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Bob H.
Bob H. Sendmail

When does it get easier ?

posted 10 months ago | Report

I have worked up to running 30 minutes without walking. Can do a whopping 13 minute/per mile pace :-) I have been running every other day, try to push a little more each time. It still is very hard for me, but I push through. When does it become easier and enjoyable ? Maybe I'm pushing too hard ? Any thoughts appreciated.
Bob

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19 posts

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  • Emily B.
    Emily B. Sendmail

    I really started to enjoy running after I signed up and ran my first 5k race! I started running 9 1/2 months ago and just ran my first 16 miler today! I've noticed that the first mile is always the hardest. Legs ache, heavy breathing. Keep doing what youre doing and it'll get easier! The best advice I've got is sign up for a small race. The atmosphere is incredible and inspiring! Good luck on your journey!

    posted 10 months ago

  • Nathan D.
    Nathan D. Sendmail

    I am with Emily. Find a local 5K and provide yourself with a run that will be anything but routine. Races are just a great way to give yourself some feedback on your training as well as a great way to spend a weekend morning with your fellow runners.

    posted 10 months ago

  • Runningwishes
    Runningwishes Sendmail

    Two years ago I signed up for my first race...a marathon. I've always been active in sports and ran alot when I was in the Army, but I've always HATED running. I went for the marathon as a personal challenge. The first few weeks were really tough. 20 minutes and I was done. But believe me, it gets better. In the beginning, the progress can take a while to notice. It WILL come. I fell in love with running around week 6 of training for my first marathon. I haven't stopped since. One thing you can do is look at it in a fun way. Reward yourself. Find a fun place to run. And one thing that really helps is this right here...talk about running. You'll do great. Just keep running.

    posted 10 months ago

  • Bob H.
    Bob H. Sendmail

    Thanks everyone for the advice and support ! I made it a goal to try a 5K, I may be the last one across the finish line but I just want to complete it. I have a friend that has ran with me several days and it has helped a lot, I am not thinking about how hard this is , etc :-)
    Bob

    posted 10 months ago

  • David R.
    David R. Sendmail

    Definitely with everyone else. A goal such as the 5k is good motivation. Don't push yourself too hard. You want to challenge yourself, but not to the point you injure yourself. Look at some training plans (as in how do you approach 'non-run' days - even those eventually get geared towards running) and maybe a running partner. I remember when I started half-marathon training last year. I was somewhere only at the 5 or 6 miles - am there again after recovering from injury - and was half stiff the rest of the day even after stretching out. Eventually that goes away, and what you find is you enjoy the run, the feeling it gives you and being able to relax in it. Keep it up, don't give up! And good luck!

    posted 10 months ago

  • Erik K.
    Erik K. Sendmail

    At the pace you state, you'll finish with the slower runner, but ahead of all the walkers.

    From what I've seen, progress seems to follow an S-curve. It starts slow as your body transforms to be used to running. Then, you'll hit a point where the aches and muscle fatigue stop being what limit you and you become limited by your cardio-vascular system. Your heart and lungs will show a quick initial improvement at this point. But this will hit an end and you will need to start trying new things to gain much more and it will come slower.

    I ran 2 or 3 days per week for a few years, but started running more this last spring. I feel like I'm nearing the point where that improvement starts slowing down, so I've already started pushing my distance and doing a small amount of speed work. I think the toughest point so far was getting to the point where thing started improving faster. From what your saying, it sounds like your getting close to that point. It is, unfortunately, a point where many people give up. I'd encourage you to keep running and let things get better.

    posted 10 months ago

  • Lazaro R.
    Lazaro R. Sendmail

    I have been running for 4 years now and its still not easier or enjoyable. For me, the joy comes with the effects that a running lifestyle has on my life not so much the act of running itself. I tell people it never gets easier; you just get faster at getting the pain over with. A local race is a GREAT idea and I also recommend it.

    Don't necessarily look for running to be easy but instead look for your increased speed and mileage to make you feel better and better after your runs are over. Just my thoughts...

    posted 10 months ago

  • Brian S.
    Brian S. Sendmail

    takes time and really depends on your body and how it takes to getting used to running. I would say don't beat yourself up right now buy worrying about pace. be careful running so much like that starting out. Your body needs time to recover. If you can, add some cross training in there - bike, elliptical, swimming, etc. a couple of times per week. That helps in two ways: gives your joints/ knees, etc. some rest from the pounding of running but also builds cardio. and that will help with endurance. Also, make sure you have the right equipment (shoes, shirts, shorts, socks, etc.) so those things don't make it any harder than it already is. Having support here doesn't hurt either. good luck!

    posted 10 months ago

  • Morey B.
    Morey B. Sendmail

    It never gets easier.
    you just get faster.

    (famous quote from Greg Lemond- 3x Tour de France winner)

    posted 10 months ago

  • Aron S.
    Aron S. Sendmail

    I like the quote Morey. After my first 5K I enjoyed it.

    posted 10 months ago

  • Megan
    Megan Sendmail

    Hello Bob!

    I am in the same boat. I started (and finished!) the couch to 5k program, and I can run a full 30 minutes or longer, but my pace always hovers around 15minutes. I have actually started Active.com app's 5k-10k Program, and in it there are tempo runs (faster runs at a still controllable pace) which is supposed to help you run faster. Even though I don't think I will run a 10k, I like to challenge myself and programs like this help keep me motivated to run.

    Good luck!

    Friend request sent :)

    posted 10 months ago

  • John Philipp K.
    John Philipp K. Sendmail

    Having a goal and comparing yourself to others, e.g. what is considered a "good" time etc. Also, it becomes easier if you do it every day! That way your body gets "addicted" to it. And last but not least you should combine running with cycling or swimming to make your body really work hard.

    posted 10 months ago

  • Doug
    Doug Sendmail

    You certainly are pushing too hard.

    walk/jog. add more jog and less walk as the weeks pass.

    there is no shortcut. if you have not been jogging for years it will take a few months for your body to adapt.

    if you keep doing it the changes happen. if you cannot maintain a conversation in full sentences then you are trying too hard. it's the most common mistake beginners make.

    3 months is a really short time frame for runners. other people cringe hearing that. but in 3 months you'll be better if you keep after it.

    posted 10 months ago

  • Stephanie E.PRO
    Stephanie E. Sendmail

    For me it was about a year after I started running. Up until then my commitment had been touch and go. One day everything just clicked.

    I know that's completely unhelpful, but just stick with it and hopefully it will click for you sometime soon!

    posted 10 months ago

  • Stephen T.
    Stephen T. Sendmail

    Occasionally, on a longer run, set out to run slower. Just run for the joy of it. If you are always at or near your limits, then it is difficult. The day I decided to just take a nice long leasurely run at about 1 min slower than my usual, was the day I enjoyed the most. After that, all my runs, hard ones included, became much easier, (mentally!) Oh, and ditto to the 5K or 10K suggestions. I get such a charge out of race day!

    posted 10 months ago

  • Molly W.
    Molly W. Sendmail

    When does it get easier? It's easier RIGHT NOW. You couldn't run 30 minutes without walking before. Now you can! Look at where you are compared to where you've been. Revel in that for a while. You're a runner. Don't worry that you are running at 13 minute/per mile - It's the same finish line for everyone. Baby steps...soon become baby strides...soon become longer strides as your muscles get stronger and your glycogen stores get replenished. :D

    Don't forget that rest is very important, too. Just as important as the running. If you push too much, you get injured. Don't keep adding on distance or time each run just to "do more" - get a good training plan and stick to it, ESPECIALLY the rest days.

    posted 10 months ago

  • Sherri M
    Sherri M Sendmail

    I agree with this comment especially. Lots of great advice here on setting goals and sticking with running for a while before you expect to feel that "runner's high," but meanwhile, be amazed at what you've done so far. I'm certainly not fast nor have I done a lot of races, but for me, the first mile was the hardest, the first three miles were the next hurdle. Building that base was tough. You are well on your way right now.

    posted 10 months ago

  • Paul
    Paul Sendmail

    Morey is ofcourse right (he usually is) with the proviso that it applies to when your trying to go as fast as you can. then it really does never get easier.

    In the begining rather than worry about running at a certain pace, or distance, simply concentrate on being able to run for a certain period of time. Keep the pace nice and slow so you could talk on the mobile phone at the same time as you run.... without the person on the other end thinking your a pervert !!! ;)

    When i started i ran every other day, starting with 3km slowly increasing it to around 10k over 3 months, by then i was able to run without feeling i was about to die, or my legs fall off, but i was still completely worn out after a run. another 3 months and i could do those same 10k runs and finish feeling energized rather than worn out.

    BTW i noticed a big difference when i switched to running before work rather than after it.

    posted 10 months ago

  • Niquole A.
    Niquole A. Sendmail

    I don't know why but this popped into my head from pintrest. I would think that maybe you are pushing too hard by pushing every other run. Try relaxing a little and enjoy the fact that you are out there running when others are sitting around on the couch. Take a breath and remember that it doesn't always have to be a race.

    http://stayfits.tumblr.com/post/26697586646/it-never-gets-easier-you-just-get-better

    posted 10 months ago | edited 10 months ago

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