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

[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.

[Starfish]

Kind of a thread hijack, but maybe pertinent, too?

KSH...your post makes your running sound super miserable for you. This is just plain old curiosity...why do you do it? I know you do triathlons...but, I would just be curious to hear your thoughts about what makes all that pain worth it, rather than just focusing on bike riding/racing, and swimming for fun with a masters team (or competing with masters swimmers), etc.?

[KSH]

Kind of a thread hijack, but maybe pertinent, too?

KSH...your post makes your running sound super miserable for you. This is just plain old curiosity...why do you do it? I know you do triathlons...but, I would just be curious to hear your thoughts about what makes all that pain worth it, rather than just focusing on bike riding/racing, and swimming for fun with a masters team (or competing with masters swimmers), etc.?

Well, I love training for and competing in tri's. I want to accomplish some goals in that sport before moving on. Unfortunately, running is apart of that sport.

I use to not be this bad at running. Just as the years have gone on, it has gotten worse. I was never fabulous, but it wasn't as miserable as it is now. I keep thinking it will get better the more I do it. Nope, not so much. Just new stuff hurts.

And... finally... I'm really hard-headed and I REFUSE to let it get the best of me. Hey, last year I couldn't run at all and now I'm running 80 miles a month. It's not pretty or fast... but I get it done.

I just think at times I get frustrated with it, because my speed never improves, new stuff hurts... and IF I could run FAST... I would be competitor in my age group in my tri's. There are a few times I would have placed in the top 3.

[luv'nAustin]

Ksh just describes how my body reacts to running. It is always painful...during and afterwards.

A cardiac surgeon once said that some people are built for running and others are not. He said it isn't just mechanics, but heart and lung function come into play as well. Of course, how your body is put together is important too.

[baskingshark]

Thanks to everyone for all your advice and suggestions - very much appreciated.

I'm glad to hear that there are others like me. I think I like the IDEA of running and that's what motivates me to keep going even though it's hard, but I think that I'm still hoping that some day, something will just "click" and I'll be able to run 3 or 4 miles at 10 or 11mm pace while being able to hold a conversation.

[Zen]

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.

Exercise doesn't have to be high impact to build bone density, it has to be weight bearing. Walking, squats,lying leg raises with ankle weights or a resistance band will do. And it won't beat up your joints.

[mimitabby]

Exercise doesn't have to be high impact to build bone density, it has to be weight bearing. Walking, squats,lying leg raises with ankle weights or a resistance band will do. And it won't beat up your joints.

Zen,
walking doesn't do too much for your bones. You've got to have more impact.
Weight bearing stuff does help, but rather than walking do stairs or something if you can't run. I have investigated this thing thoroughly. If i could run i would.
It just hurts too darn much to run. I wish i'd started younger!

[yogabear]

I ran from 4th-12th grade. In high school, I won 8 varsity letters running, along with other awards. In college, I ran some, but just for fun. It helped me to clear my head, connect to my inner wisdom, and to get grounded.

I had some blocks related to things I believed that others told me, ie., limiting beliefs ("girls can't run as fast as guys," etc.). I also was super thin until my sophomore year of high school--I got my curves and so many people told me I'd never be fast again. What hogwash to put it politely. My physique is perfect for running actually

I took up bicycling in 1995 with mtn. biking and then, mtn. bike and road racing on and off since then. I have to say that it wasn't until I raced and trained that I learned what it truly was to push myself physically.

So, yes, I'm a natural runner...I'm making a slow return to it after a many year hiatus. I'm going to cross-train with my cycling disciplines and well, yoga too

I'd consider myself a Zen Jogger now though...I focus entirely on my breath when jogging. It's one of my many forms of meditation