I just can't run... or can I?

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!

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!

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.

Mangsney wrote: »

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!

Four years ago, at the tender age of 55, I set out to become a runner. I found a program that called for starting with intervals of walk 1 minute, run 3 minutes. Problem: I couldn't run 3 minutes. After 1 minute, I had to slow to a walk. So the program had to be adjusted to walk 1 minute, run 1 minute at first and it took me 3 or 4 weeks longer than designed to get to the point where the program said I was ready for a 5K. But I got there.

I did talk to my doctor. She said that just about anyone who doesn't have a medical condition preventing all running can work up to running a 5K. They may not run it fast, but they can run it.

So, the question is, do you want to become a runner? If so, how much time are you willing to devote to it? The program may say run 20 minutes, but you need to allow an hour for gear up, cool down, and shower. The program probably says run 3 days a week. Starting from not running at all, hold that at 3. Don't attempt 4 days a week until after you get to the end of your first 5K program.

And where can it lead? There are different ways to run. Some people love social runs. Some love races. Some like relatively short distances, like the 5K. Some find that half marathons are their favorite distance. Some find that running is a gateway to multi-sport events, duathlons and triathlons. Some love to run marathons. And some find that no matter how hard they try, running just isn't fun for them. But don't assume you're in that last group without giving it a fair shot.

"yesterday I put a Garmin GPS running watch on my Amazon wishlist "

I like my garmin watch very much. Keeps track of my distances, times, pace and, with the HR monitor, my heart rate.

For the past few years I've helped coach a Learn to Run program (same idea as C25k). I've seen lots of people who weren't runners, of varying degrees of fitness and weight, successfully become runners. One of my last year's participants is lining up for his second marathon as we speak.

During our program, there is a local doctor/running enthusiast who comes in to give a talk. He always talks about the people who "can't" run or who "weren't made to run". He says if you are human, you were meant to run. It might be harder for some of us than others but we can still run (of course there are people with other reasons they can't run that are legit).

ETA -
a huge part of runn\ing is mental. IF you think you can't, you can't.

Mangsney wrote: »

Again, thank you so much to every person who posted a comment, shared their story and encouraged me.

I did the first workout this morning. I didn't collapse, I didn't cheat, and best of all, I didn't completely hate it!

I think there's hope, and you've all played a big part in getting this started.

Yay you! That's great!

I did my first parkrun yesterday (5 km community run) and it was awesome! Well, I only ran about half of it, but it's the farthest I've run in over 30 years, and I'm so happy with myself!

I'll be back to C25K tomorrow and looking forward to next Saturday and parkrun 2.

We can do this!