Will I EVER be able to run more than 2 miles?!
buckleten
Posts: 205 Member
I have been doing c25k, and it has been fantastic - I have gone from not being able to run at all to doing a mile, I would not say easily but without feeling like I am going to die! However, I am really struggling to increase this distance, I have reached 2 miles on a couple of occasions but usually not much more than a mile and a bit, and when I do I really do feel like I can't go on! I would really like to think that one day I could enter a 5k but it seems a distant dream at the moment! I try to run every other day..
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yes you will. 5K's are so easy. Why do you feel like you are gonna die? run slower, pace yourself and just keep running. if you've ran two miles, you can run three. Mostly its a mental barrier more than a physical barrier, unless you have some medical condition, which i assume you dont since you can run 2 miles. Just tell yourself you can do it, and then do it.0
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Well done for running over a mile! Great achievement.
You mentioned c25k, do you follow that plan? If so it will help you get there, just repeat a week if you feel you need to. Try not to pressure yourself thinking of running xyz in the future, focus on the first part of the next run only. Trust the app, it really is a good one
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It took me a few months to work up to a distance. I found a plan online and did that. It means following a similar plan to C25K, gradually adding time every week.0
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I get so out of breath, just very unfit I guess. I need to work on building up some stamina! I do go very slow..0
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Most of the folks I know who struggled with running were going too fast even though they thought they were already going too slow.0
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Yes, you will. Great job. When I am trying to jog a longer distance I add a small section. To the next driveway, next mailbox, two telephone poles further or add a small distance on the treadmill. Maybe after your two miles, keep walking when you are finished and walk another mile (and when you've caught your breath while walking try to jog the last five minutes of that third mile/K and slowly you'll be able to do the whole 5k).
A 5k is very doable for you, invite family or friends to do it with you and sign up. Even if you end up walking you will have a great time. Good luck and keep on running!0 -
Yes! Keep at it! Running is very difficult for me too. I started C25K running at a 4.2 mph pace. I am now graduated and run at a 4.5 mph, but have only hit 2.5 miles running. Still striving for that 3.1. It will take me time, but I'll get there!
What speed are you running? Remember you should be able to talk, but not sing. What week are you in?0 -
Most of the folks I know who struggled with running were going too fast even though they thought they were already going too slow.
Quoted For Truth. If you can't carry on a conversation when running, you're going too fast for a beginner. Another test is to try breathing in for 3 steps, then out for 3 steps. If you need to breathe more often, slow down.
If you're not very active in general, it can also help to do long walks on the days you're not running.0 -
If you can download an app like Runkeeper and bring your phone with you, it can help you to be sure you are running slowly by keeping track of your pace. It can also help you to slowly increase your run by small distances, like a tenth of a mile.
Adding in walking intervals can help you to add distance, too. Add them as necessary to achieve the distance you want, then gradually decrease your walking time.0 -
I feel your pain. I'm currently able to run 25 minutes, but that isn't even 2 miles yet. Tonight I could only do half of my run, but I think I understand the reasons why I had a hard time. My plan is to keep working the plan and not give up. I'm hoping the speed will improve. And from a former smoker, the breathing totally gets easier.0
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Build it up very slowly and at a steady pace that you can keep up. I started running around a month ago and I can now do 5.5k without stopping. Am entered into a 10k in November so am adding half a km every week now to build up to 10k. Also starting with intervals of running and walking will help until you build up to a full run. Good luck!0
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As many have said. Work on your pace, not by speeding up but by slowing down. Get the distance first, then the pace will improve over time.0
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Thank you everyone for your replies, I am determined to keep at it! X0
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Yep. Slow down. That is your barrier, right there.0
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If you can run 1-ish mile (sometimes 2) then you can already run 3 miles, you just don't realize it yet. Just slow down, get out there and do it to prove that you can. Running is a big mind game.0
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I remember feeling just like you, I thought I'd never be able to run 5k, if felt so hard but I kept at it, my body adapted and eventually running 5k was ok. Then I started looking at running 10k, again it was really hard and again I got use to it and now I happily run 10k. Now I'm working on half marathon distance, I've completed a couple of halves but I'm still at the stage where they feel hard but I know from experience that they will get easier it just takes time, so keep going you'll get there. Good luck.0
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yes you will. 5K's are so easy. Why do you feel like you are gonna die? run slower, pace yourself and just keep running. if you've ran two miles, you can run three. Mostly its a mental barrier more than a physical barrier, unless you have some medical condition, which i assume you dont since you can run 2 miles. Just tell yourself you can do it, and then do it.
+1
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If you can run 1-ish mile (sometimes 2) then you can already run 3 miles, you just don't realize it yet. Just slow down, get out there and do it to prove that you can. Running is a big mind game.
Yup, agree with the above. I had the same problem until one day I had a song that was fast beat and haven't heard in forever come on. Kept going for at least another half mile. All because I was mentally stimulated. Don't let your mind quit before your body does!
If being out of breath is your only problem, that will pass. I smoke, it was tough the first couple months. I used to only be able to go as far as my lungs would let me, now my legs give out before my lungs do. Also, as you start dropping extra weight it will be much easier to run.0 -
It's all mental. I always say when your brain says stop you need to say "NO!" at least three times. My brain wants to give up long before by body. I may or may not have shouted it ince or twice in the gym.
And the first 10 minutes are always the worst. Once I get past those I'm fine.0 -
6 months ago after a life changing bout with Cancer I made a choice to get fit. In addition to weight lifting I started running. At first I could barely make it 2 miles in 30 minutes. Tomorrow I am running 5 miles and trying to get it done in under 48 mins. A few weeks ago I finally got 5 miles in under an hour(49 mins).
It doesn't happen overnight. keep trying and it will progress. I had some of the same barriers and with persistence over came them. One of my main barriers was I would get pangs of pain in my knee halfway through a run. I found a series of stretches to do on YouTube. And I do them at least once or twice a week and no longer expierence knee pain.
Slow it down a bit and build up endurance before picking up the pace. Push yourself but at the same time "listen" to your body. The first few months are the toughest but if you keep at it you will find your groove.0 -
Thank you everyone :-)0
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I get so out of breath, just very unfit I guess. I need to work on building up some stamina! I do go very slow..
Slow down some more.
Seriously, if you're just beginning running, you want to slow down to the point where you feel like an idiot for going so slow.
:drinker:
Speed will naturally come with time and miles...trust the process.
You can totally do this! 0 -
I used to be like you. I couldn't even run a mile. Take it easy and slow. Like I could walk faster than this running. I just got back from a 95 minute run where I ran 7.75 miles. I'm slow and I walked three times but I did it. So can you.
Keep it up. Keep it slow. You'll surprise yourself.0 -
As others have already said, definitely keep an eye on your pace for now - if you use an app on your phone like Runkeeper, it tells you how fast you are running at any time and to start you want to be running miles at less than 10-min-per-mile pace, or less than 6-km-per-mile pace, then you can build up to that pace for a 30min 5km.
Also, if this helps, I run quite a lot and have done for 18 months. I still feel like I want to die in the first mile, but the first mile is a liar! I'm always fine after that 0 -
I've walked over 9,500 miles in the last 4 years. I now walk 6-7 miles 5x's a week. I've just started running the last quarter or half mile of my walks. I have to walk two miles for my legs to loosen up otherwise it is like running with two legs of cement. The runs are becoming a bit easier so I will add a little distance and wait until I master it. I tend to run fast as I have a large stride at 6'1". It takes time and patience.0
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Hi. I have just started c25k (for the 2nd time uuggh). There have been a few times when i have been really struggling, and when i could barely run for 1 minute, it was hard to imagine i could run for 30, but I did it eventually. By running so slowly that i could walk faster, by going running several times a week and being consistent, and by going running with a friend, so I didn't want to stop until it was time. And actually, by chanting in my head 'you will not stop, you will not stop '!
Even when i could run for 30 min, i was only running around 2.5-3 km, but each time i went, i got a little faster and a little further. I also started adding some much shorter runs with sprints (look up fartlek training!) which definitely helped with my speed and distance.
Due to illness, I'm now starting again, and my brain is still trying to tell me i can't do it, but I am using all the tricks i used before and I won't let my brain beat me!
But keep at it, and you will get there too! Keep a training diary, so you can see how you are improving, even when you feel like you aren't.0 -
I have taken all your advice to slow down, and this morning I ran 2.1 miles without stopping! That 0.1 was very important to me! It was slow, about 12 and a bit minutes per mile on average but I did it, and I feel great! Thank you all so much :-)0
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