Runners - what's the hardest part of running for you?

BrunetteRunner87

I was a runner in high school and started again this year. I know a lit of people have lung issues which is what makes running hard, but all my life, in ever really had lung problems. What keeps me from being fast is my muscles/feet/tendons hurting. Sometimes stretching helps, but it's still those parts of me that are holding me back.

I'm just wondering if that's the same for everyone? Assuming you don't have asthma or have it under control, would you be able to run as fast as you wanted to?

CarsonRuns

....would you be able to run as fast as you wanted to?

I want to run a sub 4 minute mile and a sub 2:30 marathon, so "no". I can't run as fast as I want to. Can I run as fast as I have the fitness to support? Yes.

The hardest part about running for me is taking a rest day when I need it.

BrunetteRunner87

I have that problem too!

josiereside

I think you slow with age... I don't worry about running fast, I worry about completing the distance I set out to do without walking. The soreness is only temporary but it is an occurrence for sure... I started as a runner later in life (just started last year, turning 47 in a few weeks so in reality my fast days are probably over.

CarsonRuns

I think you slow with age... I don't worry about running fast, I worry about completing the distance I set out to do without walking. The soreness is only temporary but it is an occurrence for sure... I started as a runner later in life (just started last year, turning 47 in a few weeks so in reality my fast days are probably over.

No way. Your fast days are not over. You can keep improving. I just turned 44 yesterday. I am still setting PRs nearly every time I race. You can't continue to do the same workouts you have done and run the same mileage and hope to improve though. You have to build on what you are currently doing to get faster. Of course, if that is what you want to do. I may be a bit obsessed.

lobbyart

I have a knee injury- my patella is dislocated, which isn't really fixable- but I would love to run. Have any of you worked through a knee injury like that? I'd love some advice so I can get off the stairmaster.

runningfastpumpingiron

You can still run pretty fast with age; Bernard Lagat is 37 years old; Haile is 39. Don't expect to have many 70-80, high mileage weeks though.

rybo

Mine is being motivated to run in the heat.
Fall, winter & spring I am good, Summer is terrible.

froeschli

The hardest part of running for me is getting out the door. It's easier if you fit it in with your routine though.

As for muscles/tendons hurting you, there can be so many causes it's not even funny. Stretching, shoes, different leg length, misaligned hips, old injuries etc...

tarynnmichelle

my problem is breathing and the heat. I live in Texas where it's about 90% humidity and around 95 degrees when i run. ( not to mention, I was a smoker for a decade and only quit 5 months ago.) I go out for a run and about a mile into it, I feel like I'm choking to get air in my lungs. Does it ever get any better?

Fruch02

Proven way to run fast.

1. run on a muggy day
2. pick a running trail in the woods that is surrounded by standing water
3. don't wear bug spray
4. try running slow, or slow down
5. Rest & Repeat

MissFit0101

The worst part of running for me is that when I can't run I'm in agony!

dsjohndrow

Joint pain. I have had three surgeries in a year - always that same, bone spurs. I love running, and I don't care how hot or cool as long as it is not wet or slippery. I will run on the treadmill if needed, but I am going to run. I am happy with a 5k or 10k at my age.

In HS I did the 100 yard in 11.1 and the mile in 6:02. In the service I did a 5K in 16:57 with a pack and boots. Now I am in the mid to high 20s for a 5K and mid to high 50s for a 10k. I still do sprints once a week.

mccallje

One thing that helps me is too run for a set amount of time and not worry about distance. Especially when I don't really feel like running.

vmclach

its mostly breathing for me. sometimes it's the lactic acid build up which feels like hurting legs, but its really a result of lack of oxygen.

5k pr- 20:59

Im_NotPerfect

For me...my legs get more tired than my lungs. Which is actually weird for me because growing up I had exercised induced Asthma. But I grew out of it and after about the first 7 or so minutes I can usually get my breathing under control but my legs tire out. I figure they'll toughen up the more I run though.

The other problem I have is that I'm a mouth breather when I run, so my mouth dries out SO badly and REALLY quickly. I don't typically bring water with me, so I just deal with it.

DeckerDoll

Forking over the cash for ugly non-high heeled shoes...

But running makes me look good in the high heels...

Fair enough I suppose xD

jsj024519

taking a day off

bcattoes

Motivation. Breathing. Heat. Cold. In that order.

cswomack

I have exercise Utacaria. When i run my blood rushes through out my veins, and i get red streaks, and itch really bad (inside itch). Only in the beginning after running for couple weeks my body gets use to it. Most of the time have to take antihistamine to help. So now i'm on track i can run a mile without any complications, so far.

secretlobster

Mine is being motivated to run in the heat.
Fall, winter & spring I am good, Summer is terrible.

This... I can run forever in cold weather, but the heat absolutely destroys me. And of course all the races in my area are in the summer

dsckrc

Ft.Worth, Texas girl here and I have to deal with the heat and humidity as well. Lucky for me, it doesn't keep me from running later in the day. I started out doing a mile in 20 minutes to a mile in almost 10!!! Major accomplishment for me. The hardest part for me is the breathing. I hear that if you can master the breathing, it makes it a LOT easier. In through the nose, out through the mouth... Anyways, I love my newfound joy of running. As a matter of fact, I'm doing my 3rd 5K in 3 months tomorrow morning. I've shaved time off of every run, so here's to quicker times :drinker:

Good luck on your journey. And yes, it does get easier everytime I hit the pavement!

andthenwhat

The hardest part for me is mental. If I just get out of my head, I find my legs and lungs can just take over and do their thing... but if I start looking down at my Garmin like, 5 minutes after starting and I'm thinking... God it's hot... omg another 5 MILES... it's been and eternity where am I... I've only gone .7 miles?!?! If I just zone out and listen to my music or NPR or look around at the scenery, I feel MUCH better and have a way better time.

LorinaLynn

Proven way to run fast.

1. run on a muggy day
2. pick a running trail in the woods that is surrounded by standing water
3. don't wear bug spray
4. try running slow, or slow down
5. Rest & Repeat

:laugh: That's why I love trail running more than hiking.

For me, it's almost purely mental. When the stars align and I can shut out the stupid little voice in my head, I'm unstoppable.

jcstanton

I was a runner in high school and started again this year. I know a lit of people have lung issues which is what makes running hard, but all my life, in ever really had lung problems. What keeps me from being fast is my muscles/feet/tendons hurting. Sometimes stretching helps, but it's still those parts of me that are holding me back.

I'm just wondering if that's the same for everyone? Assuming you don't have asthma or have it under control, would you be able to run as fast as you wanted to?

For me, it's not usually a specific thing at any given time. Sometimes, my heart and lungs feel like they could go forever (usually on low humidity days), other days, not so much. My legs may feel great one day, then feel like they're on fire the next time I run. It could be my knee or my feet/ankles/calves. I don't know why, but it seems to be something different everytime I run. It would help tremendously if I had an iPod loaded with lots of great music to keep my mind off the pain. Hoping to get one next month.

m60kaf

Sometimes Im not even sure why I want to run. It's torture

I have a knee problem . but that aside my muscles don't ache greatly, they don't seem to be my weak point simply having the puff the keep going is my problem. GPS has also shown I try to run much faster than I am capable - my pace is rubbish.

There are two reasons I stick at it, 1) Cos I am rubbish 2) I know from past experience it is the way to get a decent looking body

JennaM222

THE FIRST MILE.

Eleisabelle

Scheduling is the hardest part of running for me. I have to be at work at 7:30 in the morning, and my evenings are usually full of rehearsals and such. That generally means that I either run in the early morning, which I can only do in the summer until it gets too dark, or on my very strictly timed lunch break, which means no time for showering and everyone has to put up with the post-run me for the rest of the day. LOL

Some day I will have a job where I don't have to be in until 9 or I'll work from home and I'll be able to run in the morning no matter what time of year it is... working on that.

1holegrouper

Regarding running in general; its running when its 95 degrees + and then taking a rest day when I need to.

Regarding speed; I don't worry about this any longer- too much. I think more about distance covered but I do look at pace to determine if I'm progressing or not. But when weakpoints present themselves (ex; knees, tenderness or soreness, lungs, mental game, etc) I think of it as our bodies are revealing the weakest link in our running fitness at the time. Its seems mine are on a rotation. Right now its flexibility. No matter how much I stretch I feel tight. Before that it was my lungs. Who knows what will be next? LOL

ashlinmarie

my problem is breathing and the heat. I live in Texas where it's about 90% humidity and around 95 degrees when i run. ( not to mention, I was a smoker for a decade and only quit 5 months ago.) I go out for a run and about a mile into it, I feel like I'm choking to get air in my lungs. Does it ever get any better?

Yes, it is possible. I ran in those conditions in San Antonio, TX last week and I am from Northern Michigan. It was hard, but I ran 2.37 miles which was my farthest to that date. Just practice deep breathing...it may take awhile, but it is possible.

I have bad knees, a bad back and rolling ankles and I am about to graduate from the C25K program. I had every excuse not to run, but I started doing it anyway and now I love it!

The hardest part for me is probably heat/humidity but also my heart rate likes to sky rocket. I hope as I run more, it will get used to the activity.

As for the soreness, maybe get fitted for a pair of running shoes at a running specialty store. I had a lot of hip and foot pain as well as terrible shin splints, but the day I started running in specially fitted shoes, I lost all of that pain. My knees are also getting better (I can run without brace now).

skylark94

My knee. I am constantly having to take 6 month breaks from running due to pain. I run until it starts to hurt again and then take a break and lose all progress I had made. I can't wait for the day I have medical insurance so I can afford to get it diagnosed and fixed.