Is My Current Training Regimen Too Ambitious For My Fitness Level?
by Amy
(Holyoke, MA)
Hello - I recently decided that I wanted to start running. Prior to this decision, I had been getting quite a bit of exercise for about 3 months prior but mostly through cross training, tennis, and basic walking.
I am not an athlete, and i am currently overweight (210 lbs, 5' 6" - but used to be 255). At the heavier weight I always assumed running was impossible - even a mile seemed like too much.
But within the past three weeks, I started pushing myself and ran my first mile, than 1.5, than 3.0 miles split 1.5 with a walking break and then another 1.5 - than 2 miles, and finally after 2 weeks I hit my first 3 miles all at once.
Since then I have run 2.5, 2, and 3 miles this past week. I don't plan on increasing much faster and want to get my body used to the working out - but I was wondering if you think the 3 miles after only about a month of running with no running in my history is too fast.
I do not feel so fatigued or out of breath when I am done, and my heart rate stays around 160 - i don't run too fast (about 4.3 on the treadmill without an incline). It actually feels good when I am finished. Just wanted an opinion.
Thanks!
Amy
Answer by Dominique: Hi Amy, Thanks for your running training question.
It looks like you have made some real progress over the past months with your decrease in weight from 255 lbs to 210. Well done!
If you had started with absolutely no exercise background, then getting to 3 miles within 1 month would possibly have been a bit too fast. Depends a lot on your overall health and weight etc.
But given that you had already been doing cross-training, walking and tennis you have already been building up your fitness levels. So, it does not surprise me that you are already able to cover off three miles now.
I think it is really wise what you are doing now: consolidate for a while, make sure you get used to this new level of exercise and then you can increase your mileage a little further.
The walking in between is a really good idea as well when you are starting to run and increasing your mileage.
A few references for further reading: Check out my Beginner Running Tips for some more beginner running tips.
100 Day Marathon Plan from Marius Bakken
presents a welcome fresh training approach to marathon running that has proven to be very effective. It's the best marathon training program available today.
Marius has competed in the Olympics and has trained with world-class
athletes from Italy and Kenya. He has learnt from these runners and has made those training
methods applicable to marathon training programs for normal people like
ourselves.
This marathon plan prepares you well for a marathon by first focusing
on 5k and 10k training. Only when you are ready
Marius moves on to marathon training.
Want to get ready for a marathon within 100 days?
Then you need to give the 100 Day Marathon Plan a try.
Fat Loss 4 Idiots is based on a simple idea:
if you keep on doing what you are doing, you can not expect to be having a different outcome.
When you want to lose weight, and you find that only running is not enough, then try out Fat Loss 4 Idiots. It will provide you with a new way of thinking about food and could just be that little help you need to shed the pounds and start living the life you want.
