thebostonreader ([info]thebostonreader) wrote in [info]fathletes,
2009-09-03 12:40:00

Running

I just joined this community (though I swear I used to be a member - I don't know what happened). Lately I've become interested in running. I go to the local Y and run on the treadmill. This is a fairly new development. I've always been unathletic and even in middle school I was the fat girl (well, one of them) who couldn't run a mile in gym class.

Now I can run, well, jog a mile, and I do it regularly. I plan to build it up over time so I can run three miles. Unfortunately, conventional wisdom is that I shouldn't be running at my size (5'6", 235 lbs) because it's damaging to my joints, especially knees. It seems to me that if I feel okay I should do it. I'm very in tune with my body and I stop if it starts to hurt. Also, part of what I'm doing here is wanting to prove (to who? I don't really know) that fat girls can run. Have any of you had experiences with this? Is it a prejudice thing or am I really at risk here? What sort of risk exactly? Oddly, when I get pain it's usually in my hips rather than my knees. My joints tend to overextend and I can actually pop my left hip out of its socket (or it feels like it). Knees don't work that way. Also, I have a weak ankle from when I sprained it 14 years ago, but it hasn't given me trouble so far.

My other question is about shoes. Generally advice is to go to a running store and get good shoes. Well, I did that, but the shoes make my feet hurt. Ten minutes into my workout my feet start to feel like they're cramping, and I can't focus on anything else. When I wear my old, cheap New Balance shoes I don't have that problem at all. Is it likely the fancy shoes will wear in (or my feet will get used to them)?

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  • 18 comments

[info]demiraks_world

September 3 2009, 16:55:54 UTC 2 years ago

If you feel good running, run. That's what I say!
I'm your size and I was hoping to start jogging. I have a 5K at the end of Halloween I'd like to run/walk but I know that'd be pushing it.

Shoes - they may break in, they may not. I was fitted for good shoes too but I didn't like them much and prefer a cushier pair. The stiffer ones are probably better for my body, but they do hurt (even 2 years later)

[info]anadamous

September 3 2009, 17:14:44 UTC 2 years ago

So, I'm not a doctor, and don't believe anything you read on the internet, blah blah, but I am a person with a lot of foot/ankle/knee issues, and in my experience, if something hurts right away (ten minutes is just getting started!), it doesn't get any better. It would be different if you were saying something like "my calves are more sore now that I switched shoes" - that would be something you'd gradually get used to. You should probably go back to the store and talk to them about what's going on, or pick a different store. It's possible that changing the way you lace the shoes or switching socks will help, and it's also possible that you can do some foot stretches. But trust your instincts: it sounds like you need to change something.

Personally, I'm probably going to try running in the Vibram Five Fingers... I just tried some on in a running store last night. There's been a recent glut of articles about the VFF in the NY Times, if you want to check them out. The idea is that running in cushy shoes encourages you to pound pound pound along the pavement, and while the shoes protect your heels, they don't really protect your knees or hips. Running in thin soles or actually barefoot changes your gait so that you hit the ground with less impact, which in turn protects your joints. It also supposedly helps strengthen your feet, ankles, etc, which the primary attraction for me - I've broken one of my ankle several times and sprained it umpteen times. Be careful, though, if you run on the street - I'm confident about using VFF on the running track, but I'd be scared to trust my ankle in them in the world of sidewalk cracks and curbs, etc.

[info]closetalker11

September 3 2009, 18:34:15 UTC 2 years ago

I'd love to know how this works out when you do get the shoes. I have a few friends who are very into these, but most of them are walkers rather than runners.

[info]lanewaychatter

September 3 2009, 21:09:07 UTC 2 years ago

I run barefoot, serious running. Now, I don't do it outside, but inside on a padded gym floor as part of martial arts training. I do have a friend, not fat, who runs with the Vibram shoes and LOVES them.

[info]lanewaychatter

September 3 2009, 21:15:07 UTC 2 years ago

Just to offer an alternate POV, not intended to be argumentative: in the past, I would probably have said the same or similar things about stopping a form of exercise that hurt.

When I started training fairly seriously in martial arts about 18 months ago (and at very similar body proportions to the OP), I had pretty bad shin splints for a while. I asked different masters what to do about it, and they all said, "run through it" (we run to warm up at the start of class). I thought they might be being cavalier, but (for whatever reason) decided to go with their advice, and kept "training through the pain."

The pain is now COMPLETELY gone, as is my need for orthotics (and, by the way, all my training - running, sparring, lifting, other cardio, pylometrics -- is all done barefoot on a padded floor). The master (of the dojang) said that the pain was muscle building, and now my muscles are strong enough to support me through some pretty serious running without pain.

I also have a new relationship to pain, as odd as this will sound. When I am training (not right now, I am on vacation this week), I am always in pain and sore. But it isn't a "something's wrong!" pain -- it is the pain and soreness that comes from working parts of my body hard. I look forward to it, to the accomplishment it represents, and to knowing that I am using my body's inherent capacities.

Just my thoughts. I think running is AWESOME and pain is an epiphenomena of getting STRONG and fierce.

[info]lu_shuang

September 3 2009, 17:16:31 UTC 2 years ago

I was about 40 lbs heavier than you when I started running and I haven't looked back. :) I have some hip problems too, and after going to a chiropractor about it, the only think that really helps is to stretch well after a run and if it's really really really bad, ice it and sleep on your side with a pillow between your knees. From what the chiro told me, it really is a matter of one side having a wider range of motion that the other, which causes you to overextend the non-flexible side, hence the pain. (I'm not a doctor, just repeating what he told me!)

As for shoes, it sounds like those aren't for you and possibly a little narrow. Did the running store tell you what kind of stride you have? High arches, low arches? Pronator, under-pronator anything like that?

Oh, and as for your knees, common wisdom can eat it. If they're not hurting, you're fine. My theory is that if you can deal with high impact exercise now, you're in a good place, because you're probably strengthening everything and you'll be much better off when you're older. Good luck!

[info]thebostonreader

September 3 2009, 18:57:12 UTC 2 years ago

I'd never been to a running store before, but I went with my sister who is very athletic, and the saleslady did look at my stride and everything. I have wide feet, with lots of pronation, and also I have reasonably high arches with a tall foot as well. These shoes were supposed to be mega-supportive and awesome.

[info]celestyna

September 3 2009, 17:45:15 UTC 2 years ago

Try Couch-to-5K

http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

it got me running again.

Do a search some folks make podcasts with music and little inspirational helpers, too. Plenty of fat girls run, hon. Not strange at all :)

[info]lastimestanding

September 3 2009, 18:59:23 UTC 2 years ago

yeah, that. i'm a little taller but also heavier than you (op) but i was able to make it to 30 minutes. (which, for me, was not 3 miles, but i was also able to finally make it to 3 miles.)

i went to a show store that like, recorded me walking and suggested shoes for me specifically. don't be scared to go into a running store!!

good luck!

[info]thebostonreader

September 3 2009, 19:02:15 UTC 2 years ago

Thanks. I'm a little leery of programs; I don't like having outside goals I didn't make myself. It's the same reason I don't really like book groups. I have looked at those, and they seem useful, but I'm apparently a big individualist. Also, my work week doesn't allow for these kinds of programs - I have the most free time on Saturday and Sunday, and the least on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. It actually works out well for me because I get a big rest in the middle of the week.

[info]celestyna

September 3 2009, 19:12:27 UTC 2 years ago

ah. well, still take a look at it, not for the "program" portion, but for its really good buildup approach. walk/run/walk/run. i see so many beginning joggers quit because they basically tried run too fast, too much, then give up.
best of luck to you on your jogging journey.

[info]androgenie

September 3 2009, 19:22:57 UTC 2 years ago

+1....and this program works if you take odd breaks and whatnot. Worst case is you repeat a week :-) Building gradually is more important for those of us that are fat (and fwiw, I'm 4'11" and was doing C25k at 240 pounds).

As for your shoes, they might be too supportive. I have that problem if the shoes correct my pronation too much. Most local running stores will have an awesome return policy if you haven't run outside in them :-)

[info]closetalker11

September 3 2009, 18:32:10 UTC 2 years ago

Yea! You should run if it makes you feel good! I like running, and do it a lot. I started just like you -- I was barely able to jog a mile, then I worked up to three, and now I am shooting for 6. I like goals :).

Also, part of what I'm doing here is wanting to prove (to who? I don't really know) that fat girls can run.

Maybe you're proving it to yourself. You're a good person to impress yourself with!! If someone else has a problem with fat people running, that someone is both dumb and silly.

Here is my (probably poor, repetitive, or both) advice to make running better and avoid injury:

1) Spend the money on good shoes -- not necessarily fancy, but ones that fit properly. It sounds like you were fitted in shoes that aren't working out for you. I wear the Saucony Pro Grid Omni, but everyone has different shoe needs. Maybe try on different (or, newer) New Balances, since you know that brand works for you. It looks like you're in the Boston area. If so, I suggest trying Marathon Sports. They're my fave running shoe store in the area, and I worked at City Sports for 4 years ;-).

2) Stretch before and after your run, every time. I notice a definite difference when I skip stretching.

3) Do strength exercises that will help you out in running. For me, that means working on core muscles, where I have the least strength.

4) If it's helpful to you, look into an online training program that suggests different types of runs. I did better setting my own goals, but have plenty of friends who enjoy following pre-set programs.

5) Make sure you give yourself the proper rest, especially if you're sore or injured in some way. You don't want to make something small and nagging into a big injury that keeps you off your feet!

Good luck to you!!!!!!

[info]thebostonreader

September 3 2009, 19:04:41 UTC 2 years ago

Thanks! I'm bad about stretching, because it bores me, but I know I should do it. I usually stretch afterwards and spend some time with my friend the steam room. I'm not usually totally cold when I get to the Y, because I've at least walked 10-15 minutes from work. But still.

[info]lozette

September 3 2009, 18:56:41 UTC 2 years ago

I used to have painful knees walking, but having taken up very gentle jogging back in February I can now jog 2.5km without stopping - and without pain!

I bought shoes online after doing the "wet foot test" on wiggle.co.uk. I know you're *supposed* to go to a shop but I was too embarrassed to jog in front of someone :-(

FWIW, if you're jogging a couple of times a week then your shoes will need replacing every 6 months or so, I believe.

[info]cpadian

September 5 2009, 17:44:25 UTC 2 years ago

Absolutely go back to the store or go to another running store and get different shoes. Last time I bought shoes when I put them on my feet felt so good I couldn't wait to run. I wore them out and ran all the way to my car :D

And btw, I'm 350+, I run, and I have never had any joint problems. I don't think it's all about the numbers.

[info]shmi85

September 7 2009, 21:45:07 UTC 2 years ago

i don't know anything about running nor do i run, but i think the fact that you're running is awesome :)

[info]thebostonreader

September 8 2009, 00:50:14 UTC 2 years ago

Hey, thanks!
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