Running

[stretto]

How do you do it? Does anyone else hate running? I give up too fast, I think. Usually I run for a couple minutes and then I get the stitch in my side feeling and then I'm just like, okay, screw this, back to the elliptical/rower/whatever instead. :S

Yesterday I started this couch-to-5k thing where you alternate running & walking for 20 minutes, different times of running and walking depending on which day of it you're on, and I actually stuck through it haha. I noticed there's a point where I really want to give up like 12ish minutes in and when I pushed through I felt like I could've kept going for another 20 XD

[JEANNE]

yea, running is awesome if you can stick with it long enough and push yourself through those "I want to quit" moments. A walk/run plan is great to get started. I didn;t like it at first either, but now LOVE it. I run marathons and 1/2 marathons, trail runs, speedwork, hills...... its great for weight loss and its never a guarantee for each run, but often I get that "runners high". Love it!

[squirt]

Build it up slowly, make yourself run for 20mins, then the next time 25mins etccc... or when your running, tell yourself, just 5more mins, then when it gets to it, do another 5mins, i didn't use to like it but i can actually say i enjoy running lol! :)

[stretto]

Thanks :] Right now I basically alternate 90 second running and 2 minutes walking but I'm hoping to increase the running XD I've been severely restricting for a while so it's really difficult though, I got the chest pains and the gray-outs and everything so I have to keep stopping >_<

[squirt]

Alternating between running and walking is good! it keeps your heart rate up :) Stick with it and you'll be able to increase your running :)

[shefty]

I'm also in the hate running phase... I bought a new pair of proper running shoes last year (I hate buying stuff and never using it so hoped that would push me a bit more) but they've been a little neglected. Or a lot...
I read about walk-run-walk plans but couldn't really see them working out....
Although if you guys say it's worth it, I'll try and get started again!

[stretto]

So I've been doing the walk-run-walk for... 5 days now? (Not counting this morning, because I got my period which came with major cramps.) And tonight I had to do some running and I think it's helped a bit, I wasn't as winded after running after the bus as I usually am. I still can't kick the chest pains and grayouts when I'm running, but the grayouts are getting a little less frequent, so I guess that's an improvement. lol maybe I'm just really weak but it's still hard! I think it helps though. I also found that I'm less panicky for the rest of the day if I run in the morning, so I'll probably try to keep going.

[amazon2]

Well I know that the hardest thing about running is actually starting so you're doing great. What I personally hate about running is that what I can do varies drastically from day to day. For example, two weeks ago I was able to run a mile and a half in 14:59. Today I just ran the same thing but got a 17-something.

[Phoebe1419]

Hey, there is a great site called Motiontraxx that has interval training music. The guy says to run at a 5 or a 7 or whatever. It really keeps me going on those days where I want to give up on anything to do with running.

[Susy]

About the stitch in your side. That will get better the more you do it, for sure. A tip, try to breathe deep right from teh start of your run. I forget why, but it's something to do with the positions of your organs in your body. Your liver specifically i think. If you get one, poke your hand into your side where it hurts and lift up. Often helps.
Or sometimes I crouch down into a ball for a minute. Sucks having to stop for a sec but it's better than stopping for good.

[silver_elf]

Running gets easier and easier the more you do it.
also it's important to push through your initial fatigue each time to get your "second wind" (which feels a lot better) make sure you are going at a steady, sustainable pace, and try to breathe in sync with your running, taking deep breaths.

Get good runners too.

[hoping]

I Love running. Such great cardio and just makes me feel .. free.. I guess!!

Jeanne, I did my first half marathon last year.. was planning my first full early this year but sprained my ankle so put me out of running for a couple of months and set me back totally. Back running three times a week but only about 10km tracks at this stage. Need to start training properly again.

It really does get easier the more you do. I remember when I first started running, I used to run between light posts, then walk one, then run. Then was so proud when I could run two light poles, walk one!! Great when you can do your first 5 km!

[Aralea]

That 'stitch' feeling in your side is pressure built up on your kidney's from your lungs falling onto that side of your body. At first you'll have to think about it but after a week it'll just be second nature.

Novice runners experience this a lot. It's a real easy fix. Breath In and Out on the opposite foot that your feeling the pains. A good example would be like this-- If you're feeling pains on your right kidney, breath in half way on your left foot, breath in half way again on your left foot, and out half on left foot and out half again on your left foot. It keeps your breathing perfectly paced, on your 'stronger' side, and breathing slowly like this keeps your heart rate down.

Enjoy your new 30 minute runs (:

[jackjollyy]

Well running is the best exercise is the best for human body, And one more think is that do running at morning time this is really helpful to burn your body fat, This is my personal experience, for running. With the help of running I loss my too much fat.

[thinkingaloud]

Aw i used to do so much running but i got out of the way of it. I think you's have inspired me to get back to it though! That runners high is brilliant. And you feel so satisfied with yourself all day. When i run, it also helps with my ED too. I feel like i deserve to eat, but i crave fresh, healthy foods. Win all round!

Another tip i find works for stitches is to just grab your side and hold on till it goes away!

[cleart]

I can't last very long, I get tired after a couple of minutes haha, but I know that walking on fast tempo burns calories in a very effective way aswell so I don't worry at all, it's also better for my knees :)

[Sinful]

It's my goal this month to take up running again until I can get up to running for 40 minutes every other day.

[brittybabi]

i loveee running. i just wish i didnt suck at it so much sometimes. the more you do it the better your stamina gets so thats something to keep in mind and something to look forward to :] i get the side pain tooo but only if i've eaten that day. i have looked it up before and i'm an anatomy geek so i'll tell you what i know haha. when you run your body diverts most of your blood to your muscles and away from your digestive system. this is what causes the pain near the liver because it's so vascular and is starving for oxygen. SO...all you really have to do is take deep breaths and it helps your blood better circulate more oxygen therefore feeding your liver and making it stop poking you :]

[mermaid]

You all have inspired me to *try* to start running! I always stop right away (as soon as it becomes uncomfortable) but I'll give it another chance.

[laurent_08]

I love running, it make me relax and burn those ugly body fats which make me more sexy.. :p