Running Problems
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Porochaz
Posts: 2 Member
So I am trying to restart my weight loss journey and I'm coming up against the same issue time and time again and I'm wondering if anyone could suggest ideas as to what the issue might be.
If I am swimming or cycling I can do hour long stretches and be fine at the end of it all, unfortunately due to the pandemic pools are closed and my cycle path is over-run with erm... runners and walkers. So I tried to join them, but I run out of breath minutes in and I am out of breath for a long time afterwards. Put it this way, I finished my run at 2.15pm and Im still slightly short of breath now at 3.45pm.
My route was about 1.65km and I jogged about 95% in about 15 minutes, but my joints were aching by the end of it, I was struggling to breathe and I had an excess of phlegm that took about 20 minutes to disappear totally.
In terms of size and weight, I'm just under 18 stone, but I dont look that big (I look overweight, but people are constantly surprised when I tell them how much I actually weigh). I was diagnosed with asthma years ago, but that was after a severe bout of flu, and as I say this only affects me when running, usually I have no problems and I work in a fairly labour intensive job.
Whenever I try running I usually give up after the first try, because I hate it anyway. But I don't want to this time. I don't know if it's just because it's the first time I've been out in about a year or if it's something like "exercise induced asthma". Obviously I'm not asking for a diagnosis, but a pointer as to whether I should talk to a doctor or whether it's normal when starting out would be nice to know.
Thanks!
If I am swimming or cycling I can do hour long stretches and be fine at the end of it all, unfortunately due to the pandemic pools are closed and my cycle path is over-run with erm... runners and walkers. So I tried to join them, but I run out of breath minutes in and I am out of breath for a long time afterwards. Put it this way, I finished my run at 2.15pm and Im still slightly short of breath now at 3.45pm.
My route was about 1.65km and I jogged about 95% in about 15 minutes, but my joints were aching by the end of it, I was struggling to breathe and I had an excess of phlegm that took about 20 minutes to disappear totally.
In terms of size and weight, I'm just under 18 stone, but I dont look that big (I look overweight, but people are constantly surprised when I tell them how much I actually weigh). I was diagnosed with asthma years ago, but that was after a severe bout of flu, and as I say this only affects me when running, usually I have no problems and I work in a fairly labour intensive job.
Whenever I try running I usually give up after the first try, because I hate it anyway. But I don't want to this time. I don't know if it's just because it's the first time I've been out in about a year or if it's something like "exercise induced asthma". Obviously I'm not asking for a diagnosis, but a pointer as to whether I should talk to a doctor or whether it's normal when starting out would be nice to know.
Thanks!
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Replies
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Running is hard if you don’t have miles/kilometers behind them. Swimming is hard for me, too, because I don’t have a lot of time in the water. Being physically in shape to run takes practice. Walk before running.8
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You shouldn't start out trying to run a full mile. You should start out with a mix of running and walking -- for example, jog 1/4 mile, walk 1/2 mile, repeat for some distance. You should pick a pace that is slow enough for you not to be completely out of breath. Each week you can increase the distance of the run portion and/or increase the total distance of the entire session. Over time as your fitness improves you can also increase the pace as long as you maintain a reasonable exertion level.
The Couch 2 5k app takes you through something similar to this. I've not followed the program but it's based on the concept of run/walk intervals with a progression leading you up to finally running a full 5k distance.
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The answers to most running problems is "run more." Unless you're talking about literal injuries or over-training, more running makes everything about running easier. This doesn't mean you need to go off the rails, it just means that when you get used to running, running usually isn't as hard.
If your specific running problem is that running itself is too hard, the answer is usually to run slower. However fast you feel you should be running, run slower than that. Don't be afraid to take walking breaks. Your basic running pace should leave you feeling like you can carry on a conversation. If you get more into running, you will probably want to do speed work at some point, but don't worry about that now. And even experienced runners do most of their running at a pace where they feel like they can breath.
If you think more structure might be helpful, look at a Couch to 5K program. It's a walk/run plan that gradually increases the amount that you run. Many runners (including myself) began with a version of this, it's very popular. Now I'm at the point where I can run 50k races, but I began with walk/running.
There will be times when it is hard, but you shouldn't be out of breath a long time after finishing. I think you're just going too fast, but I also think getting checked out by a doctor at the beginning of a new routine isn't a bad idea, especially if you already have a diagnosis of asthma.9 -
Some thoughts as I'm also trying to get back into shape for running.
It may feel embarrassingly slow, but build up into your old routine, and it may help if your course is longer than 1.6km- Use a HR monitor
- Do a fast walk the first day+, I was surprised at how much a fast walk can get the heart rate up, without stressing joints with all the extra weight I'm carrying now.
- Then introduce intervals of jogging, walking, jogging for defined times or distances (HR monitor very handy here)
- With the HR monitor, you can safely build into a full jog/run of your distance. It also allows you to monitor your recovery time
https://www.verywellfit.com/what-is-recovery-heart-rate-3495557Heart rate recovery ( HRR ) is commonly defined as the decrease of heart rate at 1 minute after cessation of exercise and is an important predictor of all‐cause mortality and death associated with coronary artery disease1 -
No need to use a HR monitor. It will only confuse you as you won't know what your maximum heartrate is. Go with how you feel. Run at such a pace that you can still kind of talk. If you can't then you're too fast. Thus slow down. You'll get faster in time. It's also possible that you have mild exercise asthma, which might pop up from breathing too hard. Thus again the advice here is to slow down. Also to warm up beforehand and not go full power. Give your lungs time to adjust, and time to get used to the running.2
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Slow down, walk when you need to. Trying to go all out is a good way to hurt yourself.
Running is different, and being a swimmer and cyclist doesn't mean it will be easy. Also remember you have probably lost some condition because of lock down, I certainly have.
I run regularly and like to swim. Although I've kept up the running the first few times I can get back in the pool will be hard.
I will have to slow down, stop sometimes, and build up. Same rules apply.1 -
I have asthma and that’s what it sounds like to me. Running is harder work than biking so maybe that’s why? Do you have a rescue inhaler you could use before you run? Obv consult your doc first.0
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I dont, as I say I got diagnosed straight after a bad flu and have never had a need to use an inhaler so kind of just forgot about it.
In terms of slowing down, I feel like if I slow down any further I might as well just walk tbh. But I've been doing that regularly and dont feel better for it.0 -
You're trying too much than you're fit for. There is no failure if your body isn't accustomed to the pounding and intensity it takes to run while not fit for it.
Start with fast walking and then just run intervals in between making the intervals longer each week.
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I dont, as I say I got diagnosed straight after a bad flu and have never had a need to use an inhaler so kind of just forgot about it.
In terms of slowing down, I feel like if I slow down any further I might as well just walk tbh. But I've been doing that regularly and dont feel better for it.
speed doesn't matter, walking and running are different gaits.
Couch to 5k or something similar might be a good place to start?5 -
That is just the way it is, at 19 st I was able to ride my bike 50 miles but not run one single mile. 19 st or 18 is a lot of weight to carry, simply too much for your joints not to mention your heart. You will need to lose some weight
before you can actually enjoy a run. If bike is not possible I would try walking.2 -
Couch to 5k. Why? because it works!
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Slow down and slowly work to build up speed. Despite what it feels like, my slow jog is still faster than a walk and I can maintain for 5K. When I speed up, I can't maintain the pace without becoming winded. I vary my runs between working on distance and working on increasing my pace, I currently can't do both together but I will get there. So I guess the question is, what is your goal? Running for a specific amount of time or running at a specific pace?1
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Swimming, walking and cycling are all easier to moderate down your intensity level to match a low fitness level than running. Especially if you are someone like me who has always struggled to run slowly - it just feels lumpen, awkward and jarring. To run any significant distance I've always had to either do run / walk intervals or simply build my fitness with other cardio so that I can run at a pace that feels natural, smooth and light on my feet.
Would suggest either cycle somewhere else or simply walk briskly for now. C25K is also a good suggestion to build your fitness progressively. You are trying too much, too soon.4 -
It’s definitely worth speaking to your doctor to rule out (or in) exercise related asthma. Then you can adapt your exercise to that. Re running specifically: I am a good swimmer, and can indoor row. But any form of jogging sets my asthma off and just makes me want to die, with really poorly lungs for days. I got fed up with that so challenged myself to do a 10k race. It took me about a year to train and I did it but it was a really slow time. And then I returned with a sigh of relief to swimming. If you want to crack running, as others have said try the c25k app. You can also start to condition your lungs by speed waking / interval waking until you start to puff then easing off. Ultimately my asthma specialist told me I wasn’t and probably wouldn’t ever be a runner and suggested I choose something which doesn’t make me keel over. I throw weights around now 😀5
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When i first started i couldn't run for 3' straight. 4 years ago with c25k i went from never having run in my life to running 20k (about 2h non stop). I had to stop because of an injury and i just recently restarted with c25k again. 6 weeks on i can run for 25' straight. So i definitely suggest it. You'll be less prone to injuries as well cause it helps you to build up your stamina slowly.3
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I dont, as I say I got diagnosed straight after a bad flu and have never had a need to use an inhaler so kind of just forgot about it.
In terms of slowing down, I feel like if I slow down any further I might as well just walk tbh. But I've been doing that regularly and dont feel better for it.
It's fine to walk if you prefer that type of exercise, but you can always slow down your run. And you SHOULD if your current pace is leaving you feeling exhausted. You slow down NOW so you can run faster once your fitness increases. It's how you get to that level.3 -
Lots of good advice above. I've started and stopped running a half-dozen times, and yes it is hard when you first start back up again and get back into it. Even when I'm "up and running" and do 3 miles at a time, it takes me like a full mile to actually catch my breath and get my breathing right.
C25K will be your best friend. You'd be surprised how quickly you will get up to speed, so to speak. And I will echo a lot of the other comments about going slow. It's not a race, there's no clock on this thing. Slow and steady. Speed comes later.5 -
Lots of good advice above. I've started and stopped running a half-dozen times, and yes it is hard when you first start back up again and get back into it. Even when I'm "up and running" and do 3 miles at a time, it takes me like a full mile to actually catch my breath and get my breathing right.
C25K will be your best friend. You'd be surprised how quickly you will get up to speed, so to speak. And I will echo a lot of the other comments about going slow. It's not a race, there's no clock on this thing. Slow and steady. Speed comes later.
It's true, you should never judge a run by the first mile. Even when you're used to running, it can feel weird.3 -
A quote I take to heart, "The first mile is a lie." In my case, it usually takes about 2 miles to get warmed up, so I always give myself at least that much distance to decide whether I want to extend my run or not. I almost always do.1
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