Want to start running but....

brooke5285
brooke5285 Posts: 20 Member
edited September 30 in Fitness and Exercise
I am doing P90X right now and I want to achieve my goals of toning up and losing weight. I want to start running but the problem is, I'm not good at it. I can jog for like 2 sec and I'm already out of breath. I don't know what it is but I have never really been able to run without getting serious cramps. I have recently found this couch to 5k program on facebook and I would like to do it. It actually tells you how to start but I still need some advice. I want to be able to run without being in pain and giving up. I feel that if I stick with the P90X, which I have been, and add running and continue to eat clean and healthy I will have a rocking bod on day 90.

Thanks

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Replies

  • thisisabbie
    thisisabbie Posts: 521 Member
    No buts! Just do it!

    C25K is a great program... Just download some podcasts, and you're set.

    You can do this! :-D
  • tandroes
    tandroes Posts: 163 Member
    i'm starting the last week of c25k tomorrow! before i started i could barely run a lap around the track! i highly recommend it... i used to absolutely hate running and now i don't mind it as much
  • koosdel
    koosdel Posts: 3,317 Member
    You just need the right motivation.

    Ok, here's what you do. Find a bar with a bunch of motorcycles parked out front... then push one over.
  • fridayjustleft04
    fridayjustleft04 Posts: 851 Member
    I suck at running, too, but I wanted to be able to do it. The key is to go extra slow. I'm in my 9th week of c25k and I still run very slowly, but the key words are "I run". Start c25k..for me, the first day was absolutely the hardest, but stick with it and you'll get to where you wanna be.
  • PeachyKeene
    PeachyKeene Posts: 1,645 Member
    Yes the C25k it is the couch to a 5k running program it is great!!!!! The website is coolrunning.com and you can get some good podcast from c25k.com. The podcast plays music the whole time, and gives you a signal when to run and when to walk. I started with it in May, and I am able to run up to 8 miles. I actually ran 8 this morning. You should do great.
  • Latoyamary
    Latoyamary Posts: 140
    You can try intervals running. It's where you running for a min or walk for walk or as ever long you need to catch your breath. You continue to increase a run for as long as you can. For example: I start out walking for about 5 mins. I run for 3. I walk for 4 to 5 mins again. Run for 3 to 3:30 mins. and I just continue to increase. You might have to start, walk 5 mins, run 1 min, etc...

    This might help...
  • catwrangler
    catwrangler Posts: 918 Member
    You just need the right motivation.

    Ok, here's what you do. Find a bar with a bunch of motorcycles parked out front... then push one over.
    BWAHAHAHAHAAAA!!!!!
  • Chemmy
    Chemmy Posts: 23
    If someone told me a year ago I would be running on a regular basis in a years time i would half laughed at them.

    I didn't do c25k but I did it all on my own. I started slowly with long walks, fast walks, combinations (run 100 yards, walk 200). The fitness builds up and you start running. You then get addicted and want to do it every day including your rest days (which you don't).

    Pick a program like c25k and then do it, simple as that. Just keep doing it though.
  • MisterDubs303
    MisterDubs303 Posts: 1,216 Member
    Runners World Magazine has a beginners section on their website that might be helpful. Their site is a little tricky to navigate to find the good stuff, but it's there. I also recommend reading the "Tips" section also.
  • I started on treadmill and never seemed to last more than a mile. I kept at it and eventually built myself up. When I felt confident and had built my endurance up, I then moved to outside running. First soft trails, then street running. Your body may not agree now, but running really is the easiest and most convienient form of exercise. All you need are running shoes. Music helps, too. Keep it up! You'll surprise yourself at how fast your body will adapt, as long as you stay consistent. Best of luck! :smile:
  • ESVABelle
    ESVABelle Posts: 1,264 Member
    I hate running. I run 5ks with my dog several times a week (not recently due to the heat) and I hate every step. But I do it because it's a damn good way to get my cardio in. And my dog LOVES it. You just gotta start going. Don't stop 'cuz you're tired. Hell, if everyone stopped cuz they were tired, nobody would ever start!

    Start slow, a jogging pace. You're not racing anybody. You're just chasing pavement and trust me, it's not going anywhere. And after "2 seconds" and you feel like you're dying. Evaluate. WHAT is dying? Your lungs? Okay, they are burning, but you're still breathing...so keep going. Your legs? Okay, your muscles are starting to fatigue and each step feels harder than the last...but they're still moving...so keep going. Got a cramp? Check your breathing. Get a rhythm going. I started with inhale 2 steps, exhale 2 steps. Now I'm in-3-out-2 and I run better and faster. Move your arms! Your feet will follow. That's why mall walkers look like they're elbowing their way through the NYC subway system.

    Don't fear failure. If you're going, you're winning. The only time you'll fail is if you quit. You're not a quitter. You do P90X which automatically gives you 10 points for badass-ery. So tie up those running shoes (and make sure they're good quality - bad shoes can cause shin splints, blisters and all kinds of other unpleasantries) and start beating pavement, babygirl!

    Get it! (and let me know how it goes!) :-D
  • Refisblind
    Refisblind Posts: 77 Member
    The first day I started C25K I barely made it. Couldn't do 1 min without wanting to quit. Today only 2 months later I ran 10K. I still go very slow, took about 70min but I did something I never thought I could. Just takes one day saying I am going to stop wishing and start doing.
  • C25K is a great suggestion! I am actually doing C210K and I was like you.... Out of breath and with cramps very early in. I can now run 2 miles without stopping. My goal is to be to go longer. I am registered for a 4 mile run at the end of September and I am hoping that I can run the whole 4 miles and maybe even then some. :-) Also when you run, I have learned that you need to learn how to breathe properly so that you have less chance of cramps. Also, what to eat before you run and how long before so that THAT won't cause you cramps. Good luck!
  • Ballay
    Ballay Posts: 52 Member
    You just need the right motivation.

    Ok, here's what you do. Find a bar with a bunch of motorcycles parked out front... then push one over.

    LOL:laugh:
  • KeyMasterOfGozer
    KeyMasterOfGozer Posts: 229 Member
    You can try intervals running. It's where you running for a min or walk for walk or as ever long you need to catch your breath. You continue to increase a run for as long as you can. For example: I start out walking for about 5 mins. I run for 3. I walk for 4 to 5 mins again. Run for 3 to 3:30 mins. and I just continue to increase. You might have to start, walk 5 mins, run 1 min, etc...

    This might help...
    Couch to 5k is a formalized program that does this exact thing over a 9 week time period.

    My only concern is with the OP doing P90X at the same time. C25K has specifically designed the break days, and doing P90X as well might interfere with their scheduled recovery time. You don't necessarily get a lot better results over time by doing too much. You can totally do C25K, though. After all, it's designed to be for people who have been doign nothing but sitting on the couch for a decade.
  • I had a hard time when I started c25k, not being able to jog for a minute. Friends on MFP talked me through it, and I realized I was trying to run too fast. The jog portion is about 1% faster than the walk portion at first :-) With that advice I was able to jog very slowly for a whole minute. I too have what I call micro lung, and am terrible at aerobics, so I'm sticking with phase I of c2k until I can get my speed up to a respectable jog instead of the snail's pace I could manage at first. Then I'll move on. Good luck!!!
  • Omglifeisfun
    Omglifeisfun Posts: 6 Member
    I here you about the learning to run. If you go to vancouver sun run there is a program you can follow that will have your running in no time. I did this about 2 yrs ago and WOW what a difference. I actually completed the 10k run in 1 hour and 15 mins. I am flabergasted I even showed up for the run. It was WAY out of my confort zone but I am very proud to say I did it. Now I too am trying to get back into the swing of things as I have fallen off the wagon. Would love to help you any way I can.
  • jessradtke
    jessradtke Posts: 418 Member
    I can't praise C25K highly enough! I always hated running and couldn't understand why people wanted to do it. I did it when I had to, but I never enjoyed it until now. Now I can't wait to run again! Start *SLOW* and keep your steps small. Don't try to run flat out. (Think "jogging" not "running".) And if you do follow a program like C25K, increase your run times when YOU are ready. Just because the program says you have to run 5 minutes straight today doesn't mean you have to if you don't feel up to it yet. It's ok to repeat a day or a week until you feel you're ready to move on. Good luck!
  • martinh78
    martinh78 Posts: 601
    Good thread, have looked at C25K and will try it.

    Have wanted to try jogging but nervous about starting. Will wait until dark and put on my trainers :p
  • ninpiggy
    ninpiggy Posts: 228 Member
    Just takes one day saying I am going to stop wishing and start doing.

    This is great. So true.
  • tiaydew
    tiaydew Posts: 89 Member
    You just need the right motivation.

    Ok, here's what you do. Find a bar with a bunch of motorcycles parked out front... then push one over.
    BWAHAHAHAHAAAA!!!!!

    Ditto!

    I just finished Week 4 of C25K and already I am jogging like I never thought I would ever! Just do it!
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    Another c25k graduate!

    Go slow at first. Find the pace that's just a little too fast to walk, and jog at that pace. Doesn't matter if it's 3mph or 6mph. Just jog for that one minute. Pretend you're dancing. Surely you can dance for one minute straight?

    I still tell myself I'm dancing when I get tired. Listening to great music really helps. "Just one more song..." "Now just one more after this one..."
  • I used to say I couldn't run to save my life, but I have been doing the C25K program too and am in week 6. I'm struggling this week for some reason but I am sticking with it. I think I am going to repeat week 6 until I can make it all the way through each day and I am ok with that. It's much better than giving up, which is what I would have done in the past.
  • KarmaxKitty
    KarmaxKitty Posts: 901 Member
    You just need the right motivation.

    Ok, here's what you do. Find a bar with a bunch of motorcycles parked out front... then push one over.

    That would CERTAINLY get ME going! BWAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!! XD
  • Pappabacon
    Pappabacon Posts: 104 Member
    Another c25k graduate here. When I started I could hardly do the 60 second jog, but I finished it and progressed on to the one hour runner program. The thing I learned after starting and stopping several times was that I was trying to run too fast when I started and this resulted in injury and frustration. I learned to take it a little easier until I had built up a base level of running ability (while getting my body more accustomed to doing that kind of exercise) and was able to do it. I still hate running, but it is nice me time first thing in the morning and is good for me.

    You can do it!!!
  • I just finished week 2 yesterday and am liking running every time I do it. When I first started, I was counting the time on a timer and then when I started week 2 I found a podcast online with GREAT music and she told me when to start running and start walking. I'm sure all the podcasts have that last bit, but I find that the music is key for me to get pumped and run more. It'll get easier, I promise. I know I have a long way to go, but I know I'll be able to do it because I can already tell that it's getting easier every time.

    As for running and doing P90X at the same time.... I do the C25K program and exercise in general every day (I like to exercise at least twice a day but that's just me) and I don't find it to be a problem. Again, this is just me and my determination. If you want, try it for a few days and if you feel that you can do it, then continue. I usually exercise in the early afternoon and late at night so there's a few hours in between and find that it helps to have that break. Hope this helps!
  • hamp8891
    hamp8891 Posts: 15 Member
    I always have and still hate running. I have 4 sisters who equally hate the activity. Ever since PE when they forced us to run and the stomach cramps and aching knees that would immediately follow, I've had negative thoughts towards running. I'd like to figure out a way to get into it.

    I especially feel bad because my husband actually likes running. He just doesn't have anyone to run with. Ouch. I should be encouraging that healthy habit, but I protest with kicking and screaming. I think that I just don't know how to run if that makes any sense. I think I make it harder on myself than it needs to be. So maybe I should look into that couch to whatever because it's something I'd like to eventually be able to do.
  • ChaseAlder
    ChaseAlder Posts: 804 Member
    Start slow! I used to be an awesome runner but stopped when I started having children. When I had my second son I had to start over from scratch. I couldn't even finish half a mile without stopping. It was pretty bad for someone who used to run miles and miles with ease.

    The first thing I did was I started running around the track at the gym just doing intervals... walk a lap, run a lap, and I would alternate for as long as I could. Then I started running as far as I could (2-3 laps) and walking a lap or two in between. Eventually I pushed myself to running further and further and eventually I signed up for my first 5K race. I completed it and just kept running them! I've finished three 5K road races this summer and I have a 10K next Saturday!

    My point is I just started with what I could do and didn't force myself into anything more than that. I reminded myself that I was running because I wanted to, not because I had to, and that made it more enjoyable. Now, I love running and I feel bummed on days when I don't get to.

    Start slow, do what feels good, don't make yourself run so much that you dread it, and enjoy the changes you see in your running!
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