Why is running so hard??!! (Page 2)

remember that it's not just calories in / calories out.  The quality and timing of those calories is critical.  Eating 1000 cal of complex carbs throughout the day is not the same as eating 1000 cal of fat 2 min before bed.  Your body demands calories to function during the day and especially to work out, so that's when you need to be feeding it.  This includes the calories you eat while working out.  Also make sure you are eating proper recovery meals.

I don't feel qualified to give a detailed nutrition plan, but don't cut calories for the sake of cutting calories.  You need to regulate when you eat the calories and make sure they are being put to good use.

Thanks Mike, I see the distinction now.

And to add to Hangloose's statement, which I totally agree with, I have learned that I need to find a way to warm up for shorter runs.  So, if I'm not shooting for a long run where I can warm up in the first few miles, and want to enjoy a shorter (say 3 mile) run, I warm up by walking.  Lots of people just start jogging away, but I don't feel the quality of my run is good.  I usually warm up by walking at a very brisk pace, taking long strides, for about 5 minutes.  Then I'm good to go.

Also, more running helps.  When I was training for a half-marathon, my "short" runs (6 miles) seemed really easy.  Now if I don't keep up a regular schedule each run is torture. 

Good luck!  It's totally worthwhile to seek enjoyment in running.  I am almost entirely motivated by the runners high promise, which I usually acheive when I run if I'm warmed up and am in a good place with sleep/nutrition.

I knew there was something about you that I liked...

Wow so many great ideas!  Thanks everyone!

I'm also glad to know I'm not the only one that has trouble stringing multiple minutes of running together. 

Right now I'm running 3-4 times/week.  Essentially every other day.  I've been hesitant to do any more than that because I want to give my shins a day to rest between runs (had major shin issues when I first started).  I started out following the couch to 5k plan from this site, where every run is 30 min. but the amount of time walking vs. running changes each week.  I haven't been increasing the running time along with the plan lately, but I've been keeping the 30 min. thing the same.  Would it be beneficial for me to start doing longer runs?  I was thinking that I should wait until I can actually run more of the time that I'm out there before increasing the total time.  If I start increasing the time, how should I do it?  How much can I increase by?  Should I do one long day and keep the others short, or what? 

Weight is definitely an issue for me.  I've lost 30 lbs but I have at least another 30 to go before I'll be in the healthy range.  I have seen definite improvement as I lose the pounds though.  Lots less general pain caused by gravity, and less of the "earthquake" feeling every time I step.

I would agree that some of this is definitely mental too.  I had a huge mental block in reducing the walk time from 2:00 to 1:00, and I think now my brain is getting in the way again and not liking the idea of doing more running than walking.  I definitely start out expecting it to hurt, which is probably not a good mindset to have.

I've also been working on the breathing some lately.  I've started breathing in for 2 counts and out for 2 counts to keep it regulated and give me something to focus on mentally when I start getting distracted or thinking about quitting.  I'm thinking that those 2 counts probably correlate pretty closely to 2 steps, but I haven't really paid attention.  I'll see the next time I run. 

I've never really thought much about the posture thing, I'll definitely have to look in to that.  I'm going to print out this thread so I have it to refer back to and I'll see what kind of changes I can make.  Thanks again everyone!    

Why go from a 2 minute walk break to 1; why not 1:45 then 1:30?

I have to say I used to hate running; it was hard, I sucked at it; I was slow; it was hard.

After running 3x a week for 2 years I learned to like it and now 2 more years later I really enjoy it. I had some running injuries and missed running and then when I started we were careful to build up slowly. Tomorrow I'm running 8.5 miles and can't wait, next week 10 and the following 12...I love to cycle but this is the training I'm looking forward to most as it is challenging but fun. I share just so you know it can change for you but it takes time.

I told a friend today who hates running, I ran about 300 times before I came to like it....she wanted to ask why the heck did you keep doing it but didn't. It is part of doing tris.

I agree a huge thing is mental about running. I was struggling last year with doing my run speed work and my coach had me rename those workouts as my favorite workout of the week. So I pretended it was so and made a big deal and called it that all the time...it made it light and sort of funny and you know what they became more fun, challenging yes but I no longer dreaded doing them.

Back when I started I ran in the dark so my neighbors couldn't see me..now I run on the main streets in my town and I'm signed up to do an IM....5 years after I started running in the dark. My two biggest thrills last year were run things...did my first 1/2 Mary and ran 5K at 8:38 pace....stunned me as the year before I never blieved either of those things were possible.

It can get better, stick with it and keep positive as you will be surprised how much your view can change and the cool things you can accomplish.