Started trying to RUN

amandavictoria80

I REALLY want to be a runner!

I recently started doing some short spurts of running while walking the dog. I am embarrassed to run in public so it's the best way I can think to start out.

I feel really horrible about myself and my ability to run. I can only do it for one minute at a time. I heat up fast, face gets pretty red, lungs hurt and I breathe SO heavy. Is this normal?

I am really confused because I have worked out on my elliptical sometimes for an hour at a time. So, why then can I not run for long? Why is it so damn hard?

I have these stupid feelings that I don't want anyone to see me, this big girl all red faced, sweating, breathing heavy and jiggling in places one shouldn't.
I know this sounds crazy, but if I were thin, being seen this way wouldn't bother me one bit.

dragonflydi

That is EXACTLY how I started and two weeks ago I completed an 8K and have a 10K coming up, so stick with it.

I started with running one block and the walking several. Then running one minute and walking for 5, then running again for 1. When I could do that without complete discomfort, I moved on to running for the length of one song (short one ... just over 3 minutes) and then walking for two longer songs before running another one. See a pattern here?

Start small, move forward and stick with it. YOU CAN DO THIS

AZTrailRunner

Running is tougher because you have to repeatedly be off the ground with both feet simultaneously, whereas the your feet never leave the ground on an elliptical.

First of all, don't worry about what you think others may think. It's like dancing... no one is really watching or judging you. Second, walk 1 minute, run 1 minute to get your body used to it.

third - run on a treadmill if you are still concerned what others think. If you are on 1 of 20 treadmills at a gym, no one has a clue what shape you are in, or that you are a new runner (unless you fall of the thing).

Stick with it, you'll be glad you did!

amarie35

Long distance running takes time. You need to build yourself up to it. Below is a link to the couch to 5k program.

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/Programs/agressive_program.htm

It's a 4 month program that tells you how much to walk/run each day. If you stick w/ the program, w/in 4 months, you should be able to run a 5k (3 miles). I personally didn't do the program but I know of some MFPals who have & said it worked great for them.

For me, I did Zumba everyday for @ least an hour, if not more & I did it for like 2 months. It helped me to build myself up to running. After doing Zumba for few months, I went to the track and ran a mile (nonstop). And that was the very 1st time I had tried to get back in the habit of running. I was very impressed w/ myself. Now, 2 months later, I can run almost 6 miles w/out stopping.

Good luck.

jesscsock

I'm just goin to repeat what everyone's said so far but yes, stick at it and you will get there! I was exactly the same in jan and I'm up to 7k now and I'm due to do a 10k in sept. You will deiantely get better, but not if you do t keep at it you're doing the right thing to start off though!

bf41382

Try looking around on www.jeffgalloway.com to see if that helps any. His running method focuses on running with walk breaks. You can probably pick up one of his books on amazon for a few bucks. I liked the "Training Programs" book and it's helped a bunch. Also, make sure you have good shoes! They make a huge difference. Your shoes should be fitted to you. Find a good running store and they should be able to help you. Good luck with your running!

dpleymeister

You shouldn't worry about looking "dumb", the 1st thought in everyone's head will be "look at her exercising! Why cant I ever exercise?" "good for her!"

In Bootcamp the initail exercise routine wasnt about impressing anyone, it was to see where you were at physically, sounds like you know where you are now, running doesnt mean sprinting as long as you can...keep your arms as close to your sides as possible ( so you're not excerting excess energy ) and run at a comfortable pace FOR YOU! Your body will get use to this pace and frankly bore of it...then its time to kick it up a notch, either same pace for further or a bit faster pace for the same amount of distance. until you reach a speed you enjoy and a distance you're proud of...most importantly, ENJOY the site seeing!

mbissey

I am exactly the same way. I want to run, but can't go more than a minute or so right now. I have a Jeff Galloway training guide I'm using to plan my attack. Just keep at it. I'm sure we'll both be running distance soon.

hazelnutflav

next friday will be my last week doing the couch to 5k program as a begginer i found it to be a challenge but doable this was my first time trying it and i must say i am proud of myself for stepping up to the challenge and completing it.

i too want to be a runner and had to start training somewhere, my current wt is 239lb and if i can do this at this weight so can you, dont feel like its to hard or you cant do it, you can do it its all GO AT YOUR OWN PACE, start out slowly dont try to keep up with people at the gym, just concentrate on breathing put one foot in front of the other and your on your way.

if you find yourself getting out of breath or your heart feels like its abt to burst out of your chest your going to fast, slow it down, go at a pace where you can breath comfortably in thr yr nose and out thr yr mouth even if you have to do a fast walk to catch your breath then when yr ready, begin again, dont give up just find your pace and you will be on your way.

just get your head in the game and dont let people "looking at you" stop you from becoming a runner ,a friend of mine once told me "people dont look at you much as YOU THINK about people looking at you".

good luck and dont forget to bring along your water and music it will help the time go by the next thing you know your done.

jayruth

Just wanted to add to this that even when you've been running a while the first few minutes are hell anyway. I not a big runner but can do three miles and the first five minutes of them hurt - my lungs and legs complain and I think perhaps I've lost the ability to run. Then, almost like magic I seem to find my stride and although it remains hard work, it gets much more fun.

Like everyone has said, you build up to it little by little and don't be afraid to slow right down if you feel you need to. It's too difficult to work on speed and distance at the same time and in the beginning you're really just building up distance so don't worry about going SLOWLY ):

Also, I know that I look silly when running, exactly like you said... All red faced and wobbly. It used to bother me but now I just think about how I'm out there doing something about it so have no reason to feel ashamed. I also know that whenever I see someone doing the same who perhaps is still in the early days of running I think "Good on you!" The chances a that anyone you pass either doesn't notice you (people are usually just thinking about their own stuff) or do notice and admire you for giving it a go.

amandavictoria80

Running is tougher because you have to repeatedly be off the ground with both feet simultaneously, whereas the your feet never leave the ground on an elliptical.

First of all, don't worry about what you think others may think. It's like dancing... no one is really watching or judging you. Second, walk 1 minute, run 1 minute to get your body used to it.

third - run on a treadmill if you are still concerned what others think. If you are on 1 of 20 treadmills at a gym, no one has a clue what shape you are in, or that you are a new runner (unless you fall of the thing).

Stick with it, you'll be glad you did!

I tried running on a treadmill, I actually have one at home, but I am just not coordinated enough. It feels VERY odd.

bluefever

Running is tougher because you have to repeatedly be off the ground with both feet simultaneously, whereas the your feet never leave the ground on an elliptical.

First of all, don't worry about what you think others may think. It's like dancing... no one is really watching or judging you. Second, walk 1 minute, run 1 minute to get your body used to it.

third - run on a treadmill if you are still concerned what others think. If you are on 1 of 20 treadmills at a gym, no one has a clue what shape you are in, or that you are a new runner (unless you fall of the thing).

Stick with it, you'll be glad you did!

I tried running on a treadmill, I actually have one at home, but I am just not coordinated enough. It feels VERY odd.

Just keep at it. It's there, use it!

vancouveritegirl

Hi,

I used to think I was the most unathletic person ever. Running looked super challenging and I just thought it wasn't for me. My first times running I thought I was literally going to die, I mean literally. But eventually I did my first 10k, then another, then another, and now I have done four half marathons and three 10k's and continue to run 4-5 days a week. It is so liberating once you have finished a run wether it's 5k or 10k. Just do what you have been doing, running a bit, keep going further everytime, even if its only another street. Sometimes with running I just have to say "go do it" and before I know it it is over. Also, regarding the elliptical, that I do not believe is as "tough" as running, with running you are constantly going, on an elipitical I get distracted easy and start going slow.

ronda_gettinghealthy

I am the gal who thought God would not have made horses if he meant for us to run....but I started with C25K (really wish I had started with C210K) and now I am running over 4 miles at a time...ME the anti runner...when I started wogging (my version of a jog so slow people walk faster than I jog) I was mortified--then I noticed that instead of looking down on me--the runners would smile say hello--say good job---I still wog (a bit faster now) but I love to run....just START.....that is all it takes....


Good LUCK!!!


ps I am not a fan of treadmills I get dizzy when I get off and they are BORINGGGGGGGGG...but use them in the heat....

LorinaLynn

:drinker: Another former non-runner!

When I started the Couch to 5k Plan in December, I would only run one half of one lap around the park by my house. That's .15 miles. In March, I did my first 5k, which is the equivalent of 10 laps around that park... or 20 times further than I could run before. Saturday, I'm doing my first 10k, but with the heat, I might not run the whole thing. :grumble:

Take it slow, and build up a little more each week. And by "take it slow," I mean your pace, too. Go at the speed that's just a little tiny bit too fast to walk at first. You can work on your speed once you have more endurance.

I "learned" to run on a treadmill, but I fully agree... it feels weird! It's not natural or normal to run at a consistent pace like that. I'd much, much rather run outside.

I surprised myself today, running on a treadmill for the first time in months. I started at 5mph in December, then moved up to 6mph in March and April. I averaged a pace of 6.7 during my last few races. But today, I was running at 8mph! Granted, it wasn't for any length of time... I was just doing two minute sprints... but if you'd told me a year ago, even six months ago, that I could move my legs that fast, I'd have laughed in your face!

And about people watching you run... Have you EVER seen someone running slow down to a walk and thought, "Huh, slacker!"? No? Me neither. If I ever noticed someone stopping, which I usually don't pay that much attention to anyone, I'd have thought, "They must be done." Or now that I know about interval running, I'd assume it was part of their plan.

bookyeti

Another recommendation for C25K, here. It rocks!

PecanTanDiva

next friday will be my last week doing the couch to 5k program as a begginer i found it to be a challenge but doable this was my first time trying it and i must say i am proud of myself for stepping up to the challenge and completing it.

i too want to be a runner and had to start training somewhere, my current wt is 239lb and if i can do this at this weight so can you, dont feel like its to hard or you cant do it, you can do it its all GO AT YOUR OWN PACE, start out slowly dont try to keep up with people at the gym, just concentrate on breathing put one foot in front of the other and your on your way.

if you find yourself getting out of breath or your heart feels like its abt to burst out of your chest your going to fast, slow it down, go at a pace where you can breath comfortably in thr yr nose and out thr yr mouth even if you have to do a fast walk to catch your breath then when yr ready, begin again, dont give up just find your pace and you will be on your way.

just get your head in the game and dont let people "looking at you" stop you from becoming a runner ,a friend of mine once told me "people dont look at you much as YOU THINK about people looking at you".

good luck and dont forget to bring along your water and music it will help the time go by the next thing you know your done.

I agree....
I have just ended Week 1 of Couch to 5k and I feel awesome. I did one day on the treadmill because I felt how you feel. I didnt want people to look at me, especially due to the fact that where I run there is nothing but slim built women running. What I realized was I cared more about it than everyone else :laugh: They were running and I was looking around. I now bring my music and do what I need to do. I run to get fit, but I also run to clear my mind. I will soon be one of those slim built women running in my neighborhood now that I have weightloss on my brain and not what they are thinking :bigsmile:

shreddin_mama

bump

demery12371

I heat up fast, face gets pretty red, lungs hurt and I breathe SO heavy. Is this normal?

This was me 2 months ago.... And you know what! I've gone from 1 minute bursts to 25 min at a time... working towards 30.

You can do this... What has helped me is I run in the morning before many people get up... that way no one is looking. (or I can't see them so "they aren't there") My face still get's really red but everything else has leveled out...

You can do this!!! I will cheer you on. One minute at a time.
Hugs