Struggling to run. a d v i c e

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Replies

  • AlessisMore
    AlessisMore Posts: 179 Member
    My advice is the opposite - if you slow down you will be able to run much further without feeling like you are going to die.
    In my opinion, endurance needs to come before speed. Going out hard and fast is just asking for an injury.


    ^^^ this. A lot of beginning runners make the mistake of trying to run too fast. Slow it wayyyyyy down. Speed will come naturally once you've gotten more used to the mechanism of running
  • McSteve67
    McSteve67 Posts: 10 Member
    You might want to try the Couch to 5K program - it trains you up from intervals similar to what you're doing. You'd be surprised what you're body is capable if you push just a little more each week.

    I completely agree - start the program and you'll be running longer distances in no time. Worked for me!!!
  • Frankenbarbie01
    Frankenbarbie01 Posts: 432 Member
    The run for a Cure has a FREE C25K application for iphone, also RunKeeper has training programs that are free OR..you can set one up yourself...also a free application =)
  • jhardenbergh
    jhardenbergh Posts: 1,035 Member
    I know I use to hate having to run the mile in school. I absolutely hated it, granted I was much heavier than I am now. When I started jogging I was twice your weight. I started by picking landmarks in my neighborhood. I loathe running on treadmills. The key is don't pay attention to your speed at first just get the motion down. Move your arms and legs at a speed that you can maintain for say 10 mins, even if it just seems like a fast walk, just make sure your arms and legs are pumping. Speed will come with time. Now I can run 7 to 8 miles and more than an hour without stopping, working my way up to a half marathon.
  • lyttlewon
    lyttlewon Posts: 1,118 Member
    It is your endurance. I am 188 lbs and I can run 5K. Do C25K like recommended.
  • Mellie289
    Mellie289 Posts: 1,191 Member
    Thanks everyone :)

    I will definitely look into that C5K program.

    And when I say run I don't go as fast as I can I'm going at a fairly reasonable speed,
    but yeah it's my legs not my lungs - I really do feel as though my lower body/ my legs feel like a ton of bricks.
    :grumble:

    What is a reasonable speed? I did the C25K plan to build up to 5K, which was great, but I was going too fast at first. I was trying to run at 5.5 mph on the treadmill and walking at 4.5 mph and struggling to progress through the program. I thought that was a reasonable speed because that is by no means going to win you a 5K. What got me there was dropping my run speed to 5.0 and the walk to 4.0 mph. It doesn't seem like a huge difference, that 0.5 mph, but it made a huge difference in how long I could last in the running intervals and in the total time I could do running + walking.
  • marketdimlylit
    marketdimlylit Posts: 1,601 Member
    I have been walking at 4.5 on the treadmil, then running at around 8.4-5.

    So i haven't got some fancy phone, just a crappy old nokia that calls and texts lol.
    Is this what I'd have to do?
    http://www.c25k.com/c25k_treadmill.html
  • lyttlewon
    lyttlewon Posts: 1,118 Member
    I have been walking at 4.5 on the treadmil, then running at around 8.4-5.

    So i haven't got some fancy phone, just a crappy old nokia that calls and texts lol.
    Is this what I'd have to do?
    http://www.c25k.com/c25k_treadmill.html

    You are walking faster than I run. Have you tried to slow down and see if you can sustain your run for longer?
  • marketdimlylit
    marketdimlylit Posts: 1,601 Member
    I have been walking at 4.5 on the treadmil, then running at around 8.4-5.

    So i haven't got some fancy phone, just a crappy old nokia that calls and texts lol.
    Is this what I'd have to do?
    http://www.c25k.com/c25k_treadmill.html

    You are walking faster than I run. Have you tried to slow down and see if you can sustain your run for longer?

    Well, I think it's MPH on the treadmil I use at the gym. Which would be 4.5 :/
    It seems the slower I run, or even jog the harder it is in a way.
    I was told to stop jogging because it kept giving me stitches, and it's more 'heavy' if you get what I mean.
  • 126siany
    126siany Posts: 1,386 Member
    I have been walking at 4.5 on the treadmil, then running at around 8.4-5.

    So i haven't got some fancy phone, just a crappy old nokia that calls and texts lol.
    Is this what I'd have to do?
    http://www.c25k.com/c25k_treadmill.html

    Try running at a ten minute mile and see how that goes. If that's still too fast, try an 11 minute mile. Basically, you need to slow down enough that you can complete the "run" segments.
  • dad106
    dad106 Posts: 4,868 Member
    I'm with all the C25K people.

    Before I did it, I hated to run... this morning I ran 4 miles in 48 minutes. The program really does work if you follow it properly.

    Slow down, and get off the treadmill... Treadmill is the worst for running I feel. I can never find my grove on that darn thing and all I do is look at the clock. Get me outside running and I can go for miles and never want to stop.
  • alukus
    alukus Posts: 8
    I have been walking at 4.5 on the treadmil, then running at around 8.4-5.

    So i haven't got some fancy phone, just a crappy old nokia that calls and texts lol.
    Is this what I'd have to do?
    http://www.c25k.com/c25k_treadmill.html

    http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml
    Try this website..it's what I have been using because I have a crappy phone too ;) I am at the end of week three and I am so very happy with my progress. Just stick with it and go slow. Repeat a week if you have to...I have repeated almost every week. Good luck!
  • alukus
    alukus Posts: 8
    I'm with all the C25K people.

    Before I did it, I hated to run... this morning I ran 4 miles in 48 minutes. The program really does work if you follow it properly.

    Slow down, and get off the treadmill... Treadmill is the worst for running I feel. I can never find my grove on that darn thing and all I do is look at the clock. Get me outside running and I can go for miles and never want to stop.

    Also totally AGREE! Running outdoors makes it 10x easier and more enjoyable!

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