Question for runners: Are some people just not capable of running?

[KSH]

Well, call me negative-nelly... but I think that some people are runners and others are not.

Now, does that mean that people who are not gifted runners, cannot run? Nope. It just means they have to work twice as hard at it, and will still probably be twice as slow.

From experience... and months of hard work and dedication... I have learned that my body rejects running. Yes, REJECTS RUNNING. It simply hates it.

No matter how long I run, how far I run, how fast or slow I run... I never get better. The more I run, the more my body rejects it.

Recently I have picked up a nice little GI issue. Not pretty, let me tell you... and it's all related to running.

When my body isn't spewing disgusting stuff after a long run... my body hurts. My feet, lower legs, etc. In fact, the pain in my lower legs popped up about 2 years ago and there doesn't seem to be a medical reason for it, or a fix.

OH... but wait... let's not forget the SIDE CRAMP I get from time to time. Lucky me, that typically pops up when I race (triathlons). That's always fun... running hunched over with my fingers jabbed into my side... breathing deep... again... my body REJECTS RUNNING.

With all of that said... I do put in an average of 80 miles a month running. It's slow, it's painful, it's never fun... but I do it. I kind of have to for my triathlons.

So, I may never be a great runner (trust me on this ladies- I won't be)... but I trudge along... getting it done... and I finish the miles. Even if ladies pushing strollers pass me... I finish.

Sorry I couldn't be more positive... but I truly believe that some people are gifted runners, others are not. I couldn't tell you what your fitness level is, or where you fall... but just keep at it... and if you do... you too will be running 12 minute miles!

Seriously though, it did take me a good 2 or 3 months before I could run a mile without walking.

[JTri's]

I would agree that some people are gifted, or natural runners and some aren't. I happen to really have to work at running, but I find I get a huge amount of satisfaction from simply sticking with something that is so challenging. I went for an 8 mile run last Saturday, finished feeling strong, and I was smiling all day. Who knew I could do it? Not me!

My heartrate also tends to be higher than it should be, especially at the start of a run, but it comes down as I get into it and after a mile or two it's usually fine. I run/walk the first few miles and find that helps immensely.

I'm also fairly slow (12 min miles), and right now that doesn't bother me because I am focusing on be able to complete a half marathon and besides that, well I'm just so delighted to actually be jogging any amount of distance that I don't care how long it takes me

If I were to be working on my speed I would start doing some track workouts and some hills too. Have you tried either of those? For your body to go faster, it has to practice that faster speed, if only for a limited amount of time.

[rocknrollgirl]

I am not a natural runner either. I have had to work really hard to get better, but I have gotten better. I am never going to be smoking fast, it is not in the cards for me, BUT, I have taken several mins per mile off my pace in the last two years. I plan to keep working on it this winter.

Now that being said, I really like it. I only trail run, no roads, my knees can't take it. I now look forward to it as much as I do mt biking.

I recently stumbled across information by Jeff Galloway about his walk/run training. Go on his website and check it out. I tried it the other day and it works.

[teigyr]

I think there are some people who are built for it more than others.

I was a competitive runner from 5th grade through High School. I had the best coaches (pre-Olympic) and our team was fantastic. I broke school records but amongst my peers in running, I was not as good. I rarely ran for a school team, I was good for the school team. In my pre-Olympic team, I was adequate.

I remember running for years then we'd get a new person who just "took" to it.

Like anything, some people are more gifted than others. The rest of us can work on it and be ok but never great. We each have something we are better at than others so I figure it's ok.

I've started running again for a tri. Half the time it hurts (got orthotics) and there are times I seriously doubt my sanity and wonder where all my efforts are going. There are other days, however, when I feel good! I'll never be great but sometimes it is almost fun.

One last thing is maybe get a coach? Just someone who can look at your form and give you pointers. I did that with swimming and it made SUCH a huge difference. You just want to be comfortable and get through what you need to do and a coach can help you work on that.

[Zen]

It's not much fun doing something if you aren't reasonably good at it. If you're determined though, I second the interval training.

In running, your body takes a real beating - especially the feet and knees.
When I'm on my bike and encounter a runner I can't help but notice how pained they look. Cyclists are generally smiling and happy. Runners, not so much

[runner2]

if you can't run, then jog.
if you can't jog, then walk.
if you can't walk, that will be a lie.
be yourself not somebody else.
find your own things to do and have fun with them.
practice makes perfect (or better)
there are many different kinds of running, many different kinds of jogging or walking, just do your own way and have fun.
see you on the road!

[Deborajen]

Runner's World has lots of good information on their site about training. The thing to keep in mind is that to increase distance and speed takes two different types of training. For distance, do a slow/easy run - or run/walk, and gradually increase your distance each week. This will build your endurance. For more speed, do interval training (easy run, run at a moderate tempo, easy run) over a shorter distance. As most any running site will tell you, if you train at 80-85% of your MHR all the time, you won't see much improvement - even though you are getting exercise.

Personally, I love running and conquering distance barriers. It's not all about speed. But if you prefer walking or cycling, that's good, too - they're both great exercise. Run the 5K or walk it - lots of people walk in 5K's. It always feels good to finish, especially if it's a charity event.

Deb

[trickytiger]

I guess I'm one of the wierdos that finds running EASIER than biking.

However, I'm 28 and I've been a runner since I was 12 (competitive in high school and college), and a year-round soccer player from the ages of 5-15. So perhaps I just never knew what it was like NOT to run! I literally grew into my body while running.

I find the heartrate issue interesting as well. I can maintain a lactate-threshold HR pretty easily while running and for quite a while- but if I try to hit the same HR on my bike, my legs just can't take it. I probably have strength imbalances from being a runner that are exposed by biking.

So- I don't know about there being natural runners or not. Perhaps- you do get the occasional insanely gifted athlete- but for the most part, I think environment has a lot to do with it.

However, I do want to point out one great benefit that running provides that biking and swimming don't- while high-impact exercise can be hard on your joints, it also acts to strengthen and build bone mass. As long as you don't overload your legs with pounding (ie GRADUALLY increase length/time by no more than 10% a week), your body will eventually adjust. I had a MRI in college of my knee- and when the doctor saw the slides all he had to say was "you've got VERY dense bones!". I took it as a compliment.