Should I try running again?

artsycella

I have read many posts here about people who have discovered running and fallen in love and it has changed their lives and their fitness. I also have many friends, colleagues and acquaintances who are runners and likewise love it. I feel like the only people I ever hear disparaging running are people who don't exercise much at all.

But here's the thing... I have tried running. Not just a little, but a lot. I spent six years in the Navy where I was forced to run all the time. I ran when I was skinny (~115 lbs.), I ran when I was healthy (~150 lbs.). I ran in different climates (Illinois, California, Texas, Hawaii). I ran in good shoes, new shoes, old shoes, expensive shoes purchased in one of those shops where you run on a treadmill and they watch you. I ran in shoes with inserts and in shoes fitted with custom, podiatrist-prescribed orthotics.

I've run sprints, I've run long distances, I've run slowly. I've run on flat ground and up hills and on tracks and on treadmills. I've run under the direction of personal trainers, athletes, coaches, and friends. And not just for a short time, but for years.

And I always, always hated it. It hurt my knees, my ankles, my hips. My lungs felt like they were on fire--I was constantly short of breath. I would feel dizzy and miserable by the end of a few miles. Afterwards my whole self would hurt, and I'd be exhausted.

This happened even when I was in good shape--low body fat percentage, swimming (and loving it) miles and miles a week, riding bicycles, doing hot yoga. All these other forms of exercise seemed to work for me, for my body, and make me feel stronger and better. But running always made me feel terrible, almost injured.

All of that now is years in the past--almost a decade. Now I'm overweight and not in shape and trying to get my act back together. And I'm doing well so far. I've made some great adjustments to my eating, I've lost 18 lbs., and I've added walking and elliptical training to my exercise routine. I'd love to add swimming but there aren't any exercise-friendly swimming pools near me.

And I hear these stories of running as the fitness panacea for so many people and I really wonder... is it worth trying again? Are there really people out there for whom running is not a great exercise, or did I just spend years of my life somehow doing it wrong? Anyone out there with thoughts or experience?

Oh, and my stats if they help:

Female, 5'8"
SW: 226
CW: 208
GW: 160

Other details: I'm curvy, with hips and a large bust even when my weight is low. I'm also knock-kneed and have high arches, thus the specialized orthotics.

artsycella

Bump for responses?

mscheele

Exercise should be something you like todo and there are many different ways to get similar results, if its a chore and you physically hate doing it then its not right for you. I recently started to run a little, but to me its boring so I don't go more than 2 miles max. It sounds like your body type and physical featurs aren't meant to be running, espeically within the past you have tride orthotics and your current knock knees. I am a physical therapist assistant and I have worked with patients and told them if it hurts then stop doing it because you either are doing it wrong or your body isn't proper doing it.
I don't know your history very well, but it seems that maybe in the past you were running incorrectly without the orthotics and that caused increased deformaties resulting from poor ankle, knee and hip alignment. If it's something that you don't have fun doing, look for another cardio workout that can give you similar results.
Hope this helps!!

dbmata

Worth trying if you want to.

I used to get hurt running until I went to minimalist shoes. I've also found that squatting and deadlifts have helped make running easier. As has shifting from a heelstrike gait to a midfoot strike gait. Finally, I'm an asthmatic. I know the idea of "lungs of fire". I started using an HRM when running, and keeping my pace at a rate where I could talk to myself... and I found it got a lot easier. Almost to a point where I felt like it was something I could keep up for an indefinite period.

I've never been much of a runner because it hurt, now "doing it right" it's rather nice.

artsycella

Thanks for the thoughts and responses. It's always great to hear from people with a different experience!

trail_rnr

I love running, but I don''t think it's right for everyone. If you don't like it, you don't have to do it (and it sounds like you have never really loved it). There are so many other ways you can exercise, and a few of those might even be wonderful ways for you to get out and enjoy the world, spend time with your friends, or spend quality time alone. It shouldn't be a chore; it should be something you look forward to doing.

Just a thought about walking. I had a major surgery a few years ago and couldn't run for a while. I started walking A LOT during recovery and discovered that I loved walking, too. I would pick pretty routes or walk with a friend. I walked with "purpose". Sometimes I listened to podcasts, and other times I just listened to the world around me. I'm pretty sure it's what helped me keep the weight off while I recovered.

Keep an open mind about what "exercise" is and stick to finding something that you like. It's there; you'll find it eventually. Good luck! :flowerforyou: