Is running for everyone?

Anyone can run, it's just a matter of finding your comfortable running speed and working up to the distance. Don't focus on being fast, try to find a speed (no matter how slow) that you can jog for a while at.

A few years ago I downloaded Zombies, Run!. It was so fun and got me running a lot more. If you aren't loving C25k, check that app out.

Nope, not for everyone. For myself, running is the one activity that sets off my asthma, every. single. time.

Personally, I'd give it a shot and it could be something you learn to love however if you don't, then find an exercise you do love.

Personally, I love cycling, kickboxing, hiking, kettlebell workouts. There are so many types of exercise to choose from.

I started with Run Double C25k. It sucked in the beginning, it was hard and I wanted to quit, but I stuck with it and now I'm training for my 3rd half marathon. That said, I enjoy running and the way it makes me feel (even in the beginning when it was hard). You're going to be more successful if you find something you like to do. If running isn't your thing, keep trying different things until you find something that is.

As far as pain goes, make sure you have the right shoes. Go get fitted if you can.

Running is not for everyone, just like kickboxing, Zumba or basketball is not for everyone. If you like running, do it. If you don't, find something else you do enjoy. Personally, I hate running, and after I had knee surgery years ago my doc said not to run anymore, which was peachy keen with me. Plenty of other ways to get exercise.

After gaining over 60 pounds in past few years, plus after a serious foot injury, I find myself not able to run as I did before. I too used to get pains & aches in my legs.
So, spoke to my doctor who recommended to drop a few pounds before trying again. Seems running with all that additional weight can damage your joints and foot.
Hence, I usually do a brisk walk on treadmills at gym or outside.

Not sure how much you weigh or you want to loose... but try to do brisk walking. All the best.

I couldn't run for 30s (literally!) when I started with C25K 3 years ago. I took my time and made sure I didn't move onto the next stage until I'd completed the previous. It took me 12 weeks and at the end I could run for 30mins non stop which was closer to 3k not 5k (my first 5k took me 45mins) . It took me about 8 weeks before I started enjoying running and I'm now totally addicted! I slowly built up distance and found that I got quicker as a result. Last year I ran 3 marathons (plus a bunch of shorter races) and my 5k time is just over 24mins - so its fair to say I was horrible at running and its definitely easier!

Running has changed my life in so many positive ways, C25K was one of the best things I've every completed and I'm so glad I stuck with it through the first few tough, painful, sweaty, horrible weeks as boy did it get better! Best of luck

I used to loath running. I couldn't do it as a former smoker and a recovering fat kid. But I got tired of doing cardio that wasn't challenging. I was suggested to check out Zombies, Run! And I found my calling!

I started with the Zombies, Run! 5K training (like Couch to 5K, but there is a full zombie story line!) and graduated to the full version app.

I ran my first 10K last year! I loved it so much, I’m doing another at the end of March!
Like other posters have said, no, it isn’t for everyone, but it did get easier with a program to follow.

I apologize ahead of time for the long "me" post. But I believe my personal story to be relevant here.

Before I started getting into fitness, I was very frail. I've dislocated my right knee at least 20-30 times. And, no, I am not exaggerating. I was born with some anatomical oddities involving my knees and my thigh bones. But mostly, my problems are due to my knees. The kneecaps sit outside their designated grooves putting odd tension on tendons and making me very prone to dislocations. In the x-ray below, you can see what I mean from my left knee. I was once taken from school to the ER because of a dislocation that would not go back into socket (solution was simple - doctor jammed it back into place).



My right knee was surgically tweaked when I was 16 - deeper knee groove carved, knee cap moved, shin bone snapped and moved, and tendons stretched and cut. At the time, the surgeon told me that it would help but not fully 'fix' me. And that eventually, my left knee would deteriorate to the state my right had been and would need to be addressed - I had only dislocated my left about 4 times. I was also told I would not be able to do high impact sports like running. Even after surgery, I had dislocations on my right knee, though not as many.

A few years later, I started hanging around some fitness people. I started to cycle because it was about the safest thing for me. My knees were so weak I couldn't peddle off the seat - not even kidding. Fast forward 1 full year and I braved C25K. It was scary - I didn't trust my own body to support me. I took it sloooooow. I repeated several weeks of C25K. In the 2.5 years since, I listened to my body and slowly improved. I haven't experienced a dislocation in about 3 years now. Going into fitness and, especially running, did not deteriorate me further - it made me stronger.
I used to be afraid to walk downhill for fear of collapsing. Now I can run a half marathon and the thought never even crosses my mind. It's a freedom I don't take lightly.

I'm not saying my experience will be your experience. But I mainly just want to let you know (and any others who have issues with running) that we're capable of things that may initially seem impossible to us. It doesn't happen overnight though. It can take time - a lot of time for some of us.

I hope this wasn't too much "me" talk. And that it helps.

I used to think the only time I would ever run was if someone is chasing me. My daughter challenged me to run 1... Just 1 5K with her last year. I started the C25K app to get ready... Couldn't have my baby showing mom up now could I? So now, I run. I'm not fast by any means, and I've been told I actually jog, but I can out "jog" all of my 5 children now. Make sure you stretch really well before and after, and make sure you rest one day between each run. There are some great stretching for running videos on YouTube. I'd start with about 10 minutes because IT HELPS. If running was for everyone, we wouldn't need MFP. I have never ran in my life until last year, and I got hooked. I got fitted for good shoes.... There are places online that can help you find them, and then I ran 4 5K's last year and finished strong with a 5Miled Obstacle course. If running is for you, you will run! If it's not, you will learn another exercise technique.

I started running by walking. Then, I would set up little goals.... run to X spot or Y minutes, then walk, then repeat. Eventually, my goals became farther/longer. Soon, I found I could sustain a run, though my pace was a 13.5 minute mile, which eventually became an 11 minute mile, which remains my most comfortable pace, plenty of sweat and 8 miles at a time (I happen to like running distance, which I didn't know before trying). Then I extended my distance.

I did not set out to be a runner. I only set out to challenge myself - to make the hour I set aside interesting.

6"1", 190#. I have 2 Morton's foot, had a Neuroma taken from my left foot from overuse on the job 15 years ago, gnarly varicose veins on both legs that make them feel heavy, and also multiple plantar fibromas on both feet. I work 12 hours a day on my feet sometimes up to 84 hours a week plus a second job also on the feet. I did run a bit in 2014, but for me probably better exercises to choose from. Not that it can't be done. If I lost another 20 pounds, then that could go a bit of a way in offsetnig the above mentioned stuff. But if I really wanted to run I of course could. Did I feel better in my overall body when I did run 1.5 years ago? Yes

No, not everyone can be a runner, but a lot of us who never thought of ourselves as runners can do it. I'm still a novice but I have been using the C25k program with good success so far (I "finished" it, but wasn't anywhere near to running 5k), on the treadmill. As the weather improves, I'm going to restart at week 1 outside and see if I can learn to run uphill (unavoidable without driving somewhere to run) without giving up and walking. Plus, I'm going to use the rundouble app, rather than the ZenLabs app, because it will go by distance, not just by time, so that by the time I get to the end of the program, I'll really be running 5K. I'm 59 years old, I've never been even a little bit athletic, still fall into the "obese" range, and have never run for even a few minutes at a time before, but I have been exercising in other ways (Zumba, walking) nearly every day for the last 3 years.

On the other hand, my sister has always been athletic, but has never been a runner. She had undiagnosed (and untreated, obviously) scoliosis as a kid, and then did things like play rugby and soccer for years until her back pain forced her to quit. She's also got bad knees (probably runs in the family - mine aren't so good either and our mom has had both replaced) and about a decade ago had a botched back surgery that gave her permanent nerve damage. Running is not in her future.

TavistockToad wrote: »

Have you been fitted for running shoes?

The first question the Tarahumara/Raramuri tribes ask themself before taking up running.

The trick is to start and progress as slowly and as comfortably as you can. I got the desire to start running when I was class III obese, so needless to say even C25K was too much for me. I used a different program to get me started. At the very end of an 8 week program I built up to running a continuous 15 seconds. (You can download it for free here).

After that I used the last week as a guide, and kept adding 5 seconds of running every week until I worked up to 30 seconds. I then switched to this program (the first part) then at week 7 decided to transition to this one for better variety and tweak it to my needs (used the same miles listed but in kilometers, for example if a run says 5 miles I would do 5 kilometers). I never ended up doing the C25K program, but I am now able to run continuously for 30-40 minutes even though I'm still obese. I had to repeat a few weeks before progressing to the next, and I had to slow down to the point where I could walk faster than I ran, but it was all worth it. If you have an Android, Impetus is an amazing free app that would help you set up any interval program you wish with a high level of sophistication and personalization.

Yes progression was slow, but not once did I have shin splints or any out of the ordinary knee pain. I did injure my achilles on a very hilly hike, but that's a story for a different thread and had nothing to do with running.

Basically, bar medical and structural conditions, everyone can run. Does everyone WANT to run or enjoys running? No. In this case you really don't have to. There are plenty of other ways to burn calories. But if you do want to run and feel like you would enjoy it, doesn't matter how long it takes you to get there, with slow and gradual progression you WILL get there if you set your mind to it.

Many people can learn to run, but it's not necessary if you either don't like to do it, or have physical issues that would make it difficult to do so.

There is no inherent reason to take up running if you don't want to, but there is no automatic disqualifying reason if you do.