Running

Theorrs1105
Theorrs1105 Posts: 32
edited October 6 in Fitness and Exercise
Ok so I walk for exercise but I really want to start running. I get out of breath way to fast though. I feel that running at the gym and being short winded after 30 seconds will get everyone staring at me. I would run the roads near where I live but I'm scared of getting hit by a car ( people drive way to dangerous around here). Any suggestions on how to not be so short winded and how to start running?

Replies

  • dezdame
    dezdame Posts: 35
    I have the same issue...I only run if my son races me... & at the gym, I try but once I am out of breath I feel like I look foolish and that everyone is staring at me.
  • perty09
    perty09 Posts: 58
    just keep running and itll help build up ur stamina and you will get better over time if you keep pushing yourself. no one is going to stare... trust me. I thought the same thing and could only run for 1min straight before stopping but now im doing a 12min mile running nonstop. just keep up with it, plus running for short burst is a great workout, kinda like interval training and youll burn a lot of calories if your heart rate shoots up from the short runs, calms down and shoots back up again.

    SO just put on ur headphones, jump on that treadmill and just run. be in ur own little world.
  • Theorrs1105
    Theorrs1105 Posts: 32
    Thanks that makes me feel a little better lol..
  • audirain
    audirain Posts: 7 Member
    i just started running in august.. NEVER ran before at all.. felt there was no way possible... i started out at a very slow pace. The first time I ran a mile, it was at 12:15. Starting off too fast will cause yourself to get out of breath. Also if you are feeling winding, try taking a deep breath and hold for a second and then blow it out. Over time you will be able to go further and faster... but you HAVE TO start slow =) Since August, I ran a 5k in September, another in October and one in November which took me 33:08. I am still shocked that I did this. Best of luck to you!!! And start slow... a jog... thats it. =)
  • mwain001
    mwain001 Posts: 13
    Try the c25k programme. That is designed to help you build up stamina. Can be used on the treadmill as well!
  • ajlarz
    ajlarz Posts: 155 Member
    Who cares what people think at the gym...you are getting healthy for YOU! I used to think the exact same thing, then I realized that everyone is at the gym for the same reason, to get in shape and be healthy. Do 30 second intervals at first, that could help you ease into running vs. walking. Do 30 seconds of running, 30 seconds of walking (or whatever times you are comfortable with)

    Be proud of yourself for what you are doing and don't worry about what anyone else at the gym thinks! :smile:
  • mainville01
    mainville01 Posts: 1 Member
    I agree with the previous posts. I would also add that if you really want to start running, check out "Cool Running's Couch to 5K" plan. I started running a couple of years ago and used this plan. I could never run more than a few blocks, but I completed a half-marathon last year (Very slowly, but I finished it!) This plan really does work. Good luck! Oops...Just saw that someone else mentioned this plan...
  • Theorrs1105
    Theorrs1105 Posts: 32
    I've heard about the c25k wasn't sure if it really worked
  • SabrinaJL
    SabrinaJL Posts: 1,579 Member
    Basically, you just gotta start doing it. I definitely agree with c25k. When I first started it in March, running for a minute made me feel like I was going to die. Yesterday I ran 5 miles without stopping.
  • significance
    significance Posts: 436 Member
    Can you drive or catch a train somewhere safer to run outside?
  • Theorrs1105
    Theorrs1105 Posts: 32
    Wow that's great. I will be so happy when I can run 5 miles straight
  • Theorrs1105
    Theorrs1105 Posts: 32
    Can you drive or catch a train somewhere safer to run outside?

    Now that u say that I do have a local park nearby with 1 mile trail
  • iplayoutside19
    iplayoutside19 Posts: 2,304 Member
    First off, if anyone is looking at anyone funny for breathing hard in a gym...THEY are the ones in the wrong place. People should be breathing hard in a gym.

    And I second Couch-to-5K. Good program. Sounds to me like you're trying to run too fast to start. Start off easy. Go hard later.
  • TrophyWifeSass
    TrophyWifeSass Posts: 490 Member
    I've heard about the c25k wasn't sure if it really worked

    I started the C25K program at the end of August (I was the girl in HS that skipped gym class to avoid at all cost running "the mile") by the end of Oct I was running 30 min at a time. Now I do 45 3 times a week. Love it and I lost a ton of inches. Amazing nothing is chasing me...I just run!
  • gixy72
    gixy72 Posts: 176 Member
    i have been doing the same walk now for a few month, to begin with if i ran accross the road i would be out of breath, one day i thought i would count how many steps i could do before i needed to call 999. i got to 30, then i walked on and ran again for another 30, over time i built this up so i can now run for 150 at a time, still a long way to go for me, but i am just over 200lb( or 14st 7lb in english) but its a fantastic buzz when i push myself that bit more
  • bjbixler
    bjbixler Posts: 253 Member
    Check out my blog. I basically went from couch potato to half marathoner in one year. It all started with couch to 5K. So yeah, it works. ;-)

    Get over the way you look when you run. Things bounce. People sweat. Tummies gurgle. The lungs hit overdrive.
    It will get easier the more you do it.

    I prefer to run outside, but the treadmill will do in a pinch, but be forewarned, the muscles used and effort are different between the two, so you may notice one feels harder than the other if you switch after using just one modality. Also, at first just go for time, not speed. You'll naturally get faster the more you run, but in the beginning the most important thing is to run for the allotted intervals at a pace that is comfortable for you.

    Good luck!
  • nikisab120
    nikisab120 Posts: 15
    If you are at the gym trying to exercise and be heatlhy, I promise noone there is going to judge you. They are all there for the same reason. If anything, they will just be thinking that its great that you are out doing something active, unlike a lot of people in this country.
  • IronmanPanda
    IronmanPanda Posts: 2,083 Member
    If you're running out of breath you need to slow down.
  • Runs4Wine
    Runs4Wine Posts: 416 Member
    I've heard about the c25k wasn't sure if it really worked

    I'm a 2 time C25K graduate - once before DS was born, and then after.

    I'm now training for my 2nd 1/2 marathon next month :) I had a thing in Middle School where I passed out after running 1 lap around the school track.. I was so humiliated I swore off running. But I loved the bodies and results of runners. So I found the C25K program and it gave me the confidence to actually enjoy running.

    Give it a shot!
  • jilld76
    jilld76 Posts: 324
    C25K is awesome!! Definitely do it if you are trying to build up your running!

    I did it earlier this year and was running 3 miles 3-4 times a week for most of the year. My foot started to really bother me a couple of months ago so I had to stop and am finally going to the doctors this week to see whats going on with it. I really can't wait to start running again, I hope he can do something to fix my foot!

    I'm probably going to have to do the C25K program all over again!
  • RMinVA
    RMinVA Posts: 1,085 Member
    If you're running out of breath you need to slow down.

    This. While you can't expect to go out and run a mile, you should be able to run one or 2 minutes.
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    I've heard about the c25k wasn't sure if it really worked

    I started the C25K program at the end of August (I was the girl in HS that skipped gym class to avoid at all cost running "the mile") by the end of Oct I was running 30 min at a time. Now I do 45 3 times a week. Love it and I lost a ton of inches. Amazing nothing is chasing me...I just run!

    You sound just like me! I always skipped gym class and didn't start running until a year ago, at 38, with C25K. I started at 5mph and the one minute runs killed me. Now I can do a 5k in just under 25 minutes, and I'm working at getting faster. :smile:
  • IronmanPanda
    IronmanPanda Posts: 2,083 Member
    If you're running out of breath you need to slow down.

    This. While you can't expect to go out and run a mile, you should be able to run one or 2 minutes.

    If you train properly giving yourself time to recover and follow a good detailed plan to minimize injury you can accomplish anything.
    I have never been a runner. I started C25K in March and this year I finished my first Half Marathon in 2:00:59, and just finished my first 1/2 Ironman Distance 70.3 this past Sunday in 6:20:30.

    Remember the only limits you have are those you place on yourself.
  • rachietuk
    rachietuk Posts: 308 Member
    Try C25K. I am on week 7 and am running 25 mins. It really does work. It builds you up slowly.
  • KayakAngel
    KayakAngel Posts: 397 Member
    Yep, another vote here for C25K. Love that program. I've never been a runner in my life, even when I was fairly athletic in college. I started C25K in September, and worked my way through it slowly. Seriously, running really slowly. But I ran my first 5K race in October, and now I'm doing C25K again, working on increasing speed. I don't necessarily love running, but I love being able to run, love the feeling of accomplishment, and love how it's shaping my legs and my butt! Definitely start slow, but you can do it. :)
  • got_BluEgo
    got_BluEgo Posts: 30 Member
    If you are at the gym trying to exercise and be heatlhy, I promise noone there is going to judge you. They are all there for the same reason. If anything, they will just be thinking that its great that you are out doing something active, unlike a lot of people in this country.

    ^^THIS

    i just started running last month, i started off doing run/walk intervals (1 min walk, 1 min run, for 30 mins)
  • skemery
    skemery Posts: 100
    Definitely C25K, I started in May and am planning on running my first marathon next month. And believe me, I could barely do the 60 second running intervals when I started.
  • fyfi_fendir
    fyfi_fendir Posts: 64 Member
    C25K works. I just finished the program. I had to redo week 1 and 2, since I was out of shape, but the rest went fine. Now I am trying to built on speed, since I only do about 1.7miles in 30min.
    Try it, it is amazing. I never thought when I started and could barely do 1 minute that I can one day do 30!
  • Theorrs1105
    Theorrs1105 Posts: 32
    Sounds like c25k is the way to go!
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