I would chalk the scale slowdown to you being so close to goal, rather than the running, and don't panic about the dreaded P word - you'd have to be stuck at the same weight for a few weeks to really be in one.
I've been running regularly for about a year and a half or so, starting when I was around 275 lbs. and never experienced a true plateau. Some questions/suggestions I would have for you are:
- are you mixing up your running with cross-training activities? Many running experts recommend alternating your running days with other exercise like dancing, swimming, cycling, etc. I run 3x a week but generally not two days in a row. This helps prevent overuse injuries and allowing your body to become too efficient (i.e. not burning as many calories) at a particular exercise.
I do Zumba 3 days per week but I also run on those days so I actually get two workouts in a single day. I've been trying to add strength training in but I'm finding it hard to actually work up the motivation to want to lift weights. I should have been toning since day one but I was so scared I'd build muscle and look like a body builder. At the moment I'm running pretty much EVERYDAY and my legs are killing me! I've noticed my legs are toning up nicely some of the loose skin on my legs is going away.
- are you varying your runs? I run one day with a focus on hill training, one one tempo/speed and one on length/endurance. This will not only improve your running, but again keeps your body from becoming too comfortable.
I either run at the gym or take the same 3 mile route outside. Some days I'm able to do more than 3 and others I can barely even get to 3, I have to push myself really hard. Sunday I ran almost 7 miles and while my legs ached, I felt like I truly accomplished something I never thought I could do.
I pretty much stay at the same speed which is a nice, easy jogging pace. It usually takes me 38 minutes to run a 5K so I'm pretty slow at the moment. When I'm outside I like to go by the number on my HRM because I can kind of judge how fast I'm going by my heart rate. I try to stay between 150/160 but yesterday I only managed to reach 143 and I think it's because I ran that long distance the day before.
I pretty much load up on carbs before and after I eat a banana along with some protein or a protein shake. The shakes I have contain 30g of protein so I like to drink those if I don't have time to actually cook something when I return from a run.
I know I need to take breaks in between but I REALLY REALLY like the high I get after which is why I think I run so much. Even when I'm in pain and think I can't go any further, I look forward to the feeling I get after, so I push myself.
- what do you eat pre and post run?