Has anyone successfully broken through the "run for two minutes and feel like I'm about to die" barrier?

[Ledkr]

I'd love to start running.
I've never been able to, even when I was very fit (dance teacher, two hrs at gym 3x weekly)
I feel so out if breath it hurts and my head is pounding.
I've tried c25k but didbt really stick it as I fejt so dreadful.
Anyone managed to get past this?

[ItMustBeBedtimeSurely]

Yes, I did. I did c25k and took about 12 weeks to complete it. For me, the barrier was 4 mins running, so I just repeated that week over and over until I could do it.

Running with others helps, as does music.

[Solaia]

Practice, practice, practice. Also run slowly! The only way I can run is an extremely slow jog. And use either map my run or run keeper to keep track of your progress.

Once you have built up to three mins, four mins etc switch to distance and build up the km's.

Once you can run a few km sign up for a 5km and train. I can only run properly when training for something, the rest of the time I am kidding myself!

If I can do it, anyone can! Seriously!

[Ledkr]

How do you get past feeling stupid when running so slowly?

[Solaia]

Hehe so you think I look stupid..?

I don't, I just have my music on, look straight ahead and keep going. I know when you're jogging you think everyone is looking at you but they're not.

Just stay inside your own head and focus on a target to run to. One of the easiest ways to screw up a run is to be distracted so get into the zone and ignore everyone around you. Pick a target and run there and back. The next day pick something a bit further away.

Remember the techniques from c25k, if someone sees your head above a hedge they should think you're walking, don't bounce about too much. Keep it slow and steady. You will pick your pace up eventually.

If you think you're going to stop, repeat 'keep running, keep running, keep running....' In time with your stride. That will get you through the temporarily tough bit.

On a long run I find 3-4k the hardest. Every time, it kicks in at 3k and mentally it's tough cause there's a long way to go, but magically it gets better again. Now I know that's my weak spot and I do the 'keep running' mantra to get through it.

If you are worried about speed there are techniques to build this up over time but you really need to have the distance/endurance first and then start on timing. But it should be a personal goal, not just because you think you look daft! It's very unlikely that you do.

[HumptyDumptyBumpty]

I never ever look at people running or jogging and think they look stupid. I am fat, and don't run, and am always impressed by their willpower, dedication and hard work. I honestly don't think anyone looks at a runner and thinks 'oi, love, get a move on, eh'.

[ChameleonCircuit]

Me! When I started C25K at the beginning of June, I couldn't even run for 60 seconds. Now I do 25 minutes at a time. Follow the programme and just repeat weeks if you need to. And remember, however slowly you're going, you're still moving faster than those people sitting on the couch.

[chocolatespiders]

Yes before Christmas I joined a sweatshop running group and could not run 2 mins - now I do 50 mins and did a 10k in one hour 19 mins! I am 4 stone overweight.

[UrsulaTheZebra]

I run slowly, it's called pacing yourself. The people I'm running past don't know if I've been running for 4 or 45 minutes. C25K is more about stamina than speed. Speed comes later.

[Nusalembogan]

You have to stick at it. I know the feeling of going to die at 2 minutes but I can do around half an hour now without stopping and am proud of myself as never thought I would be able to do it. I've even done a couple of 10k events without stopping and in just over an hour which is a massive achievement for me.

Believe in yourself and don't worry about what anyone else thinks. If they are runners they will be thinking good on you and if they are not they are probably thinking that they wish that they could be .

[thenightsky]

You have to stick at it through that pain barrier. I have someone who runs with me who has been running his whole life. He is nearly 70 years old.

He made me realise that if I can keep running just slightly beyond my pain barrier my breathing and hurty bits settle down and find it normal and my breathing stays the same.

[KittiesInsane]

Ugh, that first attempt at 2 minutes sticks in my mind like nothing else! It's horrible.

Honestly, though, even if you're counting the milliseconds in your head the first time, it DOES get a teeny weeny bit easier the next time you try the same length of time.

Find a friend. Preferably one who knows something juicy about the local mayor/your boss/the chair of the PTA, and get them to jog alongside you giving you all the gossip while you nod breathlessly. Does wonders for your reputation as a good listener...

[KittiesInsane]

Chameleon, when DD was last in the local Fun Run last year, her brother said 'Just remember you finished and there were 60 million people in the country who didn't even try.'

OK, his premise is a bit dodgy, but it cheered her up!

[overthehill74]

I agree with Humpty. I would love to be able to run but I feel so self conscious about my huge norks . Every time I see someone running I look at them with admiration and envy! Keep on going and don't give up OP!

[LingDiLong]

Definitely slow down and keep repeating week 1 or whatever if c25k until you feel ready to move on. Other thing you should look at is your diet, I tried a low carb diet recently and found myself completely unable to run for more than a couple if minutes after previously being able to run 10k.

[sanfairyanne]

do lamp post to lamp post. then 1 lamp post walk and two as run. then move onto minutes

[sanfairyanne]

sprinting is different. just do short bursts eg 25metres