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

[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.

[KSH]

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.

Well, at least I'm not alone.

I had a test at my Dr.'s office to test my lung capacity. He was very shocked that I was very slightly above average. He figured I would be way above average because I'm a runner. I kept emphasizing to him was a horrible runner I am... and I guess I know why.

[Zen]

Why some women run faster as they grow older from SportsGeezer
and
more from NY Times writer Gina Kolada

[Starfish]

KSH, thanks for the reply. You have a lot of perseverance!

I used to love running. When I start back up later this year, I will be interested to see if 20 years has changed that.

[VeloVT]

I think everybody has an "achilles heel" sport. I'm a fairly natural runner; I'm not out there setting any speed records but I improve quickly with training and don't feel like I've yet trained so hard that I've reached the point of diminishing returns. BUT....

I REALLY, REALLY want to tri triathlon. I took swimming lessons when I was a kid, I'm comfortable in the water, but haven't swum laps in years. This spring, I started trying to swim laps, hoping to do a sprint tri at the end of April. Well, it turns out that 50 yards in the pool leaves me gasping for breath and sends my hr through the roof. It took me about two months to be able to complete just 100 yards freestyle, and even then it wasn't certain. I'd say I was going to swim 5 hundreds, and out of that I'd probably be able to complete 3 without stopping (that's not because I swam three in a row and then got tired and couldn't do the last two -- it's that my ability to pace myself and maintain that pace and maintain steady breathing was just really shaky and uncertain each time). Most of the summer, I've wanted to start swimming again and simutaneously dreaded it. I have a hard time wrapping my head around how difficult it is for me to improve. With lots of things (running, biking, weight lifting), I start training and get better really fast and it's actually fun to see myself improve -- it's like, every week I can see I've gotten faster, stronger, whatever. With swimming, it's a constant struggle. I expect that I'll get better quickly, and I do gradually improve a little, but it's... well, a struggle. And the improvements are much smaller and take much longer than for other things. Drills help. But it's still a struggle. I AM going to start swimming again this fall (now that I"m back on campus and the pool is free!). But I know it will be frustrating.

[Jolt]

Interesting thread. My question is more like, "are some people just not capable of decent speed at anything?"--I have done swimming, running and cycling and been rather slow at all three (10-11 min/mile running, never got below about 32 seconds in the 50-yard freestyle, do well to average 12 mph on the bike). I also seem to get my heart rate really high more easily than most people in decent shape, especially with running. The only thing I seem to be faster than average at is walking, including hiking, but that is something that generally doesn't involve being anywhere near maximum effort. What are the factors (besides being out of shape, which isn't the case here) that affect general speed when it comes to sports?

[emily_in_nc]

Interesting thread. My question is more like, "are some people just not capable of decent speed at anything?"--I have done swimming, running and cycling and been rather slow at all three (10-11 min/mile running, never got below about 32 seconds in the 50-yard freestyle, do well to average 12 mph on the bike). I also seem to get my heart rate really high more easily than most people in decent shape, especially with running. The only thing I seem to be faster than average at is walking, including hiking, but that is something that generally doesn't involve being anywhere near maximum effort. What are the factors (besides being out of shape, which isn't the case here) that affect general speed when it comes to sports?

1. Exercise-induced asthma?
2. Muscularity (a bit difference than being "out of shape", which I would consider more of an endurance thing).
3. Power to weight ratio.
4. Heart problems (hopefully not!)

I'm similar to you -- I've been a semi-fast rider in the past when I was riding a LOT, but I have never been a fast runner at all. I am a fairly fast hiker, but nothing spectacular. I have EIA, am not all that muscular, and am very small (102 lbs). I get passed by larger, more muscular female riders on my mountain bike fairly often, which I think is can be an example of #3.

Emily

[Jolt]

1. Exercise-induced asthma?
2. Muscularity (a bit difference than being "out of shape", which I would consider more of an endurance thing).
3. Power to weight ratio.
4. Heart problems (hopefully not!)

I'm similar to you -- I've been a semi-fast rider in the past when I was riding a LOT, but I have never been a fast runner at all. I am a fairly fast hiker, but nothing spectacular. I have EIA, am not all that muscular, and am very small (102 lbs). I get passed by larger, more muscular female riders on my mountain bike fairly often, which I think is can be an example of #3.

Emily

Well, maybe my issue is just due to not being very muscular as well (5'2" and 105 lbs)--I don't have asthma, and definitely no heart problems (thank goodness!!). Actually, next week I am participating as a healthy control in a research study that involves a VO2max test and body composition analysis in the screening visit, so maybe that will shed some light on the situation. Should be interesting at least.

[KSH]

Well, I'm seriously thinking about giving up running all together. I am going to Race Walking 3-day Clinic in Austin in December... and I hope I can learn the technique so I can walk FAST!

I had to come to the realization that I suck at running... and nothing I do (getting a coach- running 80 miles a month- etc.) is going to fix how much I suck. My body just rejects running.

But I have always been a fast walker and I think with some training I can get really fast. I can walk a 13:30 minute mile now (flat terrian)... if I can get that down to a 12 or 11 minute mile... then that's how fast I was running.

[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.