FML - I'm a running dad now



Jackson all decked out to run

 So I've gained some weight recently, and I'm clocking in at 229 pounds.  This isn't my peak weight, which was a fat 255 lbs, but it's a far cry from my college best of 197.  So, my wife and I have decided to bite the bullet and start running since that seems to work so well for so many friends of ours.  We got a jogging stroller from my sister who has done the Chicago Marathon, so we are equipped to bring Jackson with us when we go out.  Considering we haven't exercised in quite awhile because I'm a lazy oaf, we decided to do a path to running that a few of my friends have chosen - the couch to 5k app.  The goal of the app is to build you up from being a couch potato to being able to do a 5k in about 8 weeks.  In the first week it starts you out by having you alternate 1 minute of running with 1.5 minutes of walking.  Week 2 has increases to 1.5 min of running and 2 min of walking.  In week 3, which we are on now, it jumps to 3 minute bursts of running.  By week 8 you're running for extremely long stretches of time (for me at least) - 30 minutes straight.

I'm curious to see how my body will hold up to this. I have bad knees, but so far they've been handling this okay.  I'm also wondering how much weight I will lose.  My goal is to lose 10% of my body weight by the end of the year, bringing me down to 207 pounds, but I am not certain what my ultimate final goal will be.  All I know is that I used to have to run for punishment or conditioning in the sports I did in high school, football and lacrosse, so running has never been something I've particularly enjoyed.  I've never gotten the "runner's high" so I wonder if I'll ever hit that in my lifetime.  I'm looking forward to taking this journey though, and hopefully competing in a 5k around Thanksgiving this year.  Wish me luck!