can everyone run a mile?
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Don't worry! Just because you are 5'4" and 134 lbs doesn't mean you can run 1 mile. it takes time i sugesst you do a run walk program i did this once and I was over 200 lbs at the time and got to the point where I could do a 7 mile run. So this is what I did I walked a brisk pace until i was warmed up then i ran until i was out of breath then went back to walking until I caught my breath then ran..and so on. and within a week and a half to two weeks i was able to jog a mile, then 2 miles etc. It takes time and everyone is different. Also I don't know your health situation or your habits but if you are or were a smoker or have asthma this may be affecting your running. So Start from scratch and do the walk/run strategy you will be running that mile in no time.
Good luck
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I don't think I've ever been able to run a mile straight, and frankly, I've never really wanted to. I started C25K in April and decided around week 4 that I really prefer walking and running in intervals to just running. In fact, my times are faster than if I tried to run the entire distance. I'm training for a 10K in a few weeks and plan to do intervals for the race and will finish in around an hour.
Definitely do intervals for awhile and take it slow. Give your body a chance to adjust to the impact of running or you risk injury. If you decide you prefer intervals, know that there are a lot of half- and full marathon runners who run intervals. I've heard runners talking about passing someone who was walking earlier in the race only to have that person pass them close to the end. Sounds like it works, doesn't it?
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No. Many factors go into running a mile non-stop. I assume you are not necessarily associating "running" to a particular velocity but rather the form used.
This involves cardiovascular and pulmonary conditioning as well as muscle conditioning. Additionally one's load bearing joints must support the stress that running places on them.
I cannot run a mile. That being said, I routinely walk for 2 miles at a 4 mph pace. My conditioning is much better than it had been previously. Running is very painful on my knees. My hope is that as the weight comes down that I can eventually long distance run again as I did in my youth.
Previous knee surgery and injuries may actually preclude that however.0 -
whoever told you it's ridiculous is an *kitten*. everyone gets there at their own pace. if you're having problems try slowing down, that usually does the trick. you could look into the couch to 5k program that gets you running 3 miles in 9 weeks. i'm doing it and it's awesome. i went from not being able to run even one minute to running for 15 so far.
This. Someone who tells you it's "ridiculous" to stop and walk is not someone who appears to be supporting you and your fitness goals. It took me about 3 months of walking/jogging intervals to work my way up to running a mile straight. Try slowing your pace down and inserting short walk breaks earlier in your runs (google c25k and Jeff Galloway running programs). Working at a slow and steady pace to get to running that mile will ensure that you do not injure yourself, so that your fitness can be a longterm activity. Good luck!0 -
Yea it sucks at first, but what always helps me is I look at the an object a little distance away and tell myself, "Just make it to there." and then when I make I look at the next object a little distance away and tell myself the same thing. There's A LOT of mental barriers when you're running (or even with any type of exercise) so setting short-term mini-goals helps you get past that mindset of, "I can't make the whole way." I also never walk, I just slow down, lol even to the point where I might as well be walking. You're still picking up your feet to the point where it's still more work than walking, but you're still getting that break you need.
But the most important thing is that no matter what tips you get from people, listen to your body first.0 -
Try taking a Learn to Run course. C25K is good, but there isn't any individual attention paid by a coach. Your local running shop likely offers something that will cover nutrition, injury prevention, dressing for the occasion, etc.
The clinics I coach at Running Room cost $70 and last 10 weeks. You can progress thru them Learn to Run, 5K, 10K, Half and Full (and soon to be offered Ultra Marathon clinic)0 -
Well, as for me, I have to say, when I had lost about 60 pounds a couple of years ago, I did it by running. I started off walking and as I built up my strength, I started jogging, then running. At the end when I stopped, I was running a mile in less than 11 minutes. For me, that felt awesome!!!! Nothing is more relaxing than putting your headphones on and just running. It just melts all the stress away and is totally invigorating. Can't wait to get back to that place again.0
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whoever told you it's ridiculous is an *kitten*. everyone gets there at their own pace. if you're having problems try slowing down, that usually does the trick. you could look into the couch to 5k program that gets you running 3 miles in 9 weeks. i'm doing it and it's awesome. i went from not being able to run even one minute to running for 15 so far.
This. Someone who tells you it's "ridiculous" to stop and walk is not someone who appears to be supporting you and your fitness goals. It took me about 3 months of walking/jogging intervals to work my way up to running a mile straight. Try slowing your pace down and inserting short walk breaks earlier in your runs (google c25k and Jeff Galloway running programs). Working at a slow and steady pace to get to running that mile will ensure that you do not injure yourself, so that your fitness can be a longterm activity. Good luck!
GREAT ADVICE! LISTEN UP!0 -
I can't run a mile straight, but I've done 6 5K's this year using run/walk intervals. I'm slow, but I just remind myself that no matter how slow I am, I'm still lapping the people on the couch (Just like Samerah12's profile pic says!). I've been telling myself that for months and it's so true. Some people have the cardiovascular ability to run a mile and not the leg strength and other are just the opposite - everyone is different. But if you have a balanced plan that adds cardio and strength training, you'll get there in no time!0
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I can workout for hours and hours on end and I can run for ever on a treadmill and can walk fast all day. Can I run a mile in real life? can I heck, lucky if I get to the end of my street, I think there is just a art to it that I don't have, I also smoke though.
That's the thing! I smoke, too. I've tried everything. I had quit for about a year but then, as I like to say, life happened. My son was in a devasting car accident where he broke his neck. The recovery was long and hard. It was either smoke again or lose my mind. I know people who don't smoke CAN'T understand, so please, don't tell me how it is all in our heads, it's nasty, blah, blah, blah. Talk to me when you have walked in my shoes.0 -
Definitely check out Couch to 5K. Running isnt something you just go out and do the first time. You have to work up to it. I know people who have never done ANY physical activity and do the couch to 5K program and do it successfully. It starts you off very slow and works your way up to running long distances. Also a lot of people who try to run are running a lot faster than they should. You have to pace yourself. Dont get discouraged you have to work up to it!0
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Well, I was shocked just this week..I was able to run a mile and a half without stopping..the last time I tried I was only able to run barely a half lap...as I didn't have any faith in me for a very long time..I probably could've done it sooner..but lack of trying..didn't want to disappoint myself..but am trying to get over that hump so i can run a 5k... it takes some motivation from yourself as well..have faith ..just go alittle further each time..I am still in shock that I can run without stopping...seriously a quarter of a lap..that wasn't good then..and I am yet to get close to my goal..takes some training..and the stamina is what is getting me through now.. 0
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No! It's not rediculous at all! I am at 145 and 5'6" and at the beginning of the summer, I hated running. I absolutely loathed it. Yesterday I just ran 9 miles. The furthest I've ever ran before. I think the hardest mile is the first one. Your muscles are loosening, your body compensating for the energy being used. After that, it actually gets easier. Breath slowly. Even if you feel like you need to gulp in air. You'd be surprised at how much that helps. And, if you're REALLY out of breath (at least, this works for me) slow down and breath in deep, hold, breath out slowly. Do that a couple times. There is no shame in stopping for a bit to catch your breath. The only problem is often times, you realize how tired you already are and decide you can't go on. It's hard to get started again. Before I ran 9 miles, my furthest was 4. And had been running on and off about 2.5 miles for my reg. I told the guy I liked I ran eight miles and he didn't believe me. That was all the motivation I needed. I said all that to say, in less words, running is all mental. If you tell yourself you can't do it, you won't be able to. Tell yourself you can, and you can.
On a side note, some things I do to keep motivated is listen to good running music BEFORE I go running to get syked. AND listen to it WHILE running.
Right a quote that motivates you to keep going on your hand and when you feel like giving in, read it.
Tell someone you are. I posted it on FB that I was running 9 miles. If I didn't do it, that would make me a liar.
I hope these things helped, and glad to hear you're taking up running. Give it time. You'll get addicted eventually.
P.S. If you'd like some good running songs message me. I'll be glad to share my top ones 0 -
Physical fitness and proper clean eating is very important for life, strength and happiness. Your body is made for it. So many problems that plague humanity today has such an easy solution. GET UP AND MOVE.0
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You should've seen me when I started running. I ran a few meters and I ended up on the floor, begging the Lord to take me to Heaven, because I couldn't move anymore. LOL. I was miserable. It took me five months to run half a mile. Now, with daily practice, I can run 3-4 miles a day. By the time I am done, I can't feel my legs, but I feel great! I wish you the best in achieving your goals.0
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I have not ran a mile since I was in 9th grade over 20 years ago. And even then it took me 8 min 26 seconds to do so. Only running I do now is running in circles and running errands and that is the only running I ever see me doing! I want to be healthy. I am not trying to be athletic.0
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Who in the world told you that? I suppose everyone should be able to from a healthy cardiovascular viewpoint, but no, 'everyone' can't just hop out and do it. It takes hard work to get there. I think running is different than other forms of cardio. I've been in fairly good cardio shape, I do a lot of spinning, walking, and yoga, and have for a long time, but I just started C25K, and I can't RUN a mile at this point-- mid-week 3. I walk/run, and EVERYONE starts at that place. So no, that person is either confused or woefully uninformed-- unless they're in really good shape, I'm inclined to wonder if they don't just assume that they could hop out and run a mile, but might be surprised if they actually tried it.
Keep up the good work! You're doing great, don't let people discourage you with ridiculous things like that.0 -
thanks for everyone's input! i will give the couch to 5k program the ol' college try. my boyfriend was a distance runner in highschool, so i have been trying to make myself a decent running partner for him. a person mentioned that bicycling would be better, and oddly enough i can go for miles on a bike. we bike for 5-6 hours at a time on the weekends, and i feel great.
and i agree that the person who told me it was rediculous is a bit of an *kitten*, but it did stick in my craw for the longest time...i was just wondering if there was any validity to what he said.
as far as motivation, i have Bruce Lee in my ear, especially after i read this story:
“Bruce had me up to three miles a day, really at a good pace. We’d run the three miles in twenty-one or twenty-two minutes. Just under eight minutes a mile [Note: when running on his own in 1968, Lee would get his time down to six-and-a half minutes per mile]. So this morning he said to me “We’re going to go five.” I said, “Bruce, I can’t go five. I’m a helluva lot older than you are, and I can’t do five.” He said, “When we get to three, we’ll shift gears and it’s only two more and you’ll do it.” I said “Okay, hell, I’ll go for it.” So we get to three, we go into the fourth mile and I’m okay for three or four minutes, and then I really begin to give out. I’m tired, my heart’s pounding, I can’t go any more and so I say to him, “Bruce if I run any more,” —and we’re still running-“if I run any more I’m liable to have a heart attack and die.” He said, “Then die.” It made me so mad that I went the full five miles. Afterward I went to the shower and then I wanted to talk to him about it. I said, you know, “Why did you say that?” He said, “Because you might as well be dead. Seriously, if you always put limits on what you can do, physical or anything else, it’ll spread over into the rest of your life. It’ll spread into your work, into your morality, into your entire being. There are no limits. There are plateaus, but you must not stay there, you must go beyond them. If it kills you, it kills you. A man must constantly exceed his level.”
when i feel like i'm going to die, i hear myself think "then die, but never give up."0 -
A few months ago I'd be out of breath before I even hit a quarter mile. Now I regularly do 3 - 5 miles, and I'm working toward a 1/2 marathon.0
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If I tried to run a mile, I hope the SAG van would be there to haul me in.0
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A wise woman who runs much farther than I do told me that the first mile or 2 is ALWAYS ALWAYS the hardest. If you're just starting out, it sucks. Even if you ran 5 miles yesterday, it sucks. Even if you're a marthoner, those first couple of miles just SUCK. You're body is going "HEY, what the heck are you DOING?? Is someone chasing us??" Your brain is going "I'm gonna die, I can't do this." And it's the same for everyone, whether they admit it or not.
Slow and steady, and you'll get there. Don't think about how much it sucks, just put one foot in front of the other until it doesn't suck for a minute. And you'll get there.
I was you not so long ago...!!0 -
Wow! great advice. Bump!0
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I'm a C25K "graduate!"
I started running in December, and I couldn't run much more than a tenth of a mile before gasping for air. I never realized that I had to "learn" to run. I thought it was either something you could do, or couldn't do. Since my best friend in junior high was asked to try out for the track team, and I wasn't, I assumed that it was just something I wasn't good at. Something that I couldn't do.
And I kept telling myself that for the next 26 years!
Last December, I found out about the Warrior Dash, and thought it sounded cool, even though I was horribly out of shape. I found the C25K plan, then MFP, then joined a gym since it was the dead of winter and outside running wasn't an option. In about two months, I was able to run 5k. In March, I ran my first races, did some more in April, ran a 5 mile race in May and the Warrior Dash in June. I was thrilled to death that I could keep up with my brother and his daughter who were both avid runners.
Today, I ran my first 5k since April, and I not only set a great new personal record for myself, but won first place in my age group!!!! :drinker: Next week is my first 10k!
My tips... go slow. Start off running at a place so slow it's almost, but not quite, easier to walk than jog. You can always build up speed after you've got the distance. I started out at 5mph... a 12 minute mile. Today, I ran at 7.3mph, a little over an 8 minute mile. I don't run nearly that fast when I'm not racing. I'm usually around 6 to 6.7 mph when I'm just jogging, and I take walk breaks whenever I need to. Sometimes I poop out and feel the need to walk for a bit before the first mile is up, when I know I can go 6 miles plus. And the times I do walk for a bit, my average speed is about the same as when I jog the whole distance. So walk a bit if you really need to. You're still building your endurance.
The first 3-5 minutes are STILL the hardest for me. That's when that nagging little voice is in my head, telling me, "You can't do this? Who do you think you are? You're not a runner."
I tell that voice to STFU.0 -
Oh sweetie slow down and only do what you can and everyday you will go a little further I just started jogging again after 10 years and I jogged 1.5 miles and let me tell you it killed me I use to jog 5 miles aday it will come just don't give up..0
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When I first started running nine years ago, I couldn't run a mile. I would walk two minutes, then run two minutes... repeat. I did that for at least three months. Then I slowly started running longer and walking less. It still took me a few months before I could run a full mile without walking. It just takes time.
If you are gasping for air, you are running too fast for your fitness level. Your breathing should be rhythmic. Even if you are running so slow that you could almost walk faster, that's ok. For most people, it's all about the breathing. Most of us can physically walk or run very slowly, but if we can't breathe, we can't continue.
We ultra runners have a saying.... "relentless forward motion". Most ultra runners do not run the entire distance of an endurance event. It is physically impossible for most of us. Our events take hours, sometimes days. We have no qualms about walking, but to most road runners it is a dirty word. I don't really know why. If you are moving forward, you are making progress.
Keep on running, keep on walking, keep on breathing.... you'll get it!! :drinker:0 -
He'll no! In January I couldn't run a minute!
But I think most people could run a mile IF they build up to it gradually -C25K is great or if you don't like the lok of that there are lots of other programs for beginner runners out there too.0 -
First off...if those people are not attempting to run a mile themselves then they really to check what they are saying! Second...get tested for asthma/allergies/sinus. I had the same issue when I started running and was confirmed for bronchial asthma, had sinus surgery to fix an anatomically deviated septum/bone spur, and treated aggressively for year round allergies. 1.5 years later, I just completed my first half marathon under 2:10:00 and can run pretty much straight through without breaks except in very hot and humid weather and very cold weather. You WILL get there, but it takes time and once you do you can look back and feel so accomplished :-)0
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I can kick butt in a spin class and I just rode 100 miles in 6 hours on my road bike this past Saturday...can I run a mile? I seriously doubt it, am I fit...absolutely!! Do what you love that way you will stick to it and soon you will see the results. Exercise can be fun, enjoy:)0
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