18 replies to this topic

[Lethal1955]

Hi all,
Nine years ago I got very fit and complete in my first 8k fun run. I had not been a runner before this and finished quite strong. I was enjoying running but I had a big change in my life and over a period of time I lost my fitness.

I think I was suffering from depression for a while and then about 6 years ago I created the use for a pacemaker. About three years ago I created Diabetes and because of that I was not able to work of do much exercise. I had a lot of leg pain and was on pain killers. This led me to put on weight. I am 120 kg at the moment with a goal of 90kg

I wasn’t very happy with what the doctors were telling me and search out different options. I am off the painkillers and have mild numbness in the souls of my feet. I have now been back in full time work for about twelve months.

Today is the start of a new journey for me. I went to the gym and worked out for an hour. This was a big step for me. I am only working on losing weight for the next two months with the use of bike and treadmill. I will then do back and stomach strengthening and weights later.
I know I will bring my sugars under control as I eat better, get fitter and my heart is better now as well.

I am turning fifty four this month and have a goal to run a Half Marathon in June 2010.
I also know this is an achievable goal for me and even if I don’t 10 or 15ks will be an achievement.

Thanks for your time and if anybody has any tips or suggestion it would be much appreciated
Lethal.

[PavementWarrior]

Welcome to CR sir - this place is great for support and information.

Try the beginners training section, and to start running you may have a look at the "couch to 5km" program which is the start (or restart) of your goal of the HM by 2010. As you said, you are looking at weight loss over the next two months, so perhaps look at this program then, but in the meantime bike and treadmill (walking?) will aid in that and is low impact too - swimming may also assist this goal also in the next few months.

There are many great topics in here that you could make you forget about your training, so keep posting or reading and good luck in reaching your goal.

PW

PS. We aren't the mad ones - they are

Edited by PavementWarrior, 24 January 2009 - 05:55 PM.

[SouthAustralian]

Lethal1955, on Jan 24 2009, 04:17 PM, said:

Hi all,
Nine years ago I got very fit and complete in my first 8k fun run. I had not been a runner before this and finished quite strong. I was enjoying running but I had a big change in my life and over a period of time I lost my fitness.

I think I was suffering from depression for a while and then about 6 years ago I created the use for a pacemaker. About three years ago I created Diabetes and because of that I was not able to work of do much exercise. I had a lot of leg pain and was on pain killers. This led me to put on weight. I am 120 kg at the moment with a goal of 90kg

I wasn't very happy with what the doctors were telling me and search out different options. I am off the painkillers and have mild numbness in the souls of my feet. I have now been back in full time work for about twelve months.

Today is the start of a new journey for me. I went to the gym and worked out for an hour. This was a big step for me. I am only working on losing weight for the next two months with the use of bike and treadmill. I will then do back and stomach strengthening and weights later.
I know I will bring my sugars under control as I eat better, get fitter and my heart is better now as well.

I am turning fifty four this month and have a goal to run a Half Marathon in June 2010.
I also know this is an achievable goal for me and even if I don't 10 or 15ks will be an achievement.

Thanks for your time and if anybody has any tips or suggestion it would be much appreciated
Lethal.

First of all, let me say CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! You are never too old to start running.
I was so inspired by your post, and no doubt you woll see a lot of progress.
The simple advice that i would give is this...

• Read as much as you can on CR
  
• If there is a CR 5k challenge in your twon/city...then get involved, if only to meet others
  
• get full physical check up
  
• think about run/walking. Run for a few minutes....walk for a few minutes The couch to 5k is excellent.
  
• get som CR ear so other will recognise you and shout GO COOL RUNNER when they see you.

hang in there....welcome again.
Frank in SA

PS Chris for a 14 year old, youve got a good head on your shoulders...well done mate.

[Martin Dugdale]

Welcome, I am now 60 and did not start running until 6 years ago. welcome to the best adventure you will ever have

[peterpan]

Lethal1955, on Jan 24 2009, 04:47 PM, said:

Hi all,
Nine years ago I got very fit and complete in my first 8k fun run. I had not been a runner before this and finished quite strong. I was enjoying running but I had a big change in my life and over a period of time I lost my fitness.

I think I was suffering from depression for a while and then about 6 years ago I created the use for a pacemaker. About three years ago I created Diabetes and because of that I was not able to work of do much exercise. I had a lot of leg pain and was on pain killers. This led me to put on weight. I am 120 kg at the moment with a goal of 90kg

I wasn’t very happy with what the doctors were telling me and search out different options. I am off the painkillers and have mild numbness in the souls of my feet. I have now been back in full time work for about twelve months.

Today is the start of a new journey for me. I went to the gym and worked out for an hour. This was a big step for me. I am only working on losing weight for the next two months with the use of bike and treadmill. I will then do back and stomach strengthening and weights later.
I know I will bring my sugars under control as I eat better, get fitter and my heart is better now as well.

I am turning fifty four this month and have a goal to run a Half Marathon in June 2010.
I also know this is an achievable goal for me and even if I don’t 10 or 15ks will be an achievement.

Thanks for your time and if anybody has any tips or suggestion it would be much appreciated
Lethal.

Greetings!
I, like you, am fairly new to this forum.
I came approximately four months ago with a goal of running a marathon in 12 months from never having had run, well, anything really.
After much support from the members here I recently competed in a 10k run, and just this morning I managed to run 18k as part of my weekly long run, and feel great.
So, my first advise is, listen to what these people say!

Now.... It was recommended already that you did the couch to 5k program.
This is what I used to start off running. At the beginning I found it difficult to run for a whole 60 seconds. In fact, the week before I started it, I begun by running 5 seconds and walking 55. Even this was hard then.
But as the weeks progress, it becomes easier, especially as you get your breathing into a pattern you can follow.
Having said that, if this feels like a bit much, you can customise it to fit your needs.
I suppose the time factor is not an issue as is your health.
You'll always have an extra day, but if you get injured you'll lose much more than that.

Another important factor is stretching.
This is often overlooked (at least by me, anyway).
This is a paramount step of your training which will build toward injury prevention.

And one more thing to think about: look at your diet.
I started out at 98 kilos when I started training.
It's hard to lose weight. I love eating!!
Thankfully when you exersice it means that you can eat more as you burn more calories, but be aware of what you eat.
Carbohydrates are easier to burn than fats, so breads, grains, &c. are better than eating cheeses.

One way to making yourself aware of what you eat is by writing it down.
I did weight watchers once and that's one of the tricks they have. If you write down everything you eat you're more aware of what you're doing than if you're not, and perhaps will stop yourself, if you know that your body will not benefit from it.

There is lots to learn and above I simply typed very general points which you can choose to follow or ammend in a way that suits you.

Above everything, stay around here.
Tell everybody what you're doing so that it'll give you more of an incentive not to quit, and write about your progress.
I'd love to see how you go, and would love to meet in runs to come!

[Lethal1955]

Thank you everybody for your posts.

I will keep you posted and hope to catch up with some of you in the future.

Take care.

[Eagle]

Lethal1955
Welcome to CR and congratulations on taking the first step in taking personal control of your recovery. Its great to have a goal but also appreciate each small step on the journey to the destintion you have set yourself.

[Crunchie]

Welcome Lethal1955!

That's great that you have a goal of completing a half marathon next year.

It might be a good idea to compete in a few smaller races along the way, like 5km, then 10km, 15km and so on. These will build up your confidence and it's such a great feeling completing a race (of any distance)- as you would know from having completed the 8km race.

I completed my first half marathon last year and once I got up to running 40 minutes continuously, used a Pat Carroll training program which was on the event website (Blackmores Sydney). A lot of people here recommend Hal Higdon's programs also, you can find them at halhigdon.com

As others have said, Couch to 5km is probably the best place to start.

Good luck!

[DoggieDoctor]

Fantastic Lethal. Give yourself a good pat on the back. You certainly deserve it! I also began like you about 12 mths ago. I was 48 and I needed to lose weight and found it hard to do when you know there is Camembert in the fridge and a good Scotch behind the bar. While I had been doing some jogging, I couldn't do more than 3 km. While I am no elite runner, I now really enjoy setting goals and acheiving them. I am looking forward to running (or at least finishing) a marathon this year. I recently joined a running club in Brisbane and there are plenty of people in our age group! Set your goals realisticly in a realistic time and achieve them! It feels great.

Good luck and enjoy this website.

[Also Ran]

Welcome to CR Lethal & good on you for making the decision to deviate from the 'life is a spectator sport' norm.

The goal you've set sounds perfect, I hope you enjoy every step of the way. It's likely you'll come up against some obstacles along the way, physical or mental or both. This is where CR is great for practical info and general motivation. Please drop by regularly.

Sounds like you've already encountered some comments from the cynical nay-sayers. If they are loved ones, just let the comments pass. With every training session completed, you're chipping away at their perception.

[Cato]

Welcome to Coolrunning Lethal1955.
You have set you self a more than achieveable goal. There are many inspirational stories here from people who have managed illnesses such as heart problems, diabetes and depression as well as fantastic achievements on weight loss.
One step at a time and slow and steady is all you need.
I am 56, still running half marathons and the occasional marathon, and everyone (including my doctor) thinks I am mad as well.
You will find many people willing to share lots of good advice to help you on your journey.
All you have to do is ask.

Cato

[loneranger]

welcome Lethal1955

congratulations on making that decision to "get out there". I commenced running seriously 3 yrs ago (now in 3 official running clubs; 2 training groups - have completed 20 halfs; numerous smaller ones - aiming for my first ultra (6ft track) and Marathon (Canberra) in the next couple of months. I am still only an amateur compared to others - this advice on this Site is excellent.

Remember, have a full medical; (I was the same weight as you were and nearly 52); start slowly, set realistic goals; don't get dissillioned when bad days occur (thats the joy of running - getting over those days); wear proper shoes; be wary of injuries and get them checked asap.

But the most important 2 things: enjoy your running (don't let it become a chore) and "just get out there and do it"

all the best

Edited by loneranger, 27 January 2009 - 10:05 PM.

[axltk421]

Lethal1955

Greetings; a very similar story to mine - you've got 2kg on me though - I started training at the beginning of January at 118kg with a goal of 90kg to help me with my dream of running a marathon and a half.

Parents, Uncles and Grandparents all type two diabetics; (the ones who are still alive anyway - sadly complications and heart attacks took many far too early) and I was heading down the same route.

I'm in no position to offer that much advice aside from listen to these guys on the forums and for inspiration, check out the blogs; some fantastic stories out there.

Have fun running!
Cheers!
Wayne.

Edited by axltk421, 28 January 2009 - 07:42 AM.

[walker1st]

well done on the decision, yes we are teh only ones responsible for our health and fitness.

I am turning 54 this year and 4 years ago, I was not able to do anything physical with all kind of probs and medications, but I only was about 10-15 over my clean weight, most of it is gone alredy

Over the last 3 yeras I have walked 1 marathon, have walked 1 6h track race and 2 of 24H walk track races, did lots of short racewalking races on track and teh road ranging from 1500m to 20k
and my times are constantly improving and I am setting myself higher and higher goals.

I was lucky to come accross all the correct information related to health, nutrition, training physiology etc.

decades ago I use to be regular runner, as a teenager was sprinting talent, than have done about 10 road marathons and lots of bushwalking ultras 50k and some 100k and have done coaching seminars and was doing coaching. But all that was distant past, body disintegrated and I had to start at 50 from scratch, having the wrong information from teh past about training and nutrition and health and nonfunctioning body, so had to learn everything new and regenerate the body along the way.

You can do it.

[Lethal1955]

Hi,
I am back with an update. I have had some problems with my legs but that is improving. It has slowed me down but hasn't stopped me.

I am at the gym and have a half hour session twice a week with a personal trainer now. I have started weight training and jogging on the treadmill.

Hope you all stay safe and have a good break over the holidays.

Cheers

Lethal

[yondi]

Good on you Lethal for not only taking up running in a later stage in life but for realising
you were heading the wrong way and having the guts to make a change and turn it around.
Lots of people would have just sat around and let the weight keep piling on and consequently get sicker and less mobile.
I commend you on making the change and for sticking with it for over 3 months now.

Goodluck on your journey.

Yondi

[Lethal1955]

Thank you Yondi. I noticed you have diabetes as well.

If I had just listened to my doctor I wouldn't have been able to run now. My pain in my legs only started to subside when I went to a Pranic Healer. I threw all my heart medication away after seeing a Kinesiologist and that was about 7 years ago.

At the moment I am working with some Theta Healers in relation to my diabetes. I am becoming stronger physical, mentally and spiritually.
http://www.thetaheal...al-founder.html

I thank my diabetes for the lessons it is teaching me. I would never have found Theta Healing and tried to run a half marathon if I didn’t get sick.

The possibility I am creating is that I will be free of my diabetes and have run a half marathon in twelve months time.

Take care and I hope to see you at one of the runs one day.

[yondi]

Lethal1955, on Apr 10 2009, 04:28 PM, said:

Thank you Yondi. I noticed you have diabetes as well.

If I had just listened to my doctor I wouldn't have been able to run now. My pain in my legs only started to subside when I went to a Pranic Healer. I threw all my heart medication away after seeing a Kinesiologist and that was about 7 years ago.

At the moment I am working with some Theta Healers in relation to my diabetes. I am becoming stronger physical, mentally and spiritually.
http://www.thetaheal...al-founder.html

I thank my diabetes for the lessons it is teaching me. I would never have found Theta Healing and tried to run a half marathon if I didn't get sick.

The possibility I am creating is that I will be free of my diabetes and have run a half marathon in twelve months time.

Take care and I hope to see you at one of the runs one day.

I too think because of my diabetes I will be healthier in the long run because it makes you more aware and constantly being tested and checked. I ran my second half marathon 2 weeks ago.My first half marathon with diabetes. Some issues need to be tweaked but it does give me the confidence that there will be more in the future.

I will be looking out in 12 months for your post saying you did it. I have no doubts you will if you continue the way you have started.

Yondi