Anyone given up on running?

teamAmelia

So, I thought that I would try running and started w the Couch to 2k app. Bad idea bc it started me off at running for a minute, which I did once, but couldn't do the second lap after 30 seconds. So, I just have given up on my goal at being able to run for a few minutes at a time. Anyone else just sticking to walking for long distances?

nz_deevaa

So you tried it once and couldn't do it, so you are giving up?

MelC2564

Dont give up because you couldnt do it the first time! Thats just silly! The first is always the hardest.

mfoy94

I am not a runner but I dont just "walk long distances" on the treadmill I get the speed up and incline up to get my heart rate up!

ncthomas09

I started the c25k also. I had to quit because I found out at the same time that I have reactive hypoglycemia which I was having severe issues with since I just had my gall bladder removed. Then when I got it under control it got cold. But I plan to try again here in a couple weeks. Only this time I won't be following the app. This time I am just going to get out and jog until I feel like I can't anymore then walk the rest. Even by running for a minute now and walking for 10, if you keep doing that soon you will be able to do it.

I just kept repeating day 1 of week 1 over and over. A lot of people do. Don't give up!

LindseyAlyssa

I've had to because my old running shoes are too small (and I can't afford a pair of new ones), but I wouldn't give up running just yet. Their pace must be higher than what you're presently capable of and that's just fine. Take it slow. Start with walking, then move onto fast walking with intermittent jogging, and increase as your endurance gets better. Progress takes time, but it's usually worth it!

XDiet_SlayerX

I do incline work on the treadmill and stair master. I've ran a lot in the past to get off my weight now it is just maintenance and building more muscle.

lexusmarie21

I am a former runner and thought I would take it back up. When I first started out I would walk for 2 minutes then run for 1 minute at a slow pace and gradually work my way up to running a mile then 2 then 3. You have to go at your own pace. If you start out too fast you will just injury yourself.

rai8759

More than a year ago I did the C25K and started to run a bunch. I even did a 10K. Now that I am starting up my work outs again I am doing mostly aerobic DVDs like zumba or turbo jam. It doesn't have to be running, but it has to be something.

cosmic0074

Growing up, I've always hated running. I even tried to do it a couple years ago, but it sucked and I hated it. Then I tried it again last year, and friggin LOVE it!!!! You just have to be patience and push yourself. But some people honestly just don't enjoy running, which is ok, but if you're giving up because you feel you "can't" do it- you're mistaken!

WhiteCloud9

Maybe you are running too fast and that's why it was hard to get in the second minute. I've done the program once and am doing it again. I am not a fast runner so to get through the day's program i may slow down, but not to my walking speed until its time to walk. I also have to repeat days every so often and many people choose to repeat a week. Don't give up after one day! Just slow down and believe in the program.

Elzecat

There is absolutely nothing wrong with "just walking," it is excellent exercise. But if you have no health issues that would prevent you from running, why not keep trying?

Run slower if necessary. Make sure you have good shoes. Do dynamic stretches (leg swings, etc) before you run and static stretches after. Find a local running store and check out their running groups--many of them will have walk/run programs for beginners.

In Feb. 2011 I was about 50 lbs overweight and got a wild hair to start running after I was inspired by a friend who was training for a half marathon. I had not exercised consistently in 10 years and had gained a lot of weight. I could only run for about 15 seconds at a time--I could not do the Couch to 5k program as it was written, so I kind of made up my own variation on it.


It took about 3 months for me to run a mile without stopping, and a couple more months after that I started training for a half marathon. (Yes, my family thought I was insane too!)

2 years later I am 33 pounds down (I did other stuff besides running, but that's my favorite) and I will run my 4th half marathon in May. I'm not "skinny" but I am working toward a healthy weight for me, and I feel awesome!

Don't give up. If you can't run 30 seconds now, try for 20. If you can't run 20, try 15.

And go watch this video to see someone who DIDN'T GIVE UP:

http://youtu.be/qX9FSZJu448

Lifting_Knitter

I just kept repeating day 1 of week 1 over and over. A lot of people do. Don't give up!

^^^ this. When you can do day one, move on. Don't give it.

PapaverSomniferum

i gave up on running because it sucks and i hate it.

galenofedgewood

All... The... Time...

And then I have to run the next day, so I have to keep going. Don't stop trying as long as you aren't injured.

OldDog_NewTricks

I gave up on running too. Because 1. my goals changed, and 2. I have a slight recurring injury that is inflamed by running.

Not before I took my sorry *kitten* from not being able to jog more than a few metres to getting close to a half marathin though. And I didn't quit because I made a half arsed attempt at something and found it too difficult.

Enjoy failure.

This. And I took up running at age 53. I'm now running 10K's and it's been 9 months. If I can do that, you can surely try to run for one minute.

seabuckaroo

I got into running because everyone that I met who had amazing results told me that they also got into running. It took me months to actually enjoy it! I swear it was forever until I could run a mile. Little by little I worked my way up and now I dont feel good unless I get a run in. Dont give up just take it slow..........and stretch!

pucenavel

I tried running in my 20's and gave up. I tried running in my 30's and gave up. At 40, I finally matured enough to stick with it. It took me 6 months to run a full 5k without stopping.

I can run for hours now. (except that I'm currently nursing a heel injury )

manasicaje

There's something about running that just doesn't agree with me... but getting your heartrate up is a pretty important part of getting and staying healthy, so just keep trying lots of things until you find what's right for you. The bike is more compatible with me, so that's what I use

Also, you can use the "30min jog" feature of the "Ease into 5k" app and just walk... it tracks your distance and speed so you can keep track of your progress... and there are no interuptions telling you to run or walk... just 30min of whatever speed you feel comfortable with. For me, I need to track progress to stay motivated, and for that you need data.

Elzecat

I gave up on running too. Because 1. my goals changed, and 2. I have a slight recurring injury that is inflamed by running.

Not before I took my sorry *kitten* from not being able to jog more than a few metres to getting close to a half marathin though. And I didn't quit because I made a half arsed attempt at something and found it too difficult.

Enjoy failure.

This. And I took up running at age 53. I'm now running 10K's and it's been 9 months. If I can do that, you can surely try to run for one minute.

I started at age 41! Good for you!

BookwomanTerri

I've done week one day one of C25K four times now and I still can't complete all the running. I started running only every third time it came up which resulted in a whopping 3 minutes of running...which is 3 minutes more than I have done in as long as I can remember. And the first time I did that I thought I was going to die. Today I managed to do 4 minutes and felt pretty good. Next time I will try to run every other time it comes up and eventually I'll complete W1D1 and move on to day 2. Don't give up!

Duck_Puddle

Wait-you can run for a minute already? You're ahead of me when I started. I googled couch to 5k and found a gazillion programs/plans. I started with one where you ran for 30 seconds (which was a stretch for me), then walked for 5 1/2 minutes before running another 30 seconds. That was tough for me-but I made it. I now run 20-25 miles a week and love every step.

levicrouch

I gave up running twice. Learned from my failures and picked it up again in April this year. In December i completed a Half-Marathon. In 2 weeks i will be doing my second half-marathon.

I wouldn't worry too much what the app says, go at your own pace, push yourself safely and comfortably. Learn from your mistakes and failures and make improvements.

You are capable of running what ever distance you set a goal for. You just have to decide what that goal is and figure out a way to make it happen.

s07civic

Maybe try doing a similar machine like an elliptical (and be sure to challenge yourself) to build up your stamina. Then try running again. And do it slowly but surely. You shouldn't expect to run a marathon your first time running. Like anything else, it takes practice. Baby steps.

Personally I don't run because of shin splints, but that's another story...

tracivee

Dont quit yet! Last spring I started running. I started with the couch to 5k app. It was HARD!!! But within 6 weeks, I was running a full 5 miles (at a slow 5 mph pace, but still) nonstop! It really does get easier, just don't give up. You can do it!

godblessourhome

i could only run 4 of the one minute intervals the first day i started the couch to 5k program. i spent 4 weeks repeating week one. i also spent 4 weeks on week four and 2 weeks on week 6. it took me 16 weeks to complete the 9 week program. i ran the 5k i was training for... and gave up running.

until i realized i missed running and picked it back up a few months later. i am not consistent about running now, but i have trained for and run 6 half marathons. don't give up. keep repeating week one until you have it mastered and then move on to the next week.

there is no shame in walking more. walking is great for your health, and a great way to increase your endurance as a precurser to running. don't give up running because you weren't successful the first time you tried something new. just don't give up, okay?

CupcakeCrusoe

I'm currently doing the couch to 5k. I used to hate running, but thought I'd give it a try a year ago and lost a bunch of weight. Stopped running, got lazy, gained it back, so I'm running again.

The trick is not to run fast. Speed doesn't matter in the beginning. Just move a little quicker than you can walk, and before long you'll get that exhilarating feeling that you can fly through the air.

I love running now.

nguk123

When you start running as a beginner, you must check you ego at the door.
You want to run for a minute? ok... at what speed?
The slower you run, the longer you will be able to succesfully run.
You must match your speed to your level of fitness.
If the program says run for a minute and you run too fast and cant last the minute,
for the next interval, go slower, till you can last the minute.

Your ego will stop you from being your best self if you don't check it.

2precious4u

If you are not a runner, throwing yourself into it was probably not a good idea. I would start off slow. Do several laps of walking, increase to jogging. In time you will eventually be able to run. What I have been doing is I'll do 1 or two laps walking fast, on the third, pick it up a bit. Do that 2 or three times (walk/jog). If I have enough pep, I may pick two spots and pick up the pace to a run, then slow it back down to a jog. I'm not a superior runner, but I've come a long way. I much prefer to jog, but at least now I can go further distances.

AliciaC81

Maybe try changing the runs to 30 seconds and make it like a week "0" . That was going to be my plan when I started, but I found I was able to do the full minute if I just made sure to run at a comfortable pace. On a treadmill that was like 4mph...really slow for a jog but it got me there! Now outside I'm running more comfortably at about 5mph (still slow but an improvement and it just happened naturally). If you start too fast or too much you're just going to psych yourself out of running in general.

Of course, this is only if you want to run. If you want to run and don't have any injuries, medical conditions, etc. that are stopping you..then you CAN do it if you really want it. If you don't really want it then there's nothing wrong with just walking and if you add inclines, and speed intervals to keep it interesting and challenging!

tamikia87

Definately don't give up! Give yourself time to adjust, and dont even follow the schedule, run 20 seconds and walk 5 mins if you have to! Don't over work yourself! I myself would Love to be able to run a 5K, I started training but my one knee just won't allow me, after a couple weeks I could barely walk on it (Due to health problems with my right knee). I walk long distances though, speeding up and slowing down my pace and incline on the treadmill! Good luck and dont give up after one day, any activity takes a while to master!