Any running tips please?

[NeverGotMyPuppy]

Many moons ago i used to be able to run 10 km (always on a treadmill, I'm crap at running outside). I slowed down a bit and then got pregnant but I was exercising right up to DS's birth. The weight dropped off me but I wasnt managing much exercise- DS was about 8 months before he would settle at night without me. The weight crept back on.

About 3 weeks ago I renewed my gym membership. I want to lose about half a stone (I think I'm about 10 stone and 5ft 4). Its been going ok, I was doing 5km fine and got up to 6 last week but tonight was just awful. From about 20 seconds in I just thought 'I can't do this'. I managed 5 but with 2 short sessions of quick walking.

I was meant to be having lasagne as a treat tonight but clearly that's out the window.

Anyone got any tips? Thank you.

Honestly? Give yourself a break, I run most days, mostly love it but sometimes (especially doing speedwork) I just feel like I can't do it, I've even cried! And eat the lasagne, that's food not a treat

Thanks .

How do you not feel overwhelmed by the distance you need to go?

Should I try again tomorrow? DH is out on Tuesday so it would be tomorrow or nothing.

Sorry meant tomorrow or wednesday, not nothing!

Er, how about stop being so bloody hard on yourself? 5k is petty amazing.

You are already a very good weight, you can run 5-6k practically non stop, from having done nothing recently, and gave birth

Honestly? Ditch the treadmill and run outside. I can comfortable run a half marathon outside for fun but 5 mins on the treadmill and I'm bored out of my mind

@Duvetday8 any tips on how? I just feel so overwhelmed by how far away everything seems!

If you like the gym, stick with the gym!

We all have good days and bad days. That's fine. My rule is if I go and feel crap after the warm up, I'll stop and at most do some stretches . And still eat lasagne.

Also you build a little, then you consolidate, and then think about building a bit more. Don't do hard at every opportunity, let your body recover,

Eat the lasagne and go running 2 hours later, you need fuel!

Sometimes I have heavy days where I feel like I weigh 30 stone and can barely lift my feet up. Just one of those things.

I started a couple of years ago from nothing, just went out ran as far as I could walked for a couple of mins then ran again and repeated. Over time I found the walking got less and the running more. I always vary my routes to keep it interesting when I'm out

It's pretty cold and wet at the moment for running outside Duvet I have always run outside so it doesn't bother me but it might not be the right time of year to start if you're used to being in a nice warm gym.

Also hills, might be a bit demoralising if OP keeps the treadmill flat.

I hate running on treadmills, I really struggle to do any sort of distance as I get bored really easily and then I start thinking about when I can stop. When I know I have to run indoors I download something onto bbc iPlayer on my phone and watch it whilst I run (with my wireless headphones in) or I put on an audio book/podcast. I find this occupies my mind and the time/distance goes much quicker as I'm not focusing on stopping. It actually feels like a bit of a treat to run whilst watching the latest episode of whatever I'm into. Either that or get outside if you can :)

Thanks everyone, this is all really helpful!

I've never listened to an audio book, I think that might really help- plus it would feel like two birds with one stone!

I always find running to a destination & getting picked up helps. Esp. if it's a cafe or a pub! Have you got music to listen to? I usually find three songs is around a mile. Make a deal with yourself to just do 20 mins or so. By that point you'd have done nearly 5k so can decide whether or not to carry on!

I hate running on the dreadmill, but if it works for you then stick with it.

Running is a funny old game. No rhyme or reason sometimes to why it feels harder/easier.

Eat the lasagne but look at your overall eating habits. I'm finding 5:2 works for me & I can tailor it around the running.

Also, it's really normal to find the first couple of KM really hard, your body has to work harder to regulate your heartbeat to the new level of exertion and everything can seem much harder. Be kind to yourself, try again tomorrow and push through the 'this is really crap/I can't do this' barrier, it's so much easier once your body gets into its rhythm. Well done you for starting your journey again- I agree with what a PP poster said- I'd much rather do a half marathon outdoors than 30 minutes on a treadmill. Maybe joining a running club would help if you have one near you / have time to go x

@MissHemsworth sadly the existence of DS would make that rather difficult but we do have a great train service.

Maybe a running club. I think you are all faster than me tho - I'm definitely not at nearly 5km after 20 minutes. I think I'd be a bit crap.

Eating habits - chocolate is my nemesis. I've basically cut it out apart from a bar on Fridays. However I work in a school and all my bloody sixth formers are obsessed with cake rotas so wed-fri here is also something on offer. However I have definitely significantly reduced what I was eating.

There won't be many people at running club who can manage 20 minute 5ks- I certainly can't! Different clubs will run differently but at mine we have speed groups so you'd only be running with people of similar ability.

Go outside, treadmill is really really hard work. It’s boring, and I get so hot because I’m used to being outside.

Run a little loop round your house. Or if you want to do 30 minutes, run 15 mins away and then come back.
And cut yourself some slack, some days it’s just harder than others. Today I ran 10 miles, I could have carried for another 30 minutes I felt so good. Last Sunday I did 5 miles and wanted to come home. I did another mile and then walked home. I haven’t got magically fitter in the week, it’s just one of those things.

Do some rowing or a spin class or lift some weights or go for a swim. Cross training keeps things interesting and gives your other muscles an airing.

Changing your eating will make vastly more difference to your weight than the amount of exercise you are doing (until you are doing lots, but that might make you ravenous!)

But running (or other exercise) is terrifically good for you - it'll tone you up, improve body confidence, improve your mental health.

I'm afraid I'm another who runs outside, but if you prefer a treadmill (hats off to you, I'm terrified of them) then you can get very effective workouts on them. In the warm and dry! And you can watch streamed telly whilst you do it (as I do on stationary bike)

Do come over to the Exercise topic (no, you're not an imposter!)

And try parkrun if you want to try running in company. One running site did a poll asking for experienced runners what advice they'd give novices, and the clear winner was 'start parkrunning' even if you have to walk most of it at the outset

I second park running. I'm an outside runner because I love the nature shot that comes with it . 20 mins for 5 k is amazing maybe you're running too fast . Take time to smell the roses - or at the moment the decaying leaves but you know what I mean . Don't push yourself too hard . Some days I only feel like 3k and others I can comfortably do 10 . I'm a lifelong runner and not every run is a winner but park run really is fantastic

When I entered my first 10k, I spent 4 months slowly building up to the distance so you're rushing it a bit, I think. I had been running 5k regularly for a good 18 months before I entered the 10k too. Also, if you're running a bit further, go more slowly. You won't be able to keep up 5k pace for further at first.

I'd also agree with advice to go to parkrun. That really got me running regularly - I love it!

Don't judge yourself and just do it for you. I had bariatric surgery six years ago and lost ten stone. I have put two back on and want to lose it so I took up running. Well very slow jogging! Sometimes I feel I could run for hours sometimes I am ten minutes in and feel like death.
I did two half marathons and each one took over four hours and you know what it really doesn't matter! I will probably not run one again, I may not run till the spring but I will walk more instead. Just do what you want for you. We all have our what are you doing point. Mine is around the eight minute mark but once I get past that it's usually ok. The rhythm starts and off I go!

Watch the movie Brittany runs a marathon, fun and inspiring

Thanks everyone. I tried again tonight and it was just as crap. I decided to give up and try the cross trainer but my gym has bought in new ones and I just couldnt get the swing of them - the old ones were my favourite things, they had a programme of 2 mins concentrating on pushing with arms, 2 mins going as fast as u could, 2 mins backwards etc etc. My DH said he has found the same with the new cross trainers.

So I'm having a shower feeling thoroughly crap. I'm going to skip tomorrow and try again Wednesday. I just dont understand what has happened to me!