jogging is impossible! I dread it!

[davidhwynn]

I go to the gym regularly, I've lost 30 in weight since February, I can do a brisk-ish (4.5 km/hr) walk on the treadmill for 20 mins, do work on the rowing machine, do core exercises .... BUT if I even do 60 seconds running on the teadmill I find it so hard and my whole mind says NO WAY! My body says NO WAY! as well! .... Am I just being a wimp?

[AnneDroid Graduate]

No. You're not being a wimp. You're being a human being and a beginner. Lots of us felt just like that at the beginning. You'll get there!

[davidhwynn Graduate in reply to AnneDroid]

I hope you're right, doesn't feel like that this morning. Off to the gym again in a few minutes ... had that nasty thought that all this sitting in front of the PC making posts about hating running is a very good way to put off the time when I have to do it again! .... seriously, though, thanks for the constructive reply and I will give it a try again today. Weird, though, as the interval training my personal trainer has me doing on the rowing machine (5 mins steady rowing, followed by 5 mins alternating between 30 secs high intensity rowing / 30 secs rest) seems easier than a minute of running? Stopping posting, going to the gym!!!!

[CarolStr Graduate]

Pre couch25k I was the same. I could walk for hours at a constant pace yet not manage 60 seconds on the treadmill. Week 7 I managed 25mins on the treadmill ... The programme will get you there - keep persisting!

[mooning Graduate]

Nah, it's normal. I'm similar in a way. Love going to the gym: deadlifts, squatting, pressing and rowing. Thought I was in pretty good shape and found running really hard. Mentally hard too - I seemed to give up on it sooner than other things. Took me a while to realise that even if you've been doing cardio at the gym, what I've been doing is actually becoming more efficient at that exercise. So, take rowing for an example. My rowing times ( 6 min rows, 500m sprints, steady state cardio, etc.) were all improving. My cardio health was improving too of course, but my body was becoming more efficient at the rowing movement as well. Fast forward to running - despite having fairly good health and endurance, my body wasn't used to the movement of running, the breathing pattern needed, the muscles used and the rhythm of running so I found it really hard. You get used to it though. Your body will get used to it and you'll become more efficient at it. I would recommend running outside though if you can. It helps you dictate the pace and stride length better, you also have to concentrate more which helps distract from the 'i don't want to run' feeling. I'm now at the stage where I'm enjoying it as much as the gym stuff I do. I actively look forward to my runs now. Would have considered that madness when I first started.

[Razouski]

You're not being a wimp. I was exactly the same. I'd been going to the gym regularly (by the way, the rowing machine is my bete noir!) and doing a little bit of walking on the treadmill. It was when I started working with a personal trainer from Macmillan in March that she started me off with brisk walking as a warm up to my workout. Then in July having increased my walking speed gradually she suggested I tried a bit of jogging. I started for about 20 seconds and then refused point blank, saying it was impossible and that it was too painful (recent breast surgery - a whole 'nother story). Then in August my best friend of mine started C25K programme, and as she was less fit than me I thought I should give it a go. I was really not convinced, and hadn't even discovered the podcasts to help. But I gave it a go, and managed Week 1 Run 1 and thought, "Maybe I can do this." So I stuck at it and got to Week 8 Run 3 before having a bit of a break (enforced and I can't believe how much I missed the running) and I'm now getting back into the swing of things. Just completed Week 4 Run 1 again today and feeling good.

What I would say is that the support in these forums is phenomenal, and also that the running is really helping me overcome some other problems at the moment. So if you can, have a go at week 1 run 1 (I wish I had known about the podcasts - I used Laura as many people here have done, although if you have the C25K App you can choose from 4 celebs including Sara Millican - but you have to supply your own music. I like the music on the podcasts as the pace of the music helps to keep me going, and varies according to whether you're running or walking, and although it's not what I would normally listen to, it keeps me going. Laura I find is also quite motivational).

Believe me, if I can do it, you can give it a go. At High School I always had a note from my parents to excuse me from running as I got terrible cramp, so until the ripe old age of 52 I had never really done any running...

Just take it gently and see how you go.

[misswobble Graduate]

You don't need a gym or a machine. jogging,like walking, is about being outside. it's where it's at 😊

[RunningGeek Graduate]

Believe! The programme gets you there and a lot of the time running is a mind game. The gremlins will shout no but you have to fight back. You can do it, most if us here doubted ourselves but proving ourselves wrong is a buzz in itself. Take it slowly and when it is tough slow down then slow down some more. Keep us posted with your progress, you'll find plenty of advice and support. Happy running 😀👟🏃

[Michael_W Graduate]

To pinch a line from Coldplay, "nobody said it was easy". If you can accept that fact that it will be hard but not impossible to get through the programme and that you don't have to enjoy it then the rest follows. You're already exercising and losing weight so your body can cope. That just leaves the grey matter to contend with. Personally, I can't stand running. I'd much rather pick up a racket or jump on my bike but that doesn't stop me entering races and it won't stop me from going to the parkrun tomorrow. I suppose I've reached a stubborn acceptance that I'm a runner, and you can too! You never know though, it could turn out to be your favourite activity. Onwards and upwards!

[Irish-John Graduate]

No you are not, I assure you. Read the earlier posts of the Graduates and you will see how so many of us shared so much in common even on day one.

"I thought I would die"

"I thought my lungs would explode/come out through my nose/burst into flames/turn inside out"

"Could not run even the first minute! But determined to try again!" ( And they graduated !)

"I can almost WALK faster than I run!"

And my personal favourite from Graduate McFitty...

"My body was trying to breathe through my bum"

Slow and steady will get you to Graduation if you just do it every second day at a time. It's not about being a Runner...it's about becoming a Runner

[AnneDroid Graduate in reply to Irish-John]

And then, one day, having been where you are now, you'll be on here encouraging other beginners saying, "I thought I would never do it but here I am, a graduate".

Personally, I'm still in a total state of astonishment about it. Like the opposite of PTSD...!

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

Most of us thought there was a strong possibility we would die on those first runs, but most of us survived!

Give it a fair go - but if in the end it's not for you, it sounds as if you are active in other ways.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Maybe a shake up is needed. You sound very fit and up for it, so as misswobble suggests.. get outside.. you could do a small jogette... slow and very steady...

You are clearly up for challenges... go on, get out there... dare you ?

It is fantastic and may be just what you need

[davidhwynn Graduate]

Thanks to everyone for being so encouraging. Even when I was at school 58 years ago (yep, that old!!) I used to think that going for a run was a punishment. I'd play football, play squash, go rowing .... and enjoyed them all. I think the comment about the grey matter is probably about right, but even so I'm not that fit anyway despite the gym work. Oldfloss, you're right, I'm up for challenges and yet I am struggling here, having recently moved from my weight loss target to this fitness stuff. Smiling a bit to myself this evening though, having caught myself just about in time today: I was about to buy a bike in an auction and then suddenly realised I was finding/buying another excuse not to use the ideal distance from home to the gym to do those 20 minutes with Laura! I appreciate the help & support & haven't given up yet.