Trouble with running, is it just a mental thing?

Like anything it takes practice. Since you haven't ran before, I suggest googling a C25k program. It uses walk/run intervals to help you build stamina. You have to begin somewhere. So start there.

I am the same! I always hated it. I can't run for more than a minute without gasping for air. But I'm doing a modified couch-2-5k program, focusing on running those one minutes for all I'm worth. Last workout I ran for 7 minutes. Although with 2 minutes of walking between each minute of running, but hey, that's something! I keep trying to beat my "distance" each workout. I'm using a treadmill, so it's easy to time the intervals.
It's so freeing to run. I'm really starting to enjoy it!

I started running trails with an old friend of mine about 3 summers ago. My first time I think I made it about 8 or 9 minutes before having to stop and walk. Turns out I was about 50 meters from the end of the trail. So that was good motivation for next time, cause I KNEW I coulda made it to the end.

It was a chore for the first 3-4 weeks, some days I didn't wanna go. But with him calling every day or two, sorta pushing me, it really helped. He'd have us running the trail fully...then once and a bit...then twice. Before long our runs were regularly about 25-30 minutes.

I even went a few times after he moved away. I found it kinda relaxing.

Maybe that'll help you out a bit, maybe not.

Hi
I am the same way. the whole time I run I keep telling myself I'm bored or when can I stop. I have always admired people who make it look fun and effortless.
Have you tried the C25K (couch to 5k) program? you can goggle it. I have tried that with success.

I have also joined a running club at a nearby store called the Running Room. I signed up for the 5k class and ran a 5k on New Years 2011 in a blizzard. It was a lot of fun! it help to have others to run with.


Check out running clubs in your area. Don't be intimidated I am 53yo and was the oldest in my class.

good luck

MUSIC!!!!

its the only way i can keep running. if i dont have music i dont last more than 5 minutes either, but with it i can run and i dont even realize how long it has been

Like anything it takes practice. Since you haven't ran before, I suggest googling a C25k program. It uses walk/run intervals to help you build stamina. You have to begin somewhere. So start there.

I started it last year and stopped around week 5 because I had trouble running more than 5 minutes. Perhaps starting it over again and being consistent will work in my favor.

My first time trying i stopped at week 2 because I couldn't run 2 minutes! LOL

If you can't complete a week, then just keep repeating it until you can. Nobody's keeping track except for you and it doesn't matter if you take longer than the nine weeks.

p.s. Slow down if you must! Endurance is more important than speed in the beginning.

MUSIC!!!!

its the only way i can keep running. if i dont have music i dont last more than 5 minutes either, but with it i can run and i dont even realize how long it has been

That's me. I have to have just the right song, too. Something with a strong beat that corresponds with my breathing and pacing, or I find myself holding my breath or run too fast, which of course causes me to tire out and fall over. Embarrassing.
Right now, my running song is Bust a Move, by Infected Mushroom. A good solid trance song, great for zoning out, and at 8 minutes long, I put it on repeat and don't really notice.

I started out spending 2 weeks building up to start c25k! i measured myself going to 1 lamp post, walking 2, then built that up to running 2 lamp posts! then i started c25k.

music is a must- i listened to the chemical brothers- great beat and not too fast.

the trick to begin with is to go as slow as you can. speed comes with practice. i had to learn how to run- that sounds so stupid, but it's true! i started off going too fast. you have to learn how to stride, what body position is comfortable, etc.

but mostly it is a mind game. i suggest you start with c25k. and just do it! the thing is that you only need to do a run once, then you know you can do it again. that 20 minute run in week 7 or 8 seems like a huge thing, but you just need to remind yourself that thousands of other people have done this- so why not you too? and keep going. don't stop.

good luck to you.

joni

I have not read the previous responses, but just wanted to share my experience. I am a lot like you. I absolutely could not run more than a couple minutes. I really wanted to love running, but I couldn't get past it. Then my husband started heping me figure it out and he said the secret is to start slow. Like really slow. I felt silly at first, but it worked. When you start getting tired, slow down even more but don't stop. Within a couple months, I could run a 5K without stopping. It's been several months since then and I'm back in the "I want to love running, but can't" stage. Lol.

I run/walk - 4 minutes running / 1 minute walking. I completed four half marathons using this method.

I prefer to run on a treadmill than outdoors as the footpaths around here are dodgy. Also, you may need to have your running technique looked at. Sometimes being taught how to run correctly makes all the difference thus enjoying it more.

Forgot to mention. I did though first start out by running lamp post to lampost then walking to the next then after A while I was jogging to every third lamp post and walking the next when I decided to run on the treadmill I did it by running two minutes then walking one and running two and gradually changing the times before I knew it was was running 30 minutes straight.

95% of it for me is mental. Some days I just can't get out of my head; This sucks, it's hard, you can stop, you're so slow, you can't do it.....I NEVER thought I would be able to run, I knew that if I put the work in, the cardio would come, but I didn't think I had the mental stregnth to actually commit to doing it enough to get better.

I started trail running, walking some, running some. Walking the up hills and flats, and running the downhills. Then I started to run the uphills and flats and waking the down hills, then one day running both. I remember not being able to imagine running this one loop without stopping, it seem IMPOSSIBLE. I went out one day, just planning on running as much as I could, and realized that if I got over this hill and didn't stop, no matter how slow I was going(I could have walked faster at this point) that that was the only thing standing between me and being able to say I DID IT!

The quote "Don't exchange what you want most, for what you want in the moment" has been my mantra while running. It takes time, and I think you're always going to have bad runs; runs where it is harder than it should be. But you need those lows to have the super highs that come with running.

Also, jumping rope, doing one minute intervals, has made me a MUCH faster runner.

I used to be that girl that hated to run. I would only run if a bear was chasing me..and then I only had to be faster than you..not the bear. Now..I am running my first half marathon in less than 4 weeks. I get grumpy if I dont run every other day. Even my kids notice. Its alot mental. You have to remember..you are only competing against yourself. A little further..a little harder..a little better time...every time.

I had problems with running, too. I have tried a program on iTunes called Personal Running Trainer. I just completed the 4 weeks to 1 mile program and am starting the 8 weeks to 5k program tomorrow. What I LOVE about this set-up is the slow start (more walking than running the first week) and building up as my strength and stamina improves, having a coach talking in my ear, training only 3 days per week, and a great beat to the techno music. It's worked great for me and I have tried many programs before without success. Check out the website at www.personalrunningtrainer.com