Running; doesn't seem to be getting easier..

keep running... don't stop. push yourself through the pain and boredom barrier. It's the only way! Ok, I'm sure others will give suggestions too, but a lot of it is mind over matter. Sounds like no other physiological reason!

Keep running. You are doing great!
Push yourself beyond that limit on your next run.
If you went 1.5 miles today....go 1.6 the next run and just keep going a little farther each time. You CAN do it!!

I'm having the same problem, but you're probably doing better than you think! Before college, I couldn't run at all, and now I'm at three miles. But I still feel weak. We can do this! You're amazing!

One thing that's greatly helped me the last few months has been discovering Chi Running. If you've never heard of it you can google it and watch some of the how to videos on youtube. It's tweaking your running form to use less energy, fewer leg muscles and run more efficiently. I'm comfortably up to 7 miles at a time with what seems like very little effort, it's actually making running much more fun.

Another thing you can do is check your local running stores for group runs. Find one that's led by experienced runners who can help you to improve on what you're already doing. That's where I learned about Chi Running.

Personally, I have been doing 12 minutes miles for the last year and frankly it does not bother me LOL. I know that HIIT reall help improving speed. Run hard for one minute then walk for one minute. Do that for 20 minutes. You should feel like puking at the end LOL. You will see a big difference after a few weeks

When I first started running, I had a friend tell me "the first 2 miles are the hardest"-- and I believe it to this day. It took me forever to get those initial two miles but once I did, the miles just started piling on. It takes patience.

What does it feel like when you have to stop? Is it a breathing thing? A leg thing? Stomach cramps? Knowing WHY you can't go further might help determine how to get past it.

Also, speed intervals are great. On one of your running days each week, instead of going steady, go full out for like 30-60 seconds then walk 1-2 min to recover. Repeat for the remainder of the time or distance you would normally run. This is a great way to pass the time on a treadmill. I like to see how fast I can go. If you have someone to run with, these are fun to do outside as "races"-- pick out a set distance (i.e. the next telephone pole or driveway, etc) and race full out. These will help change it up from your normal routine and will also help with your overall running. Before you know it, 2 miles will be your easy warm-up run!

C25K is a 9 week program, you should expect to be running 3 miles less than half way through.
It's worked for so many people, just stick with it!
The key is in the interval training, run then recover, then run more. You eventually run longer and longer through each week.
I really suggest starting early in the program, but maybe try sprinting instead.

I agree with that "first two miles thing." Usually I'm trying to come up with a good excuse to stop, Then I tell myself to shut up.

Also, I'm not a doctor. Heck I don't even play one on TV. But when my actual doctor prescribed me an inhaler for exercise induced asthma, my distance really picked up.

Thanks for all the encouragement! Its mostly an issue of breathing. I feel so out of breath and my heart rate is just out of control. I imagine I could probably just keep trying to push through, I like the idea someone had where I just add a tiny bit of distance each time. I basically started at week five of c25k (anything previous to that was unnecessary because I was already running longer and faster than what earlier weeks required )and stopped at week 6 or 7. And I just keep bouncing back and forth. Its true though, I might just need to push through and do it.


Oh, and I never run in the AM, just because my workouts in the morning are never of the same caliber as my later day workouts. I think its just something about my body that refuses to function as well if its before 10am. Really, thanks for the support at least!

If it's heart rate and breathing then the 10mins run 1 min walk should really help. It would give you a chance to recover a bit before continuing.

I used to have the same issue. Then I stopped looking at my watch, and I stopped focusing on the next point. I started looking around at the scenary, enjoying the music I was listening too, etc. When I feel a little tired I slow down but DON'T stop. Just ENJOY the run and when you do finally look at your watch you'll be amazed at how long/far you ran.

Running is the most awesome exercise there is, it is literally the most natural thing. When you feel like you are at that point where you can't go on, just push through it. I read a lot of the advice here and man it is a wealth of knowledge and motivation. We are here for that to keep you going and you will push pass your block before you even realize it, because you are doing way better than you think!! Best of everything to , soon you be hitting some great distance!!

Interval sessions or hill sprints will help improve your time, they are hard work but you will notice a difference.

Keep running it will get easier

I used to have the same issue. Then I stopped looking at my watch, and I stopped focusing on the next point. I started looking around at the scenary, enjoying the music I was listening too, etc. When I feel a little tired I slow down but DON'T stop. Just ENJOY the run and when you do finally look at your watch you'll be amazed at how long/far you ran.

I agree with this post. Learn to enjoy the activity first, then worry about time and distance. Find a comfortable stride length and speed, and enjoy the scenery.

Just an added thought....are you using high quality running shoes?