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.

I agree with OP.

I have never EVER experienced endorphin release or weight loss in the 18 month period in my early 40s when I ran 4-5 times a week and took part in several 5 and 10k runs.

You folk who listen to music, what kind of earphones do you have? Do you have the ones with the bit over your ear? I tried running with just the usual in the ear ones, but they (unsurprisingly) fall out all the time! The only place I have to jog is on the slightly dodgy estate I live on, so music whilst jogging probably isn't such a good idea anyway.....

The shock absorber website is.......interesting! It wasn't quite what I was expecting (with the nude/normal bra/sports bra bit!!)

ameliameerkat ive just bought a pair of sports earphones today from Tesco - i have the same problem with the normal ones. These were cheap and cheerful at £7 but they sound ok. will test them on my next run and report back!

I just use cheapo in the ear one, the buds that go right in, not the wee round ones that just sit in the ear curve IYSWIM. I've always found those very uncomfortable at the best of times.
If running where it is dodgy or near traffic I put one earphone in so I can "keep an ear out" for anything else.

Well done vicar!

There was a thread (within the last few months I think) on sports and exercise about sports earphones. I think the ones recommended were about £30 and had the bad that sits round your neck. I just use the ones that came with my mp3 player and they've done well so far.

If you're unsure about the whole running malarky, just stick with it for 6 or 7 weeks, and if it doesn't change how you feel about running, then at least you've given it a good go and you can try something else. From 8 weeks ago when I was running 1 minute, walking 1 minute, I went out today and ran my 5k inunder 30 mins. I am so proud of myself! And I can't wait to go out again and beat my time!

thank you! i do feel rather proud of myself despite a rubbish time and having to stop a few times to catch my breath and have a drink...no doubt it will get better. (there are two hills on my route! thats my excuse!)

probably wont go tomorrow as knee feels a little tender - have had some tendonitis in left knee...

but will be looking to improve my time from now on

Sorry to bump this thread back up, but I've only just caught up with it.
I have a question for you experienced runners...
I'm nearly 40 and having been really for the first half of my life, and then being lazy for the latter half, I've some catching up to do. I WANT to start running.

1. I bought a sports bra last year, didn't support me half enough. Can anyone recommend one? I'm not really big chested (about a C) but age and bf 3 babies takes their toll on the old natural lycra IYKWIM....
2. I had a nasty bout of pneumonia over Christmas, and I was chasing youngest around the park last week and was left gasping a bit - really heavy feeling in my bronchi and I struggled to get breath in (not struggled in a blue-lipped sort of way, but just very wheezy). How will I get past this? I have an asthma pump - will this help?
3. I suffer from hayfever since youngest was born - it just came on suddenly and won't budge since. I've heard somewhere that running really makes things worse because you're heavy breathing in the pollen.....

Am I stuffed before I even start.....? Got to log off for tonight, but will check first thing for any help in the morning. Thanks everyone.

sorry, should have written -
I'm nearly 40 and having been really fit for the first half of my life...

im not an experienced runner but i would, if i were you, get a shock absorber sports bra - they do one specifically designed for running - im a C cup and i find the shock absorber one is fab and very comfy

i have hayfever - i just do what i normally do - take the tablets, the nose spray and the eyedrops and i have not found my hayfever any worse due to running, the medication tends to control mine most of the time

the bad chest - i would take the inhaler before you set off and carry it with you - start off very gently - try the couch to 5k - it builds you up to 5k in stages. if you start to wheeze or cough then stop. might be worth consulting your gp before you start?

Loony

Would strongly recommend Enell sports bras. I hatehatehate having bouncy boobs whilst running (am 34DD) and swear by these. Go here to find it.

IMO they are way better than shock absorber, but that's obviously personal. They will feel like a straightjacket at first so you have to get used, but it's so worth it for the bounce-free run.

Never had any breathing problems so can't advise, but maybe go to a GP with specialism in sports medicine to ask??

are those enell bras true to size? i have trouble with sports bras....

if im normally a 34C would i go for the same size in the enell?

Lol loonietunie at your list of concerns (sorry, am not being unkind) - I am 43 (wish I was nearly 40), have hayfever and wear C/D cup. No problems with running. My advice - a good sports bra and 'double bag' - i.e. wear 2 sports bras at the same time, its brilliantly effective at giving support

Was just going to suggest wearing 2 bras. I had to when I first starting running after having my son.

I totally agree with the many posters who've said that the first 5/10/15 mins of running can and often do feel really hideous. It is so worth sticking with though because you can get into the zone and not really feel like you're exercising. The fitter you become, the more enjoyable it gets. I have not found another form of exercise that can keep my body as slim as running does. Now I've got it I'm not willing to give it up! And I eat chocolate every day and don't gain weight (yes, I know it's not healthy to eat chocolate every day whether or not it makes me fat).

Re. injuries: I have been running for about 4 years (knackered now, har har!) and have never had an injury. Maybe I'm just lucky.

I would find it much harder without music on but loved another poster's suggestion of audiobooks. I don't make time to read anymore so that sounds a good plan to me.

Re. earphones: I'm find with the standard in-ear ones, except that I sweat so much I render each pair of earphones useless after a couple of months by flooding them.

Ive stuck with it. Thanks for the motivation. Still cant get past 1 minute.Its about the third minute "lap" that the pain starts and by about the 6th or 7th Im in a lot of pain so really struggle to make the 1 minute before I have to stop. The walk part gives me no pain so it must be my position when running.

Mrs K - apologies as haven't read the thread (got to go shortly) but I'm also at the one minute stage, it's ok (and I'm still amazed to have got that far, let alone longer, with the state of my prior fitness) but taking time to build up stamina. If you've got pain is it worth going to the docs to investigate? I bet someone's said that but good luck with it

probably depends where the pain is barabbins but i went to doc with my knee and they just said to rest it and take ibuprofen !

Doctors always just say rest and take ibuprofen. If you can afford it, it might be worth going to a good sports physio. He/she will be able to identify exactly what's going wrong with your knee, and give you exercises to help combat it.

looney I am a 34F and i just use 1 shock absorber max bra and mine don't move. I also had pneumonia last year and am asthmatic so i would definately say take the blue inhaler before you go out (about 15 mins before), make sure you warm up thoroughly and if you feel wheezy or tight chested when you are running, take the blue inhaler, stop until it has taken effect then carry on. And it is good advise to build up slowly with C25K, I did and it certainly has helped. Maybe a visit to your GP first would be an idea too so they can check your chest and give you the all clear to run

This thread actually inspired me to go outside for a run!!
I am normally a treadmill runner, and I absolutely hated it. I've been walking instead, but have always wanted to be a runner. So, halfway through this thread, I got outside, and did about 15 minutes on the public footpath in the field behind our house...it was the hardest 15 minutes ever...I think I managed about a mile running and walking, but it was so much better being outside!!!! The route is short, but pretty much uphill most of the way, so I'm thinking if I start there for a few days, I might be able to build myself up to running a bit further. Can't believe how much harder running outside is, though...wow...a huge difference...I actually feel like I've exercised, and it's only been a few minutes, really!

i was supposed to start 90sec run, 90sec walk, 3 min run, 3 min walk today but i just couldnt run for 3 mins so we ran for 90 secs 3 times with 1 min walk inbetween to recover then twice ran for 2 mins we just cant seem to make it past 2 mins running :(

I am starting back running again- last ran properly before dd1 (who is 6!) Am starting back with running a min, walking a min etc.
Dh getting an Ipod for his bday so I intend to borrow that and put some music on that I can run to.

I cannot run on the treadmill at the gym as I find it boring and I feel really self conscious for some reason as I dont when I'm running outside

don't give up tallulahxhunny - I started the couch to 5K in March so that I could attempt the race for life and i was EXACTLY the same. I actually threw up once after about two minutes I was so unfit. On Sunday I did 5K run and almost enjoyed it - i can run for 38 minutes now, albeit very slowly.
I still hate the 10-15 minute mark when I think I'm going to die, but that used to be my 2-3 minute mark!! Honestly, am 47, overweight, asthmatic with 3 kids and if I can do it, you can,. keep at it!!!!! You are doing the right thing adjusting the programme to suit your ability - just keep doing that and you will see an improvement soon. This is the worst bit - all hard work and seemingly no progress but it WILL happen.

This thread is really making me want to go for a run! I have had two colds and two stomach upsets in the last 2 months, so I have only been for a handful of runs in that time and I am missing it. The after run buzz is ace!

I am not a natural runner (short legs and a tendancy to be a bit wheezy) but it is v easily accessible and addictive when you get going.

Someone else said the first 10 mins is the hardest. I absolutely agree. I used to swim a mile a session for years and even when I was uberfit, the first 10 lengths always felt "wrong" and then I would hit my stride and glide through the rest of my session. I am the same with the first mile of my run. I never enjoy it but once I am past that I start thinking I could go on for ages.

Haven't read whole thread, but well done MrsKravitz for not giving up yet! Loonietoonie - you sound just like me! I'm 39, and have been pretty unfit for much of my adult life. I also had asthma when younger. I took up running about 2 years ago, having always HATED it. For a while it just felt awful - legs like lead, burning lungs etc. I started doing run one minute, walk one minute and upped the running really gradually. It's still hard work, but I did my first 10k in September and loved it! I lost quite a lot of weight too.
I still have occasional weeks/months when I hardly run, but I don't think I'll ever give it up totally. I've just learned to stop beating myself up about my lapses, because that just makes me want to go even less!
About the whole 'tough on the joints' thing ... I was amazed, given that I'm not exactly a featherweight, that I ran for about a year with no injuries. I did hurt my foot doing the 10k, but have changed my running style and had no more problems. If you're worried about stress on your joints, it might be worth googling 'barefoot running'. I don't run without shoes, but have copied the running style recommended by barefoot runners and it has really really helped - I feel much lighter on my feet.

Oh and Loonietoonie, have you tried local honey for the hayfever? I was very sceptical, but it worked for me! 2tsp a day. Start well before the hayfever season kicks in. Bizarrely, my hayfever has pretty much disappeared since I had ds. Funny what childbirth does to you...