I am considering committing to going through a Team in Training program for an olympic distance tri but would like to get some feedback from people regarding the run. I am a big guy at 280 lbs. I can't run to save my life. I can however, swim a mile and ride 25 miles no problem. Aside from my body fat, I am in pretty good shape otherwise. Would going from 0 running miles to 6 miles over 6 months be feasible given the motivation and comittment to training? What do you guys think? I know almost all is up to me and my motivation, but if you guys think that is asking too much in too little time, I don't want to set such a lofty goal

The local running training club here says they can get you ready to finish a marathon in six months if you can walk/run 3 miles in 45 minutes.

It can be done. I have been able to get to that point. I have not competed in an olympic distance triathlon, but I am going to in 2008, or that is my goal. I would like to do a sprint distance triathlon first and then move up to an olympic distance.

IT can be done on a cardio level, but i worry about things like shin splints and other injury being 280 with no running background. It's a shock to the system for sure, but i wouldnt rule out trying because of that.

If you are motivated I think 6 months is plenty of time. It may not be fast or pretty, but for sure you can get it done.

Since you know you can do the swim & the bike, it means you'll have a bit extra time/room in your schedule to work on the running.

oh, it can TOTALLY be done!!! i went from couch potato that dry heaved at the thought of running to 10 miles no problem in 2 months. i do wonder at your weight if it'll be too high impact for you...knees, shin splints and such. you might have to take it nice and slow so as not to suffer orthopedic injuries.

but you can do it!!!!!!!!!

I have a buddy that did almost exactly that. But he came from a running background and bought his first bike and started swimming from scratch. Did an Olympic maybe 8 months after starting and a half IM 3 weeks later. He is signed up for Lake Placid next year (He is a bit of a nut).

-D

My mistake! I read 6 WEEKS, not months!

6 months? No worries! Just ramp up slowly - dont go too far too fast.

I was a complete couch potato 6 months ago, I then started a daily (90-120min) cardio routine. Early on I tried running but it hurt my knees too much so I left it alone. Recently I set a goal of doing a tri sprint in the spring so the other day I hit the treadmill as a test...I managed 40 solid mnutes at 6.5mph after nothing for prior to that. I will say my muscles have been pretty sore the days since, but I survived so I assume it can be done.

Just a quick point for you.

Forget running or doing cardio solidly for 120 minutes, training like that wont do a thing for you.

except get you knackered

To answer your question, no problem.

The key will be consistency and avoiding injuries. After fighting calf, knee and ankle problems for years I finally got it right by starting slowly this year. How slow, I walked three miles on a treadmill three times a week for a month, then spent the next month walking half and jogging very slowly half the time, then the next month jogging very slowly the entire time, then the next month a little faster. After four months I substuted one of the runs for my longer slow run, starting with 4 miles and increasing a half mile a week until I got to six. I gave myself five months to ramp up and now can run 6 miles at 9-9:30 pace and feel fine the next day.

The toughest part is the first three months you know you can go faster but you have to discipline yourself to just take it easy.

Go slow, consistency will be the key.

You mean I lost 75#'s mysteriously?

Thanks guys for all the anecdotes, it was just what I needed.


Hopefully I will get to post a finishing time for the Lavaman Tri come April!


Thanks for the motivation guys!!!!

Very possible. I would work very hard on your diet and low impact cardio for a month or so before running. Even just dropping 20 pounds will make a huge difference. I started at just below you and am now at 235 and running is sooo much easier. Also when you start running I would suggest sticking to tracks and staying away from hard surfaces. Best of luck.

Get good shoes. Maybe some sorbothane inserts too - talk to a running shop. And to start with, plenty of rest between running sessions. The big risk for us large chaps is shinsplints, so if your shins start feeling a sort of nasty deep ache that isn't just muscular, that's the signal to rest up. I trained into a half-marathon in four months at 235, so it's very doable.

Oh it can so be done.
I started running at 310# and would do a mile to a mile and a half 3 times a week then I joined a running group and 6 months later I ran my first half marathon.
Now (a year after that half) I am 245# and have done many 5k's 10k's, a 25k and this weekend is another half marry.

I say to look into the C25K plan HERE It will work you up to a 5K without killing you then after that just build your base miles up.
But first go to a running store (not a mall shoe store) and get fitted for the right shoes. That is the key to not getting hurt. Then when you start running, do not worry about your speed. If you try to go to fast right away you will hurt yourself. Take it slow and easy. The speed will come. My first 5K took me 36 minutes my last one I did in 25. The 15.5 mile race (25K) I did it with a 9:22 a mile average pace.. Not to bad for a guy my size. But then agian, I run 20 - 40 miles a week.

Run forest run!

Awesome story, its nice to hear these.

Sure you can do it. You just have to train consistently and have a plan. Getting to run 6 miles shouldn't be a big deal, like someone else said, you can train for a Marathon in 6 months, but you have to run them after swimming 1500m and biking 25 miles.

Took me 5 months to get ready for an olympic, and I couldn't swim at first, plus a long ride for me meant 5-6 miles on my hybrid. I could run though, so at least I had 1 out of 3. Sounds like you have 2/3.