Ronda93
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 6, 2000
- Messages
- 2,064
I need some beginner running advice. I am currently about 50 pounds over my ideal weight. I am about 60 pounds lighter than I was seven years ago. The losses come during fits of diligent calorie counting. I am able to maintain the loss though and that feels great. Instead of going through life with a fourth grader on my back, I’m down to a kindergartener ; ) Over that time I’ve become more active walking for exercise and walking an insistent dog.
I am in week four of C25K. I started W4 last Monday and couldn’t finish the second five minute run (for the uninitiated 3 minutes, 90 seconds walk, 5 minutes, 2 ½ min walk). Both my lung and legs were burning. For days 2 and 3 I made sure to grab a few calories before I drove to work – half a poisoned peanut Clif Bar. I also slowed down. I had been doing the run portions at 5.5 mph. I slowed gradually to 5.0 and was able to finish. I am on the treadmill and listening to the podcast. There’s no opportunity to do a talk test, but I doubt I could form a complete sentence.
Yesterday, with snow on the ground, we picked up a 14 day trial at the Y – truly considering joining – and used the treadmill there (office gym is closed Sunday). The TM at the Y had the heart rate monitor handles. I grabbed them after my first 3 minute run and it said 185. YIKES! Given my age/sex, the max is supposed to be 181. I know that is a very rough estimate, but I backed off. Further attempts to use the handles either gave me no reading or something in the 160s and 170s.
I have ordered a Polar HRM and it should be here within a week. I understand my best results for weight loss, and training in general, should keep the number between 110 and 145 (45 yo female). Lower and I don’t burn calories, higher and I go anerobic, right?
The question is coming… should I stay in week 4 and shoot for cardiovascular improvement or slow WAY down and continue through the weeks? 5mph feels comically slow, at least on the TM it does. I am pain free.
My goal is a local 5K at the end of April (run/walk whatever it takes) and the WDW half next January (already registered).
What do the ducks think?
Ronda
I am in week four of C25K. I started W4 last Monday and couldn’t finish the second five minute run (for the uninitiated 3 minutes, 90 seconds walk, 5 minutes, 2 ½ min walk). Both my lung and legs were burning. For days 2 and 3 I made sure to grab a few calories before I drove to work – half a poisoned peanut Clif Bar. I also slowed down. I had been doing the run portions at 5.5 mph. I slowed gradually to 5.0 and was able to finish. I am on the treadmill and listening to the podcast. There’s no opportunity to do a talk test, but I doubt I could form a complete sentence.
Yesterday, with snow on the ground, we picked up a 14 day trial at the Y – truly considering joining – and used the treadmill there (office gym is closed Sunday). The TM at the Y had the heart rate monitor handles. I grabbed them after my first 3 minute run and it said 185. YIKES! Given my age/sex, the max is supposed to be 181. I know that is a very rough estimate, but I backed off. Further attempts to use the handles either gave me no reading or something in the 160s and 170s.
I have ordered a Polar HRM and it should be here within a week. I understand my best results for weight loss, and training in general, should keep the number between 110 and 145 (45 yo female). Lower and I don’t burn calories, higher and I go anerobic, right?
The question is coming… should I stay in week 4 and shoot for cardiovascular improvement or slow WAY down and continue through the weeks? 5mph feels comically slow, at least on the TM it does. I am pain free.
My goal is a local 5K at the end of April (run/walk whatever it takes) and the WDW half next January (already registered).
What do the ducks think?
Ronda

We're doing a local 5K that my nephew's school is putting on to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation! The cool thing is that I went to school there are as well, so it's neat to be able to participate! I'm very excited, but just hope that we finish. Right now I'm almost finished with week 4 of my training program (The Beginning Runners Handbook), but I think I should still be able to manage!!