Runners...I need your help

Maree44
Maree44 Posts: 12 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
So I have always wanted to call myself a runner and have started to "run" or rather walk fast numerous times before, however; in March/April I started to work myself up to more distance when running and am having some success, which makes me REALLY HAPPY! When I first started in January I had a hard time running for 30 seconds and last week I ran for 20 minutes at 5.5 on the treadmill. Here is where I need your help...

This week I would really like to make it to 22 or 23 minutes but my brain is fighting against me! My brain keeps telling me how long that is and that it's impossible for chubby me to run for 23 minutes, so at about 7 or 8 minutes I give up and stop! It's so annoying but my brain is winning!

If this happened to you what did you do to work past it? This sort of happened to me the week I went to run 9 minutes and I over came it but 9 minutes is way different then 23! HELP!!!
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Replies

  • Pebble321
    Pebble321 Posts: 6,423 Member
    If your brain is telling you to stop at 9 mins - then you have two choices.
    1. Say "screw you, brain, I'm keeping on going". This can be hard to do, so you might like to try:
    2. Plan to run in intervals. Start out by running 8 mins with a 1 min walk break this week. Next week run 9 mins then have a break, then 10, then 12 etc..... This way you have "permission" to stop, but only for a minute and then you are back to running again. You can either just work these out yourself or find a program that talks you through it - I think Hal Higdon works this way, or just google "walk/run training program" and see what you find.

    PS. well done on becoming a runner, it's a great feeling isn't it?
  • pglola09
    pglola09 Posts: 6 Member
    You can totally do it. Our bodies are capable of amazing things despite what our brains our telling us. I have a few suggestions. I find that running outside is MUCH easier than on a treadmill and makes the minutes go by quicker. Also not having the ticking clock right in front of your face the whole time can help as well . If you run outside just where a watch and check it sporadically, not obsessively. If you don't want to go outside I suggest doing an "interval" type of run. Do a warm up at 4.5 for 5 minutes- then alternate between 2 minutes at 5.5 and 2 minutes a 5 (or below if you feel winded). This will help put you in a mentality that you will have a "rest" jogging a little slower. Other than that I like listening to music or podcasts to help pass the time. You can completely make this goal, it is so doable, give yourself credit and get out of your head! The last thing I want to mention is that you do end up "giving up" don't stop completely but bring your pace down to a brisk walk for a minute and then get back up there- doing that is better than giving up after a few minutes.
  • Maree44
    Maree44 Posts: 12 Member
    That is sort of what I have been doing...I stop at 8 minutes and walk for a couple minutes and then run again at about 6.0 for 3-4 minutes and then walk again and then run again at 7.0 for a minute or so...So I'm glad to hear that I am doing the right thing. I think I need to tell my brain, "SHUT THE HELL UP, I'M DOING THIS!" haha!
    Thanks for the advice!
  • diver71_au
    diver71_au Posts: 424 Member
    C25K ....train your brain slowly by building up over time.
  • SteveTries
    SteveTries Posts: 723 Member
    here's what I did.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/sjb74uk
  • bacamacho
    bacamacho Posts: 306 Member
    Don't even think about it. Next time you get on the treadmill, just do it! You know you can do 20. Just before you reach the 20 mark, relax everything find a focal point, and just do it. Once you get over the fear of the unknown, it will get easier and easier. :)
  • tadpole242
    tadpole242 Posts: 507 Member
    Listen to music, arrange your music on you mp3/ipod/phone so that there is one really good track to run to, one that is faster and you like. Have it, as say, the third track, and tell yourself listen to that track before stopping. Do that for 5 runs, then move it to the fourth track, leave it there for five runs, your body will get used to the signal that your brain is telling it, “Hay after this track you can stop.
    This track just screams “run and never stop” to me”
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ldfc68bxlB8
    Stick a slower track in between that track and the next one
    And you good to go
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmin5WkOuPw
    I’m old school me!
  • maryjaquiss
    maryjaquiss Posts: 307 Member
    Listen to music, arrange your music on you mp3/ipod/phone so that there is one really good track to run to, one that is faster and you like. Have it, as say, the third track, and tell yourself listen to that track before stopping. Do that for 5 runs, then move it to the fourth track, leave it there for five runs, your body will get used to the signal that your brain is telling it, “Hay after this track you can stop.
    This track just screams “run and never stop” to me”
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ldfc68bxlB8
    Stick a slower track in between that track and the next one
    And you good to go
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmin5WkOuPw
    I’m old school me!

    I was going to say something similar - cover the timer with your towel and run for three/four tracks instead of counting down the minutes. Works every time for me!
  • Esteficita
    Esteficita Posts: 3
    Here's my 2 cents on that.
    Of course, your brain wants you to stop if you train on a treadmill. Mine does, too and I have completed a half-marathon (that's two hours and more of running). On the treadmill, you stare at the same old spot the whole time. You are in the same enviroment the whole time. I know the treadmill is a safe option because you are in a space were a limited number of people can see you and you don't have to worry about if people think that you may look pathetic. Been there, done that! But your brain is just simply bored to death.

    My advice is, put the running shoes on, put your feel-good training clothes on, find a friend or pop in the earphones and go out into nature. Yes, you may have to research into where to run. I don't know where you are located, so finding the perfect place may be hard. But you can always loop (which might strain the brain a bit but not as badly as running on a treadmill). This way, you get to marvel at what's around you as you ease into a running rhythm and believe me, soon enough, 30 minutes will be no bother to you.

    And as people before me have said: Kick that ole brain in the shin and tell it to take a chill pill and just keep on running. Music is a perfect suggestion. Run to the soundtrack of your life. Helps me every single time. Also, just enjoy the run. Enjoy the thought that you are doing your heart a huge favor, enjoy that your joints may feel stiff tomorrow but they won't feel half as stiff when you're 80. Enjoy that the muscle that you're building is going to help you burn calories, enjoy that you are having a great time and investing into a healthy future.

    :) Keep on running!
  • johnsd8
    johnsd8 Posts: 19 Member
    I'm not sure if this will work for you but it does for me... I break my workout down into minute slots. So I start at a walk and every minute I increase my speed by 1.0 (or 0.5) until I am running flat out, then I reset and go again. Sometimes I will start at a run and reduce the speed by 1.0 but increase the incline by 1.0 every minute until it's at full tilt.

    I always set the distance to how far I want to go rather then time, so I'll set it to 5km and then do the above until I have finished, you'll be surprised at how quickly time flies when you are concentrating on the 1 minute changes rather then the whole distance/time. I also find it fun :)

    Debs x
  • robpett2001
    robpett2001 Posts: 320 Member
    I had EXACTLY the same issue -- my MIND kept telling me "I can't go on...I'm soooo tired...." I sorta knew that my body was capable of going further, but my mind kept winning out. There were two things that helped me bust past that -- the first was when I just got fed up with not running for as long as I thought I should, and before my run I just told myself, "screw it, I'm going to just run for XX minutes no matter what happens, even if I have to run at 2.0mph...I'm not going to stop running".

    But the thing that really helped me was getting off the treadmill, NOT taking a watch along, and just going out for a run on a pretty day outside on a flat trail. Getting out of the gym, where there was plenty to look at and think about, it was wonderful. When I was done, I discovered I had run ten minutes longer than I usually did.

    Best wishes to you! Your body has much greater capacity than your mind gives it credit for. Give your body a chance to prove it! :)
  • stingrayinfl
    stingrayinfl Posts: 284 Member
    Here's my 2 cents on that.
    Of course, your brain wants you to stop if you train on a treadmill. Mine does, too and I have completed a half-marathon (that's two hours and more of running). On the treadmill, you stare at the same old spot the whole time. You are in the same enviroment the whole time. I know the treadmill is a safe option because you are in a space were a limited number of people can see you and you don't have to worry about if people think that you may look pathetic. Been there, done that! But your brain is just simply bored to death.

    My advice is, put the running shoes on, put your feel-good training clothes on, find a friend or pop in the earphones and go out into nature. Yes, you may have to research into where to run. I don't know where you are located, so finding the perfect place may be hard. But you can always loop (which might strain the brain a bit but not as badly as running on a treadmill). This way, you get to marvel at what's around you as you ease into a running rhythm and believe me, soon enough, 30 minutes will be no bother to you.

    And as people before me have said: Kick that ole brain in the shin and tell it to take a chill pill and just keep on running. Music is a perfect suggestion. Run to the soundtrack of your life. Helps me every single time. Also, just enjoy the run. Enjoy the thought that you are doing your heart a huge favor, enjoy that your joints may feel stiff tomorrow but they won't feel half as stiff when you're 80. Enjoy that the muscle that you're building is going to help you burn calories, enjoy that you are having a great time and investing into a healthy future.

    :) Keep on running!
    One thing to remember if one is running a loop, is to turn around and reverse it. Terrain is different and you see it in a different way.
  • brandyk77
    brandyk77 Posts: 605 Member
    I count every single second I am on a treadmill. I hate them with a passion. However, off of them, I can do miles and miles (I normally run 50-60 miles a week)

    Can you find someone to run with ? The simple act of a little distraction goes a long way.
  • Sarahsarahsarahk
    Sarahsarahsarahk Posts: 62 Member
    Hi! I am not sure if you listen to music while you run but I do. That happens to me all the time where my body and mind are just ready to quit but I want to push myself, so I put on my favorite and most motivating running song! That always helps me!
  • leahnoelle31
    leahnoelle31 Posts: 79 Member
    When I have to be on the treadmill instead of outside, I check to see what movies are going to be on during that time. If there is something on that I've never seen, my 4-5 miles goes by really fast. I also gradually increase my speed with each commercial break. I prefer running outside but sometimes you have to stay indoors. good luck!
  • wiffe
    wiffe Posts: 224 Member
    Get a song where at that time you just get pumped up. ALso I have to hide the timer. If I watch it I want to give up. So I throw my towel over the panel to hide the numbers.
  • macpatti
    macpatti Posts: 4,280 Member
    Keep your mind busy while running. When I trained for my first marathon, on long runs we would take Trivial Pursuit cards with us and take turns asking and answering questions.
  • arw4
    arw4 Posts: 51 Member
    I have the same problem when I go on the treadmill. I put the incline up to about 9 or 10 when so I know I'm still getting a good amount of calorie burn even though I only run for 15-20 minutes. I would recommend going outside. It's much more exciting! Grab a friend, if you can! Having a set loop and knowing I have to complete it keeps me going.
  • MoveTheMountain
    MoveTheMountain Posts: 764
    Just chiming in to say good for you, for pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, and for being so commited to an exercise you clearly didn't love when you started. I have started and then given up running a number of times, and it's inspiring to see your dedication.
  • _Timmeh_
    _Timmeh_ Posts: 2,096 Member
    I think of this commercial! Copy/paste the link.

    http://youtu.be/A4zJEk06O4g

    This coach yelling at me :laugh: I've even yelled to myself POWER THROUGH!
  • AEC50
    AEC50 Posts: 124 Member
    I overcame that with some good music! Check out RockMyRun.com for free mixes that will keep your energy high because you want to hear what's playing next. I also keep reminding myself that if I'm not hurting, I'm not done running. (Hurting as in just tired, not truly injured).
  • TaylorsGranddad
    TaylorsGranddad Posts: 453 Member
    Hi read my blog

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/phaze1971

    It should help
  • TanzaMarie
    TanzaMarie Posts: 94 Member
    Keep your mind busy while running. When I trained for my first marathon, on long runs we would take Trivial Pursuit cards with us and take turns asking and answering questions.

    I LOVE this idea!
  • KyleB65
    KyleB65 Posts: 1,196 Member
    I started running Jan 1 this year. Through slow and steady work I am now able to "run" 10K. BUT!, this involves "running" & "walking"! I am not a competitive runner!

    What worked for me: I started by running/jogging until I was out of breath, then I walked until my heart rate and breath were back to almost "normal" then I would run again until I was out of breath, etc, etc, etc. At the beginning, I set my self a course to run (about 3K) and worked at it until I could run the whole thing with out a break.

    As you are on a treadmill, I suggest. Set a distance target, challenging but not too hard. Let's say 3K +/- (up to you). Then run/walk this to get a base time and feel for it. From there work on improving your time to complete that distance. Once that distance becomes "easy", add to the distance and/or increase the angle on the treadmill.

    It has been my experience that my performance increases quicker when I set performance goals rather than health/fitness goals. This may not be your formula for success but it has worked for me.

    All the best on your journey.
  • phillieschic
    phillieschic Posts: 615
    C25K totally.

    And, who will you give more power to...your brain (the one that also lets you eat crappy foods sometimes) or your long, luscious, sexy legs?

    I'm going with the legssssssssssss... :wink:
  • vgrazz
    vgrazz Posts: 1
    Two things:

    1. Dump the treadmill! Booring! the scenery never changes. Being outside may trick the brain by processing new information.
    2. Find someone to run with. This person has to be someone who understands your situation and will pace according to your goals.

    The hardest part of running is putting on your shoes. Good luck!
  • amcqueen32
    amcqueen32 Posts: 1
    i agree with whoever mentioned listening to music.. you're going to think this is hilarious, but my son put me on to this and it totally works.. when you're feeling like you're about to stop or slow down, switch over to the theme song from the movie Rocky... works everytime:)
  • MorganLeighRN
    MorganLeighRN Posts: 411 Member
    Get out into nature! I have always hated running on a treadmill or on a track. Find a trail at a park, put on your headphones and just start running. I love to listen to Podcasts when I run. It keeps my mind active and the miles go by pretty quick. It takes a good 30 days for your body to get used to a new workout routine. Keep at it and soon you'll start to notice that you can do three miles without stopping!
  • rachgolds
    rachgolds Posts: 75
    Trivial Pursuit cards...such a cool idea!!!
  • smareeh
    smareeh Posts: 117 Member
    I am a new runner too and was the same as you. I found a new app now though that unlike c25k you can set your own intervals. I have played around a bit and for me running 2 minutes walking 1 is helping a lot with distance. I can now do this up to 4 miles.

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