As the title says, I’m new to running. Due to medical reasons I was never allowed to do any sports. Which turned me into a 40 yo fatass. Well my horrible diet didn’t help either.
Finally had enough and started running, prolly the first time in my life, about 3 months ago. It went worse than I thought. 1min at 7km/hr and then 4-5min walk cycles for a total of 5 mins running was all I could manage the first few weeks.
I kept at it, slowly increasing running time and walking pace. Got stuck at 15min running, just couldn’t go longer. Last week I said fuck it and went for a full 5k. At the 15min mark I had my usual dip/shutdown, but pushed through and finished the run with a HR at 172-176 for the final 20 mins. Repeated the 5k twice now and the last time my max HR was at 156-ish.
Found my unconscious breathing was holding me back. When I focus on proper breathing I can keep going.
Next goal is upping from 8km/hr to 10 for the 5km, then extending the runs. End goal is doing some 10mile races next year.
Started running for weight loss, which so far has been great. +130kg to 110kg.
I also started to run about the same age to improve my health and weight.
Here’s a progress report from about 10 years later that shares some of the how and why I went from 0 to a solo 50 mile run in the middle of winter.
https://limestonepostmagazine.com/why-i-found-myself-running-50-miles/