Jogging is awful

[EnigmaticIcelandShopper]

Hello, I was just wondering if anyone else finds jogging really, really difficult? I'm not massively unfit, I walked 36 miles a couple of weekends ago (over 2 days) . However, everytime I attempt to run, it feels like I'm able to only run for a couple of metres, then stop, then run etc. I am slightly overweight but not massively so. I went for a jog today with my son and felt sick and headachey for an hour afterwards. I've tried couch to 5k but can never get past week 1, quite frankly it's embarrassing. Any tips? If I persevere will it get easier?

I'm the same, cycles 14 miles this morning, but couldn't run down the road without stopping
It's dull, Boring and messes your knees up! Stick to something else 😉

The run slower thing definitely makes sense, I'm going to try that. I think as I'm a slightly awkward 6ft, I've automatically assumed that my jog should be a lot faster than my brisk walk, when really I should just be that tiny bit speedier than a fast walk. I can't seem to find the middle ground if you see what I mean.

I honestly wouldn't think about speed at all - run slower than you walk if you like. I don't think it matters as long as you keep running - you will gradually get faster without hating it and feeling rubbish.

I’m quite a good runner but even I feel like my lungs are bleeding for the first half mile. I think it’s your body adapting to the change in pace and asking you to stop!

After that, it’s ok. It’s one of the things nobody ever tells you about running. That, and the fact that for the first two weeks of your running career you will feel like your lungs are bleeding, but after that it gets easier.

Please stick with it, OP. You are tall and built for running. It is such good exercise and is much more accessible than most of the high intensity alternatives.

Your jog speed really doesn't have to be faster than your fast walking speed, it may be slower. But it will take more effort to maintain the motion then walking does. The c25k is only about increasing the amount of time you are able to jog for. When you finish the program you will be able to run (jog, whatever) for 30 minutes. At whatever speed that may be. You will naturally get faster as you get used to it. For the first few weeks, it splits the session into walking and running sections, gradually building up. Just go as fast as you can comfortably maintain, and that's great. You can worry about speeding up when you've completed the c25k!

Just don't do it. Get a terrier.

You're not alone - I hate running, too. Have also tried C25K and just "can't do it".
I can, however, swim without stopping for an hour and regularly walk for miles, so I just stick with these things as I really enjoy them.

I am due in February, I use to walk like a mile a day, but I've stopped it due to the back pain, I bought a waist trainer from prowaist.co.uk and feeling good now. Will resume it again soon.

When I started couch to 5k I was definitely going too fast. Once I'd found a good pace it became more enjoyable. I used the podcasts rather then the app. Now I have completed it I actually really enjoy running. I alternate running with other people and running alone with loud music (I just use Spotify free, lots of running playlists).

*than not then

I've dropped my speed and it is getting so much easier!! Thanks for the tips everyone.

I love runnning but it triggers my sciatica something chronic. I keep hoping if i stremgthen my core enough i'll be able to resume.

@RuffleCrow

I love runnning but it triggers my sciatica something chronic. I keep hoping if i stremgthen my core enough i'll be able to resume.

That was me. I couldn't even run a short distance without feeling like I was jarring my spine. I did a lot of walking before attempting c25k, as well as core strengthening. It made all the difference.

I lead C25k for my running club and spend half my time telling people to slow down, so I’m glad you’ve found the secret.! Most people start off as they used to run at school ie sprinting and then find out the hard way that they aren’t as young and it as they used to be.

Just remember that to start with its the effort and recovery (run and walk) that is improving your fitness, its really not about speed at this point..as long as you are moving and then letting your heart rate and breathing recover in the breaks you’re doing great. As you get fitter then the speed will come naturally, but for now its endurance that matters.

Good luck

I literally just can't run! I desperately wanted to be one of those people who 'catches the running bug' and has to go for a run several times a week to clear my head etc, and I have tried C25K several times in the hope that this time will be the time that it happens.

It has never happened, I literally hate every single second. I have finally given up on running.

Love walking (go along at a good 4mph pace), love weight training, but HATE running so I just don't do it. I'm very fit and walked a marathon in 2018, but there's no way on God's green earth that I could jog or run one.

I fall over easily, so it's probably just as well... 🙄

I think what a lot of people don't realise (I know I didn't!) is that 99% of people HATE c25k when they start. It hurts. You feel sick. You might even physically throw up. It feels wrong in a way that walking or cross training or HIIT or other easier forms of exercise don't.

So you quit and then start again, and fall off the wagon, and maybe start again another time, or maybe just jack it in altogether.
I hated c25k. Hated running. Was so unfit I would let the bus leave without me rather than run for it. But then, once I stuck with it and forced myself through the whole c25k programme, something clicked. Now a half marathon is a "short" run to me; I love distance running, and I get tetchy if I go more than a day without. Most people who see me at races probably wouldn't believe that just a few years ago I hated running with a passion and swore I'd never do it.

What I'm trying to say is that hating running is normal. Cos it's hard! But the only difference between someone who runs marathons and someone who quits c25k after a week or two is perseverance... marathon runners aren't a different physical breed!

Good luck OP - and as pps have said; slow down, and then slow down some more!!

If you are starting ... then I'd really recommend some earphones and listen to some music. I do a good bit of running, but hate running without music.

Use an app like Strava. The free version collects interesting data, and you can see how much you do, pace, etc. I find that interesting too.

Take your time, be gentle, build up over time slowly. Do re-try the couch to 5k!

But is jogging that much better for you than very brisk walking?

Running on the spot on a rebounder has helped me to get into it - its much easier on the joints and fun too.

I used to be like this, am NOT a runner, am a snail! but two years ago found that I didn’t feel v fit with walking/classes and after changing jobs and increasing hours needed something I could do anytime.

So started to jog/walk, used a heartrate monitor, taking walking breaks whenever heartrate got above my target zone. Several times a week for 45 mins to an hour. Gradually got better and now can run 10-12k no problems, no breaks, and really enioy it. Run most days.

Am still a snail, which is fine!

I always run with music or podcasts.

I am on week 5 of c25K, yesterday I did 8 min jog, 5 min walk, 8 min jog.

5 weeks ago 8 would have told you that would be impossible. I felt like I had barely survived the 60 sec jog, 90 sec walk phase

Tomorrow I will be doing a 20 minute jog!

I am obese right now at 198lb, I was 233lb 3 months ago and hadn't done any exercise for years.

I can't say I love jogging, but I do love the sense of accomplishment I feel when I finish one of my sessions and haven't dropped down into a puddle of twisted muscles

Slow, slow jog is the key, barely faster than a brisk walk. I will work on speed once I've built up my stamina enough.

Running is hard work, on a bike you get up and down hills and with weights etc you get a bit of recovery but running is just hard going (and hard impact!) all the time!

Good plan to slow down, you’ll be able to go further for longer if you run just slightly slower than you feel you can but if you stick at it, you’ll be shocked by how much easier it gets! Quite quickly too if you have a good base level of fitness.

I did a lot of track stuff when I was a teen and have always run as part of general fitness, I mainly do triathlons and ultras / marathons now (they say you lose speed but gain stamina as your bones get older!) and spend a bit of time in the gym doing weights but nothing else on earth tires me out as suitably as a good long run.

I think some people just aren't built for it. I just don't seem to get fitter or stronger, whatever I do. Maybe I'm in that 30% someone mentioned upthread!

I was very pleased with myself when I completed the c25k in May after three years of build up - lockdown meant I couldn't make any excuses any more.

I kept running for 30 minutes three times a week during June, July, August and September... hoping I would start to enjoy it, and that the overwhelming sense of shame and inadequacy would abate. I never got any faster or better, and never started to enjoy it. There would be a couple of minutes at about 12 or 13 minutes into the run where I might think 'actually this is tolerable', but that was it.

Being constantly overtaken by springy ponytailed women hardly breaking sweat was just awful.

I went slowly, or did intervals, or whatever, but no. BALLS TO IT.

So I don't do it any more. It's no longer handy, now it gets dark early, so even that appeal has gone. I cycle two miles to work and do a Joe Wicks three times a week. My exercise humiliation is mine alone, and private. Something grim that has to be done, as quickly as possible.