I just can't run... or can I?
Mangsney
Posts: 249 Member
I'm thinking of giving the C25K app a go to increase my fitness level. Right now I'm using an elliptical trainer, but I'm getting bored.
My only problem? I can't run
I'm 34, 158 lbs (5'6", large bum, thick thighs), I have a very sedentary lifestyle and I haven't run since I had to at school. And I hated it, because even as a skinny teenage girl I couldn't get the breathing right and would get painful stitches all the time. The last time I had to run (while on holiday, so I wouldn't miss a bus), my insides were on fire and I thought I was going to pass out (I did catch that bus, though!
)
But anyway, let's not get distracted.
Does C25K really work when you have no previous running experience? Realistically? When you're like me...? I'd love to hear from people who were like me and have become decent runners.
My only problem? I can't run
I'm 34, 158 lbs (5'6", large bum, thick thighs), I have a very sedentary lifestyle and I haven't run since I had to at school. And I hated it, because even as a skinny teenage girl I couldn't get the breathing right and would get painful stitches all the time. The last time I had to run (while on holiday, so I wouldn't miss a bus), my insides were on fire and I thought I was going to pass out (I did catch that bus, though!
)But anyway, let's not get distracted.
Does C25K really work when you have no previous running experience? Realistically? When you're like me...? I'd love to hear from people who were like me and have become decent runners.
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Replies
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It worked for me. I'm not a cardio girl at all, but I went from not running at all to running 5Ks with C25K. I have one coming up this Saturday, in fact, and I'm super excited about it! Go slower than you think you need to, get proper shoes, and don't be afraid to repeat a day (or week) if you need to.0
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I don't consider myself a runner at all. I remember trying C25k years ago and not sticking with it just because I don't like running. Fast forward to two years ago where I found myself in a boot camp environment where we run all the time. I still don't love it but I have gotten much better at it just because of consistency. So even though I did not do C25K when I was forced to start running in the boot camp and weighed about 50 pounds more, I was a lot slower and it hurt more but really if you just don't stop you should accomplish your goal.0
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I don't have the profile of a runner AT ALL and also have a huge bum and thighs! I started with walking for 6 months when I decided to lose weight 2.5 years ago. Then I slowly started doing something similar to C25K after that. Now I run half marathons regularly (have done 6 in the last 18 months) and I am training for my first full marathon in January. I am slow (very very slow) and when I try to go fast, I cant breathe. If you cant breath, it means you are going too fast. If you cant have a conversation while running, you are going too fast. I found starting my running on a treadmill very helpful to ensure I took it slow. I ran at 4.3 mph in the beginning. Now I run at ~5 - 5.5 mph, which is still really slow, but it works for me.
ANYONE can run if you really want to!!0 -
I always hated running when I was forced to do it too. Ironically, I've always wanted to run, but dreaded working myself past how uncomfortable it made me feel.
I have a big butt and thighs too, and I started out walking. With walking, I started out with a cane due to arthritis. I built my fitness up from walking assisted to the corner to walking 3.5 mph (I can now walk even faster) for 5.5 miles.
That's when I started C25K. Because of my arthritis, I admit I prepared more than was probably necessary. I once read on here... I think AliceDark once said it... that running is a gait, not a speed. And that's been my mantra the whole time I've been doing the program. I'm in week 6 now, and my running speed isn't much faster than my walking speed, BUT...
I learned this through walking: my speed increased with time and the desire for it to happen. There was no conscious effort on my part -- it just happened.0 -
Oh it works brilliantly. I couldn't run at all and now I do 5k's on my days off work. I'm just working on building up my speed right now.
There's lots of different apps. Personally I love the ZombiesRun! app. It's very entertaining.0 -
Read Born to Run. Then start up your C25k app and go outside and run. Find a nice park or trail with some scenery.0
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I haven't done C25K, but did my own, similar thing. I didn't like running at all, but a couple weeks ago I started. At first, I spent the majority of the time walking, with a couple individual minutes running. I did that at least 3 times a week, for 30 minutes each time. It's been about a month now, and just yesterday, I was able to jog a whole mile. It took me 14 minutes, at a 4.5 mph pace, but I'm so proud of myself for not taking a single walking break. It works!!
A good rule is to push yourself reasonably hard, and only increase 10% per week.0 -
Thank you so much for all these great replies; exactly what I was hoping for!
I need to think of the best time to attempt this. I'll be going to a nearby park and I was thinking of doing it in the morning, but if it's too early the kids will be on their way to school and I want to avoid that. Maybe after I have a small breakfast.
And I'd forgotten about ZombiesRun! I've heard a lot of good about it too.0 -
I smoked when I started running. Ahem. That makes it pretty hard.
As previously mentioned, go slow and go short, until you like it. You will. Then you can try to push and go further.0 -
I once read somewhere that so many of us think of running negatively because it was forced upon us as a "punishment" growing up, especially in sports. "You missed the ball, go run around the track and come back and try again" type stuff. I think there's probably some truth to that.
Anyway, I completed c25k a couple months back and am now doing the 10k trainer. I never thought I'd be able to run but now I go 3-4 times/week and really enjoy it. As previous posters have said, start slow and take your time. There was one week in c25k that I needed to repeat and that is completely okay. Listen to your body and have fun!
Oh, and for reference, I'm also 5'6, started at 150 lbs and am 30 years old. You can do it!0 -
I didn't use that program. But I did always swear I would only run if I was being chased. And now I do it by choice! I started slowly jogging/walking in intervals. I use strategically timed songs. Gradually, I picked up the pace and jogged more and walked less. Then I was alternating jogging and running.
You can totally do this!
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I'm thinking of giving the C25K app a go to increase my fitness level. Right now I'm using an elliptical trainer, but I'm getting bored.
My only problem? I can't run
I'm 34, 158 lbs (5'6", large bum, thick thighs), I have a very sedentary lifestyle and I haven't run since I had to at school. And I hated it, because even as a skinny teenage girl I couldn't get the breathing right and would get painful stitches all the time. The last time I had to run (while on holiday, so I wouldn't miss a bus), my insides were on fire and I thought I was going to pass out (I did catch that bus, though! )
But anyway, let's not get distracted.
Does C25K really work when you have no previous running experience? Realistically? When you're like me...? I'd love to hear from people who were like me and have become decent runners.
No matter who it is, an elite runner or someone who never exercises when they first tried to run a mile it was hard. I had a similar story to yours in a way. When I was in my mid twenties I had let myself go. Was over weight. Never exercised. One day I was trying to run across the street to make it before the light turned, and I could not...I remember being hit with the realization: I can't run...I guess I will never run again. Ok fast forward ten years, I decided to make a change and discovered I could run if started slow and built on it. Lungs were on fire, legs burned, side stiched ...until they didn't anymore. Got to be I could pick up and run 10 miles without even thinking about it. Built a little day by day, week by week, and month by month until I ran my first marathon in less than 4 hours. Moral of the story is you CAN run if you just work at it. Get out there and do it! It will never be harder than the first couple of weeks. Get past those and you will be amazed at the dividends. Good luck!0 -
I'm 59 y/o and never ran in my life until I started C25k almost exactly a year ago. I now take more pride in my ability to run than I do in my weight loss. Do it.0
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I'm thinking of giving the C25K app a go to increase my fitness level. Right now I'm using an elliptical trainer, but I'm getting bored.
My only problem? I can't run
I'm 34, 158 lbs (5'6", large bum, thick thighs), I have a very sedentary lifestyle and I haven't run since I had to at school. And I hated it, because even as a skinny teenage girl I couldn't get the breathing right and would get painful stitches all the time. The last time I had to run (while on holiday, so I wouldn't miss a bus), my insides were on fire and I thought I was going to pass out (I did catch that bus, though! )
But anyway, let's not get distracted.
Does C25K really work when you have no previous running experience? Realistically? When you're like me...? I'd love to hear from people who were like me and have become decent runners.
We weight the same! And I'm 5'1, so chances are I have a bigger bum and thicker thighs than you and I run. I haven't tried this program, but have developed one of my own. I started walking and then interval training, until eventually it felt better to jog than power walk, easier even. I have to take my progression slow, because my knees are slow to warm up to anything new, but I'm getting much better. I can run a good three miles now and I'm not even sore the next day.
You can do anything you want to do, other people aren't so drastically different than you or me, so lace up the sneaks and move!!!0 -
I firmly believe that anyone can become a runner. I started running almost exactly one year ago to the day. I ran my first marathon on Sunday. I posted my full story just a few days ago: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10264725/couch-to-marathon-in-364-days0
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It absolutely works! I had literally NEVER run a mile in my entire life (was always "sick" that day in gym class) for all the same reasons you have avoided it. It felt awful and awkward, and I couldn't imagine why people would do it for fun. After gaining some unwelcome weight, I started C25K in January 2014, completed the program, and have since grown to love running...which led to cycling...and later led to swimming and triathlons. I'm working toward my second half marathon right now. What I love most about running is the solitude and the fact that it's a sport I can take with me anywhere I go without being stuck inside a gym.
You can most definitely become a runner! Or maybe you'll complete the program and you'll decide running isn't your favorite thing. Either way, you can certainly do it!0 -
Try doing C25k on the elliptical. You can do this by working very hard intervals (increase resistance or speed but not both) with less hard ones according to the interval times in C25K. This will make your elliptical more interesting and increase your cardio level. It can also help you ease into running, if you so choose and find you enjoy it. There are too many good exercise options available to force yourself to do something you don't enjoy.0
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I'm thinking of giving the C25K app a go to increase my fitness level. Right now I'm using an elliptical trainer, but I'm getting bored.
My only problem? I can't run
I'm 34, 158 lbs (5'6", large bum, thick thighs), I have a very sedentary lifestyle and I haven't run since I had to at school.
Answer: Yes, if you want to.
Why? Because it's within the reach of the vast majority of people, and with age often comes more determination but also a willingness to look for answers. Train right and one can do amazing things.
Your age is not a road block nor is your lifestyle. I'm a computer geek, a consultant with a very sedentary lifestyle outside of my running and other passions. I started running again last fall at age 53 after taking almost a decade and a half off and gaining 105 pounds. Am I a runner now? Absolutely - I'm racing a 25km mountain race on Saturday in the pouring rain and will be loving (almost) every minute of it.
Running will help kick your metabolism into gear. I lost a ton of weight without making major changes to my diet, just by increasing my activity level. By adding running.
Danger: you might find you like it once you become good at it. Focus on it... and you will.
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Hi, I'm 47 and started doing big walks now I do little runs! I can manage 4.46 miles . I know you can do this...just start slow and build it up. If you are outdoor running enjoy watching nature. ..life's great. ...Good Luck
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I'm loving this thread. You guys are so inspiring.
I'm 48 and am up to Week 2 Day 2 of C25K and loving it. I'm doing my first parkrun tomorrow (I'll walk/run). I can't wait!0 -
A little over 2yrs ago I started C25K for the second time. I stuck with it and finished it. 12 months after I started I ran my first Half marathon, and probably close to 2yrs to the day that I started C25K, I ran a 12hr track race and covered a little over 53miles.(I don't actually recommend trying that sort of 'leap' thought) I wasn't a runner a school and I was definitely sedentary when I started the program.0
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I was never a runner. I did sports when I was in school, like badminton or table tennis but I hated the warm up runs and doing laps in gym class. When I began with C25K I thought I'd never be able to finish my first workout. Now I'm doing my first official 5k next Sunday. You can do it! Don't be afraid to repeat some days if you don't feel like you can get to the next step yet but also believe in yourself and push through it from time to time!0
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I was a runner then I go fat. Tried going back to running and did a few 5km parkrun. Then i decided that getting calf strain and bachache was too much of a drag. I bought a ike and am much happier cycling.0
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Firstly, every single person is a runner. It is part of our genes, just because we have access to cars etc doesn't stop us being runners.
How often do you hear parents shouting to their kids "slow down!" When we were kids we did everything at break neck speed. You never walked when you could run.
So it doesn't matter where you are now, you can start running. C25K are great programmes to follow. Even if you can't jog the starting numbers, just start. Get out and go for a jog, walk until you can breathe again and jog a bit more.
Also try not to think of running as a means to an end, enjoy running for the sake of running, enjoy just getting out, find a nice scenic route to run, try and just forget all the general noise of life and enjoy a bit of quiet time.0 -
running is mainly mental, so you do need to start with the right attitude, otherwise your inner voice will always win over your body, that should be perfectly capable of running
if you do want to run, wear a running kit and trainers and run. doesn't matter if you run 100m, 1km, 10km, just do it
a plan can help you if you don't know what to do or if you need rules to motivate you
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Again, thank you so much everyone for all these fantastic replies!
Of course, now that I'm trying to commit to this, my workload has suddenly increased to a crazy level (I'm self-employed, so no "regular hours" for me; I work until my work is done), but I might still try tomorrow morning. No school kids on Saturday, maybe there'll be other people running, everyone should be more relaxed. I definitely won't even try to go fast, that's not what this is about. I just hope I don't give up and decide to walk home after 5 minutes
If I do feel like giving up, I just need to remember that when I started on the elliptical trainer I could barely go a minute, and now I go 30+ minutes without stopping. 0 -
" I definitely won't even try to go fast, that's not what this is about. I just hope I don't give up and decide to walk home after 5 minutes ..."
Don't try to go fast. Go slow. Go almost painfully slow. You're just starting out. Plan your first attempts as a "down and back". Start in one direction and continue that way for half of your planed distance. If you then feel like "quitting" you'll have to walk back the other half. There, YOU STARTED.
Walk, jog, walk, relax. As you progress, you'll progress.
Enjoy the trip.0 -
I'm thinking of giving the C25K app a go to increase my fitness level. Right now I'm using an elliptical trainer, but I'm getting bored.
My only problem? I can't run
I'm 34, 158 lbs (5'6", large bum, thick thighs), I have a very sedentary lifestyle and I haven't run since I had to at school. And I hated it, because even as a skinny teenage girl I couldn't get the breathing right and would get painful stitches all the time. The last time I had to run (while on holiday, so I wouldn't miss a bus), my insides were on fire and I thought I was going to pass out (I did catch that bus, though! )
But anyway, let's not get distracted.
Does C25K really work when you have no previous running experience? Realistically? When you're like me...? I'd love to hear from people who were like me and have become decent runners.
Im 34, 5'6, and ran 5k yesterday morning. 3 months ago I couldnt run/jog 60 second intervals without dying.
Im male, but otherwise very comparible to you.
Sedentary job and lifestyle, and Ive always had no cardio endurance at all. Always hated running. Literally never been any good at it at all, nor had the desire to do it.
After losing weight I decided to get fit. Settled into Stronglifts very well and was very pleased with myself. Signed up for a Spartan Race and then realised I was "strong" and not "fit" so begrudgingly started C25k.
Still not wanting to, liking it, or anything. It was a necessity.
Was a little stop and start, but the bottom line is that tomorrow I will get up and run 5k, not because I have to (Spartan Race was weeks ago) but because I WANT to and because I CAN.
I still dont consider myself a runner, or "fit" but Im getting better and stronger and finding it very rewarding.
Actually, yesterday I put a Garmin GPS running watch on my Amazon wishlist in the hope Ill get it for Christmas, last Christmas the idea would have been hysterical!
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