Runner envy! How do they do it?

Run if you can
Walk if you must
Crawl if you have to
Just never give up

That is my new motto...starting now. I love it. Thanks for sharing.

OP I would also suggest checking out Jeff Galloway's run/walk method. There are tons of people, including me, that do that and it works great. It was hard to get in my head that I have to run the entire distance to consider myself a runner but I have learned that people take walk breaks all the time and it's OK. I'm up to a 10K distance now. You will see people running half's and full marathons taking walk breaks. It's Ok.

I'll second what everyone else is saying. Couch to 5k and go slow. Also, focus on your breathing and finding a rhythm. That worked wonders for me. I'd Google some breathing recommendations since there seem to be a ton of them and everyone will have a different preference/style. I do two in two out, both through the mouth. As reference I'm 5'11" 237lbs of not all muscle. I firmly believe almost anyone can run if they just train (within reason of course).

The secret is that there's no secret.

Start with walking if necessary, then short slow running intervals which gradually (and I mean gradually......C25K is too aggressive for some people in my opinion) get longer and longer. If you find yourself getting out of breath go slower.

When I started running I could barely get around the block, my run was probably more of a slow shuffle....fast forward a few years (I ran my first 5K in 2009) and I'm running half-marathons and short duathlons / triathlons.

Be patient, be consistent and be persistent. Work at your own pace and have fun!

Running is easy. I started again after a. 2 year break about a month ago and am already at 6 miles non stop half of which is hills. You might think that's hard but once I hit mile 3 I'm super high and feel no pain because of the endocannabinoids and endorphins my body releases. I think a lot of beginners aren't running long enough to reach second wind or get the runners high - once you do running becomes effortless.

I started "running" in june, and was only able do to 2 miles in an hour. I kept at it, and slowly, day by day, I would get a little faster. I can now run 5 miles in an hour. ...just in time for it to be too cold to go play outside, anymore.

it's just perseverance. and a really good playlist to listen to to keep you moving.

best of luck! remember, you're worth it!

I'm also going to put in a plug for C25K - I am now onto week 2 and although week 1 was a bit of a shock to my system I am starting to feel really good when I'm "running" now. It's amazing how quickly you build up running fitness if you keep at it.

In case anyone is interested in the C25K programme: I'm using the free Zen Labs app, which is an 8 week program. Week 1 was 3x 30 minute sessions, consisting of a 5 min walking warm-up, then 8 sets of [60 seconds running, 90 seconds walking], then 5 mins walking cool down. Week 2 is 5 min warm-up, 6 sets of [90 seconds running, 120 seconds walking], 5 minute cool-down. You can go at your own pace and it tells you when to walk or jog.

I have always had runner envy. lol I have tried jogging and failed badly. I just get so out of breath. Some runners say they have asthma and still able to do it. I also have scoliosis (which doesn't normally bother me) and have had pinched nerve or something and my leg gives out. Its really weird and hurts when you hit the pavement! Anyone ever had that? Seriously, what are your running secrets?

I have asthma but it isn't triggered by exercise, just cigarette smoke and extreme changes of temperature. Different strokes for different folks and all that.

As for the scoliosis, this could be a result of your running style. If you are hitting the pavement with your heel first, you are in effect doing two things (i) transferring a huge impact up your leg, through your hip and into your spine and (ii) temporarily braking every step.

Check out running techniques such as Chi Running for improvements. It helped me loads quite recently and I nailed three PBs in one run using the new style.

I have always had runner envy. lol I have tried jogging and failed badly. I just get so out of breath. Some runners say they have asthma and still able to do it. I also have scoliosis (which doesn't normally bother me) and have had pinched nerve or something and my leg gives out. Its really weird and hurts when you hit the pavement! Anyone ever had that? Seriously, what are your running secrets?

My secret is thinking about how much cake I can eat when I am done running YUMMY CAKE:happy:

Agree with all of the runners saying that they used Couch to 5 K. There is a great FREE app C25K that was a godsend for me. You will definitely be able to do it!

ditto on the couch to 5K app! I haven't ran since high school (almost 15 yrs ago) and even then I never ran. About to finish up week 2 and lemme tell ya running 90 seconds without stopping is HUGE for me. Oh, and I also broke my kneecap in a car accident 2 yrs ago, if my ortho found out i was running, he'd probably kill me. He's always underestimated my capabilities though, i am more than determined to push myself as far as i can despite my "disability" ( i have very poor flexion).

Soooooo, download that app girl and get to it.

Start slowly. Don't waste energy worrying about how you look while running. Push throught the uncomfortable periods...that's when you are gaining endurance. Understand it's about the mental stamina as well as the physical.

In addition to all the great advice already given I would suggest trying trail running. Running on pavement really kills me. I feel like the hard surface just sucks the energy out of my legs. I feel so much better when I run on trails. They don't have to be rough. A lot of parks have crushed gravel or bridle trails that are really nice. The down side is I have to drive to get to them but I feel it's worth it.

Start slowly and get properly fitted shoes. Shoes make a huge different. I have bad joints and super flat feet. I had my shoes fitted at a running store and things hurt a lot less.

+1!

I have ankylosing spondylitis, and getting properly fitted finally made it possible to learn to run. I started trying --the operative word being "trying"-- to walk 1 mile. That was last April. Today I ran 3.1.

They are the most expensive shoes I have ever owned but they made it possible. .

Massive respect. I know someone with AS, and know how debilitating it can be. Bravo, sir.

Good stuff here! I say this often, because I think it gets overlooked, but the sole purpose of the way our bodies were designed by evolution is to run long distances. We evolved with one of the most efficient cooling systems of any animal on the planet. Everything about our bodies is designed to run a long way. The theory goes that early man literally wore down it's prey by keeping it on the move. Eventually, the animals would overheat (due to a poorly designed cooling system!) and the hunter was able to kill the prey. This process would take a long time, introducing evolutionary pressure to improve. Next time someone says "running is bad for you", you'll know better.

It's also important, imo, to have a very long term view of things when you first start running. Your bones and tendons will adapt much more slowly than your muscles and even more slowly than your cardiovascular ability. That's the reason everyone is suggesting going slow and walking here and there. I don't think it is an exaggeration to say that you can't lay down to big a base. I made the mistake of going to the speed work a little quickly. Fortunately, I didn't get injured, but if you get enough running friends, you'll here lot's of injury stories because folks neglect to pay attention to building a good running base.

Start slowly, read up a little on running form and remember you are doing something that your body understands because that's what it was designed to do!

Seriously, what are your running secrets?

Build up slowly, consistently.

That's it.

Biggest mistake people make is going out too fast, too far to start with. Do a C25K. Then a bridge to 10k.

Slowly, patiently.