I want to be a runner! Is it possible?

Hello all!  Happy Friday!

I consider myself athletic, well, maybe I used to be!  I am 5'8 and at 159 lbs right now.  I am going to the gym to do weights 3xweek and have just started running ( I use that word loosely!).  I just wonder if I am normal or not.  I walk for two minutes then jog at 4.5 for one minute and then at 5.0 for one minute (alternating the two)   This is my first week BUT I truely feel like I may die after running for two minutes!  It isn't my legs that are tired, it is my breathing.  I use an inhaler for exercise induced asthma (AKA-out of shape!).  My HR gets up to 180 during those 2 mins and my breathing is out of control.  I can barely catch it before my next two minutes of jogging.

So, is this completely crazy or is this how is goes the first few weeks?  Maybe I just need to be patient? 

Thanks for your input!  I really want to succeed at at this! 

anyone can be a runner!

for me running is 80% mental - 20% physical....

when i first started running i did run walk intervals - run for 2 minutes walk for 2 minutes -- (some ppl who are experienced runners still prefer run walk intervals) i would do pretty much the same thing as you jogging at 4.5 or 5 and then walking at 4.0......

after about a year i'd bump up the time everyday until i got up to 6mph without stopping..... and now i run 8 miles in 1 hour (it took about 2 years to get here....but the hardest part is usually mentally pushing myself to finish my runs)

I would suggest maybe try adding in sprinting into your workout (if this is possible....you want to be safe! so i'm not sure how extreme your asthma is)...try spring as fast as you can for 30 seconds and then walk for 2 minutes...repeat this 12 times - throw this into your workout twice a week...the anerobic activity will improve your cardiovascular ability when you are trying to do your long distance running. 

BUT if you have exercise induced asthma you may want to see a doctor to see how hard you can push yourself physically

sorry i just reread your post...you might want to try a longer break between your sprint until you almost fully catch your breath - like a 3 minute walk.

If you're having that much trouble with getting winded, make sure you're breathing right!  Also, I'd suggest backing down the sprint/run to 30 seconds and see if that helps get you conditioned better.  Especially with exercise induced asthma.

I'm just going back into a full plan on monday; following overtraining injury this past fall and then some serious slacking this winter with sporadic runs vs structured schedule.  I've been a runner my whole life (started cross country team in 6th grade lol it really stuck with me) but had to take time off (a year and a half) from a serious injury so I'm actually following the couch to 5k program this go.

It's a good solid program and does ease you in, but sure it'll be tough at first.  But most things are right?  It does get easier!  Here's a link for you if you'd like to check it out.   http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.s html

I think it's great for beginners and the rigid structure for someone like me is good so I don't push too hard again.  

I am not claiming that I know anything about running, but I can relate to what you said about your breathing problems. I also have exercise induced asthma, and allergies (to basically everything outside). When I first started running about 5 weeks ago, I had the SAME exact problems. I was out of breath; it was my breathing that was slowing me down not my leg muscles or heart rate. I would breathe very heavily, and if someone was walking by me as I was running I would literally be wheezing away like I was about to have an asthma attack. With that said, when I started I made sure that if I did ever feel like I was about to have an asthma attack, I would stop and take a longer walking break. I would never force myself to do the interval of running, if I physically felt it was not possible. This is one case where it IS NOT mind over matter. An asthma attack is not psychological, it is an actual constriction of your airways and can be very dangerous if you ignore the warning signs. You should go to your doctor first before you proceed. You do not want to risk suffocating to death just because you want to be a runner (when it may not be physically possible). The first two weeks were very hard for me, but I did stick to it and I now am able to run 5 minute intervals (I am following the couch to 5k program).

My advice to you is take it slowly. Do not give up (unless you are advised by your doctor otherwise). If you find a week hard, slow it down, maybe repeat a week's workout, and continue. I also found that it was very important for me to take breaks. I run every other day, and sometimes have two day breaks in between days of running. But I never push myself even if I feel like I can go further. I stick to the plan and move on SLOWLY, allowing my body time to catch up. Not only are you exercising your leg muscles, but also your heart and active breathing muscles. If you are not used to working out and are out of shape, this will be a slow process. So you may be out of breath now, but in a week's time you will find it easier.

The point is, I am not a runner and if you asked anybody I know they would laugh if you said that I had taken up running. So stick to it, and take it easy. Listen to your body; pain is a good thing and exists for a reason. Use it as a gauge - do not ignore it!

Hey! We're pretty much the same in this aspect! I am roughly the same stats as you and have decided to take up running. I've been exercising 4-7 times a week for over a year now, so I thought I was in pretty good shape - but running has been more difficult than I expected. I started about a month ago. I go 3-4 times a week. The first week, I walked 3 minutes and ran 1 minute. The next week I upped it to 1.5 minutes and then 2. Right now, I can walk 2 minutes and run 2-3 minutes - I'm taking it very slowly. But when I started, I felt AWFUL after running one minute and now I can run three - progress! Keep it up! I can't wait until I can run 10 minutes at one time! I'm going to add you to my friend list - maybe we can push and encourage each other...

Thanks for all the replies guys!  Good to know that others have met the same resistance I have!

Leeliz- I have talked with my doc and got an inhaler as well.  I do really well, until I run.  Other types of exercise has not caused any trouble.  Good job on doing so well!

Ladyduece-It is so interesting to me that you have been a runner (a long distance runner) and are starting off with the c25k program.  That definitely shows that I need to take it slow too.  WHat was your injury?

Kaila-

I agree with the 80/20 statement....The major thing for me is just getting out of bed!! 

Hi Jenleigh,

I am so glad to hear I am normal!  It was definitely discouraging that I couldnt breath after one minute of running!!  Are you following a plan like C25k or just doing your own thing?  I have been running on a treadmill, only cause that way I can measure my progress easier. 

I havent ran in the past two days, got out of work 3 hours late last night and had to come right back at 0700.  I could barely drag myself out of bed after 4 hours of sleep!

Are you guys lifting too?  I usually go the gym 3 times a week and do weights.  Just depends on my work schedule. 

Thanks so much for the feedback!

Case

I started running/jogging 3 months ago with the couch to 5k program.  I ran my first 5k this morning with a time of 31 minutes.  I started out about where you are, I could hardly run for 1 or 2 minutes at a time, but 12 weeks later I can run 3 miles at a time.  I had never ran a mile previously in my life.  I even felt that I could have gone farther today.  Don't push yourself too much like others have said.  I pushed and struggled with shin splints for a little while.  Find a program and stick with it, and you'll do great.  I lift as well, but lightly, 2-3 times a week (on days I don't run) and do my training runs religiously 3 days a week.  I found I had to concentrate more on my running to make my goal.  Lifting hard, and running hard wore me out pretty bad, so I had to scale back on the lifting a bit as my goal at the time was to run the 5k.  Now that my run is over, and I'm more conditioned, I'll pick back up on the lifting a bit more.