New to running - what makes you stop?

amy_nico1

For me, it depends on the day and how I feel physically and mentally. I did C25K last year and got up to running 30 minutes straight (not an entire 5K though) and then immediately stopped, for seemingly no reason (subconscious self-sabotage?). I started it again and am now on week 5. This week scares me; I can't believe I ever completed it before. I agree that the mental part of it all is HUGE. That also determines when you'll fight through minor aches and pains or give up.

Maybe try calf exercises, too, like going up on tiptoes and then back down. It sounds like those smaller muscles might be a little weaker than your major leg muscles and cardiovascular capacity, so they're giving up on you earlier. Drink water 1-2 hrs before working out to prevent cramping (in your legs) too.

I recently read Jeff Galloway's Beginning Running book. I didn't really consider myself "new" to running but bought it anyways and was really glad I did. Consistently start taking walk breaks BEFORE you feel pains or start huffing and puffing, then jog some more (similar to what C25K does but not as strictly regimented). Forcing yourself way beyond your abilities (for example, on a really tough C25K week for you, or a day when you feel weak/tired) is counterproductive.

TS65

I'm not new to running, but am slowly coming back from an injury. This may sound weird but I want to stop or walk, most of the time, because my mind tells me this is too hard. The mental part of running is my biggest challenge. Best of luck to you!

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This! I've always said "I can't" when it comes to running. Getting over the mental part of it, for me, has been half the battle.

HisKathy

do you have good running shoes? When I was first starting the Couch 2 5K, I would run out of breath and just be worn out at the 60 second mark. Actually, I took 3 weeks to do the first 2 weeks of the plan. Eventually, your fitness keeps up with what you have to run. I remember being worried about 3 minutes of running and I just ran for 37 minutes straight this past weekend. If you don't have good running shoes I definitely recommend going to a New Balance store or local running shoe store and getting fitted with some - it will make all the difference. And good luck with the C25K plan, it's changed my life!

DrMaryMatthews

For me it's pain in my legs/hips/feet. But I don't mind slowing down to a walk. The point is to keep going, day after day, month after month. My physical therapist says stop if it hurts more than a 3 on a 0-10 pain scale (with 10 being the worst pain ever) It's a good rule. BUT it may also be your stride. Get checked out by a real professional! It makes a world of difference and saves you from a world of pain.

Keep up the good work!! :-)

SueInAz

I get just basically tired and panting for breath. When I realize that I'm jogging so slowly that I might as well be walking, I stop and walk until it's time to run again. I've been coughing like a smoker all day and I've never smoked! I've only just started, always considered myself to "not be a runner" but I'm giving it a shot. I'm hoping to make it to the run 3 minute walk 1 minute stage.

laurie_powers

I usually run with friends, and we run at a pace where we can talk during our running. I find that if I can carry a convo, I am running at a good pace for me. I rarely get to where I just can't talk (LOL!)
For me it's usually my knee or I just don't have the energy that day. Could be not enough water, could be not the right food, etc. Sometimes it's just that I'm plain ol' tired.
I find that if I'm not feeling it in the first mile or so, I just walk that day, and try again the next day.
Good luck!

crystalslight

Mine is also the mental part of it. Set a goal and make it happen. When I started running again mine was overall fatigue, that made me want to stop. I ran with my husband and he helped me push through it.
Way to go on running. Stretch your calves good and don't push too hard. So that you don't cause an injury. You'll get there

SoCalSwimmerDude

I have a question for other new runners or those who were once new runners...

When you first begin a running program...what is it that makes you want to stop, i.e. no longer to endure going and pause to walk. Is it that you're out of breath? Body tired? etc.

I find that I'm never out of breath (well, not now that I have asthma meds), but that my calves aching/tiring always makes me stop after about the 60 second mark (I'm on Couch 2 5k, Week 1, so this is the perfect timing). I never get to a point where I am out of breath, or have a stitch in my side, etc. It's always the legs.

Ceejay! I feel ya! My calves! My endurance, no matter how out of shape I am, is solid. I've had the calves problem for a long time... not just them getting tired, but they get completely tight and cramped up. After hearing a million people tell me that I'm running wrong, I've eventually come to the conclusion that I have short calve muscles... my dad has the same thing. If you were to look at me completely out of shape, you'd see 2 stellar looking compact and ripped calves... not because I work them out, but because they are naturally like that. Anyways, I don't run often, but when I do, I stretch the heck out of my calves first... and even then I have to start very slow and very slowly build my speed/intensity. Walk for a good half mile before starting to run.

OK, my calve rant is over...

cherrieruns

I tried to review to see if this has been said but you may simply need to slow down just a bit. Not enough that you are walking but slower than you are trying to run now. Running does not have to be fast (and fast is relative). The other thing to check out - when you are running are you slamming into the ground. If so, lighten your step - consciously try to be light on your feet. This may address the calf issues. Good luck to you.

briannic

you need to break through to your second wind, this happens after a couple of months after your body has adapted to the rigours of running. Your breathing and body will relax more and you'll be able to go for longer. Try running on grass to lessen the impact on the joints. The reason those programs work is that they are varied and aim to get you to your goal. Running the same route, the same distance, the same times eventually becomes boring and de motivating. You need to mix it up and keep your running varied. People give up before they break through that first barrier and learn to relax.

Oh I forgot and you need to learn how to stretch properly. Plenty of resources online. Or take up Yoga

But overall you just need to keep going. If your new to running its *kitten* breaking at first and you feel a **** maybe having to stop, walk or old age pensioners fly past you. you'll find your pace, start to enjoy it and eventually your mind will slow down and you'll do some of your best thinking to solve all the days little problems.

If all else fails buy a bike and start cycling.

KarenLouise1981

For me - it's my big belly flapping up and down that hurts. My legs are generally ok - i have small breasts so they're well confined to my sports bra, but the belly bouncing up and down and my body in general pounding into the ground - its just uncomfortable. Plus i hate how my shorts ride everywhere they shouldn't go! I wish they would make an *kitten* and belly bra!! LOL. That stuff needs support too lol!!

Haha I'm sorry i can't help but laugh with you - your post cracked me up, thank you!! Before my booty started shrinking I wanted exactly the same thing to control it!! 3 months in my cardio is geting better, can do 3km comfortably at 9km/h but then need to take a 30 sec walk break. I am upto 10km now (combo of walk/run still!) but it's a combination of really tight hips and mental block that does it for me. But if it didn't take so much out of my body i would do 10km every day! It is so addictive :-)

Good luck!

TrainerRobin

I'm not new to running, but am slowly coming back from an injury. This may sound weird but I want to stop or walk, most of the time, because my mind tells me this is too hard. The mental part of running is my biggest challenge. Best of luck to you!

For me, it's mental also. I just WANT to stop. So I do the mental checklist that my hubby shared with me from his Special Forces training days. I ask myself:

Do my lungs hurt or am I REALLY out of breath? No? Keep running.
Do my legs hurt? No? Keep running.
Does anything else hurt? No? Keep running.
Am I overheated and showing signs of heat exhaustion? No? Keep running.

Honestly, I go through this checklist and for me, I don't hit a real reason to quit. It's just my brain getting "bored" but once you've run enough, the walking part that you give in to seems so slow and inefficient that I'll start running again right away just to get done.

When I do have some soreness creeping in, I'll slow my jog dramatically (I could WALK faster) and it always seems to work its way out for me.

But, all of that said, it's critical to start slow!!!!! Give your body a chance to acclimate to this new activity. Jog (don't run) from one telephone pole to the next and then walk one or two. Gradually increase the periods you're running and before you know it, you'll be a runner. Go slow, stretch when you're done, and keep a runner's journal so you're encouraged by the mileage you're accumulating!!!

monkeymomof3

I am all mental when it comes to running. I set my goal before I go out and I run my goal. Only then do I actually allow myself to stop. Even when I was a new runner this is how I functioned. BUT when I was a new runner my goals weren't miles, they were minutes. And it didn't matter how fast I was running as long as I was running (jogging)...if I felt winded I would slow down. I found (and still find) that if I push through the nagging things that make me want to stop (sore muscles) then they stop because I have worked out their issues. If it were a real issue (which I haven't had, knock on wood; ie shin splints, arch pain, achilles, etc) then it may have been different. I have been running for 5 months 4-5 days a week and my running has progressed leaps and bounds. Some days I still set minute goals rather than mile goals (so I can run, just an easier pace), but no matter my attitude going in, once that goal is in my head I have to finish. And I'm always glad when I do! Also, for me, if I stop to walk I may as well jsut stop. It is SO much harder for me to start again once I've walked.....

therealangd

When I first started in January it was my legs. That stopped after a couple of weeks. Now it's somewhere between losing my breath / not breathing properly and the mental game.

craftylatvian

I just did about 3/4 of Week 1, Day 1 and the breathing is what got to me first. I was afraid I would not make it back home so I only did 3/4 of the program. Being a smoker, I was surprised at how well I actually did. I didn't feel like I was going to die, it was more exhaustion and breathing.
Maybe I breathe wrong, I know your belly is supposed to extend out when you inhale, indicating your lungs are filling all the way up with air.

mlb929

I've practiced ChiRunning and really learned body sensing. You know when your form is getting bad, when you aren't holding yourself to the standard at which you are still running with good form. You aren't lifting your legs like you should, or holding your pelvis correctly.

I fell face first about three days after a race. I sought the advice of other chi runner's and all of them told me that I was fatigued, that I really needed to be better at body sensing. I worked hard at it and know now each time how each foot hits the ground or how my shoulders effect my feet.

Veele_

I started with zero fitness, therefore I think both were hard. By building up gradually, my endurance and strength has improved greatly.

Some have already mentioned but when starting out or when building up endurance it's important to go slow. Speed does come naturally as you progress but don't ask too much of your body too soon.

A good warm up should also ease any tightness in legs that might cause ache and pain in the legs. Also remember to thoroughly stretch afterwards. If you're prone to tight legs a light warm up followed by light stretching may also help. Your main stretching session should however be done on warm muscles after any exercise.

kdsmith

For me - it's my big belly flapping up and down that hurts. My legs are generally ok - i have small breasts so they're well confined to my sports bra, but the belly bouncing up and down and my body in general pounding into the ground - its just uncomfortable. Plus i hate how my shorts ride everywhere they shouldn't go! I wish they would make an *kitten* and belly bra!! LOL. That stuff needs support too lol!!

Haha I'm sorry i can't help but laugh with you - your post cracked me up, thank you!! Before my booty started shrinking I wanted exactly the same thing to control it!! 3 months in my cardio is geting better, can do 3km comfortably at 9km/h but then need to take a 30 sec walk break. I am upto 10km now (combo of walk/run still!) but it's a combination of really tight hips and mental block that does it for me. But if it didn't take so much out of my body i would do 10km every day! It is so addictive :-)

Good luck!

I train with The Running Room in Canada and our long runs are done by running for 10 minutes and walking 1 minute. I do all my races this way...it is great mentally to know that you have a little break coming up and if you get into racing you can time the walks for at the water stations.

MrsCon40

It would change for me. It used to be that I would get out of breath easily and I had to stop. Not it's usually my muscles fatiguing that does it. Funny enough though, it's usually my arms that get fatigued before my legs. I probably need to work on more upper body strength training.

It's my arms, too! I know it's just because I'm really really trying and causing tension in my upper body that is fatiguing my arms

Mommyof3texans

I'm on C25K week 4 (1 more workout), and I definitely start to feel a little out of breath and like my legs get heavier, haha. But it's not so bad that I stop to walk before my time's up. Next week's last workout is all running, so we'll see if I can push thru it!

I'm just one day behind you and i'm nervous about that 20 minute jog as well at the end of week 5

ginalhorst

It really depends on a lot of things- I've been running consistently for over 2 years. That said, sometimes it still hurts- some days my body hurts, and other times I can't breathe as well but I will say that it's rarely my breath anymore. If your calves hurt you probably need to strengthen your quads- those are the muscles that should take the major brunt of the run- if they aren't very strong yet, your calves may do more work than they are ready for too. If you just started running you should run for a minute and walk for a minute or 2 or whatever pattern you want to start with until you strengthen your leg muscles. It's a lot to expect of your legs to just start running without that strength you need.
I love to dispel the myth that after you run for a long period of time- months, years, it will just be efortless and easy. It's NOT! I still think it is hard and sometimes hurts pretty bad and I wonder why it doesn't ever get easy? Every now and then I'll have just an incredible effortless run but that is almost never. So it's just a kind of discomfort that you learn to work with and each day is different depending on what you've eaten, how you've slept, etc. all the things that make up your life. Good luck and keep at it- and DON"T GIVE UP!

LorinaLynn

I thought of this thread today while running, and thought of something else.

My bladder. OOF!!!!!!!!! But that's something that makes me WANT to stop, but actually makes me faster. The faster I finish, the sooner I can go to the toilet. :embarassed: But then when I do stop, the urge to pee is gone. Like now... I had to go like a racehorse while I was out, but have been home nearly an hour now and still haven't "gone." And I don't feel the need, either.

CeejayGee

I tried to review to see if this has been said but you may simply need to slow down just a bit. Not enough that you are walking but slower than you are trying to run now. Running does not have to be fast (and fast is relative). The other thing to check out - when you are running are you slamming into the ground. If so, lighten your step - consciously try to be light on your feet. This may address the calf issues. Good luck to you.

Thanks for allt he feedback, everyone. I do have running shoes that I had professionally fitted. I do run SLOW - I mean, old ladies doing a speedwalk at the mall would pass me . And, I try to be light on my feet and have good posture. But, my calves are always crampy! I do stretch before, i eat enough potassium and drink enough water, and I stop during teh middle and stretch too. (And, like I said, I'm only a C25k week 1, so I'm not jogging more than 60 seconds at a time).

Hopefully it gets better in a couple weeks and I can go alittle longer

CeejayGee

I am all mental when it comes to running. I set my goal before I go out and I run my goal. Only then do I actually allow myself to stop. Even when I was a new runner this is how I functioned. BUT when I was a new runner my goals weren't miles, they were minutes. And it didn't matter how fast I was running as long as I was running (jogging)...if I felt winded I would slow down. I found (and still find) that if I push through the nagging things that make me want to stop (sore muscles) then they stop because I have worked out their issues. If it were a real issue (which I haven't had, knock on wood; ie shin splints, arch pain, achilles, etc) then it may have been different. I have been running for 5 months 4-5 days a week and my running has progressed leaps and bounds. Some days I still set minute goals rather than mile goals (so I can run, just an easier pace), but no matter my attitude going in, once that goal is in my head I have to finish. And I'm always glad when I do! Also, for me, if I stop to walk I may as well jsut stop. It is SO much harder for me to start again once I've walked.....

I think this is realistic when you only have 15-25 pounds to lose. But, when you're like 50-100 pounds overweight and have never been in shape in your life, this just isn't a very realistic. My goal at this point is 60 seconds of running and that is hard. I stop, walk, and then do another 60 second spurt. The C25k App helps me keep gpoing again once I've stopped.

JMCade

For me it's running outta breath! Legs are okay, but I get so winded!

scottb81

Hopefully it gets better in a couple weeks and I can go alittle longer

As long as you keep at it consistently, it will get better very quickly. Then the issue will be not pushing yourself so hard that you overstrain tendons and bones. Those take longer (months) to adapt and become stronger.