Why can't I run??

You might get yourself checked out by a doctor just to make sure everything's ok, but I have to tell you, I had the hardest time learning to run, too. Did the couch to 5k thing just like you. The first day, I couldn't jog for more than 20 seconds. Just completely out of breath.

I had to repeat weeks pretty regularly because I could tell I just wasn't ready to make the next step. I started maybe a month before a friend who was planning to do the same thing, and she ended up finishing before I did. Something did eventually switch over though-- it was around the time I started doing the actual 20-minute blocks. Once I got to doing 20 minutes, it all became easy, and I could run for an hour+ just as easily as I could run for 20 minutes.

Oh also, if I might make one suggestion-- you might try running in toe shoes or barefoot. It changes your stride completely, feels much more natural, removes the impact, and just feels like less of a struggle. I wish I'd been running barefoot when I was first trying to get conditioned, honestly.

I'm struggling with this as well. I seem to be doing ok with walking 4 miles a day, but I can only muster a short jog in spurts. Kills me how I can't really do an all out run, but it will come.

Have you been to the doctor to get your lung capacity checked and make sure you dont have any underlying asthma or cardiac issues. I would talk to a doctor first could be something serious going on.

Also, if you have a body like mine when they have done neurological studies my brain doesnt talk to my muscles like normal so to train my muscles to do the same action as someone else can take twice as long. Get to the doctor and be patient keep working hard.

Not sure if any of you are having the same problem I used to have. But all through high school I could walk seemingly forever, however when it came to running I could barely go a block before I was winded and had sharp pains towards the bottom of my ribcage. It wasn't until after high school and a lot of determination of wanting to run more that I started doing my research. The pain hurt so bad at times I started assuming that maybe it was a hernia or something, however it was never always on the same side. I had tried to "run through the pain" one night only to end up laying on the side of the road curled up in the fetal position near passing out. Mind you I don't think i was out of shape or anything, I was 6' 1" 160lbs, a person that looked prime for running really. So anyways doing some research I came across the term "Runners Stitch". After reading into this it seamed to describe exactly what I was experiencing.

What I discovered was this. Before I never paid much attention to my breathing and often the faster I tried running the faster and shorter my breaths became trying to "keep up". As it turns out this bad breathing leads to straining the lung diaphragm located at the bottom of your lungs.

With this new knowledge I started experimenting with my breathing after just a few weeks I was actually able to run until my legs felt like rubber! Talk about one very happy nite, I could barely stand but was grinning from ear to ear.

My tips would include the following. Take quality breaths, not necessarily a lot of breaths. Instead of breathing faster, focus on breathing deeper. And probably the most important, be sure to COMPLETELY EXHALE every breath. Start with a super slow jog to practice your breathing and slowly work up your jogging speed day by day or week by week. Everyone progresses differently, no need to rush it. Hopefully this will help someone out there. I remember how frustrated I was when I'd be winded or "in lung pain" long before ever feeling a burn in my legs.

I'm older, obese and my cardio health is really poor, but I wanted to chime in with my own experience.

I was able to do some mini-jogs in my home. I could jog in place for a bit or do a really slow jog with teeny tiny baby steps back and forth through my house for 10 minutes straight. Last Monday, I thought, "Oh yeah. I'm ready to start this C25k program!"

Week 1, Day 1, I got on my treadmill, cranked it up to a "whopping" (for me) 3.5 mph and thought I would die in that first 15 seconds. Two days later, I tried it again, this time at 2.7 mph. My heart rate monitor hit the 85% level after just a few minutes, but I wasn't even using a jogging motion yet. It was just a really brisk walk.

I'm thinking the problem is the treadmill. Maybe it has something to do with the "ground" underneath doing the movement, controlling our speed and our steps.

Try your program again, but don't use the treadmill and see if you have better luck. That's what I plan to do.

Oh also, if I might make one suggestion-- you might try running in toe shoes or barefoot. It changes your stride completely, feels much more natural, removes the impact, and just feels like less of a struggle. I wish I'd been running barefoot when I was first trying to get conditioned, honestly.

I second this big time. I have no idea how to explain it, but I tried two other times to get running in high quality running shoes and it just felt like I had cement on my feet (maybe because I'm quite used to being barefoot around the house). I have a much more enjoyable time and can do a lot more in my Vibrams KMD LSs than in any other shoes. I still can't run much (I'm morbidly obese), but I certainly have an advantage now.

It's also important to note that you might just need more time. C25K was not the right pace for me, so I used Runkeeper to design my own routine. Just relax and give it time--it is an entirely new skill set.

breathing is a bit different for running than for walking, at least for me. if you're not naturally a deep breather then you'll need to learn. dont think of filling your lungs with air, think of it more as breathing from your diaphragm. practice when you're just sitting around watching tv.

i also agree that landing on your heels is tiring. practice landing no further back on your foot than your mid sole

another thing is to not let your fears and past running failures get into your head. much of running is mental, so if you start your workout thinking how you can't do it and how hard it is then that's what you'll experience

You sound EXACTLY like me when I was trying to run last summer. Lungs on fire, burning throat all of that. Horrible. Had pretty much decided there must be something inherently wrong with me and that I was simply not meant to run!

Firstly I am asthmatic, and I needed a chat with my asthma nurse to sort my meds out, Secondly, and this is the crucial bit, I was running WAY too fast..

When I finally plucked up courage to join a running group for beginners, the first thing they told me to do was to slow down. To run literally a fraction quicker than walking pace to start with. That first time out I ran nearly two miles without stopping; it made that much of a difference.

So, slow down, and then slow down some more. They call it 'running at the speed of chat', as you could in theory have a conversation with someone at the same time (although if you're on a treadmill this could prove difficult). Try if you can to ditch the treadmill, so that you can slow down and speed up naturally without having to worry about pressing buttons.

Did it work for me? Yes. Now running about 15-18 miles a week and doing my first Half on 21st April.