After All These Years of "No I Can't!"...I Can Actually Run?

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  • SuperVegan8
    SuperVegan8 Posts: 78 Member
    Great work! Any progress is good progress. Ive helped a few people 'learn to run' and the most important thing i can say is focus on your breathing. You know how to move your legs, your body can do what you want it to do but get enough air in/out to give yourself a chance. I breathe slow deep breaths whilst i run and it makes ALOT of difference.

    Positive reinforcement and acheiving small daily goals is the best way to stay focussed.

    All the best :)
    Dani.
  • Inked_Chik_89
    Inked_Chik_89 Posts: 36
    I know exactly how you feel! I was the same as you....Always saying I can't run/jog. I am now up to about 40 minutes straight of jogging. So proud of you! The way to get things done is to push yourself ;-)
  • HMVOL7409
    HMVOL7409 Posts: 1,588 Member
    I was in your shoes 6 months ago. I have always wanted to run but never thought I could bc I never thought I had the stamina even when I was really fit a few years back. I remember those early 3-5 min runs and having trouble yet getting through and feeling great. Keep pushing. Yesterday I ran 5.1 miles straight in under an hour and training for my first 1/2. Had someone told me this in January that I would be this far; I'd call them a little crazy. You can do it!

    And yes I too have felt the urge to cry happy tears at each of my milestones but I instead do a little happy dance or clap and cheer during my cool down on the road. I'm sure oncoming traffic is like WTH? Oh well...
  • PlunderBunneh
    PlunderBunneh Posts: 1,705 Member
    Pretty neat to see the things our bodies can do, isn't it?
    Running was the key to my entire new outlook of "Well, it may take a bit, but sure I can do that!" I didn't even decide to start running, I was just fast walking on the treadmill and bumped it up too fast, and had to run. The first time, I did 20 seconds of running, and it was one of my proudest 20 seconds ever. The very next day, I looked up running programs, and started C25K. Now, I run between 1 and 3.5 miles usually 4 times a week, and I love it. It's so empowering, to think that this time a year ago, I would never have dreamed of doing the things I do daily now. I've always said "Oh, that would be nice, but I could never do it." Now it's all about working towards being able to do whatever I desire. Right now, I'm working on upper body strength, with the hope of being able to climb a rock wall by the end of summer.
    Congratulations. Really, that is a huge accomplishment.
  • johnsummerton
    johnsummerton Posts: 86 Member
    Oh yes could have been me 18 months ago . I could not run for 5 minutes but at the grand old age of 53 I now run for an hour almost do 6 miles . So it can.be done
  • profgal43
    profgal43 Posts: 115 Member
    Your story sounds so familiar! Thanks for sharing! I was a runner years ago but wasn't sure at 48 if I could or should start again. Only thing is running is the only exercise I've ever enjoyed enough to stick to consistently. Nothing else gives me the same sense of accomplishment and well being and nothing else helps me lose and maintain weight loss as effectively. When I started 6 weeks ago, I honestly thought I was going to keel over and die those first few runs. I could barely run a minute. Now using a 5 K trainer app I'm in week 5, running i8 minutes at a time 24 minutes total and it feels like a huge accomplishment. Still running a 14+ mile minute, but that'll come. I feel good and it'll feel even better when I get more of the 30 pounds I need to lose off of me. You made me feel good, thank you. Some people are way ahead but its our own progress and determination that counts and its important to celebrate those milestones. Keep up the great work!
  • profgal43
    profgal43 Posts: 115 Member
    Did you get good shoes--- like real running shoes from a running store where they fit you for them?. The right shoes are a must...also good stretching before and after.
  • PlunderBunneh
    PlunderBunneh Posts: 1,705 Member
    Oh yes could have been me 18 months ago . I could not run for 5 minutes but at the grand old age of 53 I now run for an hour almost do 6 miles . So it can.be done

    I hope to someday bump it up to an hour! Right now my limit is 4 miles without walking, and 6 if I do walking intervals for the second half.
  • zoom2
    zoom2 Posts: 934 Member
    You are awesome! 5 minutes is just the start!

    I need to let you in on a little secret that I wish someone had made clear to me when I was a newbie runner, 6 years ago and all the time before that when I had tried and quit:
    The first 10-20 minutes pretty much universally suck. And you may have runs where 30 minutes suck...or the whole danged workout (though those are really few and far between if you are not pushing harder than your body can tolerate). But just getting to where you can run for 10-20 minutes will open up all the doors to running for you...I promise! :drinker:
  • johnsummerton
    johnsummerton Posts: 86 Member
    Oh yes could have been me 18 months ago . I could not run for 5 minutes but at the grand old age of 53 I now run for an hour almost do 6 miles . So it can.be done

    I hope to someday bump it up to an hour! Right now my limit is 4 miles without walking, and 6 if I do walking intervals for the second half.
    I did the ease into 10 k app it makes it easier to run an hour still haven't managedto run 10 k in a hour but getting closer

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