ok runners......

[elsie3]

I feel for you. I run because it gets me outside and works different muscles than I work in my basement. I enjoy some aspects of running, but I am not a "runner." For me, the first 20 minutes is the hardest. If I can make it past that, it gets much, much better--well, at least until 60 minutes or so. I also can't force myself to do intervals when I run. I only do those with Cathe. I tried doing interval runs and found I hated it so much that I wanted to quit running altogether.

Hang in there--we're pulling for you.

Elsie

 

[Mamafitness]

Hi there -- I hope you don't mind if I chime in...

I'm training for a marathon (September 28th). My long runs have been on Sunday mornings and I've gotten up to 18 miles. It is almost all mental. You have to either distract yourself with something or make up mantras to keep you going. Luckily, I run around a lake and it is so beautiful on a summer morning that I feel wonderful out in nature for 3+ hours. And, believe me, I never thought I'd be able to run for that long... but you can do amazing things if you put your mind to it. I keep thinking, if I can be in labor and have a baby, I can run a few miles.


Charlene

 

[meowracer]

What in the world is a cyclops trainer????

Forgot the "e" in the word - sorry. It is actually Cycleops. This is the website: http://www.saris.com/p-309-fluid.aspx. You can certainly find them for much less than MSRP and with free shipping. Amazon shows some pics with a bike in the trainer: http://www.amazon.com/CycleOps-Fluid-Indoor-Bicycle-Trainer/dp/B000BT7HWY.

It is basically a device that turns your road bike into a spinning bike. The front wheel does not turn - only the bike turns in this trainer. You adjust the tension on the wheel and use your gears to cycle through what you want for the workout. The fluid is quiet - the others are noisy. Also, if you go to spinervals.com and watch some clips, you will see some trainers (there are several brands available - mine is the Cycleops and I love it - have used it for a few years with no problems and have ridden a lot of miles on it.)

 

[Sunshine1528]

How about trying to increase in small amounts at a time. Next time you and your running friend go out, warm up with a fast walk, very very slow jog, then walk a minute and start running. Go your 1 1/2 min., walk a minute or two and then try for 1 3/4 min. Do that a couple times and then see if you can go for 2 min.

You never increase your endurance if you don't push yourself - and I don't mean speed, I mean endurance.

I run a slow run or a fast jog - about a 10 min mile - that is a comfortable speed for me. I have gone as far as 9 miles on a TM and done a 10K. I don't think I'll ever get to a Half Marathon - it seems like such a long way, but then you never know.

The "runner's high" usually kicks in for me after a few miles. Then all of a sudden when I am "in the grove", my motion is consistent, my breathing is good (breathing in and then out on my 2nd left step) I can go forever (at least I feel like I could). For me it is a feeling where my legs don't feel tired and my breathing is very comfortable. How you use your arms makes a difference also - don't let them tense up.

If you want some good pointers and running plans, go to www.runnersworld.com and create a running plan for you and your friend. Try a 5K plan which is 3.1 miles - or 12+ laps around the track.

See what goals you can set and if you can meet them or perhaps even break them.

Best of luck in achieving your goals !

 

[lesliew1]

You got some good advice here--main thing being start slowly. I wouldn't even think about doing intervals until you can run at least 2 miles at a comfortable pace.

I began running again this summer, after a 10 year hiatus. I made the mistake of attempting intervals after my third week of running. I went out too fast and for too long and ended up with extreme DOMS and knee pain. I had to take a couple weeks off to recover. It was hell!

No matter how conditioned I am, like others have mentioned, the first mile hurts! I get pain and cramps in my legs and my breathing is erratic. It takes a lot of effort to push myself to get past that. But, I consider the hurt part of the challenge and the runners high I get once I clear that obstacle makes it all worth it. If it's not for you it's not for you, but take the advice of others and don't give up yet.

 

[jennifermaria]

I second the Jeff Galloway recco--he rocks!! He's a big believer in going at your own pace and not putting pressure on yourself to be a certain way (e.g., "I have to run a 7-min mile to be a runner" or "I can't stop to walk if I want to be a runner"). He advocates run-walk for marathons, and his disciples have been able to finish marathons in pretty amazing times using that technique (sub-3 hours!).

Not sure if you're going for long-distance running or if you just want to get the benefits of running (of which there are many--I am so addicted, it's not even funny ), but the thing to remember no matter what your goal is to listen to your body and enjoy yourself. If at the end of the day, you don't like running, by all means, don't force yourself to do it! Life is too short to do an activity you don't really enjoy just to be fit .

 

[Kimenem]

Tomorrow is another running day so we'll se how it goes. Lots of great advice here though. It's seems as if there is so much info about running, it can get a little overwhelming.

 

[janie1234]

I suggest you re-read your post. You have more negative things to say about running in that post than you might realize. Why do you run if you don't enjoy any part of it? Why be in agony, feel wrong, like a waste of time, and like you're attempting something impossible?? Yikes; when you put it like that, no wonder you aren't feeling any benefits!

Gosh, I'm with Ame on this one. I agree with everything she's said. It is a lot harder to stick with an exercise plan if you hate it. Have you tried getting an IPOD? It helps me a lot. Down load a couple of heart pumping tunes and try to relax, . .that Zen moment WILL happen. I also run just for the fun of it. You have to train your heart of the higher intensity don't over concentrate on your breathing. I know it sounds silly but try to relax. It will get easier. Another thing I love to do is down load one fast song and one slow song alternate them. Run during the fast song and walk during the slow and just repeat it for 1 mile. Do that a couple of times and you'll start training your heart more.