new runner's questions

hammersshells

I started running--more like wogging and jogging, really-- this spring. It is very hard for me, and I do not like it, but love how I feel when I am done running (I enjoy the challenge, too I guess), so I decided to start training for a 5k, just to see if I could do it. Yesterday I completed my first 5K race. I was miserable during the run. My body was not hurting at all, I just felt like I couldn't breathe, and wanted to stop and walk much of the time. My running partner was able to carry on a conversation during the run, while I was gasping for air too much to get out more than 2 words in a row. Afterwards, of course I felt like a million bucks and was very proud of myself. So here are my questions:

1. is the breathing trouble a result of my being out of shape, and will it improve if I keep running?
2. do all runners hate the running but love the afterwards like I do?
3. should I just stick to other forms of exercise that don't feel like torture as much as running?

dclarsh

The answers to your questions are yes, no, and that depends.

The more you continue to run, the better you'll feel during the run. Your cardiovascular system will become more efficient, so it won't feel like you can't breathe anymore. Once that starts to happen, then you'll be able to enjoy the benefits of running, like having time to yourself to clear your head and enjoying the scenery on a new route. So I would say give it a little more time before you decide to quit. If after a few more months you still hate it, then maybe it's just not for you, and there's no shame in that. I hope you can find something that you really enjoy, because when you're having fun, it's not exercise, it's just an activity you like to do, and that's much easier to stick with in the long run.

LuckyLeprechaun

I think dclarsh is right on. When I started running, I felt much like you do, but it does get better with time, and now I actually do like the running part as much as the afterwards part. I find that when I have a race scheduled, I can stick to it much better than when I am just running to be running, so that would be my tip...when you know there's a race on your calendar, you know you've got to keep training for it or else...:laugh: :flowerforyou:

don't give up yet! give yourself some more time to see how your body will adapt

Valtishia

try to concentrate on your breathing for a few runs and once you get the hang of it you should be able to do it without thinking about it. I had to do that since I am a smoker. I have cut down considerably but I still needed to do that. When you concentrate on it.. pay attention to how you are breathing.. through your nose.. mouth... whatever and once you figure out what works for you keep doing that.

foxyforce

some people have a form of asthma that exists only when they exercise, see a doc if you think the difficulty is intense enough

lizbeth787

I find my runs vary... some days I have AWESOME runs... other days, it totally blows and I would rather endure some form (chinese water drip perhaps?).

I think it has a lot to do with how I have recently fueled my body - I also think the weather outside plays a huge part. If you have seasonal allergies, sometimes whatever is in the wind will make it more difficult, if the humidity is bad that will play a part as well.

Most of the time I hate running when I do it (that is when I think about how much I am hating it at the time) - but I stick it out (usually for a good 5 miles) because i LOOOOVE how I feel afterwards.

Hope this helps!