To not bother with trying running as its a bit rubbish

[MrsKravitz]

Ive been trying the couch to 5 K and cant get past the 1 minute running, 1 minute walking stage as I just find I hate running.Why on earth do people enjoy it? Im giving up.

Either use a watch Bbob or you can download stuff onto your ipod that does all the timing for you whilst you listen.

bbbbob get a cheap watch from argos £5 I think. I used to run before I had dc's and started back about 8weeks ago, doing the run 1 minute, walk 1 minute thing. Going out every other day and a few days ago I managed to run just over 3 miles in just over 30 mins.

Work out a route on mapmyrun or a similar website and stick to it the distance. Just build up to it. I promise it will get easier.

Good luck!

You need music and the right gear.

Take your time and the fitness will come; this time last year i got out of breath rolling over in bed, now I can run 13 miles non-stop!

Even if you don't enjoy the actual exercise, you will enjoy the smug virtuous feeling after running!

To save your joints, try running on grass, having good running shoes, losing weight and taking rest days.

Easier said than done, I know but I've been to both ends of the fitness spectrum and I promise running was the only exercise that worked for me.

BTW, I find running on grass much more difficult/harder workout than running on tarmac.

Thankyou.
I'm moving next week and our new house is 5mins away from a beautiful huge park so plenty of running oppurtunities. I just seem to freak myself out with the details of it all

I found running a struggle until I started running longer distances. For me the first 2 miles are not great and I feel like giving up but after that you get into a sort of rhythm and it is much easier.

tallulah - I know what she means, as I am doing that program myself at the moment. Still can't believe anyone would have such a problem with that first step of running for one minute and walking for one minute that they would quit.

I dont mind running and was trying o get back in to it but after a massive asthma attack from running 5k last week am not so sure!!!

bbbbob i use the stopwatch on my mobile :)

I so love to run! I especially loved it when I was pegnant as I felt I was sharing it with my baby and they both have their own little medal collections of the ones I got when they were onboard!
It does get easier but if it isn't your thing there is no point in forcing yourself - find something else.

I love running and try to go 3 times a week not always possible but run roughly 4 miles each time with lots of hills.
Started training last year in march for race for life and it seemed to take ages to get to 3 miles found breathing a problem but just kept at it.
hardly ran over the winter and started back in February have lost lots of weight.
Good trainers are a must and sports bra.
Running 5k race for life this month hoping to complete in 30 minutes.
I run with 2/3 others which is really good and we are very fortunate with our routes which always feature a seafront element sometimes on the beach which is very hard work.
But will say starting to run is hard but pays off can honetly say don't enjoy the first 15 minutes but for me that is usually hills then levels off which is so much more enjoyable.

bbbbob - If you have an iPhone or an iPod, there is an app called RunKeeper that keeps track of all those minutes and tells you (through earphones) when they are up.

RunKeeper also keeps track of where you are via satellites, draws your run on the map, tells you how far and fast you have run. It is fantastic

Oh I really want to start running - had a personal trainer for a few months now, and started going to circuits class recently, but think running would really help shift some more weight...and I can do it on my own whenever I want. But (and I know this is shallow) I'm v worried about my toenails! Every runner I speak to mentions at some point about how horrible theirs are - even my trainer! And mine are one of the few bits of me I like! Always with polish and a pedicure, tanned feet, so nice in flipflops...would hate to wreck them!

Starting and stopping running is MUCH MUCH harder than keeping going no matter how slowly.Once your body is properly warmed up it gets much easier. If you only run 60 seconds you will never get to that stage.

I run between 20 and 30 miles a week and my toenails are FINE. Currently sporting a manicure and some OPI varnish and looking good!

30k a week and no problems with toenails here either and mine are on show daily as I live in the tropics.

It's not a valid excuse I'm afraid, get yourself out there pronto.

Have we scared you off MrsK with all our enthusiasm?

giraffes I had problems with my asthma 6 weeks ago after a bad chest infection and i had to stop running for 5 weeks (i had got up to week 6 of C25K), I went to the docs, got higher dose of steroid inhaler, and now my asthma is under control my peak flow has increased and i am finding running alot easier. I started back just seeing how far i could run and decided not to continue with the C25k programme and just increase my distance myself. So far i have run 2.5miles in 26 mins and ham hoping to complete 5k next week (not run at all this week due to one thing or another, DH is home today so could have the kids but he is on call so I can't even go today)

Starting up running from scratch can be a long and painful process, you feel puffed, a bit daft and like you'll never be able to do it.
Honestly, suddenly it will all just click, you'll have built up the stamina, your head will be in the right place and running for 20mins at a time will feel easy. After that it gets really enjoyable and the weight melts off.

I was exactly the same, hated running, crap at sport at school etc, but persevere and it is fabulous for body and mind.

I love Running-

I was the most unfit person you could come across.

I started couch to 5k last summer- it was very hard at first, but now I can easily cope with a 4-5 mile run.

keep at it!!

Has anyone started running when really overweight? Have about 6 stone to lose.. but worried about the extra pressure on the joints?

Your enthusiasm is infectious!

First time I started running I was 3 stone overweight, was fine, just built up slowly. Lost all the weight.

How is your fitness generally? I know of very overweight people who can run 10km no problems, so I shouldn't see why not. But I would build up gradually, perhaps see GP/personal trainer?

I built up very gradually, with me it wasn't just that running tired me out, I just wasn't very coordinated and my pace was all over the shop. So I did 1 minute running on the treadmill, walked (fast pace) for a while, then another 1minute, next time I did 2 minutes, until I wasn't walking in between and could run for 20minutes. Then I had to adjust to running outside without a treadmill to help me to set the pace (and hills!).

Like any sport (and a lot of things in life), you need to persist at it to get improvement. It doesn't just magically happen. Regular training is how you get improvement.

With running, all you are doing is using your own body to propel yourself faster than walking. No gadgets or personal trainer or gym can do it for you, and it doesn't cost much. But you do need a small amount of dedication, discipline and hard work.

One you get fitter, the actual running effort becomes similar to walking, and it is only running faster than requires the same effort as in the beginning.

i just managed a 5k run today! took me 35 mins and i had to stop 3 times for a bit of a walk but i did it!

AND i felt fine afterwards! starting to ache a bit now mind. its the most ive run since last year so im feeling rather pleased with myself

WishYou

If I were you, I'd start gently-gently and supplement outdoor running with plenty of cross-training.

If you can access it/ afford it, there is a new exercise trend at the moment called aquajogging - my local pool does it for about £4 a pop for an hour. It's quite fun! You get attached to a floaty water belt thing and 'run' in the pool - quite challenging, social, instructor-led, and maybe a good intro to running.

Also, if you are a gym member, use the cross-trainer - mimics a running motion and non-weight-bearing.

Maybe try a couple of activities like this a week with an outdoor run added, then gradually build up the proportion of running as your joints learn to bear weight.

IME it is not just that more weight = hurty joints. Your joints get 'built up' through exercise like anything else, I think. So I am not a skinny minnie, but I have been running since teen years, and never have joint pain (currently 30s). I imagine if you just started out of the blue and were overweight you might, hence I'd recommend the x-training to start you off.

Good luck, I hope you do start :)

Good job Vicar!!!!