Trying to run...

Keep trying! I was in the same boat about a year ago. I walked regularly but could barely run two blocks without feeling like I couldn't breath and was going to fall over. Everyday that I went out I just tried to run a little farther and by the end of the summer I could run a mile without stopping (not a fast run, but a run nonetheless)! Over the winter I worked out on an eliptical to build up endurance and this spring I decided to start running again. Now I can run four miles without walking! Again, my pace isn't super fast (about a 12 minute mile) but I can do it! It's all a matter of the effort you put into it. Listen to your body and slow down when you need to but keep trying! It's a great feeling to see your body improving over time. I never would have thought I would be running four miles a day but here I am!

I second the suggestion of looking at something like Couch to 5K. Start slow, your pace doesn't have to be fast. And go in walk/run intervals, slowly increasing the run to walk ratio.

I also vote for C25K. Also, how fast were you running? When I first started I ran way too fast and hard and couldn't do even a mile. But once I slowed down I was able to build endurance because I wasn't pushing too hard. Just find a slow comfortable pace and start there with C25K. It works, I promise!

Couch to 5K. No one starts out running a .long distance. 2 Blocks is nothing to sneeze at. You did great!!!

Do searches on running and stretches, also make sure you have proper shoes. I warm up 5 minutes with a slow jog, stop and stretch well, run, walk a cool down for 5 minuts then stretch again. the rubbery legs are nromal, sometimes my legs feel like pure jello on my cool down walk.

Do it the right way and you will be hooked forever. Good luck!

Your legs are going to feel like rubber, don't give up!! Sometimes it is just a mental block, but if you really think about it, you can still run on those legs. Try going one extra block each day, and pretty soon you will be amazed at what your body can do! Good luck! (I went from never having run at all about 4 years ago to running fairly consistently for the past 4 years anywhere from a few to 15 miles -- trying to work up to a marathon someday. Once you get into it, it is therapy -- not just great for your body, but great for your soul! I also made the mistake of running a lot and then eating way more than I burned, so be careful, running doesn't automatically make you skinny I learned the hard way.)

Everyone here is saying the exact same thing I will say. Just don't give up. No one is born a runner. It takes time, patience, and motivation. I started the exact same way as you, running about a quarter mile at a time, then walking. I just didn't let myself give up and kept setting new goals for myself. Now I am able to run 6 miles steady. You can do it

In Canada, we have a store called The Running Room, and the have a book about how to run.

They recommend a ten week approach.

Run at least 3 times per week, make sure you have rest days.

They also recommend that everyone should do a 10 minute run, 1 minute walk cycle, ever for marathons etc

Each run should be 20-30 minutes while getting used to it

First week - run 1 minute, walk 1 minute repeat
Second week - run 2 minutes, walk one minute repeat
Third week - run 3 minutes, walk one minute repeat

etc until in the tenth week, you are running for 10 minutes, and walking for one.

Congrats, you are now a runner.

http://www.archevore.com/panu-weblog/2009/11/1/cardio-causes-heart-disease.html

and the study he breaks down:

http://radiology.rsna.org/content/251/1/50.long

http://www.archevore.com/panu-weblog/2010/3/21/still-not-born-to-run.html

(please read thoroughly. May have to re-read)


Here's one more: http://fitness.mercola.com/sites/fitness/archive/2012/05/11/peak-fitness-vs-running-marathons.aspx

Instead of just listing articles without any advice, why don't you state your point? The OP wants to run. Are you trying to make your point that runners are more likely to have heart attacks and therefore the OP would be better off being sedentary? Atop the articles it says "One man's OPINION on health, science, and the essentials of diet". I'd say not to be taken as proven fact.

I agree with all the posters and just want to add that two blocks is incredible!! Good for you!:)

I second the suggestion of looking at something like Couch to 5K. Start slow, your pace doesn't have to be fast. And go in walk/run intervals, slowly increasing the run to walk ratio.

I third this! You need to build up slowly so you don't injure your knees or anything...Good Luck :-)

I'm going to +1 the C25k program

If you ran 2 blocks that is probably further than the first set of day 1.