Is it possible to 'become' a runner?

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Replies

  • tennileb
    tennileb Posts: 265 Member
    I love the couch to 5 k programs , I used it on my iPhone , I still never called my self a runner, but I do run regularly, still never had the runners high.
  • mwyvr
    mwyvr Posts: 1,883 Member
    Running outside is where it's at. To those who only experienced running at a gym on a treadmill, you've missed out on the essential experience.

    And for some of us, the absolute best running experience is out on a trail somewhere.
  • Bukawww
    Bukawww Posts: 159 Member
    I consider myself a C25K success story...I started it Jan 1 this year. The first 60 second run had me feeling like a giant failure. I wanted to quit so bad...and now I can run for 40 minutes straight :). At 40 minutes, my legs still feel great, but my lungs are just struggling to continue at a non-panic state lol. My pace is nothing spectacular between 11-12 minute miles, but I am a drenched sweaty mess after and that makes me feel like badass lol.

    Now I alternate long run days with sprint days and hill days. I'm still 205lbs, have one Ragnar Relay under my belt and definitely consider myself a runner now.
  • mwyvr
    mwyvr Posts: 1,883 Member
    @Bukawww what a great story! It'll just get easier as you continue to lose weight, and long before you hit goal too you should find your cardiopulmonary system making even further advances. Somewhere around six months in I really felt a wave of improvement.
  • MeganKyGirl82
    MeganKyGirl82 Posts: 110 Member
    Every response is great! Thank you! You guys rock!
  • Psychgrrl
    Psychgrrl Posts: 3,177 Member
    I used to say I would only run if I was being chased. Now ... I ... (gulp!) LIKE it! :smiley: I used all sorts of excuses like my knees and back, etc. Truth is, with proper shoes, a warm up, cool down and stretching after, I've had no issues.
  • ValGogo
    ValGogo Posts: 2,168 Member
    anything is possible woman!
  • TxRottie81
    TxRottie81 Posts: 45 Member
    C25K MFP group.. that would be fun and encouraging..

  • Mr_Knight
    Mr_Knight Posts: 9,532 Member
    kygirl8282 wrote: »
    I AM NO RUNNER.

    Everybody is a runner. If you don't believe me, visualize being alone in the woods and stumbling across a grizzly bear. I guarantee you will run, and run well.

    What you describe isn't an inability to run, it's being out of shape. And that, fortunately, is easy to fix! :drinker:
  • sierra7077
    sierra7077 Posts: 5 Member
    Thanks kygirl8282! I had never heard of couch to 5k but your thread (all everyone else's suggestion) just got me to get it. I'm no runner either but I have had several dreams where I am running and I wake up feeling amazing. Hopefully this app will get me away from the elliptical and on a new path!
  • ElJefeChief
    ElJefeChief Posts: 650 Member
    edited June 2015
    Previously I just did running 'just to get some exercise' - I mean, I wasn't too bad, I ran maybe 2-3 miles at a time, 3-4 times per week.

    Then I hit on the key to "becoming a runner." An ex-girlfriend of mine posted on Facebook she was selling her old treadmill for 200 bucks. I snapped it up. It now sits by my bed and for the last 4 months or so I've been running nearly every day. I can now run 5-6 miles per day, and would likely run more if I wasn't so time constrained (full time job, half-time single Dad).

    Competed in my first 10K a couple weeks ago, clocked it at 56 minutes. I've been practicing some hill running and I hope to beat that time next weekend when I do another one. I would say - I'm a runner now.
  • MeganKyGirl82
    MeganKyGirl82 Posts: 110 Member
    I am so pumped up about this now. First things first - SHOES! I received some excellent advice in a message on running shoes. The hunt is on! :)
  • unrelentingminx
    unrelentingminx Posts: 231 Member
    Hi all. The only thing I used to run for was the bus, and even then only if there wasn't another one for at least 30 mins but tomorrow evening I am taking part in my third Race for Life 5 km run. Both my previous times were 43 mins 30 sec so not a fast run by any means. This year I've been making more effort (although I failed to restart running until the new year), doing one long run each week, one medium length, and one intervals sessions. Plus strength training to improve my core and leg strength. I'm hoping to finish in around the 38 minute mark tomorrow although anything sub-40 would be good. Then it's a few days off and back on it to start training for something else. Maybe a 10 km this time next year.
  • unrelentingminx
    unrelentingminx Posts: 231 Member
    kygirl8282 wrote: »
    I am so pumped up about this now. First things first - SHOES! I received some excellent advice in a message on running shoes. The hunt is on! :)

    If you've got a shop nearby where they can analyse your running gait, they can recommend shoes specific to that style.
  • amgreenwell
    amgreenwell Posts: 1,267 Member
    Yes, Yes, Yes, I've become a runner!! I used to consider it a "punishment" to run, as this is what we did in high school sports when we were being punished. Ever since I signed up for and competed in a sprint triathlon, I am now addicted to running. I've been doing it well over a year now and loving every second of it. I am officially a runner!!! Yeah!!!
  • CostaRica120
    CostaRica120 Posts: 274 Member
    For sure! I was never a runner and actually have a foot issue and was told I couldn't/shouldn't run by doctors my whole life. I did a program very much like C25K that I started late last summer. I ran 2 to 5 times per week and ran my first 10K last month. Running for 5 minutes straight for the first time was such a huge achievement, and I never thought I'd ever be able to run for an entire hour straight. Gradual progression to avoid injury and to build endurance was totally the key. You don't need to believe you'll ever become a runner. You just need to commit to being consistent and you'll eventually just become one!
  • FitFitzy331
    FitFitzy331 Posts: 308 Member
    kygirl8282 wrote: »
    I am so pumped up about this now. First things first - SHOES! I received some excellent advice in a message on running shoes. The hunt is on! :)

    The shoes should really come from a specialty running store. Just walk in, say you are looking to get fitted and they should be able to help you find the right shoes for you and your goals. Don't try to pick out shoes on your own, there are a lot of different factors that go into the right pair of shoes and trust me, you do not want to get the wrong ones! Trust a local running store staff to help you find the right ones. It will be well worth it!
  • juliet3455
    juliet3455 Posts: 3,015 Member
    kygirl8282 wrote: »
    I am so pumped up about this now. First things first - SHOES! I received some excellent advice in a message on running shoes. The hunt is on! :)

    Excellent investment. remember they need to be the right shoe for you. What works for me or someone in the local running club might be garbage for you. The shoes you buy now - they will wear out. When they do get a new pair and do a complete new un-biased fitting at a store specific to runners. The reason is that as your technique and abilities improve the shoe "That is right for you" may change. Once you settle in to your technique and rhythm it will be pretty stable as to what shoe style you need. Happy Trails Girl!
  • MeganKyGirl82
    MeganKyGirl82 Posts: 110 Member
    I had to return to this thread to say thank you to all of you. I began C25K today. I plan on looking into the zombie app too because it just sounds awesome. The temp here reached 98 today, but I did it. I loved it! So yeah thanks to all of you for the advice and motivation! Much appreciated!! You guys are great! :)
  • faegirl22
    faegirl22 Posts: 60 Member
    markiend wrote: »
    Definitely can , there are loads of stories of people who did the couch 2 5k (c25k) and have moved on to half and full marathons

    Also, if you were being chased by zombies, you would kinda have to be a runner :P

    go for it

    You know there's an app for that right? xD It sounds kinda awesome, it's a program that trains you to run like the couch to 5k but it has audio about where zombies are chasing you and where supplies are and such, my friend loved it and can run a 10k now
  • ronald_duke
    ronald_duke Posts: 3 Member
    I just wanted to share my experience with you. I actually stumbled upon becoming a runner without even training for it on purpose. I was just motivated to lose some weight so I started doing "Interval Training" inside the gym. I would set the treadmill on interval which generally means 2 min or jogging/running and 2 min walking. I did this on the treadmill for 32 min which is 8 sets off 2min run/2min walk. I did the same on the elliptical for 32 min after that. I lost about 30-40 lbs doing a solid hour of cardio after a few months.

    I decided one day to jog outside because I haven't in awhile and because it was good weather. To my surprise I jogged 3.5 miles easier than I ever expected. After that I started running outside a few days a week with my some music to my ears and the Nike app and wala! I have ran up to 8 miles non-stop. I generally run on an average to 3-5 miles when I go out though. I don't participate in any official races but I now consider myself a runner.

    It was all thanks to a lot of cardio with interval training. You should try it.....its hard but keep pushing. Do 60 days of Interval Training and then go for a run and see how you feel.
  • MeganKyGirl82
    MeganKyGirl82 Posts: 110 Member
    ronald_duke wrote: »
    I just wanted to share my experience with you. I actually stumbled upon becoming a runner without even training for it on purpose. I was just motivated to lose some weight so I started doing "Interval Training" inside the gym. I would set the treadmill on interval which generally means 2 min or jogging/running and 2 min walking. I did this on the treadmill for 32 min which is 8 sets off 2min run/2min walk. I did the same on the elliptical for 32 min after that. I lost about 30-40 lbs doing a solid hour of cardio after a few months.

    I decided one day to jog outside because I haven't in awhile and because it was good weather. To my surprise I jogged 3.5 miles easier than I ever expected. After that I started running outside a few days a week with my some music to my ears and the Nike app and wala! I have ran up to 8 miles non-stop. I generally run on an average to 3-5 miles when I go out though. I don't participate in any official races but I now consider myself a runner.

    It was all thanks to a lot of cardio with interval training. You should try it.....its hard but keep pushing. Do 60 days of Interval Training and then go for a run and see how you feel.

    Thank you for sharing this! I may be singing a different tune after a few days, but I was loving it today. Yeah Kentucky is hot and humid and miserable right now. Yeah I was running on dusty gravel haha ... but it felt liberating! Nothing to think about except running. Now that whole Forrest Gump running across country finally seems plausible ;) lol
  • DennyB1964
    DennyB1964 Posts: 31 Member
    SOOO very glad to see this thread! I tried running for the first time a couple of days ago, and then again this morning. I can walk fast like crazy, but running has always been... barf-inducing. Or maybe just the threat of barfing.

    I usually walk at about 3.5 mph for 2 miles 3 times a week. Thursday, I ran at 5.5 mph for one minute at three points in the walk. This morning, I did it four times during the 2 miles at 6 mph. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

    My son is a distance runner (plus rugby) but he's also 21. He was talking about an upcoming Ragnar, and for kicks I asked what he would do if his 50-year-old, 43-pounds-overweight mom was on his team. He laughed because he knows I don't run, but eventually he said it would be cool. Assuming I don't make the team lose, of course. So now I'm learning to run.

    Happy to see the success stories!
  • chubalicious1
    chubalicious1 Posts: 99 Member
    kygirl8282 wrote: »
    Sorry if this is yet another redundant post, I know how prevalent those are here, however...

    Obviously I still have some work to do, but I consider myself to be in decent shape. I can handle a good solid hour to an hour and a half of cardio without being terribly winded. (I'm not sure if that's an appropriate measuring stick or not but hey its what I have to work with so bear with me here.)

    I would love to be able to run. I AM NO RUNNER.

    Last October my 10 year old daughter and I ran in a 5k Color Run. For those unfamiliar, a color run is more about the fun than the run. Proceeds from entry fees generally go to a charity. This one went to lymphoma. The idea is to dress up in white (my kid sported a white tutu) and run 5k while people dump color on you. At the end you look like a tie dyed sweaty mess.

    My daughter absolutely loved it. She wants to run track some day. While I had a blast, this little event did a number on me. I felt like I had been through minor surgery for several days after. My entire body ached, and all I wanted to do was sleep. See ... I told you ... I am no runner!

    So back to my point, is it possible to train yourself to run??? She wants to do another one and now her sister wants to as well. Advice much appreciated!

    I started getting into running for couple years now, I start slow and am a slow runner. I don't run that much or I know I'd pick up my pace. I know the run u did, never did it but looks cool. I've done dirty girl mud run which is mostly obstacles, and a lot of fun. 5k's are a good start and just pace urself slow... If getting into running u could run little then walk then run little then walk... That's how I started. Good luck and add me!
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