#fat runners

[atevanfool]

I did it!!!! It may not be a huge accomplishment to most but my goal was to see my mile under 15 minutes and I DID it. Both miles included 3 - 5 minutes of walking, 5 minutes as a warmup during the first mile and and a few minutes reprieve after running nonstop most of the way around the lake during the second.. I may never be fast, but this proves I CAN get faster than I was. 💚

[gloriousfatpoc]

Fat People In Motion: Runners

***Disclaimer: No interaction of any sort by fitness, weight loss or thinspo blogs. You will be blocked if you do. ***

The original anon question that started #Fat People In Motion was focused on the anon wanting to try running out. It took a couple of weeks, but here we are, focused on fat runners. Fat runners exist. Plan and simple. They each have their own personal reasons for starting a journey to running ( I can almost count myself amongst them as I have just started my own running journey, like today lol) and they are enjoying it. 

(source for pic) 

Mirna Valerio aka “The Mirnavator” and “FatGirlRunning” started running to improve her overall health and wellbeing. She was not concerned with weight loss or being “smaller.” She simply wanted to move her body in a new way. 

She found her stride once she discovered long distance running. It was perfect for her as she long decided that speed was not her focus. Time and finishing the race was what she honed on. Not necessarily beating the time of others but smashing and/or improving on her own times. The more she ran, the more notoriety came to her. It lead to multiple tv appearances, endorsement deals for plus size workout gear, magazine articles (including one in Runner’s World aka the premiere magazine for runners, work as a contributor for womensrunning.com and a book titled “ A Beautiful Work In Progress” set to be released in October of this year.  Between marathons, mud runs ( running activity that involves mud and other obstacles that make getting to the finish line that much harder. ) or any running event Mirna Valerio takes part in, the end result is always the same: she finishes in her own time.

 (source for pic)

Johanna found racing via a runners club in her hometown of North Carolina. She started off as a beginner runner and eventually she started doing triathlons. Her goal is always to finish every race she starts. Her many medals and personal best times are a direct result of her following her own words.  She owns her body and celebrates who she is every step of the way.

“ I am not obsessed with the fact that I don’t look like the “traditional” athlete. A 5-minute mile is still the same as my 20+ minute mile.”

Fat runners are athletes. Period. 

[atevanfool]

Still can't do a solid mile, but I've improved greatly after being back running for only a couple of weeks. I WILL get one mile back before I'm back to work. (Just over a month away.)

[atevanfool]

My running times still suck, but I won't be too mad about the second one, considering it was a 3:1 run/walk ratio on pretty hilly terrain.

[atevanfool]

My runs look like they're declining, but they're staying pretty consistent, and I'm so happy to see that my heart rate has decreased exponentially since I started running again.

[browncoatflan]

On Motivation

I want to see health and fitness motivation videos and memes for women MY age and MY size and MY lifestyle. I want to see fat dancers, fat runners, fat mudders, fat skiiers, fat boarders, fat swimmers, fat riders, fat hikers, fat pilates, fat suspension, fat climbing... come on!

[fatgirlruns-blog]

All aboard HMS Fail Boat

I haven't been blogging for about a month (maybe more?) which also means I haven't been running. I could go through the list of excuses I'd made for myself, from bad weather to a busy schedule. The truth is.. I don't know what happened.

Oddly enough, I'm somewhat of a perfectionist. I try to do things as completely and as well as possible. But when there's a snag in the fabric, the entire weave just unravels and I completely fall apart. I missed a day of running. One day turned into two and the next thing I know, I hadn't donned my trainers in over three weeks. With the 5k coming up, I just accepted a big fat 'maybe next year' as my destiny.

And then last night happened.

My brother was visiting and somehow we got on the topic of my weight. He knows a thing or two about getting fit. This time two years ago, he was teetering on the 300lb mark and was well on his way down the path of heart disease, diabetes - much like our father - and any other number of complications. But through a strict plan and lots of hard work, he's looking and feeling great and is in the best shape he's probably ever been in. So I listened to what he had to say. It was hard, answering his questions. I've never told anyone in my family my weight. But he said something very poignant to me.

"If you can't be honest and open about that number, you'll never really be open to changing it."

After a very honest and terrifying hour, we had a game plan. It will be difficult and I will get discouraged, as always is the case. But this time I don't feel like I am alone. I have the support of someone who not only believes I will succeed, but expects me to. Sometimes, that's all the difference.

[fatgirlruns-blog]

I overslept and skipped breakfast today (bad Naseem) so I made a pretty hearty brunch for myself after my run.

Brunch included a hash consisting of chick peas, half a potato (I know, I know), grape tomatoes, and 2 eggs, topped off with low fat/sodium cottage cheese, avocado, and Siracha. And, of course, several glasses of water. It’s not the worst thing I could have done to myself.. Right?

The run today, if I’m going to be honest, was rough. I can’t seem to beat these shin splints. Am I not stretching enough? Is it the cold? Do I just have too much weight for my bones to carry? It’s so hard to see myself cross that finish line when it’s so very discouraging right now.

On the upside, I do think back to the days when I was running consistently every day in Portland. So I know it isn’t impossible. I did it once, I can do it again. I just have to push and clear my mind of doubt.

Oh that pesky doubt…