For those of you who couldn't run long distances at first

teamAmelia
teamAmelia Posts: 1,247 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
For those of you who couldn't run long distances at first and started off doing a minute of running, then two, when you started to run for the longer intervals, was it because your body could now handle it and it was as easy as running for one minute, or was it just because you made yourself do it? Also, tell me what your experience was if you want (started off at one minute, then started at two the next day, can now run an hour, etc...) Thanks.

Replies

  • RenewedRunner
    RenewedRunner Posts: 423 Member
    You do have to push yourself. I wouldn't say that increasing mileage is ever "easy" per se, but I do find it isn't some lung searing, energy suck like it probably would be if I jumped without building up. There was a time when I couldn't run a mile but now I run 3 for my easy run!

    I started with C25K and built up over 18 months to running multiple half marathons. I fractures my foot in 3 places last summer so had to start from bare ones again after 10 weeks of being in a boot. I am up to a 5 mile long run now. I go slow. I love it any ways!

    I typically follow hal Higdon's training plans. Free and easy to use! November 2014 will be my first marathon hopefully!!
  • vashnic
    vashnic Posts: 93
    I've been running off and on (mostly off haha) for about a year now, and it was a little bit of both pushing myself harder and also my body adjusting. Not sure how it is for other people, but the main problem holding me back were my kinda terrible lungs. XD What I did was set a time (15-30 min) that I had to be moving on the treadmill (walk/run/whatever), then run as long as I could at a slow/moderate pace (5.5 mph). If I got too tired, then walk it off a minute and sip at some water before picking up the pace again until either time ran out or needed another mini-break.

    I started being able to run maybe 0.5 miles continuously, then 1, etc. and now 3 miles (10 minute miles) without dying over the course of a few months. :) Would keep the pace slow at a jog until you start being able to run a comfortable time, then think about picking up speed, maybe a few sprints thrown in if it gets boring. This is just what worked for me though!
  • MarshaMole
    MarshaMole Posts: 142 Member
    bump
  • RenewedRunner
    RenewedRunner Posts: 423 Member
    Also, remember, if you can't talk, you are going too fast. Most of your runs should be at a pace that allows for conversation. Minus speed or tempo workouts, the run shouldn't make you feel like collapsing midway through.

    The more miles on our feet, the faster you will get. Go farther to go faster. Don't make big jumps in mileage, and run in good shoes. Stretch. And be happy-running is amazing!
  • EvaD12
    EvaD12 Posts: 49
    I started not being able to run 1 block and can now do 10miles!

    I did c25k and just kept doing it (repeating days/weeks if I needed to) then somehow after awhile I discovered I really enjoyed running and every week or so would try increase the distance on one of my runs by about 1/2 a mile, so it just built up over time until I was going longer and longer.

    Also audiobooks helped I had to keep running to find out what happens next!! That and i got shoes fitted to me it made a huge difference.
  • Sharonks
    Sharonks Posts: 884 Member
    Proper shoes are crucial.

    I started out alternating walking and running. I didn't run until I was exhausted, I did it in timed increments that were appropriate for me and that way I could keep moving for a full hour. In less than a year I went from running a minute at a time to running for the full hour. Before I got bronchitis this winter and stopped running for a while I was doing 9 minute miles. Once or twice a week I like to do HIIT. It seems to up my speed on my regular runs. I generally do about 1 minute at 6.5 minutes per mile then briskly walk for 2 minutes. I do this for about 20 minutes then walk the rest of my hour.

    I'm old and my joints can get bad with too much running so I try to keep it to about 4 days a week and walk the other 3.
  • SRH7
    SRH7 Posts: 2,037 Member
    C25k is a good starting point. There is a group on MFP if you would like to join or just have a look and see what it's about: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/30-couch-to-5k-running-program-c25k

    Just download a podcast (Chubby Jones is good or NHS - both free on iTunes), put on some running shoes and give it a go.

    Haven't done long runs myself yet but have worked up to running for 20 mins at a time, which was unthinkable this time last year.
  • twinmom_112002
    twinmom_112002 Posts: 739 Member
    I started with C25K 3 years ago. On Sunday I am running my first official half marathon. I have trained up to the distance twice using HH novice 1 program but life kept interferring with me actually hitting the starting line.

    I agree that you do have to push yourself. I still have to push myself on hills. I make a promise to myself that I will stop and walk at the next street light or when I get to so and so spot. Sometimes I actually start to walk when I get there and sometimes I tell myself just one more light.

    Great shoes, great music and get outdoors. All those things will help. Have patience. It takes time to get where 5 miles is an easy short run.
  • Duck_Puddle
    Duck_Puddle Posts: 3,237 Member
    I started with a c25k type program - but one that you ran for 30 seconds then walked for 5 1/2 minutes before running again. I struggled to make it through the 30 seconds. I repeated each week until I felt like I could have run for longer and I could have started running again before the walk portion was done. There's a certain amount of pushing yourself that needs to happen, but there's also the fact that if you're terribly out of shape (and overweight as I was) you really can only push yourself so far. There's also (for me) a very important psychological benefit of achieving something. Continually pushing to do beyond what I was capable of led to continued failure and a feeling of defeat. Others are motivated by that, I am not. So you need to know yourself in that respect.

    I started out morbidly obese, barely able to run for 30 seconds. I now run for about 90-120 minutes on my long run. It takes time, consistency, and being willing to look at YOUR performance as a standard-not comparing yourself to what anyone else is doing or has done.
  • scottb81
    scottb81 Posts: 2,538 Member
    was it because your body could now handle it and it was as easy as running for one minute, or was it just because you made yourself do it?
    Yes, that pretty much sums it up. Running for an hour now is easier than running for five minutes was when I was first getting restarted.

    The only secret is to be consistent and never stop.
  • Duck_Puddle
    Duck_Puddle Posts: 3,237 Member
    Just to follow up in the your performance vs. others, someone above listed 5.5 as a "slow" pace. That's a blazing fast pace for me. Like blazing fast. The pace that's right for you is the pace where you can run without panting for breath-whatever pace that is.
  • SRH7
    SRH7 Posts: 2,037 Member
    Just to follow up in the your performance vs. others, someone above listed 5.5 as a "slow" pace. That's a blazing fast pace for me. Like blazing fast. The pace that's right for you is the pace where you can run without panting for breath-whatever pace that is.

    Thank you! I go verrrrrrrrrrrrrryyyyy slow, but as long as both my feet are off the ground at the same time then I consider it running!
  • RonandDi
    RonandDi Posts: 120 Member
    I've been at it for about 3 months now and didn't know about the C25K or anything like that. I just started walking on the treadmill. After a few days of not being sore the next day, I started walking the same amount of time, but faster...then a little faster...till I was walking for 10 minutes, then run at a slow pace for 10 minutes, then walk for 10 minutes. Then I started walking for 10, run for 15, walk for 5. Then walk for 5, run for 20, walk for 5. sometimes I would pick up the pace rather than run longer. No I walk for 5, run for 30, walk for 5. I'm still working on building my endurance, but I'm taking my time in doing it.

    My suggestion would be to forget about running, just walk, picking up the pace. Eventually you will be running.

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