Are some people just physically not cut out for running?

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Replies

  • LaMujerMasBonitaDelMundo
    LaMujerMasBonitaDelMundo Posts: 3,634 Member
    I'm one of those people too. I don't like running although I tried to "love" it before but its making me feel worse after & no I'm not talking about muscle soreness after a run, I'm talking about feeling extremely weak & tired to the point of fainting. I can deadlift almost 100lbs., squat at 80lbs., do 100 push-ups (I mean the real one & not that girly thing), 10 pull-ups, swim for 2 hours, can dance for hours or bike at 30 minutes but a 15 minute running or jogging is a hell of a challenge for me. Plus I simply find running very boring.
  • anemoneprose
    anemoneprose Posts: 1,805 Member
    you are human, you were born to run.

    ummm no... if humans were "born to run" we would be on all fours running like leopards and wolves.

    ummmm...yes. Our ancestors would chase after wild game, such as deer, until their prey was exhausted and were easy pickings. We might not be able to match them in speed but we make up for it in endurance.

    Yeah, I'm not sure it would have made sense to spend more than a little bit of time at once, running. Too metabolically expensive. Would make more sense for most of us to have walked, most of the time.

    Is there a history of running somewhere?
  • jchocchip
    jchocchip Posts: 72 Member
    I am not cut out to be a runner, I couldn't run for a bus last year. BUT last Christmas I downloaded the c25k podcasts from http://www.nhs.uk/LiveWell/c25k/Pages/couch-to-5k.aspx#close and ran the program in 9 weeks (starting when I was 280 lbs) Very very slowly. I now run 5k most Saturdays with parkrun http://www.parkrun.com/home

    I run at about walking pace for some people and usually do it in about 50 minutes and finish towards the end of the field, but I've not been last for a while. I believe almost anyone can be a runner. SLOW right down, follow the podcasts and you can do this. Speed will come later.
  • GoldspursX3
    GoldspursX3 Posts: 516 Member
    you are human, you were born to run.

    ummm no... if humans were "born to run" we would be on all fours running like leopards and wolves.

    ummmm...yes. Our ancestors would chase after wild game, such as deer, until their prey was exhausted and were easy pickings. We might not be able to match them in speed but we make up for it in endurance.

    Yeah, I'm not sure it would have made sense to spend more than a little bit of time at once, running. Too metabolically expensive. Would make more sense for most of us to have walked, most of the time.

    Is there a history of running somewhere?

    It would make perfect sense to spend some time running when going after big game. The amount of energy you could draw from consuming these animals more than makes up for what we would expend.

    http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=256348&page=1

    Here is the first link I came across when doing a simple google search.
  • richardnblock
    richardnblock Posts: 1
    My own experience is this: Even if it's slow as hell, progress in running stamina and proficiency is possible for many people who are willing to work through frustration. It's not guaranteed, and you should definitely listen to your body as you go (is that a normal muscle ache, or is it a twinge from an overuse injury?), and it is hard as hell, but it can be done. To a point.

    I can only offer my own experience to explain why I think that way. I have short, thick legs, flattish feet, a serious overpronating problem, an uncanny talent for hurting myself in ridiculous ways, and an entire childhood and adolescence spent doing anything but athletics. I was once about 290, then mild dietary changes got me down to about 250.

    A few years ago, I started hour-long cardio sessions several times per week, along with a strict diet, and lost close to seventy more pounds. I decided I was gonna condition myself to run three miles without stopping, come hell or high water. At the start, five minutes of slow, shuffling jogging would leave me ready to collapse; I'd finish out the hour with walking and elliptical machine time. A few months, though, I was jogging at like 5 mph for ten minutes, then fifteen, then one fine day my legs just kept going. I finished a half-hour-long jog and was amazed — I had never jogged continuously for more than one mile in my life, and that only once in high school. It was sheer will that one time, and I wanted to die afterward. Wound up getting to like six or seven miles regularly.

    Then I got an overuse injury that interrupted my running habit on and off for a couple years, and I've been "just getting back into it" for some time now. I'm back up to three miles — and back up to a weight I'd prefer to be far below, but that's what the running's for. I have been building stamina back up after a string of nagging knee and back injuries and weird upper respiratory infections, and I tried C25K as a way to get me off the sidelines. I found it really difficult to keep up with — even though I have more than five years of running behind me, if you overlook the forced layoffs. I'm just now getting to the 5K end, weeks after I should have already been there.

    Of course, lots of people are probably even less naturally disposed to running than I am. Injuries, illnesses, anatomy, hatred — there are all kinds of reasons someone wouldn't make a runner, and it is between the person concerned and maybe his or her doctor to determine if running is OK or not. But if it's a simple lack of progress that's frustrating you, I can attest that sometimes, progress comes in spurts after you've started to get frustrated and question whether you're ever going to be able to do this damned running thing. That's where I was when I started back in 2006. Today, I run like a sedated rhinoceros on figure skates, but I run.

    TL,DR: Don't give up. Even if you can only eke out a few KM per week with lots of walking in between, that's better than lots of people — and better than you were doing before beginning. And you'll likely get better, although your patience may be sorely tested first.
  • destro748
    destro748 Posts: 10
    From my experience, I've always hated running. In high school, the longest that I was able to run was about 1/4 mile. My sprints were fine, just the long distance would just kill me. I didn't learn to enjoy running until I was mid way through P90x. The key isn't your legs but rather your lungs and the plyometrics were great for that.
  • Martina_Who
    Martina_Who Posts: 172 Member
    Perhaps its because you are underweight that your body simply does not have the necessary stamina to keep going.
  • Smuterella
    Smuterella Posts: 1,623 Member
    I'm wondering exactly what you mean by "can't get through week 3." Are you unable to finish the workout, or are you just not feeling ready to move onto the next week? If you are stopping, is it because of pain in your legs/feet, or because you're out of breath?

    I can finish the week three workout, but just barely...and sometimes I have to stop the run segments a few seconds early because I just can't keep going. Out of breath...feel nauseous, like I'm going to pass out

    I tried to just push on and do week 4 day 1 twice this week, and did horribly. I feel like there is no sense in moving on until I can complete week 3 with more success.

    Try going slower, really, C25K is supposed to be run VERY slow.
  • MorganLeighRN
    MorganLeighRN Posts: 411 Member
    Here's a question for you: When you say that you physically CAN'T do it, do you mean that you feel like you can't get enough oxygen to your muscles? I started running again (for the 3 time) in February. I got to the point where I physically could not run and I had only run a few meters. Previously I had started running and had been running for quite a few months but I could not run a full mile. I was tired all of the time and I never got any better. This February I was diagnosed with asthma. My doctor prescribed an inhaler to me and it has made a WORLD of a difference. Talk to your doctor about it and see if they will test you for asthma. Best of luck and feel free to add me as a friend!

    It's not so much my lungs...I know I don't have asthma. It's more like my body just feels weak, like I have NO energy. Like I couldn't take another step even if someone were coming at me with a chainsaw. haha

    What do you eat before you run? I used to never eat because I thought that it would make me sick. Once I started eating oatmeal, protein bar, power bar, etc it became a LOT easier. When I ran my half marathon over the summer I ate a bowl of oatmeal in the car and than a bagel with cream cheese 20 mins before the race and it worked great for me. Play around with it and find what works for you.
  • tabbykat6802
    tabbykat6802 Posts: 233 Member
    Running is not in my past, present or future. I have exercise induced asthma. Even brisk walking up several flights of stairs leaves me breathing hard. Even when I weighed much less years ago, I had to use an inhaler at the top as I rushed to make it to my college classes. I have stopped having to use the meds and I am not gasping as much. I still workout and push myself hard, but I know that something are out of my reach.
  • AngryDiet
    AngryDiet Posts: 1,349 Member
    I'm not!
  • darkrider42
    darkrider42 Posts: 5,424 Member
    I'm starting to think that is me. I have never exercised a day in my life, and I decided that needs to change. I signed up for a 5K this coming November and started the C25K program in July. I CANNOT get past week three. I've been trying for nearly 4 weeks now and I am making ZERO progress. I'm seriously starting to think that perhaps my body is just not physically able to be a "runner" (or even a jogger...)

    Extremely discouraged and about 2 seconds away from giving up. I have read that people sometimes repeat a day or even a week on C25K...but I've never seen anyone post about it taking WEEKS just to get past a workout.

    A little about me: I'm 32, female, not even slightly overweight...in fact, I'm probably under my BMI for my height (5'5", 105lbs). I don't drink alcohol or smoke, I am not a super healthy eater, but I don't eat a ton of sweets or junk food. I definitely don't drink enough water, but I also don't drink cokes or coffee, etc. When I do drink, it's always water or milk. I started to focus on hydrating more, but got so tired of having to pee every hour that I cut back. :-/

    Any thoughts??

    Sometimes I wonder the same thing about myself! :) I haven't read the entire thread, but someone has no doubt already covered this...but it bears repeating. Be patient. Your body needs time to adapt and get stronger. You can help this along if you have access to any weights or such equipment...or videos. (I highly recommend most any Jillian Michaels DVDs. They are relatively inexpensive and several are only $9.99 USD at WalMart or Target etc...my personal faves are 30 Day Shred and Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism.)

    Also another GREAT resource of info is WWW.RUNNERSWORLD.COM. They have a fantastic Beginning Runner's section. Check it out! :)

    Anyway, good luck and keep at it. It's totally worth it! There's nothing like running once you catch the bug! :bigsmile:

    DR
  • alliesun98
    alliesun98 Posts: 10
    Thanks again for all the replies. I do think that part of my problem is not having enough muscle mass...being thin, I've never had much. I'm wondering if I should shift my focus to strength training for awhile before I continue my 5k training?

    Although, that worries me a bit because I am not a member of a gym and do not have access to any sort of equipment, so I feel that when left to my own devices, my "strength training" will probably not be very effective.
  • Katanthus
    Katanthus Posts: 346 Member
    I was never a runner. I fell about 18 months ago damaging my cartilage in my right knee. I could not walk without crutches and agony. I was on crutches for over a year. I had some physio, and started walking a few steps more each day. I saw a girl running with Kangoo Jumps on, and wondered if they would help me walking. I ordered a pair.

    I now run 5+ miles in 30 minutes... 5 days a week wearing my KJs. They remove 60%+ of the impact and compression on your joints.

    389002_416862621686406_1473200148_n.jpg

    If you want more information on them, message me
  • bridies01
    bridies01 Posts: 57 Member
    you are human, you were born to run.

    That reminds me, I need to read that book "Born to Run" I've heard it's an amazing read.

    I am about 75% of the way through it. It is awesome, it's not just the story of the Tarahumara, but a whole history and science behind running and how we evolved to be runners. Well worth it.
  • jaygreen55
    jaygreen55 Posts: 315 Member
    Running does not agree with my knees and low back. Instead I use an elliptical cross trainer or walk on an inclined treadmill (6-8 percent elevation)in the gym and when I want to get out for fresh air I'll take a long brisk walk (6-10 miles) with a weighted back pack over hilly terrain or ride a bike with my teenage son
  • DrMAvDPhD
    DrMAvDPhD Posts: 2,097 Member
    Yes. Running can be very hard on joints. I cannot run or do many other heavy impact exercises. You might want to talk to a doctor if you are having a very hard time of it.
  • sleepytexan
    sleepytexan Posts: 3,138 Member
    you are human, you were born to run.

    I am distracted by boobie friday.
  • penrbrown
    penrbrown Posts: 2,685 Member
    It took me MONTHS to get past WEEK ONE! And then weeks to get past each consecutive week after that.

    Don't be discouraged! You're out there. You're running! Who cares what week you're on!!!! Just keep moving.

    :)
  • penrbrown
    penrbrown Posts: 2,685 Member
    I was never a runner. I fell about 18 months ago damaging my cartilage in my right knee. I could not walk without crutches and agony. I was on crutches for over a year. I had some physio, and started walking a few steps more each day. I saw a girl running with Kangoo Jumps on, and wondered if they would help me walking. I ordered a pair.

    I now run 5+ miles in 30 minutes... 5 days a week wearing my KJs. They remove 60%+ of the impact and compression on your joints.

    389002_416862621686406_1473200148_n.jpg

    If you want more information on them, message me

    ... Those look like an accident waiting to happen!
  • mjbell642
    mjbell642 Posts: 229 Member
    I have never been a fit person. Didn't walk until I was age 3. Was always physically behind people my age. Survived PE class only because I had a good attitude.
    Did kickboxing for a few months until hip gave out.

    So I am now in week 4. But i am sure I look like a penguin jogging down the road. I finally had to accept it doesn't matter how fast I go. Just getting out there and moving is the important thing.

    Keep repeating the weeks if you need to. Be patient with yourself....

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