually wins, but it's tough sometimes...

ennay - your formula sounds about right - I was a few minutes per mile faster when I was 60lbs lighter. Totally agree that fitness makes a big difference too of course.

wndranne and primm - love the walking without the brain's permission : )

I'm struggling running in the heat lately - you guys too?

Hi runners! I've never posted here before but I'm really trying to challenge myself with running and this is definitely an inspirational place! Right now, I'm running 2-3x/week (no more due to shin splints), usually 3-3.5 miles (10min/mi) and am really enjoying it. I've been running on the treadmill and would love to run outside but have found it so much harder! I just started running on a slight incline on the treadmill since that apparently mimics running outside, so I think that'll be good training and maybe it'll convince me that I'm ready to take it outside and prep for the 5K I've been dying to enter!

Quick question for those of you who run in the morning - do you eat before you go? I'm planning a pre-work run on Thursday because I know I'll be busy after work, so I'm thinking 1/2 a banana? Yesterday, I had 1/2 english muffin with peanut butter before running and it did NOT go over well, so I'm a little afraid of eating beforehand!

Thanks!

I personally don't. I run at odd times of the day due to work committments, and if I get up and run first thing it's just on a glass of water. If I run later in the day it's at least 2 hours after I've eaten, usually about 4pm.

I get very nauseated if I run on anything resembling a full/semi-full stomach.