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

[Crankin]

I stopped trying to be a runner a couple of years ago. I never found that "good place" and constantly wanted it to be over. Never saw much improvement, either. MY HR was always higher than cycling, but I believe that is normal.
Just too many parts hurting to continue.

[tygab]

but the strange thing is... I ran track in high school and at the time, enjoyed it. Fast forward some 20 years, most of which were sporadic in activity and two ACL surgeries during, and any former enjoyment of running seemed tossed out the window. To add insult, all three of my siblings have completed marathons, with two of them becoming serial 'thon people. I have a good distance running build but the thought of running more than 3 miles was mindboggling, and yes, I was envious of my sibs' tales. I'd start 5k programs, then fizzle out, do the race anyway (miserable), and not run again for months. There was no success to be had in this recipe.

I found cycling last year, and while it was very hard at first (I was out of shape, didn't know anything about it etc), I could at least see progress and no one else in my family cycled so it was a unique adventure I could be on, I guess at some level without having to "measure up" to the running progress. One day I realized I was getting a lot more fit, enjoying long rides, and feeling good. Not too long after started having thoughts of triathlon... I get bored easily especially in a gym setting, so I thought it'd be great to have the variety of a tri training approach for the winter. And triathletes (the more established ones anyway) have pretty good all around physiques too!

I started running last year and I still haven't been as consistent as I should be with it, still faced with naggling running issues that I am working through, still drop running fitness faster than biking or swimming (no bike for a week or two? pretty easy to recover - no run for two weeks, may as well be like starting over), and do not feel like a "runner." But, there are the subtlest of signs that I am improving. Like I do not have the burning itchy legs after 10-15 minutes of running (a frequent earlier plague). Like actually being able to talk (albeit in short phrases) as I jog on occasion with others. Like still having a little in the tank at the end for a last push to the car/start/finish. And even my pace has come down a little, and I thought it never would from my prior stops and starts. It has taken me a year to get these small gains. I am sure the cross training combo of biking, swimming, and running is a great help vs running alone for me, and if I were only running I think I'd still be where I was in my prior days.

But, the fact that I've seen a few gains does give me some hope. I think my running learning curve may just be very long.

I hold no illusions that I'll ever feel like a runner, a pace under 10 minutes sounds like miracle territory (as in, I'd need a), but I figure I can slog through enough to expand my distance to a 10k for the oly or 1/2 marathon for the HIM if necessary. I don't see myself becoming a marathoner but in a few years, maybe running will feel comfortable enough to consider it. It sure isn't now, but I want the longer bike distances for the tris...

[northstar]

I h-a-t-e-d running in high school. Utter torture!

Then the bike came along, and then the idea of duathlon, and then I had to give running a try. I could barely make it a block down the street. I was totally demoralized! Fast forward six, seven months. I just finished my first 5K event and am now running 3-4 miles at a time, three or four times a week, relatively comfortably (not dying!) and things are going pretty well.

I think it's all about taking it slow at first! And realizing, heck yeah, it feels like crap when you're just starting out! If you can make it through the first few months and you're like I am, there will be a day when you go out for your run, and wow...it actually doesn't feel too bad, and hey, you feel like you could go farther. That's a good day!

So, anyway...I thought I wasn't capable of running. I was wrong! Yahoo!

It's really something a person needs to give a lot of time, if they're just starting out. Unfortunately, it frankly sucked for me the first few months! I'm glad I hung in there, though!