Can't bring myself to run...

edyta

I was exactly the same!
When I bought my HRM I realized how high my hr gets as I run!!! This was the problem I was feeling soooo horrible running. I was always choosing riding a bike
As far as I remember you have a HRM? If so, set your goal for a high but reasonable hr and walk or jog to keep this hr for a while. With every training you'll jog more and walk less. That's what I did and now I can run for 40 minutes with maybe 3-5 minutes walking and it's really fun!
It's a little frustrating that I have to run slowly to maintain 150 or 160 hr but it's really getting better all the time.

Try that, running can really be fun :flowerforyou:

edyta

Oh, one more thing.
ALWAYS remember to warm up before and cool down after running.
At the beginning walk slow, than a bit faster for about 6-10 minutes. You can mix it with other light exercises.
This is the way to make your body prepared to face the effort.

ali106

I taught my friend who swore she could never do it....she never walked much either.....and now the girl is running 1/2 marathons! She has an asthma too.

We'd start out walking, then pick a point of destination...like lets run to the end of this block, to that tree whatever it is....counting was making her nuts so we used object....you could use a song too like jog until the chorus comes on....who cares if you only run a few seconds, each time you're building up resistance and it will get there!

I wish you a lot of luck....and I also agree that walking/power walking is amazing for your bod too!

also jogging a slow pace is fine....its actually easier on your lungs....you increase the speed as you get stronger...but whatever you do you do what feels good for you!

I think its great to try new things...you never know what will click w/ ya!

hugs!
Ali

REB89

I am the same way about running, my shins start to hurt, I am gasping for air, and all the while my marathon running brother just keeps telling me, you just have to build up to it and you'll be fine. Um no.

My shins give me problems even during a brisk paced walk as well, but lately they have been feeling much better. I

This is common if the shoes don't fit correctly. Theoretically if you get good shoes (preferably fitted at a specialist running shop) this shouldn't happen!

msarro

Thanks for all of the advice guys. My friends and I go walking almost every night now, plus I've been doing aerobics/jogging in place for about a week. I always wanted to run, but I was so astoundingly bad at it, and shy about looking bad doing it, that I never stuck with it any of the times I tried.

I think I'm going to try to start getting to bed/waking up an hour earlier so I can go for a half hour of interval training in the morning, then come home from work for a walk/some aerobics. Exercise is starting to become addicting, even moreso now with the HRM.

Jamariqui

Ease yourself back in to running. Start out slow and then work up. This is coming from a person who too HATED running, because it was always a negative experience. Then I tried the couch 2 5k running program, from coolrunnings.com. It's a great 9 week routine that builds up your endurance, and eases you into a 30 min straight run. Right now I'm able to run 20 mins straight, as me 2 months ago if I thought that was possible I would have laughed.

Good luck

sgtinvincible

Thanks for all of the advice guys. My friends and I go walking almost every night now, plus I've been doing aerobics/jogging in place for about a week. I always wanted to run, but I was so astoundingly bad at it, and shy about looking bad doing it, that I never stuck with it any of the times I tried.

I think I'm going to try to start getting to bed/waking up an hour earlier so I can go for a half hour of interval training in the morning, then come home from work for a walk/some aerobics. Exercise is starting to become addicting, even moreso now with the HRM.

Heya buddy, I know your pain. All I can say is that it gets easier the more you do it. Running is one of those things some people were built to do, and some people weren't. I DO NOT have a runners build, and I'll never run marathons, but I eventually built up to running 3 or so miles which is totally adequite for what I need to do. Just know it *does* get easier. Stick with it, it's more mental than physical. I know you can do it bro.

edyta

This looks like a good place to start:
http://www.runnersworld.com/cda/smartcoach/beginner/0,7146,s6-238-277-278-0,00.html
You can follow this program if you like it. There are more tips on this site as well.
:flowerforyou:

yellow_pepper

Running has always meant me feeling terrible, both physically and about myself... I need to figure out how to associate it with being happy in my head. Its silly but I'm almost scared to run.

You know that feeling you had as a kid when you were chasing someone in the playground, or being chased, just a short distance? Try to find that simple thrill when you do your next running intervals.

A lot of people just starting out get trapped into thinking they should just run as long as they can, at the slowest pace that still qualifies as a run. Where's the fun in that?

Try running around a park kicking a soccer ball, ambush a flock of geese - really! Do something that makes you laugh, or at least smile, when you're running. Then you can carry these memories - in your mind and your muscles - with you as you run farther and faster.

Don't be afraid to get a little winded. Just walk it out until you feel ready to go again.