Running is so hard! Will it get easier?

[losenotloose]

I started running again last week after a 9 month break. I'm only running 3km each time hoping to become fit enough to do park run.

I'm starting to think it's not for me! It's just so hard, I can't breathe and am red faced. Will it get easier? I want to love it!

[TheDisreputableDog]

It will as your fitness improves but I think the first 1 or 2k are always the hardest. Are you doing a mix of walking/running? That might get you to 5k quicker than you think?

Keep going, I started from scratch last January and am a real convert

[alphabook]

If you're that out of breath then you're going too fast. Slow it right down, and if that's still too hard then alternate between running and walking. Then you can build it up from there!

[losenotloose]

No walking, just running. So if I slow it down and even alternate between walking and running it should help? I would like to be able to run non stop eventually!

[8FencingWire]

Download the C25K app and let Laura tell you what to do :)

[lljkk]

It does get easier, promise. I think you have to go 3x/week for at least 3 weeks & then it gets to be like walking, still an effort but you can day dream, too.

[losenotloose]

I started using a C25k app a while ago but it kept going wrong so I gave up!

Thanks lljkk, I obviously need to persevere.

[BrandNewAndImproved]

Just power walk when you can't run anymore and then start running when you've got your breath back. After a few weeks you'll be able to go longer and longer with continuous running and then bam you'll be able to do it for 20 minutes at a time and then longer.

[blowmybarnacles]

Run walk, run walk etc. I found a heart rate monitor invaluable when I first started out as it ensured I didn't run too fast and get out of breath as it works out what heart rate is best for you.

[AnchorDownDeepBreath]

I can't seem to breathe well either. I'm also awful at pacing. I don't have a slow running speed. I can sprint or fast walk, that's it!

[Namechangenurseryconcerns]

Slow down! No point getting out of breath. Just plod out the miles and the pace will come with time

[BikeRunSki]

Download the couch to 5 k podcasts. They don't how ring or need www reception. Don't forget proper high impact bra and trainers.

[AyeAmarok]

I promise it get easier

The first few k are definitely the hardest. Then it gets easier to stretch the distance out once you have that level of fitness cracked.

[GeorgeTheThird]

It will get easier. Slow down!

[BrandNewAndImproved]

I tend to use lamp posts, bins, trees ect as a goal, so I'm tired but I'll get to that lamp post, then I'll walk for 2 lamp posts then I'll run again for a few lamp posts.

Find out what works for you. I couldn't do c25k as I like listening to music and not looking down at the time all the time but it's just running and walking then running then walking.

Download a free running app as well. I like strava and mapmyrun. When you can see your time getting quicker it could motivate you to keep it up when you see progress.

[DrHarleenFrancesQuinzel]

I think you should try C25K again but start with week 3 and you will find that you will eventually get further and be able to run for longer.

I run 10K races in just under an hour, but when Im on my own I always find the first 10 mins difficult. Sometimes I walk more than run when Im out on my own.

[mushforbrain]

Overall I love running, have been running about 5 years now and can run a good distance, but I ALWAYS hate the first ten minutes! Also you have to work out what you enjoy - company/alone/music/trail/road etc. Took me a while to figure out what I like.

[zippyswife]

Yes. And you'll love it (went out for a run earlier and it's made me feel 10
Years younger). I have found that through doing a fitness DVD (30 day shred) my fitness has gone through the roof. I had a baby 5 months ago and had done no excercise for 18 months... Did this DVD and it has increased my fitness to the point that I can amble out for an enjoyable 10k run. I'm about to turn 40 so I think this can be do at any age. Good luck.

[londonmummy1966]

I'm about to turn 50 (oh no did I admit to that) and I'm overweight and I run so anyone can. The first 10 minutes of any run are always the worst. The rule to distance running is that you should be able to hold a (slightly breathless) conversation whilst you run at your normal speed - if you can't then you are running too fast. You will get better if you try to mix it up so sometimes do some intervals instead where you run very fast for a minute or so and then walk slowly for a couple and repeat - might be a better one to do with a toddler as they can run with you? I'm training for a longer distance at the moment so I am using a technique from a website called run walk run which gives you timed intervals to run and then walk which is kinder on the joints for the elderly amongst us.

Stick at it though - 3k is a good place to start. You could also turn up and do a parkrun and run as far as you can and then walk the rest. No one will mind.

[losenotloose]

Just an update. I went for a run today with the attitude that I would try and enjoy it and go as slow as I needed to. I ran 4k and quite enjoyed it!

Dh was telling me that it's better to do less but go faster. Is that right?

[Namechangenurseryconcerns]

No, not in my experience. Get the distance in first then work on the pace.
You could try adding in some intervals-sprint a short distance (between lampposts is a good one) then recover (as slow as you need to) then sprint again for 5 or 6 reps

[TheJollyPostmansWife]

Well done on the 4K. I found it better when I re took up running to just run at such a slow pace I was almost walking instead of interval as psychologically I felt I was doing better. Although as I understand it, interval is far better for you. I think it's about finding what works best for you

[StillNoFuckingEyeDeer]

Well done on the 4K.
I just started running again this week after stopping while I was pregnant with DS. I'm VERY slow compared to my pace a year ago.
I find that as I run further my pace improves, so I concentrate on increasing distance rather than running faster. My advice would be to go slow and worry about pace later.

[londonmummy1966]

Well done - glad it was a bit easier this time. I agree with the other posters to try and get yourself to 5k before you think about speeding up.

[dudsville]

Well done OP that is really amazing!

I just had my first go at running today so am looking for tips and inspiration - can I ask about the breathing mentioned here? Is it only people who who are actually running some distance who should be able to hold a breathy conversation? Is it ok for me just starting out to become breathless quite quickly or does this mean I'm doing something wrong?

[londonmummy1966]

Good for you dudsville are you using a plan to ease you in to running? A lot start with a minutes run and a minutes walk. If you are gasping for breath at the end of a minute then you are probably going too fast...