To be envious of people who can...and enjoy running?

[guestofclanmackenzie]

I have spent years battling with learning to run.

I just can't do it! I run for about 15 seconds and I feel like my lungs are going to explode, my legs ache and a voice in my head screams at me to stop.

I have tried the couch to 5k a million times over but can't get past day one, week one.

I am not really overweight but would love to drop a stone. I have seen friends drop tonnes of weight by pounding the treadmill or pavement but try as I might I cannot do it!

DH runs, for long distances everywhere and I would absolutely love to join him. Or just on my own, would love to pull on a pair of trainers and zone out with my music. I've tried starting out with lamp post running but honestly I just hate it as my legs and lungs hurt!

Anyone else feels like this?

Lots of ideas to try..thanks to those for the jeffing idea.

Will give it a go and try again...!

yanbu
when I watch programmes that feature a lot of fitness (like the astronaut one) my knees creak and I make sure my inhaler is ready to use :o

I do run, but not long distances and definitely not fast. and it's hard work for me

You will get use to it. Start with walking first then faster and faster but do it over days

Agree with pps - you have to slow down. I was told that if you couldn't talk at the same time then you were going too fast!
Even barely putting one foot in front of the other will get you here eventually and you won't have to stop.

Not read all the replies but you absokutely can run if you want to.

I hadn't run since being forced to at school. I hated running and was unfit but randomly decided I wanted to do the Great North Run. Within 18m of so/so committment I had run the GNR and a marathon and loved running (most of the time!).

Then I broke my arm so had to stop for a while and have other stuff I've had to deal with so haven't restarted.

When I started running, I was exactly the same as you. I started with the c25k but tweaked it so I followed the principles but not the actual time table iyswim.

The first few weeks were so hard every single time! It was elated when I ran a few meters and didn't die!

Then it just suddenly clicked.

Even when I was running 10+ miles twice a week, the first 10mins or so would sometimes be a bit hard. It was like I just had to wait for my body to say "Ah! We're running. Let's get into running mode". I had to force myself through that and then my body would settle and away I'd go. It's the same when you're starting.

There are also the runs where you just can't get into a rhythm. For whatever reason you can't get your pace right or your breathing is off or just something. Those are hard runs. When you start running you are teaching your body how to respond to a new activity so for a while, every run will be a hard run.

Also, look at your pacing. I am not a fast runner. If I try to go fast I kill myself. It took me a while to find my ideal pace and again, until I did that, it was hard.

Set a goal, something like a 5k park run in a realistic time frame. Don't think further than that. WHEN you do it, you'll feel amazing!

Be warned though - I was at my heaviest when I was running. I wasn't eating any differently but my legs bulk up very, very easily. I wanted lean runner legs, I actually got thick strong rugby player legs! I was really not very happy about that! Haha!

Treadmill running is very, very different to outside running.

And get a decent sports bra. Even if you are tiny.

I have just graduated c25k. I'm 49, overweight and never thought I could run.

I did start by walking for 2 months and as I got stronger/fitter I progressed to running.

I also have long term knee and ankle injuries - both have improved vastly much to my surprise.

If you are getting too puffed to do the early runs you are RUNNING TOO FAST! Slow down. Really slow down. being able go for the time is more important than speed.

SLOW DOWN!

If I was any slower I'd be walking so not really running!

Sometimes people walk as fast as I jog. Once about week 3, a man with a walking cast passed me. That's ok. I can now run/jog for over 30 minutes. It's amazing.

There are a few useful things to remember too:

1. It gets a bit easier but it never gets as easy as some very fit people make it look!
2. Even when you've finally learnt to enjoy it, you won't enjoy it all the time and you'll often have to drag yourself out if the door and through the first km, but....
3. ...Afterwards you will rarely, if ever, regret going for a run.
4. If you are overweight, running will get a lot easier as you lose weight. I've run wearing weights the equivalent of what I lost. It wasn't fun!

Sounds like you're going off too fast OP. Slow right down until you get the hang of it, then you can start working on speed. You should be able to have a conversation if you're running at easy pace.

The biggest mistake folk make is forgetting you have to be able to walk before you can run. Runners World has a good section on its website for beginners, they strongly suggest building your walking fitness up first to a point where you are walking for 30 mins or so and build it to a place where you are walking very very briskly, believe me as a runner this pace of walking can be hard, then, and only then do you. Introduce jogging for short periods which is comfortable and over time lengthening the jog and shortening the brisk walk until you are jogging for 30 mins. Then you can try doing the same with introducing a faster run in the same way.
I am lucky i find running ok and even after a long break from it can just crack on, some will need to be patient and do the above.
If you pick the right running group it will help, pick the wrong one and your doomed this even applies to those who can run.
There is a club near me and the sole purpose is to introduce running to those in your position its sole purpose is to coach people how to run rather than being a club for those who already can.
Please be patient, really take your time because when you do get there it is worth it.

I agree. Take it really slowly and brisk walk/jog. And persevere. The trouble is that people like Katherina who posted earlier really don't help saying things like I'll never be fast but then go on to say they run a half marathon in under two hours. That's actually pretty fast and only serves to make the rest of us feel crap.

I hear you, OP.

I exercise and I love walking - I'll walk miles and miles but I can't run! Where I walk there are often loads of joggers that pass me and so many times I've thought "why don't I just up my pace to a jog?" But I never do. just the thought of it makes me want to have a lie down.

Well spurred on from the comments on this thread, I got myself on the treadmill at the gym and started day one, week one of the couch to 5k and, as advised by several people, started very slowly.

I felt a lot more comfortable running (or rather run/walking) at a slower pace (even though a bit silly) and actually enjoyed it!

Is the couch to 5k designed to be done every single day of the week? Or is it alternate days?

I can't run either! Not overweight and exercise regularly but I've failed at couch to 5k three times because I hate it so much. I always feel short or breath and it NEVER gets easier. Last attempt I did the 20 minute run and then never did it again because I was so miserable at the end.

I also find it very mentally stressful. Because there's nothing else to occupy my mind all the bad things I try not to think about come creeping into my mine and overwhelm me. Self-doubt, bad breakups, upsetting news stories just come flooding into my mind because I can't distract myself!

Well done on starting OP and let us know how you get on.

I do a lot of walking, fast, with no problems.

I can't run because if I do wee comes out of me. Even if I have just been to the loo. I don't want to piss myself so I don't run.

I know, I know, pelvic floor exercises- right ? Everybody else must have a much better pelvic floor than mine. Mine needs work I guess.

Well done on completing the first day, OP! I did c25k six years ago and I ran every other day - it's important that you give your body a chance to rest, especially with a type of exercise it's not used to.

I hear you. I once did a 10k for charity. Did c25k, and worked my way up. Did the 10k in under an hour which I was v proud of. But I dont think I enjoyed a single step.

Rowing on the other hand I loved. A team sport, but you dont have to interact with team mates, high intensity but nothing jiggles, works all major muscle groups, outdoors so you dont get too sweaty.
Rowing culture can be a bit off putting for some, but once you get the hang of it it is fab.

Herniated disc in lower back = pain when running
Scoliosis - so pain in hip / knee = pain when running
Weakened pelvic floor = weeing when running!

Running is not my sport. It pisses me off as I live right next to a huge park, which is perfect for running. It's free, it's flexible, you can do it alone or with friends, don't need to join a club etc and I've got loads of friends who run and love it. But it's just not for me.

I've recently bought a pair of walking trainers - I'm planning to be a power walker instead! Similar benefits without the undesirable impacts on my already slightly wrecked body.

Running is mostly mental for me.

I have to just decide that I AM going to do it and keep going. I generally hate the first 5K and love the second 5K.

I can run, but I like to hillwalk and hike even more and I can't do both due to past injuries. I'm very envious of people who can run long distances and do fell running or trail running, YANBU.

I used to be able to manage a short run but I've decided there's no point doing something I don't enjoy. Time seemed to slow right down when I was running. I prefer other forms of exercise - walking, cycling or swimming.

I always hated it but one day whilst belatedly preparing for a run with some colleagues from school I pushed myself further than before. Think it was probably linked to a fear of looking like I didn't have the strength to do it.

Like others I ended up at parkrun and that fuelled me further. Even a half marathon. It is my favourite way to relax - especially with some good hip hop to listen to. I like nosing around different places in my town too.

Struggling now as my dr advised against it altogether when I found out I was pregnant - but I will return!

I can't run. I have fibromyalgia and it's a task to walk some days. It's the one thing I do get envious of when I see someone running.

I have taken up a Burlesque class as it can be adapted for me and burns about 800 calories per class.

I honestly don't think I've ran (as in proper run, not just "run for a bus" in 20 years. I'm 53. Did go on a 6 mile Geocaching walk today though.