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?

I have literally just come back from running 13k - Six months ago I struggled to run for 2 mins. My workplace did a couch to 5k course and that taught me if I couldn't run and talk at the same time I needed to slow down !

For me its a constant battle, some days I literally have to force myself put on my trainers on. I don't enjoy it,I'm finding that the long runs boring and my feet will never be smooth and perfectly manicured things they once were BUT the satisfaction and sense of achievement I feel far outweigh all the negatives.

I have never been sporty (the last to be 'picked' for a team in PE) and at age 49 hardly a 'spring chicken' but I'm fitter than I have ever been in my entire life and have also managed to ward off the dreaded middle aged spread.

In two weeks I will achieve something that most people can't by running my first half marathon and that will make the hours spent pounding the parks and pavements worth every second.

Isn't running really bad for you - and terrible for your pelvic floor?

Isn't running really bad for you - and terrible for your pelvic floor?

No idea about the pelvic floor (Pilates is good for this) but running is not good for people who are so overweight that their knees are strained. This can cause irreparable damage.

Other than this, running is very, very good for you. Where did you get this idea?

I'm a new runner with the zeal of the converted - I started in Feb, struggled to run 1.2 miles, am now doing 5 miles 4x week. I wouldn't say I love it, but I do love the way that I feel when I punch the 'stop' button on the treadmill.

Once I get past the first mile, I'm fine.

I really hated it when I started. I think everyone does, OP. You just have to get through it. There's no magic bullet.

boys I'm not getting as far as peddling. I push down on the first pedal, overbalance and fall over sideways! Never get as far as a full pedal rotation, not in any of my attempts!

I don't get this "run so slowly you can still talk" advice. If I'm running that slowly then surely I'm walking?!

I run mostly for my head rather than my body,it has been amazing for my mental health,energy levels and horrendous PMT. It helps me manage the stresses of life so much better.

I dont understand running for the sake of runnning. Running during hockey, or tennis is fine. Running for practical reasons like getting the bus, chasing a small child also fine. Its not fun for me. Neither is swimming. Zumba is fun. You just need to find your fun.

See to me Zumba isn't fun - it requires too much thinking. I like running because I can switch off and not need to think too much!

I think that's half the problem sometimes finding the exercise which is right for you.

knickers are you starting off with the pedal at 2 o clock and using your dominant leg? Do you manage to get your other foot on the pedal?

It is also important to be properly balanced before you set off, sitting up straight and looking ahead..

Apologies if this is overkill

I always heard the opposite, that if you can hold a conversation while at the gym or running, you need to intensify. Maybe that's why I feel like puking for a good hour post workout 🤔

Or try scooting with one foot on the pedal and then build up to the idea of putting your other foot on the pedal. I don't think having someone hanging into you I'd necessarily a good idea, as you tend to lean on them too much.

feeling I completely agree re mental health, nothing sorts my head like a good cardio session, boxing is a particularly favoured for my stress levels I find...

I don't get this "run so slowly you can still talk" advice. If I'm running that slowly then surely I'm walking?!

When you're a beginner there is often little difference, but then you progress as you become fitter. If you start tunning too quickly, you give up and therefore never progress to running at a faster pace.

My running pace was barely faster than a brisk walk for months - the key is short quick steps (high cadence) and to go so slowly you can talk. I've now done 2 half marathons and multiple 10km in the 2 years since starting C25km. The first 10 minutes is still a struggle but once I'm warmed up and have my rythm I'm good to go.

boys hmmm. I don't remember, haven't tried for a while as I didn't fancy picking gravel out of my elbow again.

I have though, never got as far as getting my foot onto the second pedal. I do though, remember it whacking me in the back of the leg and getting a really spectacular bruise

Interesting.

I am a keen and competitive runner.
I love it.

To address some PPs:

1. I can be seen laughing when I run sometimes.
2. Chatty pace for me is 8 mins/mile and the aim of those runs is to build endurance.
3. I have been injured from overuse, but overall running is not bad for me. At all.
4. I've had hard runs where I've thought "this is what it must feel like for people who don't enjoy running". It's brings it home to me just how important it is to find a sport you love.

Feel free to ask me a question.

Doing the combat fitness test in the military in my home country put me off running for life

I'm not a runner and I'm doing Couch25k. I think you just have to push through the pain. And I've learnt it's all in the head. So if you can push through that you'll do it. Running with others helps as others say, and perseverance. If you go back to the Couch25k app just do each stage until you're ready to go to the next. There's no pressure to keep pushing forward. Take your time but push yourself too. I agree to I don't love it but it's getting easier and it's great for keeping fit and weight loss. I haven't come across anything else that works especially with peri menopause. It's been a lifeline really. Oh and until recently I couldn't run for a minute (60 secs) without thinking I'd die, and I'm doing my first 5k soon.

I'm finding this fascinating, because I have spent many years - on and off - trying to "become a runner".

In that period my weight has yo-yo'd fairly dramatically, but safe to say I have typically been between 1 - 4 stone overweight when running. When I did it the first time there was no smart phones or apps or C25k, I just went out on the local common and jog-walked until I thought I was gonna puke. Then I printed off a beginners schedule from Runners World and followed that - all was going pretty well for several weeks and I was up to a couple of miles without stopping (very very slow shuffling rather than running really) and was enjoying it, until I pushed too hard one summer in 25 degrees and fainted on the common on my own with no phone.

That rather put me off, and I didn't run again for a few years before C25k came along - as did smart phones - and I gave it another go. Again, I completed the programme and was up to 5k with no breaks, and decided to join the local running club. The gym said they catered for beginners, but the only other 7 people in the group on my first night were seasoned runners. The instructor had us doing fartlek interval training around the park and I was utterly humiliated - I was the slowest, had 7 strangers weakly cheering me on as I lumbered around like an elephant and actually wet myself with the physical effort. I went into hiding and rather lost my enthusiasm again.

I must have started and completed C25k on at least 3 more occasions since then, but the pattern is that life or health interrupts my carefully mapped programme for some reason, or I have a spectacularly agonising run and have a few days off. My motivation stalls and I seem to let it all fade away...

There has been a recent change in that we have unexpectedly come into a good treadmill. I am now quite enthusiastic about trying again with that .

But these days I am more like 5 stone overweight, so I wonder if it's really wise. Maybe some light jeffing to kick off while I try to lose some of this weight?

I remember always being disappointed at the level of calories burnt running - I couldn't run very fast for very long, and when you're calorie counting it doesn't feel worth the pain and effort!

@billydaveysdaughter start walking and walking faster. You can do that with couch to 5 k or just take a watch and your phone and start setting intervals. Same principal just lower speeds. Walking is a brilliant lower impact alternative. Try not to think about calories more about the health benefits of moving more. Each time you work on your cardio, help to lower blood pressure and loads of other benefits www.nhs.uk/Livewell/fitness/Pages/whybeactive.aspx

I'd only do it if I enjoyed it, though. Sometimes that enjoyment is after but it should be a positive thing not a punishment. It wasn't like every time I went out was best run everrrr, but it made a positive difference to wellbeing. I don't like the gym though, so running is always the one that stuck for me.

Running shouldn't hurt. If it hurts when you are running, back off. Listen to what your body is telling you. You might hurt after running but it should be more of an ache than a hurt! Same for walking.

High impact puts a strain on your joints so I'd work to build fitness before increasing speed. Vary up with other low impact exercise as your cross training :)

Also, I would stop for months or I would just go out once a week. It didn't mean I needed to start from scratch. After a while I would just go again.

Go slower. Always go slower. You want to finish! The time for getting faster comes later. At the beginning you are already working hard, you don't need to make it harder for yourself.

I miss jogging (more of a plod than run) I developed a problem with my feet whilst pregnant and a year later is is still no better, the doggy misses it too :(

Thanks reetgood, sage advice. I'll get on the treadmill and start walking!

Really interesting reading this thread - you have inspired me to maybe try running. I love walking, but I could really do with some sort of cardio exercise just for general fitness.

Stupid question alert though - which part of your foot should hit the ground first, heel or toe? Somewhere in the depths of my memory I remember being told as a child that you shouldn't run on your heels, so have always put my toes down first. However, running has always hurt the front of my lower legs and a friend of mine said she runs on her heels, so I'm thinking I've been getting it wrong all this time!

@loopsngeorge I wouldn't think about it too much at the start. Make sure you have shoes that are appropriate for running (running can be very cheap but shoes are the expensive bit). You can go and get your gait analysed at a running shop and they can advise on right type of shoe. But initially I'd prob go in trainers. Pavement is your least forgiving surface so if you can vary it a bit with grass/track.

The hurt at your shins could be an advance notice of something called shin splints. Key advice: SLOW DOWN :) and amp up your mileage/time on feet gradually www.runnersworld.com/shin-splints

Re feet, you want to use the whole of your foot to allow your natural biomechanics to move you. Heel striking is a thing but you do actually need to let them hit the ground. Try to focus on the moment of lifting your feet from the ground rather than how you strike. Usually closest to your natural run is the best form for you. Some people swear by running with little cushioning so they naturally don't thwack their feet down. But running toes down first artificially won't be helpful.

Hope you enjoy! Lots of nerdy running forums on the internet, if you catch the bug.