Obese person preparing for a marathon this year

[NoviceRunner]

Hi everyone,

This is my first time posting here though I have been an avid reader of the Steve Pavlina's forums since some time. I come to the forums for inspiration, when I am feeling low or whenever I have some free time.

About 3 months ago, my sister and I decided to run the marathon. My sister is the proactive one always pushing me, while I am the obese, lazy sister. I used to be overweight but jumped into the obese BMI range by gaining around 15 pounds in 3 months. No real reason, just stopped watching what I ate.

Well, so she had this great idea of running a marathon and I decided to give her company. Surprisingly, I made it to 3 months i.e. I completed my first 5 mile run today, so feel it's something of an achievement for a person like me. When I started I could barely run for 2 mins, but today I completed 5 miles in 80 mins.

Since I am slightly more tech aware than she, she asked me to create a blog which I did. We share our achievement, our progress, our ups and downs (too many ) at our blog:

Marathon Preparation - From couch to 26.2 miles

Please visit and let us know what you think. Also, if this blog inspires even one person to take up running/walking, I'll consider it a success

[Holistic Star]

Hi Novice,

Your first 5 miles is such an achievement! Well done to you. How did it feel?

I'm training for a half-marathon in 3 months time. I've started at zero fitness aswell. I did run a half marathon 5 years ago, my health deteriorated shortly afterwards so I lost all that fitness I had built up. All I can say is that crossing that finish line knowing I had run all the way was the most amazing feeling in the world. - bet you can't wait!

[NoviceRunner]

I feel and felt good completing the 5 miles, unfortunately my body doesn't

I have never been exhausted after my runs/walks but today I was. I had to sleep after breakfast and woke up with a headache. So I think my body has started complaining

All the very best for your half marathon. It takes courage to start from scratch, all over again. It's in our plan too along the way to the marathon. Maybe in 2-3 months time.

[Dbarker]

Originally Posted by NoviceRunner

I have never been exhausted after my runs/walks but today I was. I had to sleep after breakfast and woke up with a headache. So I think my body has started complaining.

I used to get pretty tired after my long runs, thinking maybe I was going to fast. I ran a marathon 8+ years ago and set a goal to run another this year, finally. I ran 6 miles Sunday in the snow and cold and ended up getting sick for the week. Which marathon are you planning on running? Having the goal set can provide motivation.

Good Luck.

[NoviceRunner]

Thank you for asking that question, Dbarker. It reminded me to update my blog with the goal

3 months ago when we started, we were aiming at the San Francisco Marathon. But it is in August 2008 which is a little too early for me and doesn't fit in my sister's hectic schedule. So we have decided upon the Nike's woman marathon which should suit us since it will be approximately one year after we started preparing. We are planning to do some 5K runs and a half marathon before that.

Falling sick after a run or a workout is a bummer. But maybe helps in a way as one practices more caution the next time. But unfortunately may discourage some ppl too

[ginkgo]

It was interesting what you said. I just put up an article about an ethics dilemma. I said the way to solve it was to acknowledge that you are responsible for yourself not anyone else. You put the blog up for her but she cannot exercise for you or eat a good diet for you. Ask her if she will exercise for you since you are putting up the blog for her.

[Dbarker]

Originally Posted by NoviceRunner

Falling sick after a run or a workout is a bummer. But maybe helps in a way as one practices more caution the next time. But unfortunately may discourage some ppl too

You would think so. But today, feeling much better, I went out and ran a speed workout on the track. 3 x 800 with a 400 in between each. So much for being cautious. I didn't hit it TOO hard, but probably should stop and think about pushing too much. I get impatient and should know better.

Keep up the training and good luck reaching your goal.

dave

[seanner689]

Hey, just wanted to say good luck, and congrats for taking on such a huge task

[NoviceRunner]

Hi Seanner689, Holistic Star, DBarker
Thanks for the encouragement. It seemed like an unachievable task 3 months ago, but today, after completing 3 months, I think there may be a slight possibility that we may be able to really run a marathon. Keeping our fingers crossed and our feet running

ginkgo,
You have a point there, but I really really wish it were possible - one eats, the other gains weight, one runs, the other gains stamina, one studies, the other passes exams....ahh, life would be wonderful

[Excellent Lodestar]

Novice,

I used to be a runner.a serious runner. I used to be obese as an Adolescent. I committed myself to never be obese ever again. It worked, but i took the long road, making mistakes and harming my body. I wish you luck in all your endeavors. Please read this
Mark’s Daily Apple » Blog Archive » A Case Against Cardio (from a former mileage king)

Good Luck,
Elodestar