Exhaustion with running

I have been running (jogging) since spring and a little last fall. My issue is after my first 7 minutes or so my body is exhausted and I start walking. After a couple minutes I start running again but can only run a few minutes befoe I have to walk again. Is this normal? I've tried the 3/1 ratio and that seems to be worse. After the initial "run" my body is done! Please help. Thanks

Nothing wrong with walk breaks, I did it for a couple months before I realized that I was "expecting" the break to come up etc.

I think it's all mental, you "think" your walk break is coming up, so your body is reacting to your mind.

Once that mental barrier was broken, I was able to run and not stop....I went from not running 1 mile straight to running 7 miles straight in 2 weeks...I'm now over 10 miles and running a Half-Marathon in 2 weeks. I started running in May.

For me it is like this: I get exhausted quickly into a run but then it doesn't get worse if I keep running, it just sort of stays the same. The tricky part is getting myself to keep running (though I have managed well for the most part so far).

Are you running too fast? Your body will let you know what pace is good for you. Maybe if you slow it down a bit, you won't feel so winded. Also, it could be what others have said. I know I have had some days where it feels like a struggle to run and not walk. That is due to various factors such as diet, TOM, weather...

Are you using a HRM? Maybe you need to follow a program that builds up your endurance.

Your body will start to get there!! It just takes awhile. Make sure you drink plenty of water!! and it's okay to stop and take a breather.. that's how you build endurance!! also try and do inclines as well walking up a hill.. and its been said if you can get pass your first 15 minutes and hit that plateau its smooth selling from there (that's how I feel when I run) just get pass that wall yell at yourself tell yourself you got this! Also get some motivating music

I agree with those who mentioned diet. If you're serious about making some progress with your exercise (& this goes for strength training too) then you have to make sure you're eating sufficient protein. Carbs will definitely give you energy short term, but if this is something you want to continue working on, making sure you get your protein up over 100g a day (150g would be even better) can make a significant difference in your energy levels throughout the day & help sustain your workouts.

And ditto on the C25K. "I've been running since spring" & "I've been diligently following a training program" are not the same thing. Following a structured program will help you get to your goals faster. If I can do it, you definitely can!

My first thought was isn't that part of the point of running is to be exhausting and push your body?

Like everyone else said. Nothing wrong with walk breaks, but try and extend your longest running time just a little bit each time out.

Slow down. People often run "as fast as they can" when they start out. You need to keep it at a "conversational pace" such that you could carry on a conversation without much huffing and puffing.

It sounds like you are running to fast. Try slowing down your pace in order to build up your endurance.

I haven't ran in almost 4 years, but when I was running I was able to run a 5k. Although, when I started getting in shape I was also anticipating the "breaks" that I was going to allow myself and it gave me permission to give up. I tried instead to focus on getting to that next marker, then telling myself that since I got to this one I'm sure I can get to the next one and so on. I ended up just continuing to run to the end of my goal out of sheer stubbornness-I didn't want it to get the best of me. I was like, "I can do it-don't give up-don't stop, don't stop" & that really helped me. (btw the markers can be mile markers or trees or mailboxes or even something 30 feet in front of you-doesn't matter) Of course if and when you think you might pass out, slow it down to a brisk walk and don't forget to do a really good cool down after. I was in a hurry one time after a 5k and just got in my car when I got back and almost blacked out.

Slow down. People often run "as fast as they can" when they start out. You need to keep it at a "conversational pace" such that you could carry on a conversation without much huffing and puffing.

What everyone else said, and to add to this... how about trying to jog with a friend? And make a point that you both go slow enough that you talk while you run.

I find running sooooo much easier with someone, but I'm usually on my own. I at least try to mouth the words to the songs I'm listening to. I seem to pace myself better when I'm able to do that. When I'm all out sprinting, my breathing is too intense to lip synch.