Running help

hevurxo
hevurxo Posts: 27
in Fitness and Exercise
Okay so I've ran every morning recently over the past week or so, but I'm finding it difficult to maintain running, I have to keep stopping every few minutes. I know that its something you build up over time but every time I go I feel as if its more and more of a challenge and a struggle, I don't find myself enjoying it like I want to.

Basically I wondered if anyone has any tips or knows how to get better at running in general? As I doubt I'm going to see the pounds drop off when 50% of the time I'm walking!

Replies

  • SpleenThief
    SpleenThief Posts: 293 Member
    Go e us a little detail about how long you're running, pace (if known), your overall physical condition so we can give targeted feedback.
  • hevurxo
    hevurxo Posts: 27
    I'll send details in a message if you think you can help, I dont know if you'll see this again :')
  • Epiclobster
    Epiclobster Posts: 10 Member
    You need to start slow...and expect the walking...any 5km running clinic includes walking until you build the endurance. When I first started running (I used to walk like a fiend!!) I ran 1 minute, walked 9 minutes - 2 sets. Then the next week I ran 2 minutes, walked 8 minutes - 2 sets. The next week ran 3 minutes, walked 7 minutes - 2 sets and kept going, week after week until I could run 20 minutes straight. Takes a while, I know, but it's worth it in the end - otherwise you get discouraged and give up. Also, I wouldn't recommend running every day - especially as you're starting out. Maybe run every other day until you build your endurance. Once you can run 20 minutes without stopping, start adding a minute or two a week and before you know it, you're running 30 minutes without stopping!! After that you can push yourself - maybe for distance instead of times. Many experienced runners will also run "10 and 1's"...this is where you're running 10 minutes, walking 1 minute. This can be especially helpful in running long distances - I will do this if running more than 10 km. I've run 2 half-marathons and it was a life saver! You look forward to that 1 minute you can walk, it gives your legs and your breathing a break and then you're refreshed to run then next 10 minutes! And not every run is going to be a great run...you will have crappy runs too - allow yourself those...but in the end you'll be thankful you went! One other tip...carb up at least an hour before you go and make sure you're hydrated...give your body some fuel to work with...this will help make it a "happy run"!! Good luck!!
  • rubyautumn4
    rubyautumn4 Posts: 818 Member
    try Couch 2 5K, it's a great training program
  • dan323
    dan323 Posts: 271 Member
    Start slow. If your new to running don't run every day. You will get burned out fast. As suggested above try the c25k app. It works. If you have more questions feel free to message me.
  • rhall9058
    rhall9058 Posts: 270 Member
    Start slow. If your new to running don't run every day. You will get burned out fast. As suggested above try the c25k app. It works. If you have more questions feel free to message me.
    ^^^ This......................running will beat your body! You must have days of no running or you will get injured more easily. If you took......say 2 days off...................right now, I guarantee, when you tried it again, you would feel faster and stronger. You have to let your body recover as it is one of the more taxing, calorie burning exercises that you ask your body to perform.
  • RockClimber69
    RockClimber69 Posts: 82 Member
    Agree. Start slow & build up. Nothing wrong with walking in between...what matters is your heart rate. HIIT is actually more effective for weight loss than steady state cardio. (That being said, I am a distance runner but I do it for reasons other than weight loss)
    Don't forget rest days. If you build too fast, too soon you'll just end up injured and on the couch and that won't help with your goals at all.
  • sevsmom
    sevsmom Posts: 1,172 Member
    Running doesn't = moving like someone is chasing you. So, you may need to slow down.

    You should probably work up to daily running. Maybe try every other day to give your muscles a little down time. Then you might feel better while you're running.

    Expect running to make you sore/tire/worn out/etc. It isn't some magical exercise that you feel fantastic doing. Lots of what is favorable about running is less about the physical and more about the mental pleasure. Every so often you'll have a run where you feel great and your brain is bursting with good thoughts/meditation. Those aren't the every day experience. Some runs are physically AND mentally fatiguing. The average run falls somewhere in between.
  • IowaJen1979
    IowaJen1979 Posts: 406 Member
    Take a break! I don't think you should run more than two days in a row. Your body is telling you it needs some rest. Personally, I do Zumba on Sunday and Monday, run on Tuesday, lift weights on Wednesday, run on Thursday and Friday, then do Zumba on Saturday. I've noticed that if I run after work one day then run before work the next day my body is tired and my pace is slower. Trying mixing in some lower impact workouts and don't run every day.

    Also, I had REALLY good luck with Couch to 5K. It gradually builds your endurance. I had trouble breathing when I first started running and this really helped.
  • hevurxo
    hevurxo Posts: 27
    Yeah sorry guys I worded it really badly, I am running every other day so I am getting the rests you're all mentioning :D I also do zumba! it's great for a full body workout :-)

    Everyone swears by the C25K so I'm gonna give it a shot, thank you!
  • FernLewis
    FernLewis Posts: 9
    I never ran before I started my diet/fitness hype 8weeks ago. This week I ran a continuos 7K!

    I did the couch to 5K app which gets you training in intervals and slowly builds it up for you. Having someone tell you when to run and when to walk really helped me with the discipline I needed to keep at it. It always seems like a fad when you hear about these things but it really works!

    Also great for helping you keep track of your progress!!

    Good luck!

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