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  1.  
    • CommentAuthorPremium Member!devoncarr
    • CommentTimeOct 6th 2008
     
    devoncarr

    Hey,

     

    I am about 50-70 pounds over weight and just started running. I am a big guy so even thought the weight seems like aton it is spread out on 6'5 of body. I can run 5k now with a good effort. I just started a training plan that is 16 weeks and most the runs during the week are 5-8 k and then once a week the runs go from 10k all the way to the final marathon of 42k. I was wondering if you guys thought it would be realizst for someone of my size to lose enough weight and be able to run the actual marathon after the 16 weeks. I ask because I want to sign up for the LA marathon as I know signing up will make sure that I keep on my training which is going amazing so far. But Im worried that no matter how hard I train I will not be able to get to a reasonable weight in the time frame. The LA marathon is Feb 16th.

     Any opinions.

     

     

    • CommentAuthorFree Memberjballen1
    • CommentTimeOct 6th 2008 edited
     
    jballen1
    In my opinion its great to have a long term goal! Anything is possible, but focus on short term goals that are attainable. If you don't have realistic short term goals you'll become discouraged easily. Im 6'2" and I used to weigh 300 lbs. I decided I'd had enough of being that overweight and started exercising slowly(running 15 mins a day). Im now down to 210 lbs and can ride 50 miles fairly easily. Keep it up and dont get discouraged! Take small steps at a time, and you'll get to anywhere you want to be!
  3.  
    jrhoffman99

    I'm right there with ya.  I've made a similar commitment to run a half marathon in Feb.  Right now, I'm about 6'3" 283 but I started at about 295.  I started running about four weeks ago and I'm hoping to keep it up.

     Good luck to ya.  Hopefully by this Spring, we'll both be patting ourselves on the back.

    • CommentAuthorFree Memberbstylin
    • CommentTimeOct 6th 2008 edited
     
    bstylin

    I'm a pretty big guy too -- 6'2" and about 260 pounds.  In answer to the original posting -- I say go for it.  Sign up for the marathon and keep on training.  At my weight/size I've accomplished a number of half-marathons and you can as well.  But if this is your first time out, I'd suggest a few things:

    1.  Look at the L.A. Marathon as a part of your weight-loss and fitness regime, rather than an end goal.  Don't expect a certain weight by the time the event comes around; just look at it as a long run that's really gonna help you get closer to your goal weight. 

    2.  Don't worry about anything other than finishing.  If you're a first-time marathoner, just showing up is more than 90% of the people in this country can do, so you're already a winner there.  Don't run for time; you can beat the clock when you run your SECOND marathon down the road, when you're leaner and faster!

    3.  Practice self-care.  Us big guys are putting a lot of stress on our joints in the lower extremities cause we're asking them to carry a lot of weight on those daily and weekly runs.  Make sure you have the best running shoes you can afford for your size and gait.  Skip the Big 5 and Niketown and Foot Locker; go to a running store in your area -- it's worth it.  Pay attention to your body so that you can prevent injuries rather than recover from them.

    4.  If you DO have any other concerns about your weight preventing you from running a full marathon with 16 weeks of training, go ahead and see your doctor for a physical.  It can't hurt, right?

     

    Best of luck to you!

     

    • CommentAuthorHero!!Skraith
    • CommentTimeOct 7th 2008 edited
     
    Skraith

    Hi there, a lot of good advice here, thought I would follow up with some of my own experience...I'm a bigger guy myself, 6'1 ~240 lbs. At one point I was pushing 300+ but decided enough is enough. In the last year I have finished 2 marathons, and I am signed up for 3 more in the next 8 months, including the Goofy Challange.

    If you have a running base already built up, you should have no problems be able to train for & finish the marathon. However, it is my experience that once you get about 5 or 6 weeks into the training program it is difficult to lose weight. It is very hard to complete your long training runs when you've had a calorie deficit, and it is also very easy to misjudge the number of calories you need.

    I lost the most weight when I was only running 5ks (I lost 75 lbs in 6 months)...and I am planning on going back to 5-10ks after the Pittsburgh marathon, until I get to my goal weight...and then hitting the long run again.

    Also, I must echo the comment on appropriate shoes...the rest of your gear doesn't matter if you don't have the right fit. And a specialty store will make sure you get the shoe that is best for you.

    Good luck! One of my favorite memories is the first time I crossed the marathon finish line!

  6.  
    aztricoach
    Great stories and advice.  I was at 226 at one point and recently 218 on a 5'11" frame.  I had been a competative runner before and I have coached athletes of all sorts for over 22 years.
    My generic advice for those that are over weight and want to complete an event is to get on the bike to begin with.  Work on building strength and endurance before you hit the pavement more than once per week.  After a few weeks of cycling, you should be able to transition to more days of running during the week without having the pain associated with added weight and running.  Also remember to include about 10 to 15 minutes of resistance training three times per week to strengthen muscles.
    One thing that goes hand in hand with starting a training program is diet and sleeping habits.  Make sure you're eating what you would suggest to someone else to eat if they were going to do the same thing you are starting with the same goals or losing weight and completing an event with the least amount of pain as possible.
    Good luck to you all and keep the stories going!  I'm going to be 40 in February and we have a large group of people that are signed up to do the PF Changs Rock N Roll marathon and half marathon in mid January.  I've lost about 15 pounds in 19 days by eating about 95% raw and following most of that lifestyle.  I've only exercised about three times per week in that time frame and now that I've got some weight off the running is getting a lot easier.
    Keep us updated!
    ~Coach
  7.  
    mattrecore
    Although you have set an admirable goal, I would put out a word of caution. I was a 6'0 225lb guy when I started running a year and a half ago. Since beginning my new lifestyle (and hopefully you will find that running is not just exercise it becomes a necessity) I have lost 50 pounds, and have run in numerous races. I have yet to run in a full marathon, however. I have run in 3 half marathons and will be running the Hartford, CT half marathon this Saturday (Oct 11). I have set my goal to run my first full marathon sometime next year, although I have not yet decided which Marathon it will be. Going based on my experience, I would suggest not going for a full marathon immediately after subjecting your body to the new strains and pressures of running. Start small. Let your body adjust as you lose weight, and build your endurance. Go through the lineage of races, and eventually build to the marathon. I would suggest that the more attainable goal, and still an amazing accomplishment would be to run in the half marathon in LA if they in fact have that option. Trust me, it is still an AMAZING feeling when you cross that line. Good luck, and keep running from Connecticut!

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