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Originally Posted by wnnabethin
For the past week i've been running 1-2 miles each night(started last Monday) and i have discovered that i'm not A RUNNER. I can't run!! Why? Everytime I start running i get tire easily, run out of breath, my chest hurts and i stop. I try jogging but can hardly do much, why can't i run? I talked with some people and they all say that maybe its because i'm not a runner, like if its something you either are or you aren't, I just can accept that! The times i tried running before i always gave up and stopped because i thought that running was just not for me but now i really want to do it and i can't. How do someone who has been physically unactive their whole life becomes a runner?
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When I started to run last January, I was 46 year old, without ANY previous running exercises, but with 35 lbs excess weight. I could not run even 100 YARDS. Now, 17 months later I run 30-35 miles/week, and can run 24 miles constantly (I hope 26.2 in 2 weeks).
So you can do it too
You already got excellent advices. The basic is alternating walk and jog. If you feel exhausted from the 100 yard run - 100 yard walk (the program you are doing on the track):
a/ SLOW DOWN
b/ alternate frist 300 yard walk with 100 walk SLOW jog.
Walk till your heart slows down to the pre jog level. (A heart rate monitor can help a lot, but you can simply check your pulse.) Usually starters need MORE walk then jog time.
Something else. Do not run/jog every day. First try a 3 -4 jog/week program.
Quote:
Originally Posted by wnnabethin
What's the norm speed and distance for a beginner runner and how long does it take before i can run?
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You can find many 8-10-week programs to achieve the basic 30 min constant jog level, covering 2.5-3 miles. (Means 5.5-6 mph.) Then from that point the limit is the sky
Do not try to shorten this time. Give your heart and LEG time to adjust to running. There is NO "norm" speed. Speed is for ego:-) Experienced runners with decades running, racing behind them prefer under 6 mph speed for the JOY of running. (Stu Mittleman, an ultramarthoner, who holds the cross America record prefers to run with 5 (FIVE) mph - even on short distances.)
Here is a link with everything you should know before starting. Injury prevention, proper shoes, BREATHING, day by day walk-jog plans, etc.
http://www.runnersworld.com/categor...184-0-0,00.html
Runnersworld.com full of good advices, but for motivation, for courage I would recommend two books - you can find both in public libraries or in bigger book stores.
First one is from John Penguin Bingham:The Courage to Start: A Guide to Running for Your Life. He was 43 year old, 240 lbs, had smoked 25 years, his four food groups were sugar, caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol, when he started to run. He finsihed his first marathon one year later.
Another excellent book from Jeff Galloway: Galloway's Book of Running. He was one of the first prophet of the walk-jog method.
These books are not only provide detailed advices, plans how to start, but great motivators too.
I do not know your age. If you are over 30, it could be a help to start with some low impact "cardio" videos. To prepare your heart, legs. (I started with the Walk Away The Pounds 3 mile video. After doing it for one month, I could run 1 mile easily. Then I followed the walk-jog method increasing my distance.)
May I ask if you have now any other exercise program?
YOU CAN DO IT:-))
Cheers:
Eva