I'm overweight. Very overweight. I have been for a long time. I've hovered around the 21 stone mark for the last 3/4 years, with some incidental weight loss and regain every now and again. Ive always stuggled with inspiration to do something about it, except, of course, from the obvious, i.e. being so overweight will kill me early.
Then, as if by magic, the inspiration dropped in my lap.
I saw a video online which gave me the poke I needed to get going. I'm currently reading through Ben's tumblr blog. It's brilliant so far. I also had the awesome support of my marathon running friend Lorna who agreed to help me start my journey to fitness and my friend Cat, another recent running convert.
I started running in October 2010 at a very unhealthy 21 stone (294lbs). On my first time out with Lorna and another friend, we ran 2.4 miles, stop start with walking, and it took us 45 minutes. I jogged, sometimes at very low speed, the entire way. It felt good. A couple of days later I ran my first mile non stop at my own speed. It took me 12.5 minutes. A good starting point I thought for a lump like me.
I maintained regular running sessions for the first couple of months, really enjoying myself. I bought some proper running shoes and some lycra shorts to prevent chaffage. They REALLY helped. I didnt have a proper schedule at first, just trying to get out at least 3 times. It was difficult to find the motivation sometimes but I have a strong strength of will which helped. However I did miss a few sessions, and you really feel it.
Someone once told me there is no such thing as bad run, the only bad runs are the ones you don't do. This is more true than you can realise.
I then managed to injure myself at a brilliant time, it coincided with the bloody awful snow we had so a great excuse not to be out in -5 temperatures. I pulled the ligament in the top of my left foot whilst out walking, no obvious reason why, it just happened. Took a month before I could run again. A few days after getting back out again and Pop! I pulled the same ligament in my right foot. Oh joy.
The forced 9 weeks off running over snowy winter and Xmas was difficult. I got used to not running. I started to put weight back on again, it was Xmas after all, and, feeling miserable about not being out running, I thought what the hell, eat some crap. And I did. It was delicious.
It also gave me some time to properly think and consider what I was doing. What I was trying to do was not easy for someone of my size. I also had time to try and figure out why I was getting injured. My goal for my first race was in the middle of May and I couldnt afford to lose a month every time something faulted.
I went for a gait analysis at SweatShop in Manchester and discovered something interesting. I suffer from severe overpronation. When I run, my foot strikes the ground first on the outside back of my heel and then rolls onto the rest of my foot. It keeps rolling as I transfer my weight to that leg and at its apex, my ankle and lower leg are making an angle similar to 4pm on a clock face. I winced as I watched it. I was advised I needed some specialist running shoes with a medial stability support. The ones I had been running in so far were just basic neutral shoes and doing nothing to support my foot and ankle. This, I think, is the reason I got injured. As I ran I weakened my foot until it couldnt cope any longer.
Armed with this knowledge I went to Sports Direct and spoke to a very helpful chap who had an amazing knowledge on running and together we decided some New Balance 965's were the shoes for me. The difference was astounding.
So February begins and I get back on the tarmac/gravel/pavement. With only 3 months until my first race I start running with a decent routine. At least 3 runs a week, a tempo run (shorter distance as fast as I can), a training run (inbetween distance, inbetween speed) and a long run (greater distance, slower speed). Alot of these were with my friend Cat, she has been a training partner and teasing each other is a great incentive. The encouragment and praise I've had of her and Lorna have been brilliant.
Using this plan to improve my fitness and performance did show some progress. First time I ran 10km it took me approx 75 mins, the second time 4 weeks later it took me 63 mins. My 5km time slowly reduced from 35 minutes originally to maintaining just within 30 mins. I set a new personal best of 28:00 just to beat it with 27:21 5 days later.
My target time for the race in May was 54:XX. This was very optimistic. It dawned on me 3 weeks ago that I wouldnt be able to achieve this, in particular after a complete blowout on an attempt at 10km at a solid pace. I got to 1 1/2 miles and couldn't keep going. I originally thought I had just started too fast but when I checked the time I was actually running at race pace. This was devastating. After a long, hard think, I amended my target to sub 60 mins, which would still be a great time for me, given my size and how long I've been running.
Last Sunday I competed my first competitive race, the Great Manchester Run 10k, with a time of 54:59. I was chuffed beyond belief. I was so happy I could've cried. The day itself was immense. I've never experienced anything like it. I want more of this feeling.
I have already signed up for the Brooks Hell Up North in September as a solo effort and the Brighton Marathon next April with Cat (how this came about is rather amusing but will have to wait). I'm signing up for a couple of sprint triathlons in summer and a full distance one next year
A few more steps on my journey to be an Ironman.
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