# In which a fat guy takes up running **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 30, 2016, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-fat-guy-takes-up-running/764477 "2016-08-30T13:24:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2016, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-fat-guy-takes-up-running/764477/61 "2016-09-02T17:06:49Z")
> [@MeanJoe](#): > > …left right left right left right God this is boring left right left right this is a good song left right left right ugh this is so dull and repetitive left right left right this sidewalk is just one long bland ribbon of concrete left right left right bored bored bored bored kill me now bored left right left right… Honestly, this is a lot of runs for me. But that kind of becomes my zen. I’m not thinking about work, I’m not thinking about all my stresses, my mind is just occupied with where to put my foot next and getting through this. Yes, it’s boring, but I don’t have enough opportunities to be bored without feeling guilt. Boredom for me is letting my mind relax. And forcing yourself to notice and appreciate your surroundings (beyond the endless ribbon of concrete) helps. I saw a beautiful sunrise yesterday; if I’d seen it out my window, I would have enjoyed it for a few seconds before moving on to the other dozen things demanding my attention. But instead I watched the colors change for 15 minutes as I ran. I read [this post from Runner’s World](http://www.runnersworld.com/fun/runnings-power-in-3-words-look-how-pretty) every now and then to remind myself. All that said, it’s personal. If running doesn’t do it for you, finding another sport you’re more likely to stick with is the right thing to do. ---
**Author:** ![Reeses\_Monkey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reeses_monkey/32/2885_2.png) [@Reeses\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeses_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2016, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-fat-guy-takes-up-running/764477/62 "2016-09-03T00:52:13Z")
As for listening to music while I run, I originally got an armband phone holder from Walmart but it was incredibly uncomfortable. Then I went online and got a silicone phone lanyard. It’s great! ---
**Author:** ![Reeses\_Monkey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reeses_monkey/32/2885_2.png) [@Reeses\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeses_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2016, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-fat-guy-takes-up-running/764477/63 "2016-09-03T00:57:27Z")
[This is what I mean](https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Silicone-Lanyard-Necklace-Samsung/dp/B01E038EFA). It fits many different sizes of phones. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2016, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-fat-guy-takes-up-running/764477/64 "2016-09-03T01:17:28Z")
> [@Reeses\_Monkey](#): > > As for listening to music while I run, I originally got an armband phone holder from Walmart but it was incredibly uncomfortable. Then I went online and got a silicone phone lanyard. It’s great! When i started running, the only music option was miles of extension cord to power the 3 foot long boom box on your shoulder. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2016, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-fat-guy-takes-up-running/764477/65 "2016-09-03T01:27:35Z")
> [@Reeses\_Monkey](#): > > [This is what I mean](https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Silicone-Lanyard-Necklace-Samsung/dp/B01E038EFA). It fits many different sizes of phones. Haha it’s like one of these NSFW swimsuits for your phone 🙂 [http://m.dx.com/p/funny-creative-two-straps-sling-up-underwear-swimwear-suit-for-men-green-free-size-387966?tc=USD&gclid=CLGjwM2F8s4CFVZZhgodrzoGuA&stiff=897](http://m.dx.com/p/funny-creative-two-straps-sling-up-underwear-swimwear-suit-for-men-green-free-size-387966?tc=USD&gclid=CLGjwM2F8s4CFVZZhgodrzoGuA&stiff=897) ---
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2016, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-fat-guy-takes-up-running/764477/66 "2016-09-03T02:24:46Z")
For anyone who runs without their phone, consider how nice it would be to have emergency services (or your family) at your fingertips should something bad happen. A month ago I was out running over lunchtime and I tripped over my shadow and got pretty serious road rash on my hands and knees from concrete. It was already over 90F outside, so my body was in no shape to go back home–I was feeling like I would pass out, and my vision was getting wonky. A quick call to the homestead and my wife drove up to rescue me from the curb where I was sitting. That would have sucked much more had I not had a phone. ---
**Author:** ![TwoCarrotSnowman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/twocarrotsnowman/32/15879_2.png) [@TwoCarrotSnowman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwoCarrotSnowman)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2016, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-fat-guy-takes-up-running/764477/67 "2016-09-03T10:38:19Z")
> [@minor7flat5](#): > > For anyone who runs without their phone, consider how nice it would be to have emergency services (or your family) at your fingertips should something bad happen. > > A month ago I was out running over lunchtime and I tripped over my shadow and got pretty serious road rash on my hands and knees from concrete. It was already over 90F outside, so my body was in no shape to go back home–I was feeling like I would pass out, and my vision was getting wonky. > > A quick call to the homestead and my wife drove up to rescue me from the curb where I was sitting. > > That would have sucked much more had I not had a phone. That’s something I’ve thought about as well, and a reason I’d still carry my phone even if I wasn’t using the C25K app. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2016, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-fat-guy-takes-up-running/764477/68 "2016-09-03T12:48:17Z")
I don’t carry much when running, so no phone for me. I do have a RoadID. I am comfortable that if I need to help I can take care of myself. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2016, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-fat-guy-takes-up-running/764477/69 "2016-09-05T01:05:00Z")
You guys have inspired me. I went for a long, long walk today to start off. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Reeses\_Monkey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reeses_monkey/32/2885_2.png) [@Reeses\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeses_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2016, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-fat-guy-takes-up-running/764477/70 "2016-09-05T02:41:02Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > Haha it’s like one of these NSFW swimsuits for your phone 🙂 > > [http://m.dx.com/p/funny-creative-two-straps-sling-up-underwear-swimwear-suit-for-men-green-free-size-387966?tc=USD&gclid=CLGjwM2F8s4CFVZZhgodrzoGuA&stiff=897](http://m.dx.com/p/funny-creative-two-straps-sling-up-underwear-swimwear-suit-for-men-green-free-size-387966?tc=USD&gclid=CLGjwM2F8s4CFVZZhgodrzoGuA&stiff=897) I…I could have gone my whole life without seeing that. Now I’m posting it on Facebook. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2016, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-fat-guy-takes-up-running/764477/71 "2016-09-06T11:52:17Z")
I’ve been on the fence with getting my gait analyzed for a while now, but after seeing that (most likely) have a horrible instep, I was analyzed this weekend. Horrible instep confirmed. I’m not breaking in my new Asics with extra support in the hopes of getting them broken in before the marathons start. It was this thread that pushed me over the edge 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![TwoCarrotSnowman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/twocarrotsnowman/32/15879_2.png) [@TwoCarrotSnowman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwoCarrotSnowman)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2016, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-fat-guy-takes-up-running/764477/72 "2016-09-06T14:13:49Z")
Yesterday’s highlight was getting barked at by a dog while its owner apologetically explained “he doesn’t like beards”. 🙂 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2016, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-fat-guy-takes-up-running/764477/73 "2016-09-06T14:35:56Z")
So that dog knew that your wife is gay and that you only married her to cover that up? What a perceptive pooch! :D:p ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2016, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-fat-guy-takes-up-running/764477/74 "2016-09-13T03:17:55Z")
How’s it going, T.C.; still with the program? ---
**Author:** ![TwoCarrotSnowman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/twocarrotsnowman/32/15879_2.png) [@TwoCarrotSnowman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwoCarrotSnowman)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2016, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-fat-guy-takes-up-running/764477/75 "2016-09-14T12:13:28Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > How’s it going, T.C.; still with the program? Yep. I started Week 3 this morning. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2016, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-fat-guy-takes-up-running/764477/77 "2016-09-14T14:07:26Z")
[This one](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoAC-2yJ2fQ) always makes me tear up. Keep with it! You’re doing great! ---
**Author:** ![Wednesday\_Evening](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b2d939/32.png) [@Wednesday\_Evening](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wednesday_Evening)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2016, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-fat-guy-takes-up-running/764477/78 "2016-09-14T16:57:02Z")
Great job, **TwoCarrotSnowman**! Keep it up! Incidentally, if there are any other middle-aged (or older) women who need some running inspiration, I recently read [Older, Faster, Stronger.](https://www.amazon.com/Older-Faster-Stronger-Runners-Younger/dp/1623361699). The author goes a little overboard in her training methinks but it was good inspiration to mix up my running a bit (I am doing one run with intervals now and some bicycling) and I liked the info on how keeping active through middle age and beyond is incredibly beneficial. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2016, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-fat-guy-takes-up-running/764477/79 "2016-09-14T18:30:09Z")
> [@TwoCarrotSnowman](#): > > Yep. I started Week 3 this morning. 🙂 Rock on. ---
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2016, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-fat-guy-takes-up-running/764477/80 "2016-09-14T18:35:32Z")
Awesome! The first time I tried running I managed to get in one week before taking a ten year hiatus. On a side note, I did my first run today with Apple Watch OS 3. I think I am going to like it–they seem to have gotten rid of the useless fluff and concentrated on fitness for this go-round. All the better for runners. Can’t wait until my new waterproof and GPS-capable watch comes in. ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2016, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-fat-guy-takes-up-running/764477/81 "2016-09-16T03:30:20Z")
> [@TwoCarrotSnowman](#): > > Yep. I started Week 3 this morning. 🙂 Is it starting to grow on you? This thread has inspired me to up my weekly mileage and start trying to increase my pace. Last weekend, I ran the longest run I ever have - 14.16 miles. That’s kinda down to you, so thanks, **TCS**! > [@Turpentine](#): > > snip… > > Sometimes when I run these days I pass a heavyset girl running the opposite direction. If it wouldn’t be massively condescending, I would say something like “Hey, you keep it up! I was heavyset once and now I’m not because I run all the time!” Instead I just think it in my head and hope I’m psychically encouraging her. That _would_ be condescending, yes, but you can nod to her. I exchange nods with just about every runner I pass - quietly acknowledging our common membership in the Confraternity of the Pounded Pavement. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-fat-guy-takes-up-running/764477.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-fat-guy-takes-up-running/764477.md?page=5)