Is this a reasonable plan? (Or: Can someone WAY out of shape do a 5K?)

[HeatherB]

Last weekend, my boys did a 3K fun run, accompanied by my sister and her husband, who was in town to do the marathon the following day. The boys had a great time (though they weren't really quite conditioned for it!), and we all loved the race atmosphere both days we were down there. My friend, who walked/ran the 3K with her kids, decided to sign up for a 5K for herself, and has started the C25K program.

I'm in need of a good "inciting moment" to really get me into regular exercise (again...), and because of the fun we had, have been thinking I should try to prepare for a race, too. My friend is doing one in a month, which seems far too soon for me to really be able to prepare, but I am aiming for one in May. It's benefitting our local baseball team and ends inside the stadium (I'm a huge baseball fan!), so it seems like a really good one to get me going! There's also a kids' fun run that day. My earlier goal, since that's 4 months away, is an event March 27, that has a family/kids 1mi, as well as a 5K (and a toddler trot!).

I'm in pretty bad shape to begin with. Chronic health problems (including rather bad adrenal fatigue), bad knees, feet hurt tons if I walk too much, obviously overweight, etc. But I want to make this work, and I figure if the old ladies can walk a 5K, I can, too, right? All the better if I can run some of it!

So here's my plan and I would LOVE some input!

We have an elliptical (a good one, fwiw), and I think I need to start there. I am thinking I'll do the C25K schedule on it. I know it's not actual running, but the schedule will probably help, and anything's better than nothing, right? So 3 days a week on that.

I am also looking for a good jogging stroller so I can take my boys to the park to walk/jog. The big boys are big enough to walk/run with me, and if I have the 2yo in a jogger, then I should be able to keep up with them! I'm not entirely sure how to blend that in - perhaps just do some days at the park instead of on the elliptical? I can't overtax myself because of adrenal problems; I have to have some time to rest between sessions. But, at the same time, I'd love to be out walking twice a week.

I do have good shoes that I was fitted in at the local running store (though my feet tend to hurt even more in them ).

Anyway, I'd love input/advice/encouragement from anyone who cares to share. I am, at once, excited about the possibilities, and also scared of making investments (like a good jogging stroller) if I can't actually do it and stick with it. (I am *great* with coming up with ideas; not always so good with follow-through.)

Thanks!

[mommajb]

Heather, I don't know much about adrenal fatigue or how exercise affects your energy level sand I don't think you should be in pain. That said, if you can walk for 20 minutes, start on the elliptical using a c25k plan I think May is totally doable.

My concern would be that the elliptical is weight bearing but spares your body the impact. This is good for many reasons but it doesn't build up your body's strength to withstand the impact of running/walking over time. If it is mixed with walking I think it is a great plan to build fitnes and endurance.

I can't wait to read about your 5K!

[Ms. B. Sprout]

Hi Heather!

I did this after my first son was born. I didn't have any adrenal problems, but I was ~80 pounds overweight! I bet you can do it too.

What I did re: jogging stroller is that I had a written schedule for the entire 6 month period. I picked a point about midway and told myself that if I was still sticking to the schedule at that point, then I could get the stroller to help me finish.

About your shoes hurting: That doesn't sound good to me! They should not hurt if they're properly fitted and even minimally broken in. I would start my schedule in them, but if one or two weeks go by without improvement, I would ditch those shoes for more comfortable ones. Frankly, if you think there's any chance that the shoes alone might make you throw in the towel, then stay away from the shoes!!

I think May is totally do-able, even for someone with barriers to fitness. My brother runs marathons, and he made my schedule, and it was gentle and gradual with lots of rest days. Beginning with realistic, achievable sessions was key for me. That meant walk/run for almost a month before the schedule "made" me run!

Good luck!

ETA: Also this helped me be accountable: Take that written schedule and put it on your fridge. Then take a red marker and put a big X through what you have done, and maybe a different color for circling what you didn't do (because life got in the way, you know how that goes sometimes!). After say two weeks you will be SO PROUD to look at all those red Xs, and I bet your family will too. That really helped me stick to it -- a visual summation of the work I was doing.

Also -- four years later and I STILL have a running schedule on my fridge. It's been off and on, but that first C25K started a good fitness habit for me. I really wish you success both for your first race and beyond!!

[HeatherB]

Thank you both for the encouragement!

I just finished my first week of C25K on the elliptical! I'm so thrilled to have actually gotten through the whole week. I know it's not much for some, but having not done this much dedicated exercise in over a year, it feels wonderful to have proven to myself I can do it. (I've done this and that, here and there, but not this intensity, since I stopped going to Curves when my then-1-yo freaked out about it.)

Ms. B., I like the idea of setting a goal and getting the jogger at that point. I am looking at a cheaper one now, that with gift cards I can get for about $160 shipped. But, it'll take 2-4 weeks for it to ship. I may end up placing the order and canceling it if I don't get to X point by then, or whatever. Goals are a good thing, and so are rewards!

I haven't yet registered for the May 5K because they want to know if I'll be walking or running, first. I'm pretty sure I'll only be walking (because my goal is to *finish* and that's all), but I just don't know yet, so I'm waiting. I do want to register so that I *have* to do it, though.

I've skimmed over the C25K routines, and I don't think it looks TOO hard until week 7, when there's a long, unbroken run. But, that's 6 weeks away. So who knows?

Anyway, thanks again!

[ChristyMarie]

Originally Posted by HeatherB

I just finished my first week of C25K on the elliptical!

CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In some ways, it is more of a mental challenge more than a physical one. If you get to a point where a workout is difficult just keep repeating until you finish it, then move on.

Originally Posted by HeatherB

I've skimmed over the C25K routines, and I don't think it looks TOO hard until week 7, when there's a long, unbroken run. But, that's 6 weeks away. So who knows?

I'm on week 7 of a 10K program. And week 1 I looked ahead and went, 'Um, no way will I be able to do that!" But you know what? I can and I am! Stick with it. Slow and steady. You can do it.

[woodchick]

This might be of use to you, I don't know... I've been using Leslie Sansone's "Walk away the Pounds Express- 3mile" workout DVD for a few weeks now and it has been a good, gentle workout. But it still gets my heartrate up.

It is 45ish mintues long and 3miles (almost 5k). It might be something good to try to get a feel for the length.

Good Luck! I've done some 5k fun races (while being overweight) and though my face is beet red 10 minutes in, I've always finished and had fun.

[GearGirl]

It's definitely doable for you! I try to be really positive because attitude helps, but truthfully I am an absolutely horrible jogger. I turn beet red, I get out of breath, I look ridiculous, and I can go only a teeny, tiny distance. I also have a ridiculously large chest and I'm still nursing. I was able to follow the couch to 5k (you can take it much, much slower than the program) and I was surprised at how fast results came. I will NEVER be a runner, and I'm back to square one after not running forever, but it can be done and it is fun, fun, fun. I did a 5k Turkey Trot (on Thanksgiving day), and it felt so good. I felt strong and awesome. I think consulting an expert on your medical problems is probably important but you can definitely do it!