Just started running....?

Question

I've been working out religiously for the past 6 months - Spinning, Swimming, Elliptical and weight training (I generally spend about 2 hours at the gym a day switching off exercising, but keeping heart rate between 50-85%). I have just started running, and it is KILLING me, I mean I can barley go for 1/2 mile or a mile before I am just sore and dead tired. Why is it, some days I can spend 2 hours on the elliptical, but I can only spend 5 or 10 minutes running on a different day. Is it just because it's new to me, and time will allow my muscles to adapt, or what? Any help or encouragement would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

make sure you're giving yourself time to rest inbetween workouts and that you are nourishing yourself with healthy foods. your body won't perform at its fullest without healthy food, i promise.

notice where you might be running too, is it up hills?, is there alot of wind? and is it really hot? because those factors are much different conditions for your body than just a constant elliptical machine in an air conditioned gym.

Answer 2

It is strange that is for sure... after 6 months of cardiac exercises work you should be able to run normally. however you must remember that running is a tedious sport that takes a lot of work and dedication... it will be months before you see a real improvement... but it is so worth it when you do...

just start small, walking for a while before you start... do a lot of uphill work, it helps strengthen your legs and build up stamina... when you run keep a steady pace, don't force yourself or you might just end up injured.... when it comes to running, slower is faster.

well i hope this helped

good luck

Answer 3

It can be very hard and mentally draining. What I suggest is find a friend and start running with him and carrying a conversation will make you completely forget about running. Start out with 10 minute runs and gradually get longer and faster.

Answer 4

everyone says practice makes perfect. here is my suggestion. pick a target run to it. once you get there walk a few minutes. pick another target run to it and so on. My track coach tells us to just run and that's too hard for me I need to know where I'm running to or for how long to run otherwise I can't pace myself! Just keep making the targets farther and farther away until you don't even need them. PACE YOURSELF NO SPRINTING JOG IT UNTIL YOUR USED TO IT OR SAY HELLO TO SHIN SPLINTS

Answer 5

It is probably just because you are new to the thing, but I recommend that you should do some stretching, and then running. Don't do other stuff before you go running, save up your energy for running.... see what happens then.

Besides you are probably just pushing your self really hard... which is good. But you are not making realistic goals.

Don't worry you will get there.

Answer 6

Depending on your age. You are doing too much to your body all at the same time. Stop and choose one exercise you enjoy doing and give your body the rest that it needs to function properly. Right now you are over taxing your body.

Answer 7

Your body will adapt in time.  If you've never really run before, you're going to be sore and tired no matter how good your fitness is.  Just take it slow and be patient.  Running 10 minutes is a good start.  Then the next time you go, try for 11-12 minutes, and keep building slowly.  Before you know it, you'll be able to keep a steady pace and go as long as you want.

Some other things that are good practice and will help:

1. Stay really well hydrated.  Start hydrating hours before you go out to run and take a bottle of water with you.

2. Stretch well before and after your run.  If certain muscles are getting sore while you're running, pause and stretch them out.

3. You might try working on your running form.  Try to make yourself efficient while you run.

4. On an off day, supplement your running with strength training of the muscles that you find are the sorest after running.

5. If you are getting tired, try slowing your pace.  Keeping a slow pace is one of the hardest things for new runners, who feel like it's too slow.  You can work on speed later!

6. Keep at it.  Before you know it you'll be doing ultra-marathons! (if you wanted)

Good luck.

Answer 8

Practice

1. running the right pace...go slower and longer and get miles under your feet before increasing speed.

2. the right form...we have a sports therapist in town and has taught several runners cut their times and increase their distance through something called "Chi Running"... just google it.  It will provide you with some very practical steps that are taught to our military troops to help improve overall fitness and running results.