Why cant i run for long distances?

Question

Ive been running for about 3 weeks. I run 3 miles a day, My breathing is fine i breath like 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2. Also my legs arent tired and my lower body is just slightly aching. After about 2 miles i just cant run anymore does anyone know why?

Answer 1

maybe your just out of shape

Answer 2

Glycogen depletion. Once you deplete this, your body switches over to burning fat. Some people's bodies do this easily, for others its hard, especially if you are already really really lean.

Try to eat a little more carbs to give you energy.

Or sometimes even I will eat some peanuts right before a run b/c they give a slow energy burn without filing you up.

Also, hydration could be an issue. make sure you are getting your vitamins and drinking water. Good luck!

Answer 3

You are going to have to keep at it for longer than 3 weeks. You should notice improvement, but it takes longer than you might think. If you are hurting too bad too run, switch to another cardio exercise, (biking) and give your running legs a rest for a while. Make sure you are eating enough food and keeping hydrated also.

Answer 4

You most likely doing too much too soon, this can cause injury and fatigue. Get proper runners for your foot type/gait/pronation etc. at a specialty running store.   Take rest days, they are important to help repair and restore your muscles, use an ice pack after your run on your sore muscles for 10 minutes 3X/day (this will eleviate some inflamation and soreness) and take advil if needed.  Breathe normally, technical breathing is done by runners who race.  Vary your mileage:

example:

day 1: easy 2 mile run

day2: rest  from running - cycle, swim, yoga or walk

day3: run 4 miles: add some hill repeats

day4: rest day

day5: run 3 miles: add fartleks (speed drills in your run)

day6: rest from running - choose another activity

day7: LSR-long slow run 6 miles (add 10% mileage each week, this will help your endurance over time with conditioning)

Don't get discouraged, find what plan works for you and keep it up.  Challenge yourself and sign up for a 5k race or join a local running club/clinic.  

check out this fantastic website with lots of info.

http://www.runnersworld.com/channel/0,71...

Good luck

Answer 5

well you're just not fit enough. Keep trying and I'm sure you'll be up there

Answer 6

You just get bored, I think. Try to wear an Ipod. I had a similar experience, but as soon as I got some music or a buddy to run with me I was able to up my distance considerably. It did take time though, I talking a couple of months. Now I can run pretty far without much trouble.

Answer 7

Well, different parts of the runner have to work together in running, so make sure all the following are intact:

-Breathing (breathe deeply, but never tense.  Stay comfortable here) (you said your breathing's fine.  Great)

-Arms (make sure they're nicely synched with your legs, so you're not wasting energy there.)

-Legs (don't tense them if they don't have to be.)

-Fuel (make sure you have enough carbohydrates to fuel you on the run and protein to rebuild your tissues)

-Mentally (don't be fatalistic about the run, don't let your expectations of what distance you can run bother you)

-water (HYDRATE!!!)

It will probably help you figure out where to start if you can answer the question, "when i get to the point where I can't run anymore, what specifically hurts, or feels dead, or whatever it is that tells me to stop?"

Good luck!

Answer 8

Running is mostly mental.  Give yourself a goal, like try telling yourself "I can make it to that tree way over there" and then just before you get there make another similar goal with  another landmark.  keep going.  It's all in your head.

Answer 9

That's kind of hard to answer.  Maybe you just eat wrong before you run.  You shouldn't have any c**p and you shouldn't have any dairy.  And don't eat too close before you run or you're going to die.  I run a lot, too so I know a lot about running.  But your question is kind of hard.

Answer 10

Hmm, You need to add more details.

But you could-

*Be bored

*Out of shape

*Not be a runner.

*Try interval

Why exaclly after 2 miles can you not run?

Are you running track or Cross Country?

Answer 11

well if you are cramping it is either cuz you ate before you ran or your out of shape.

just keep running and you will get in shape. it sometimes takes a while, just give it time.

and you should try takeing longer strides and use your arms when you run.

also dont drink a ton of water right before you run. if you eat before at least wiat a half n hour.

Answer 12

I had this same problem...but maybe you should work in intervals like I did.

Now I am a really good runner...

Answer 13

ur getting tired. It's 2 miles. Just practice running long distances without really stopping. Jog most of the time.

Answer 14

Too fat! keep it up. You'll build stamina the more you do.

Answer 15

You need to have days off in between running to let your legs build and recover.

Make sure you are eating correctly: Protein and Carbs.

Make sure you pace isnt too fast

Rather than just doing flat out running, try doing some hills on a treadmill to build your cardio and muscle up which will improve your muscle efficiency.

Take your time, dont rush yourself, it takes time. It took me a fair few weeks to do 3 miles and while I know I can do it now and have moved upto to more miles, its still tiring.

The mental side of running was a suprise for me, I didnt realise how focussed you needed to be, especially when your body is screaming to stop. I just slow down for a while let myself relax and then push on again.

Oh yes, lots of water, and make sure you stretch before and after and warm up/down.

Check your running form too, it might be innefficient. I was killing my calves by over stretching my reach.

Finally: Stop being so hard on yourself, if you've been running for 3 weeks than you are doing really well, You're meant to be enjoying it!!

Answer 16

try stretching a little bit more. even if your legs feel fine this could still help you. you could also try switching up where you run: if you go the same route everday, going in the opposite direction or going somewhere else to run might give you a fresh boost. it could also be that you've only been running for about 3 weeks. it takes time to build up to long distances. but don't get discouraged- it'll be worth it :)