When does running become "easy"?

[HillSlugger]

I've been running since the end of October. It took at least 4 weeks before I could consistently do 30 minutes without walking. Although I've watched my pace continually drop to where I'm doing 3.2 miles between 10:15 and 10:25 it still isn't easy. Each time out I'll be 1/2- 1 mile in and wonder how I'll ever go the whole length. Somehow I manage to keep the legs going and eventually find that I'm done.

[Wahine]

Hmmmmmmm. Not sure if I should answer this post. I'm not a gifted runner, but I don't think running is as hard for me as many. Having said that, here it goes.

Running is not easy. Running can be made easier with drill work (and weight loss). Running is actually much more technical than many realize. Imagine how hard it is to swim if you have poor technique. Running is the same way. The only difference is you're not going to drown if you don't do it right and everyone knows how to run at some level. On this same vein, some people are gifted with excellent form and get that floating feeling. The rest of us have to learn to run that way, if it's possible given your body type.

I used to go out and push on every run. I suffered through them all. Then I started working with coaches. I adjusted my form and my training plan. Now I only do one hard run a week, one long run (this is hard but not in the same way) and I do one easy run where I work on form.

I think it's very important to run/jog/walk at a pace that feels very comfortable at least once a week. To get me used to what this means, one of my coaches had me start my form workouts by running 10 to 15 min without letting my HR go above 115 BPM. I had to run slowly and with good form, if my HR went above 115, I was to walk until it was below 100 then start up again. It took months until I was able to run a full 10 min with my HR in this zone. Now I can run indefinitely on flat ground at 115 to 120 and a pace of 11 to 12 min/mile. Now I can run and it feels pretty good. The hard workouts and long workouts still hurt. Oh well, you have to suffer a little to improve.

Most of the drills I use are from Friel's Triathletes Training Bible.

This website has some good drills and descriptions as well:

http://www.endurancecoach.com/Running_Drills.htm

Have fun.

[mimitabby]

Thanks Wahine, that makes sense. I'll visit that website. (not that i want to run that much, i just want to understand why it's so tough. I weigh 10 pounds more than i did when i was in my 20's and a lot of that weight is leg muscle!

[JenLeath]

I started running two years ago. I had a strong cardio base, so after the first few torcherous 2 mile runs, I got the hang of it. I was never by any means fast, usually between 9-11 mm depending on the distance, but I loved every step of it. Until last year, I had some injuries and some difficulties at home, that seems totally derail anything I tried to do. I struggled through my runs for months, sucking wind with every run. I live in Utah and the winters are very cold and snowy, so I started running on the "dreadmill" only a mile at a time, run 5/ walk 2, I kept the run slow about 12 mm. Then I would walk for a bit and do another mile, I would keep this up until it didn't feel so good anymore. Then I hit the elliptical. After two months at this, increasing my run time as long as it felt good, I switched to the track. That was 3 months ago. I am training for a half marathon in April. My last month of runs felt great and I was faster than I ever would've expected. I think the key (sorry for rambling on ) is to do what feels good. I think pushing myself all those months actually hurt my running. As soon as I backed off and relaxed everything came into play. The weather is clearing up here, I am soooo glad Running on a track and "dreadmill" aren't my favorite. Good Luck

Happy Training

[Starfish]

I think the key (sorry for rambling on ) is to do what feels good. I think pushing myself all those months actually hurt my running. As soon as I backed off and relaxed everything came into play.

I haven't started running yet. I am thinking I will start a walk/run program in the fall toward next year. But, I am amazed at how going with intuition and how I feel is helping my swimming and cycling training. I expect it to help when I start running again, too.

By the way, MimiT, my experience sounds a lot like yours. I am not particularly built for running, but in college I enjoyed about 30 miles/week, and just loved it. Felt great. Twenty years later, I feel great in a pool or on a bike, but even jogging across the street makes me feel like a heavy, plodding cow. I have confidence that a program will change that, though! (hoping, hoping!!)

[Offthegrid]

Thanks for all the input. I know that if I lose weight it'll be easier, but I'm a long way from goal so that'll take a while.

My program has me doing 1 min walk/5 min jog intervals this week. My legs are fine and I think my stride is OK, but my HR is up there yet even at 12-12:30 min/mile. But I'll tell you what I feel like I'm floating on cloud 9 now afterwards.

I think maybe I just have a really bad case of the winter blues. I'm so ready to be OUTSIDE. I'm tired of being on the bike trainer or dreadmill. I want to run *to* something.

My first 5K is in late April, and I'm already doing at least 3.1 miles a session (but with walking breaks) so by then hopefully it'll be easier.