Anyone feel like they can't run?

chadya07

you dont have to run. there are so many ways to get exersize there is no reason for you to do anything you hate doing. forget about it. it doesnt even burn more calories than any other... some things burn way more (like the arc trainer)

unless you want to do it. in that case i suggest start slow, practice breathing methodically while you do it. wear shorts not capris, tank top not tee shirt. turn the fan on the machine or run outside during cool hours. run in bursts or rotate running with speed walking on an incline (which actually burns more calories than jogging, and almost as much as a sprint or more if you are at a high enough incline) gradually increase your workout. have the right music. i like a high energy techno like trance control... tune out everyone and forget if anyone is watching because you are absorbed in music and timing your footfalls with the beat.

i love running.

keithintokyo

I agree with you that running is tough. I really don't like it at all, but not just because it's hard. I simply don't enjoy it. Put me on a bike, and I'll go for hours, even long hill climbs where I'm dying from oxygen deprivation and still have a smile on my face. I use running for those days when I can't go for a bike ride, but even then prefer running stairs or trail running over a straight up run. Some people love it and can't get enough. But it could be you're just not a runner. I say there are plenty of good options for cardio - better to choose one you will stick with because you like it (or at least don't hate it ) . On a bike, you have the chance to explore new places much further away than you'd ever see on a run. And it's a LOT easier on the joints.

All that said, you want to be sure not to fall into a habit where your body adapts to the exercise giving you diminishing returns.

AmyRhubarb

At the age of 43, after a lifetime of avoiding running, something in my brain said, "hey, let's try running!". So I accepted my brain's challenge, grabbed a c25k app and started in. Three years later, I'm still running and I do enjoy it.

As others have said, if breathing seems rough, slow down. I mean S L O W down. Speed and distance will come later - follow the c25k program and go as slowly as necessary to complete the time for each session.

If I can learn to run in my 40's anyone can! There are more success stories all over the boards from people of all ages, sizes, abilities - use the search feature and check 'em out.

Good luck!

beautifulwarrior18

If it's awful don't do it. You don't have to run to be healthy. There are millions of other things you can do. If it's not enjoyable don't make yourself do it.

NoelleED

I am much bigger than you and I run using the C25K program as well. Tips - make sure your shoes support running. Don't pick your knees up super high, don't pick your feet up super high either. You don't need to look like a champion runner with all limbs stretching in every direction to get the benefits of running. Also, if you feel really out of breath and clumsy, you are going too fast AND/OR you are not focusing enough attention on strengthening your core. Your core is what balances you while you run and if you are really out of shape in the tummy, it will be much harder. Push yourself at a pace that makes you feel a little out of breath and gets the burn going, but not at a crazy high rate of speed. If the C25K says "run for 30 seconds" then try a nice, simple jog for 30 seconds at a speed you can maintain. Other people have mentioned that they had to repeat weeks with the C25K program, and that is totally fine! With interval training, make sure that you FULLY RECOVER in the slow parts before you try to ramp it up again. Then, over time, just try to shave seconds off your recovery time and add seconds to your running time.
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My thoughts

kareljack

There is one important component about running that has yet to be mentioned - your striking pattern.
Are you heel striking? Heel striking is inefficient, leads to hip and knee discomfort/pain and makes you put in more effort than is necessary. You need to develop a mid-foot striking pattern.
Search Youtube for mid-foot striking. I'm 43, 50lbs overweight, (down from 90lbs) have arthritis in both knees. Changing from heel to mid-foot striking was tricky at first but worth it. My knees are only sore/painful after the days I get into the zone and push myself way too hard.
While treadmill running is different from outdoor running, I can now run at 5.5 mph for 25 minutes on the treadmill. When I first started, I was lucky if I made 5 minutes at 4mph.

Sued0nim

I don't run...I have no intention of ever running ...I am fit in other ways though

It's not compulsory to run

eldamiano

Love for running can come through racing, trying to improve yourself or better times, or being social. It is such an easy thing to do with other people

drazani

If you really want to run i also recommend the c25k program, i cannot run either, i have tried before and failed at the less than 30 second mark, however i have now got myself a pair of running shoes and did day 1 of c25k and thoroughly enjoyed it, it took me longer to do the 5k in walk/run intervals than it would have taken me to walk it, but I run for every one of the run intervals and feel so proud of myself for doing that, i now cannot wait until i can run the full 5k. Btw i am 221lb. :-)

lemonsurprise

I'm not sure I'll ever enjoy running but the fact that I cannot perform a basic human function really, really irritates me. Plus, who knows when I'll REALLY need to run. It's always going to be a "handy" thing to excel at.
I'll pursue with what I'm doing but if 6 months down the line I still don't enjoy it BUT I can long distance run - I'll give up!
Again, thanks for all the info everyone.

sheahughes

I have a love/hate relationship with running/jogging. Honestly, I mostly jog - but hey! Any speed over my warm up walking speed where I am doing the running/jogging motions count as a run as far as I'm concerned!

Anyway - I started out aiming for 60 second runs. I hated those 60 seconds. Until they were over and I loved the fact I ran for 60 seconds straight.

I eventually moved up to 5 minute runs - they really sucked and every minute I was counting down the seconds until I could stop.

A 7 minute run was next and once again, it sucked.

The next day however, I sulked every minute up to the 7 minute mark, then hit 8 minutes. I then figured, may as well make it even and aim for 10 minutes. Those 2 minutes didn't suck so bad. I wasn't even puffed which was amazing as far as I was concerned. Next thing I knew, the 10 minute mark was up and I was continuing!

I ended up doing 15 minutes of continuous running at speed 7 on the treadmill. I'm no athlete, but that was an incredible feat for the non-runner I had always insisted to be.

My next goal is 20 minutes of straight running. I'm not looking to speed up, I just want to be able to go continuously cause I tend to give up before I've started. If it takes me 5 or 10 or 15 days to run 20 minutes, who cares? It's still an acheivement.

Finally, my advice is to start small. Run/jog at a speed that suits you. Get your breathing right and you'll find it easier. Set a goal for that day - even if it is only running for 15 seconds at speed 5.5. Feel proud of yourself for making that goal.

Then do the same the next day, and so on. C25K will also help when you can run for 60 seconds at a time.

dearannna

There are loads of good tips here from everyone but I would also say that running isnt for everyone. I personally don't really enjoy running and much prefer a varied workout as I have a really short concentration span. If you don't grow to love it using all the ideas given above then try something else until you find something that you do love!

WalkingAlong

Even when my weight is ideal and I'm in great physical condition, I hate running and I suck at it. I finally figured out this year it's probably due to my loose knee ligaments. Every decade or so I try again and re-learn the same lesson. We really are not all potential lovers of running.

jenny3008

I'm not a runner either, never have been even as a child but its something I want to be able to do. I want to be able to run a 5k or even hopefully a 10k

When I went out by myself I wouldn't manage any distance at all, probably 1/4mile before I was huffing and puffing. But I've signed up for a 10k obstacle course so I need to be able to at least job between the obstacles. As part of the training for this my PT took me out for a run, I thought we were going for a mile but it seemed never to end. He made me keep an eye on my HR ( I wear a monitor) and just made me keep going. I got to the 5k mark and even felt ok at the end of it.

I've done it once myself since then and was delighted that I did it.

I think for me part of the 'I can't run' was that I didn't have the confidence that I could do it, I would set out too fast and fail.

I've got a sore knee so I can't go out this week as I don't want to aggravate it but I will be going out again, maybe manage a little further this time but if I don't then that's fine as well.

Good luck with the running

jessiruthica

Nothing earth-shaking to add here except to throw another vote in for C25K. I'm just finishing the last week and can't believe the progress! I started at 230lbs and couldn't run the 60 second intervals. But if you keep at it, it totally works! I personally use a podcast that has music and a "coach" telling me when to run and when to walk. My own music isn't particularly conducive to running I like the comment earlier about downloading Military Cadence music. That's on my list now!

On running slow - especially outdoors it feels REEEAAALLLLYYY slow. Like turtles-passing-you slow. But it turns out I was actually running faster than on the treadmill. Getting your breathing pattern going seems to be the best way to know if you're running too fast.

All this to say it is totally possible if you stick with it.

SLLRunner

steve098 wrote: »

lemonsurprise wrote: »

I do between 30-45 mins of cardio at the gym each day. No problems at all.
I push myself, sweat buckets, and enjoy it. Apart from when I try and run.
The whole thing is just awful. It's so uncomfortable, I feel like I need to be breathing way more than I'm actually able to, everything hurts and I feel so heavy and gross when I run. So far I've gone from 225 lbs to 190 but I don't feel like it's any easier AT all.
I've read so many times that very often people that get in to fitness discover a love for running, where is this love?!

No one loves to run.

Believe me.

And the older you get, the more it hurts.

But you love how you feel afterward.

And if you run outside in some pleasant spot, it is enjoyable to look at the sights and see the people.

Ohhhh, Steve, you are so wrong.

Read this:

I. Love. To. Run.

I love the act of putting one in front of the other at a 6.0 mph pace, or a 5.8 pace, or even a 6.5 pace. Really. It's the most relaxing thing to me, helps me to mind-work issues and stresses. I think about my writing and my work and my life, and everything else. A whole 45 minutes to an hour.

It's a nice feeling afterward, but it's not the same as running itself.

WalkingAlong

Many people love to run, and many people don't feel any better after it than any other cardio (and many people don't get any noticeable 'high' or endorphins from exercise).

drosebud

tedsmama wrote: »

I used to feel like I couldn't run. Now I feel like I cannot NOT run.

Me too. Started the C25K last April and now can't imagine not running. I used to think the C25K was 25km, which put me off for a long, long time...

KnitSewSpin

I was a marathon runner in my 20's and 30's. Now that I'm in my 40's I've come to my senses and I LOVE walking with my dogs every morning for an hour. It's awesome and I can do it till I'm 99. No more running for me.

MagicalGiraffe

I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions for people with anxiety. My anxiety makes me chest feel constantly tight (my meds make me not able to feel the pain of that now) but I shallow breathe a lot of the time and can only get a normal breath in if I yawn so my chest can expand. Also if I feel that I'm not breathing well during a run/walk session, I will start to panic and it gets considerably worse! Has anyone else experienced problems like this? I am trying to work through my anxiety but medication can only do so much and waiting lists for counselling are a few months long in my area. I understand that breathing is the most important part of a run, which is why I am getting so frustrated about it and feel my anxiety is holding me back.

jdhcm2006

It's been mentioned before, but make sure you breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. This is especially crucial during the winter months b/c (from what my 8th grade gym teacher told me) it warms the air up so it will cut down the potential of getting a sore throat. Idk how true that is, but it's stuck with me all these years.

Make sure you have a good running shoes and wicking socks. I just started running about a month ago, and I ran twice without running shoes and wicking socks, and my feet paid the price. And only use the shoes for running.

And make sure you aren't running too fast. Whatever pace you're going at now, cut it in half. You may have to start with speed walking and work your way to jogging. As mentioned previously, use the C25k app.

Good luck!

AlysonG2

I used to feel the same way. Now I love running. Download a C25K app. It works, promise.

lizfiz50

I suck at it too, but what I find is that each day, I can run more and more. It's all about building endurance.