Does running get easier? Feeling pathetic and don't want to give up again....

cwolfman13

aussieems wrote: »

But I want to be a runner (insert 2year old tantrum here, complete with stomping foot)

Thanks for the app recommendation, will check it out now:)

Yeah, well I tried to force the issue for quite some time as well...I'm so much happier now and far more consistent in my fitness now that I don't run and actually do stuff I enjoy doing.

I'm not saying you should give up running...but you should probably have some kind of meeting with your mind and determine if you actually want to be a runner or you just think you have to be or something.

I personally found my passion on my bike...

rrowdiness

aussieems wrote: »

Does running get easier? Feeling pathetic and don't want to give up again....

the first thing that sprang to mind reading your title is the classic running quote:

"It doesn't get easier. you just get faster."

which admittedly is a pretty sh!tty way to respond to a heartfelt request, so sorry about that. But it is true. There is a second quote which is a bit nicer:

"if you run, you are a runner".

I went through seven weeks of self-hatred, lugging my 120kg frame through a mild 7km loop, going from walking every second lamppost, to running a km, walking a km, to running 2, walking 1, to running half, walking a km, to running everything except the steepest uphills, to running the full distance.

at no point along the way was there a breakthrough moment when I considered myself a 'runner', always just a fat dude waaaaayyy slower than anyone else out there, wheezing my way past the beautiful people and leaving a sweat trail.

But then one day I realised that every run was faster than a month previously, and every time I ran I felt good for at least some of the run, and the miserable parts of the run were just...things that sometimes happened.

In other words I'd become a runner, and had learnt how to endure rather than suffer.

In conclusion:

(a) you are a runner already.

(b) it doesn't get easier; but you get better.

MeanderingMammal

rrowdiness wrote: »

aussieems wrote: »

"It doesn't get easier. you just get faster."

which admittedly is a pretty sh!tty way to respond to a heartfelt request, so sorry about that. But it is true.

Although in this case it appears that the problem is, going too fast...

debrag12

RunnerElizabeth wrote: »

So it took me 14 months to build up to running 5k without walk breaks. And my time was not impressive, about 40 minutes. C25k was extremely hard for me. I had a young child in daycare who was bringing home all kinds of illnesses and i have asthma so i couldn't fight them off. I had strep throat 3 times in 2 months among other things. And each time I had to take a week or two off, it would set me back with running. Eventually I realized taking walk breaks wasn't working for me so I switched to finding out how long I could run without walking (10 minutes) and i would round out my time with 20 minutes of walking. Once every 8 days i would extend my time by 2.5 to 5 minutes depending on how well I was doing. But the trick is to run slower than you think you need to. Without walk breaks i was running 13:30-14 minute miles.
So did this work? I would say so. It took from 2011-2012 for me to run 5k. But since then I've run 7 half marathons, and I've got my first marathon scheduled for next Sunday and I was able to get my weekly mileage up to 47 average with a peak of 58 mpw. My speed has improved a little too, my 5k is down to 26:04 and dropping.
My advice to you is keep at it. If i can do it, anyone can. Just slow down and stop putting pressure on yourself. You can get there, it just takes some people longer than others.

That's exactly how I'm dong it now. I ran for 7:34 mins (1k) then did some walking today, planning to add more running from next week

Tim_Simons

I do not usually ran. I get lazy with running. I go for swimming or biking. I also go with machine for cardio. It depends on you. You can mix your cardio. To keep you going. Stay motivated all the time.

timberowl

Agree that it's mostly mental. Just get out and run. I've been running for 7 years now, and I do about 6miles a day. I probably walk about 2 of it. No one's perfect. Don't put so much dang pressure on yourself!

TavistockToad

i was never a runner, but after watching a friend of mine complete a10k in a wheelchair, i decided to sign up to run a 10k and the most important thing i have learnt is that its ALL in your head... the only reason you're not a runner is because your mind tells your body to stop... you CAN run for longer than 3 minutes at a time.

KrazyKenny1967

I ran as a younger person, I too wanted to start again, my back hurt and I thought I was gonna cough up a lung. After a 40 lb weight loss I recently started running (barely) So far I walk 15 minutes and run 5, for the last 2 weeks. This week I will increase to 15 min walk 10 min run. Just the 5 minute run feels good and the memories flood in from my past. I don't care how slow my progress is I'm gonna work up to 30 min then I'll go from there.

astronomicals

imo, it gets easier... I dont feel the endorphins kick in and everything fully warmed up until about 1-1.5 miles and I dont usually run much further than 3. The last two miles are always what I enjoy. The first mile always sucks.

mave34

I was never much of a runner, but I find it to be more mental than physical for me at this point. I used to pay attention to every single little ache, pain, and think I need to quit but I keep pushing myself mentally telling myself "come on, you got this" and have become my own little cheering section in my head. I keep my head up eyes as forward as they can see and just go. Do intervals that work for you and gradually increase as you feel you can do but try and push yourself a little, that's how you get better. Erase that self doubt, and like someone said here 'your a machine' and can accomplish anything if you have the right mind set! If you want it as bad as you say then you WILL get there. Good luck !!

aussieems

Wow, thanks everyone... I'm totally blown away by your responses.... After a 13 hour working day, I got home, changed and tried again... Thinking positively and I feel better than ever, it's tough but I got through it and finished less exhausted than ever before. Thanks for all the encouragement everyone. It's helped. Thanks x

Flips37

Great job on your post-work run!

I am just another voice to add to everyone who has said it's mostly a matter of getting past the mental obstacles. I am by no means a "seasoned runner" and I have also started and stopped several times in the past. This time seems to be sticking though and I have found that YES, for me, it has gotten easier. I realized that I can run a mile straight at a decent (for me) pace and not feel like I am going to die anymore!

For me, it was about consistency and over-ruling the voices in my head that always want to skip a run or put it off til tomorrow, etc. Even just a few weeks of 2-3, 30 min sessions per week were enough for me to feel significantly different after a month or so. Stick with it! It DOES get better

Hophead43

aussieems wrote: »

So the title pretty much says it.... I've tried and failed for years to "become a runner" I love the idea of running, but the practice of it makes me sick. I've started off with intervals, but as I'm running, all I can think about is my failures and if I hadn't given up, then I would be somewhere by now.... I feel like this every time I start again, and give up soon after.... How can I find the enjoyment in it? I really want to do this... I really do... Just tell me I'll get there and Itll get easier... Lie if you need to anyone else starting out? I'm currently running (I relate my run speed to that of a tortoise) a 6km loop, in 3 mins run, 2 walk. It takes me about 55minutes to complete. I've tried C25K and it didn't work for me.... Any tips or thoughts?

Thanks
X

Just stay persistent!! I like to listen to comedy while I'm running, takes my mind off what I am doing and seem less boring. Just have to stick with it! By no means do I enjoy running but it certainly sucks less now than it did when I started! I have been able to get my mile down to a PR of 10:21. Your already faster than me!! Just keep moving!

lgriffithschall

Congrats on running period (intervals or not)! I went from barely surviving 30 second intervals to over an hour of constant running during the last year and a half. I will echo other posters by confiding that it had more to do with pushing myself mentally than with anything I did physically; although, moderating your pace is absolutely necessary to completing longer runs. Another trick that I used when I first began was to tell myself I was going to run 'through just one more song' or 'past one more landmark'.

mommyrunning

In 2003 shortly before joining the military I could only run 1/4 a mile then I would have to stop because I was tired and out of breath. When I left Basic Training I could run for an hour or so with out stopping and ran a mile and a half in about 11 min. It takes regular practice to improve. As others said you may be diving in too quickly. Start with the distance or time you can run now and add about 10% each week or two. It's okay to run slowly you don't have to be fast. Since leaving basic training 11 years ago I've found that my comfortable pace is about a 14-15 min mile and a half. I am not a fast runner but I've built up endurance and distance over time. Even after 11 years of running the first mile is always a bit rough. Just about every run I start I think to myself this sucks. It's hard at first but I don't give up. I keep running and usually around 1 mile I get into a good rythm. I have found things like running with music and running outside instead of on a treadmill make a big difference for me. So maybe try changing it up to see what works for you. If that doesn't help there is other cardio you can do.