How to start running if you simply cant!

[Smowball]

I know it sounds daft, but I simply cant seem to run. Ive tried several times over the last 2 years, I even got a plan when i trained for the Race for Life - ie walk mins run 2 mins etc, but mt chest hurts so much that I have to stop. It isnt my feet, or cramp, but my chest/breathing. I suffer from mild asthma but I dont think its do do with that. I just start to try and jog and after a couple of minutes I have to stop. Any ideas??

[rockyracoon]

Smow, your chest probably hurts because you are unfit, it's the same with anything, just crack on and get used to it, the breathing will become easier the more you run. I went for a 2 mile run on Tues, thought I was going to have a heart attack, then the legs started to kill, to top it off my old knee problem has come back. No more running for me!

[TheOtherHalf]

Im doing the race for life too in June. I do walk quite a lot already. So Ive been getting in training to walk and jog at small intervals as you mention. I did mange the Sports Relief mile like that last Sunday. You need to work up to it slowly and then you shouldnt suffer. The only problem I have is my knees. They really suffer which is why I jog rather than run. I think there is online help called couch to 5k or something like than that you can download to your ipod and follow as you train


Good luck

[rockyracoon]

Do you wear a sports bra, they help a lot if you run.

[TheOtherHalf]

http://www.coolrunnin...ngine/2/2_3/181.shtml

You do also need to get good shoes to absorb the shock as well as a good bra as rocky suggests. Theyre only about £6 at tesco. Low impact bras

[Smowball]

Yes I wear a sports bra. I can walk for miles and miles. I do the Race for Life every year, amd walked 5K every single day up until I hurt my foot. But still couldnt run even then. Havent done the walking for a while though.

[factor-fiction]

What happens if you try to walk very briskly for perhaps 20 minutes?
I think it is just the result of being out of condition. The only other thing I can think of is maybe you are short of iron and so there isn't enough oxygen being circulated.
I am sure that if you persevere it will get easier.

[douglas9401]

I only did that once rocky, you should have seen the looks I got. :)

As to the question though, I''d start off with brisk walking to get the body used to moving about a biy and take it from there.

[Smowball]

Umm, yes i can walk briskly ok. Get a bit out of breath. Maybe I just need to persevere through the pain

[Davethedog]

Smow - Walk for 15 minutes do it for a week, as fast as you can. 2nd week add 5 minutes when you are up to an hour, When you get to the first lampost, jog to the next, then walk to the next, jog, walk etc. When you feel discomfort go back to walking.

I don't know how old you are, but do not put yourself in distressf you are er 50 a word with your doctor before you start might be advisable.

[TheOtherHalf]

I dont know why you got funny looks douglas. Its happens around here all the time. I was in training for the 10k at York last year and tried to see how fast I could walk that distance with the odd little jog now and then. I really stepped out and did it in 65 mins and on the actual day managed just under 60mins. Ive always been a fast walker (not the wiggly bum type though) even though Im only 5`2" and have diddy legs

[andy-hughes]

I honestly think you are far better walking than running.

Our physiology is not designed for us even to walk upright, much less pound delicate bones and tendons with our weight.

Most serious joggers suffer with back and knee pains in later life, I just don;t see the benefit when wwalking or swimming are much better with much less strain on your joints.

[factor-fiction]

TOH- I think Douglas was referring to wearing a sports bra!

[woofgang]

I would suggest you go and chat to your doc before taking it any further. If you can walk briskly enough to get breathless but get chest pain when you run then something is telling you not to run. It may be as simple as taking something for the asthma before you start running but do get it checked out. BTW I agree with Andy, hard surface running does do incremental damage to your joints.

[rockyracoon]

I agree with Andy, as much as I love running, it's too high imact, walking is much better on the ole bones.

[rov1100]

Try running down the hill and walk fast uphill. It depends on your weight but a couple of stone overweight and its carrying 28lbs around with you. Four stone overweight and its equivalent to the normal 56lb bag of potatoes.

Age comes into it as the older you get the harder it becomes.

You could invest in a Powerbreathe device which is good for the lungs.

[Smowball]

Hmmm, some good answers there guys.

[rov1100]

Like these:

http://www.amazon.co....ef=pd_sl_4y4ngrn9uf_b

[TheOtherHalf]

I had my 60th birthday in Feb this year and have only been really properly walking or jogging for about a year now and feel much better for it. I wear a pedometer to keep track of my walking as an NHS challenge and in 16 weeks I walked over 3million steps. I feel better than Ive ever done and cant wait for this challenge to start again end of May- Sept, thats why Im in training again. But you must be sensible. You can only do what you can do. You cannot compare yourself to anyone else. Check out the link I gave. Its very interesting

http://www.coolrunnin...ngine/2/2_3/181.shtml

[Smowball]

How are you meant to keep tabs on the times ie walk 90 seconds then run 90 seconds?? are you meant to keep counting, carry a stopwatch....? lol

[TheOtherHalf]

If you download the link to your ipod, I presume it tells you to walk or run as you are wearing it, so you just change from one to the other as it tells you. I havnt got an ipod so I havnt actually done this but a friend has and said it was brilliant