Retraining body from gymnastics to endurance running

melrose09
melrose09 Posts: 271 Member
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I'm having a heck of a time! I'm a 28 year old mom of a 13 month old. I am a former high level gymnast, built like a gymnast (4'10.5" 95lbs 12% bodyfat) and can do some crazy physical feats of strength and power but if you asked me to run a 5k I could barely squeak it out. Back in September, I decided I want to run. I want to be someone that can just run for miles and miles. I'm up to 3 miles in 33 minutes (PATHETIC), but I feel like I'm hitting a wall. Mind you, back in Sept, I couldn't run a mile straight. Should I start intervals? I use a treadmill, so keep that in mind.

Replies

  • jenlb99
    jenlb99 Posts: 213 Member
    I'm not a runner at all, but one of the best ways of building endurance, hands down, is skipping. Seriously, grab yourself a rope and get skipping fast, like a boxer.

    We have runners come into our gym quite often who cannot skip fast for 5 minutes straight. I have no idea why that is, since I'm not a runner! lol
  • Trail_Addict
    Trail_Addict Posts: 1,340 Member
    Run
    Run lots (acclimatization)
    Run far (endurance)
    Run fast (intervals)
    Run hills (power)
    Run with a group or running friends (motivation and support)
    Rest
    Run again

    (add running friends to your FL) :wink:
  • Hopingforchange
    Hopingforchange Posts: 108 Member
    My mile is more like 12.5 some days, but I do not find it PATHETIC. I am 42 and the same height..but no where near the same weight. Good luck to you.
  • momof3and3
    momof3and3 Posts: 656 Member
    Run
    Run lots (acclimatization)
    Run far (endurance)
    Run fast (intervals)
    Run hills (power)
    Run with a group or running friends (motivation and support)
    Rest
    Run again

    (add running friends to your FL) :wink:

    This^
    Mix it up...run far but slow, run fast and short, run hills or intervals, run 1 mile warm up/run what speed you want to be at for as long as you can/run warm up/run speed, etc... rest....and than do it all again. You will find that you will be endurance quickly.... Have fun!
  • rybo
    rybo Posts: 5,424 Member
    It'll take time, but just keep running. I come from a sprinter background, endurance was a foreign concept to me. Besides just logging more miles in general, I think it is very important to include tempo runs & long slow runs in your workouts.

    tempo runs are typically a warm up, then a period where you push the effort "comfortably hard", then back it off & cool down. that coupled with days where you set out slow & run long & easy I think really helps.
  • melrose09
    melrose09 Posts: 271 Member
    Thanks for the tips. I'm really motivated now! I pretty much run only on the treadmill because 1)I don't have a jogging stroller and 2) It's january in WA state so it rains and snows a lot. Once the weather breaks and my husband schedule simmers down, I'm hoping to get outside a little more.

    Today is a strength day, so me, so I will try some intervals tomorrow and see how it goes!
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