Beginning To Run

Buckeye_Fittie
Buckeye_Fittie Posts: 64
in Fitness and Exercise
I'm just starting to run. I consider myself to be in decent shape (21, 5'6, and 130 pounds), and yet, after 1-2 minutes of running, my throat feels raw, I start wheezing, and I have to slow to a walk. So most of my runs so far have been 1-2 minutes of running followed by a 5 minute walking recovery period before I can start back up again.

Is this just an endurance issue? As I continue to run will I be able to run for longer stretches of time?

Thanks.

Replies

  • twinmom_112002
    twinmom_112002 Posts: 739 Member
    Its hard but try running slower. You should be able to carry on a conversation (or sing to yourself). It is also an endurance issue. The more you do it the less of a struggle it will become.
  • jwpe
    jwpe Posts: 77 Member
    You could try a couch to 5 K program. I find your body needs adjustment to new exercises even if you are in shape. I teach zumba and have no problem doing a full class....but can't do 2 minutes running!
  • pinktoesjb
    pinktoesjb Posts: 302 Member
    You're probably trying to go too fast too soon, my pacing is terrible I can easily do 2k on a treadmill then I go on the road and I'm exhausted after 500m because I just go too fast!

    Keep at it and try to set a reasonable pace, sometimes ipod can help with this if you can find some songs that have a slow enough beat to set yourself to starting out.

    My other advice is just to keep at it, you'll be surprised how quickly you'll pick up in endurance. But then keep at it because a week off will put you right back down again too!
  • Buckeye_Fittie
    Buckeye_Fittie Posts: 64
    That's a great idea. Thank you!
  • romyhorse
    romyhorse Posts: 694 Member
    If you get breathless and your legs feel like lead you could have an iron deficiency. I thought I was really unfit until I started taking an iron supplement. I started c25k yesterday and had no problems, felt like I could have ran much longer, before I would have really struggled.
  • AmandaW01
    AmandaW01 Posts: 138
    Running is like everything else - you wouldn't go to the weight room and pick up some weights a huge guy was using and expect to squat them would you - why do you think you can run? :-) I strongly advise to everyone I can get to listen to do a C25K programme if they are beginners - I tried to do my own thing (and know several others who did the same) went off too far too fast too soon and injured myself and put myself back on the couch for weeks! A C25K programme will build up your cardio, your connective tissues, muscles etc slowly but at a rate where you proceed pretty fast - you get to running 5k in 9 weeks (that's running non-stop for around 30+ mins. Focus first on endurance, stamina and your cardio and then work on speed - make sure you have properly fitted running shoes to avoid injury and take it slow and easy - once you get there its the best feeling on earth :-)
  • Buckeye_Fittie
    Buckeye_Fittie Posts: 64
    If you get breathless and your legs feel like lead you could have an iron deficiency. I thought I was really unfit until I started taking an iron supplement. I started c25k yesterday and had no problems, felt like I could have ran much longer, before I would have really struggled.

    I am anemic. Could that be the reason for the breathlessness and lead-like feeling?
  • romyhorse
    romyhorse Posts: 694 Member
    If you get breathless and your legs feel like lead you could have an iron deficiency. I thought I was really unfit until I started taking an iron supplement. I started c25k yesterday and had no problems, felt like I could have ran much longer, before I would have really struggled.

    I am anemic. Could that be the reason for the breathlessness and lead-like feeling?

    Definitely, I feel like a new person since I started taking iron regularly.
  • scottb81
    scottb81 Posts: 2,538 Member
    If you get breathless and your legs feel like lead you could have an iron deficiency. I thought I was really unfit until I started taking an iron supplement. I started c25k yesterday and had no problems, felt like I could have ran much longer, before I would have really struggled.

    I am anemic. Could that be the reason for the breathlessness and lead-like feeling?
    Yes. If you fix the iron problem any endurance exercise will be much easier.

    Low iron = low red blood cell count = low ability to transport oxygen to the muscles
  • XXXMinnieXXX
    XXXMinnieXXX Posts: 3,459 Member
    Wouldn't hurt to get checked over by a doctor. If he gives you he all clear C25K is a great programme. Starts with just 1 minute running intervals. I have a great phone app called rundouble.

    Zara x
  • Dponta
    Dponta Posts: 13 Member
    You may actually have what I do. Exercised induced asthma. Yes that is a real thing although it does sound fake. Haha. I do not go into complete attacks but it can really cause me to have trouble when I run. I have to keep my pace slow and really concentrate on my breathing. Depending on how severe it is, you can get an inhaler to use prior to running that can help. It may be something to check out.
  • chriscolh
    chriscolh Posts: 127 Member
    When I first started running, I had the same problem. I would run past one house in my neighborhood, then walk the rest of the block. After about a month, I graduated to my "fire hydrant to fire hydrant" program, where I'd run to one hydrant, then walk to the next one, run to the 3rd one, etc. It took me a while (I was soooo out of shape!), but slowly I would add distance. Eventually I worked my way up to a 5K. What has been key to me has been to just keep at it, and keep on adding distance. The best (and scariest) thing I did was to find a running partner who would push me just a little. If I can do it, anyone can!!!!
  • jnj1013
    jnj1013 Posts: 27
    Until about 5 months ago I'd never run farther than a 1/2 mile in my life. My joke was that I only ran if I was being chased or there was a fire. I always had the same problem - I couldn't control my breathing, every part of my body started to hurt after 2 minutes. I actually started doing strength training about 2 months before I started running and then during my boot camp our instructor told us we were running a quarter mile loop. When we finsihed she told us it was actually a 3/4 mile loop. It was like someone had lifted the fog from my head. I'd never been able to run more than a quarter mile because I didn't think I could and because I was making the same mistake everyone here is telling you about - I was running at max exertion from the get go.

    Well, I signed up for my first 5K that very day and have never looked back. In fact, I just ran my first half marathon yesterday! I finished in 2:30:22 and when I crossed the line I dissolved into a weeping mess I was so overcome with joy and so proud of what I had accomplished. And believe it or not, I'm now planning to train for a full marathon.

    Running is about pace, especially when you first start. Run slower than you think you need to, even if you feel a little silly, like it might feel like you are hopping along instead of running because you're movements will feel a little exaggerated. But the best advice I could ever give you is to slow down - learn to cover the distance first, no matter how long it takes you and then work on speed. The speed will come a lot faster than you would expect once you train your body to go the distance. I picked up 5 minutes on my 10K time in less than 2 months by using the slow, steady distance approach.

    You'll be great, just don't get discouraged. Think of your body like a car in winter - you wouldn't go out and drive your car at breakneck speed without letting it warm up first - give your body time to warm up!

    Good luck and happy running!
  • EdithABruns
    EdithABruns Posts: 1 Member
    When I first started running I went half around a city block and thought that I would faint. I was red, dizzy, nauseous and couldn't breath. Then I learned to breath in through my mouth and out my nose and this helped a lot. I waited a couple of days and tried again and slowly, I was able to make it around 3/4 of a city block. A little strength training helped. By the time I went to Basic Training I could run around the whole block. After arriving at Basic we were required to carry rucksacks everywhere and this gave me the strength I needed to be able to jog/run later. I finally, after Basic was over, got to the point to where I could run for time (10 minutes, 1 hour,....), not distance, and was doing over 5 mile runs, and enjoying the exercise! Please do remember that running can be very had on the female body and is not always the best form of exercise.
  • MrsSki
    MrsSki Posts: 196
    Pretty much what everyone else said, start off slow. I run a super slow 13 min mile, according to MFP that's not even considered running or jogging, but a fast walk! But that's ok, because I can get through an entire 5K at that pace, running the whole time and not feeling like I'm going to die. I'm anemic too, and I actually can't take iron supplements, so I just have to recognize that I'm going to feel tired when I do cardio, but that it's good for me and I need to suck it up. You should definitely talk to your doctor about your anemia to see if iron supplements would work out for you.

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