Bottom Heavy Females with Short Stubby Legs That Love To RUN

I know, right? It's the same for me: I can hike uphill all day long, bike till the wheels fall off, all that - running just feels so...unnatural. like patting my head while rubbing my stomach. And weight has nothing to do with it - it felt just as strange @ 100# as it does now.

I'm 5'2" and most of my weight sits in my legs and *kitten*, and I love to run. Running gets easier the more you do it, but not everyone's going to enjoy it. People don't enjoy the same forms of exercise, and that's not a bad thing. It's got nothing to do with body shape, it's just something you don't enjoy and something that doesn't work for you. That's all.

Hmm...I don't exactly fit your description lol but I'm 5'-5", pear shaped, and close enough.

I have hated running since I lost my first race in elementary school. Until a couple of months ago, I can tell you that I've only run twice since middle school and both times were prompted by what I would consider threat to life lol.

So, what exactly changed?

First, I think the strength training, getting my quadriceps (front thight) and hamstrings (back thigh) more balanced, helped. It's a work in progress, but everything about even walking feels lighter, more fluid, and requires less effort now.

Second, I joined a so-called walking group that turned about to be what I would best describe as boot camp. When I first did the running portion of the workout, I noticed (via Endomondo) that my fastest mph was higher than anything I had ever set on the treadmill. So while I'm not saying the bootcamp was the source, I am saying that unhindered on a trail, I move muich faster than I realized without what I consider trying hard.

Third, I keep my strides short. Extending my legs all out seemed to move me forward faster but it's really just a waste of effort. I tire faster and only gain a couple of seconds for my effort. I have not completely wrapped my mind around the mechanics yet, but my mph are faster with keeping my legs under hips - perhaps it just propels my whole body forward more efficiently.

As wish anything, you get better with practice. I started by entering a few walk/runs for fun and really didn't expect to ever get beyond "walk" but I did. i like the feeling after running on a treadmill but not the actual run. I actually enjoy running outside now if only to play my private game "name that smell". Oh, and I probably should have menitoned this up front, but I don't feel compelled to run the entire time. I run for a bit and walk for a bit.

No. Its not body type.
I have short legs, I carry my weight in my lower half. I hated running, then I had to. I have now developed a love for running. That is not saying you have to or will, but it is possible.
i also Crossfit.

I always used to say that I wasn't built for running, with short thick legs. The past couple of years I started coaching the local learn to run program. One of our speakers, a doctor, gives a talk about how we are all built to run. It kinda resonated with me.