Is anyone else really fit but terrible at running?

[onemississippi]

I've never mastered the art of running and it's driving me mad! I'm not naturally athletic but always been fit and active - as a child I swam, cycled, played badminton and tennis. As an adult I've done martial arts to a competitive level and been a member of a gym for years.

I'm 42 now and do Insanity cardio three times a week, pilates twice, yoga once, weights twice a week plus a body conditioning class so I know my fitness levels are fine. I'm not overweight (5'6" and 64kg) and eat healthily but due to being thick-limbed and prone to cellulite (thanks Mother ) I find that running really helps slim and tone my thighs. I can manage 15 minutes on the treadmill at 5.8mph at a 1% incline but it kills me! I've been doing it for two months now, three times a week but it's not getting any easier - I've got past the stage of wanting to throw up but it's as if my body is screaming at me to stop. I barely break out into a sweat and recover quickly but my body just can't seem to cope with the run itself.

Why is this, are some people just not built to run? I enjoy and cope well with the HIIT and strength training but I feel as if my muscles don't get enough oxygen when I run.

Hmm- I'd be surprised if the OPs weight is a factor at her present stage- it becomes one as you start trying to shave time off PBs and yes, most podium chasers are light framed but that's not really relevant here. Plenty of good runners at the OPs body stats.

OP- it sounds like it's more a case of time vs distance and just starting at at lower speed until you can comfortably do, say 3 miles at that pace and then inch up from there.

Possibly because your cardio is HIT rather than endurance, it's just a case of getting familiar with that sort of training style.

A mere 5"3 and a massive 60kg and run with no problems so agree with the sensible thoughts from
aggresive. Maybe take a day out to the forest if you are footloose and fancy free

as Ragged says the heavier you are the more energy it takes (all other things being equal) to run any given distance....thats just the laws of physics.

Really it's a bonus because the heavier you are the greater the calorie/fat burn

I like running but only after 3 miles. Up to then I hate it. I do 5k runs but I don't like them as they are too short as its only after 3 miles I warm up.

Im off this morning round the hills! I won't see a single soul. Perfect.

I barely break out into a sweat and recover quickly but my body just can't seem to cope with the run itself.

OP, sounds like this is mainly a psychological barrier. The other issue is you are repeating the same session. If you vary your sessions, that will help, psychologically and physiologically.

Assuming that what you are doing is not adversely affecting your knees, you could start varying what you do, gradually. Next time you could add one minute to the length of your session. Once you've done that, I think it will make a difference to how you see your capabilities as a runner. As others have said, you could also consider trying other 'kind' surfaces to run on (level grass, springy running track?).

Me too.
I'm fairly fit, do gym twice a week and could walk and walk for miles, hills and everything.
But run? I can't seem to last long.

I can't seem to get the breathing right, must have crap lungs (even though I don't smoke)

I do sport 5 times a week(swimming and tennis) but cannot run a mile!

Not overweight.

But reckon being really tall with very wide hips (KimK has nothing on me ) I am just the wrong shape!

I was similar and had a lesson with a friend who is an amazing runner. First of all, don't start running as soon as you get on the treadmill/leave the front door. Walk for 2 minutes or so just to get used to moving. Then run slowly, not the way people do on tv. I was running too fast for my fitness level. Try running for 2 mins, walking for 1 and repeat. It really does get easier quickly.

I would love to love running outside, but I hate it.

I run on the treadmill at the gym at least 3 times per week and do at least 5k, but if I run outside, I am knackered as soon as I start.

I'm the same. Have a PT, pretty fit, done lots of cycling, skiing, hiking etc. But I've always been a crap/non runner. I've been training for my first 10k since Jan and I'm up to 8k now. It seemed to click into place when I got up to 5k. DP or friends, all much better than me, go running with me which means I don't stop! Still can't run on a treadmill but I can manage to run outdoors. I still feel like going to die after a minute of running. But the feeling afterwards is fab.

I am the same as you OP, fairly advanced at kickboxing, I can swim 3km in a hour, do pull ups, v flexible etc but I don't get on with running. I did manage to stick at it for a period of a few months once though, and built up to running 6 or so miles continuously (9m once !), so it is possible to get there. My knees don't like it much though and I stopped in favour of the activities that I really enjoy. I suspect that as others have said, you are probably running too fast and without a decent warm up, or there's a psychological barrier. Tbh I'd be inclined to just find something you like better that gives similar physical results - not sure what that might be though !

Thanks for all the replies and I've taken them all on board; feel slightly relieved I'm not the only crap runner!

Ragged I'm about 4kg over my ideal weight (I was unemployed for six months and gained weight as I couldn't afford the gym, over-ate and became depressed) so I know you have a valid point. I've lost 6kg since the beginning of February so feeling miles better now.

I don't agree it's a psychological thing though - even when I was in my mid-20s, weighed 58kg and was ultra-fit I could never easily manage a 5k run.

Sleepwhenidie I get good results from my HIIT and pilates classes but I'm persisting with this running as I believe if my body finds it so inherently difficult and shocking it must do me some good!

I'm not so fit now but have been super fit in the past (I intend on getting back there soon honest, lol). Even though I was super fit I still hated running, I have always found it boring beyond belief and that lack of stimulation makes things harder.

I know people who consider themselves runners and they are constantly trying to get me to run, TBF it would solve the problem I have finding time to exercise, as I'd be able to just run straight out from my house, but I just can't bring myself to do it. I even take my dd to the local athletics club as she loves running, but I sit and watch rather than join in. I was a good runner at school and was town champion at the 1500, but it was a biproduct of being so fit and I was bribed by our PE teacher. Maybe a different type of cardio work would suit you more.

onemississippi
I don't agree it's a psychological thing though - even when I was in my mid-20s, weighed 58kg and was ultra-fit I could never easily manage a 5k run.

You could never easily manage a 5k run? So you did run 5k when you were younger, even though it didn't feel easy? I rest my case

You can't really make a judgment about your current 15 minute sessions, because they're all the same and it takes around that time to adjust to the state of running.

For your 15 minute sessions to feel easier, you need to try other things - slower, without the incline, different terrains, longer sessions etc. It's very very difficult to improve (or for a session to feel easier) if you keep doing the same thing.