For those that run

[Teeki]

Do you enjoy it? Did you always? Are there seriously people out there who go "Yeah, I'd love to go for a run right now!" Because I don't know if I'm one of those people lol. I'm doing the C25K and I'm only up to week 4 which is:
5 minute warm up walk
400m run
200m walk
800m run
400m walk
400m run
200m walk
800m run
5 minute cool down walk

It's so lame, but that 800m kills me. The best I've done is the first interval, then 500m run, 100m walk, 200m run. Then the next 400m run, then had to skip the last one because DS woke up. So that's my best, and I was feeling pretty good. But last night I sucked so bad, I felt awful, got a huge stitch and couldn't finish.

Why was last night so much harder? Is there anything I can do to prevent a stitch? Like eating certain foods during the day, drinking more or less water or not too close to going for the run?

I don't want to quit, I want to get better at this so any advice at all would be very welcome!

[Nai]

Yes I enjoy it - I used to hate it! I was never a runner and I am not good at it. Once you can do 5km I think something happens to your brain and it changes somehow...

[Sterla]

I started running while I was trying to lose weight a couple of years ago. It is hardest in the beginning, it really is! I think that is why so few people really get to the point of enjoying running. But if you keep it up, I think that most people do tend to enjoy it to some degree... even if only for that awesome sense of achievement when you're done . I used to love it for time to myself/thinking time. I always run outside, and the having the fresh air and scenery, some good music playing in your headphones... it's really nice .

I did my first ever half marathon last year, and getting to that level of fitness with my running felt pretty amazing. I'm 21 weeks pregnant atm, so have hung up my running shoes for now, but I am so keen to get back into it some time after baby is born.

I guess what I'm saying is keep at it - the beginning is the hardest, I assure you! You may end up loving it, or you may not - but it's definitely worth giving a a good go.

[Teeki]

Thank you both - it's good to know it can become enjoyable! And Sterla, a half marathon! That is awesome, congratulations on getting to that level!

My main goal with the running is fitness and weight loss. I have just over 20kgs to lose, so I figure at my current level of fitness and with that extra weight, I can't really expect it to be easy can I? DH is so supportive. He keeps reminding how much I hated week one and struggled with it, and now that's easy and I've nearly mastered these much longer runs. He also tells me that my shape is changing, and I look like I'm running much better than I did at the beginning, so it is working.

I also want that sense of achievement, I want to be able to say "I can run 5k!" At the moment my big achievement will be 800m lol, but better than it was right? I'm seriously stubborn so I won't be giving up, I just may have to repeat some of these weeks til I can actually do them - end of week 5 has a 3.6km run, right now the thought just makes me laugh lol.

I'll work on paying more attention to what I eat and drink on running days I reckon, so I feel better when I'm out there.

[Cass72]

I read a great blog about running. The advice was ... just keep going - don't stop.

It works. I love running now.

I'm not ready for a marathon yet, but I'm getting better at it. I just challenge myself to go that little bit further. I gave up timing and instead I pop in my earphones and put on that inspiring music (think Stronger by Kelly Clarkson) and just go. I set myself little goals. Like making it to the end of a song, then before I knew it I was running for three songs. When I think I've reached my limit I pick out a goal to aim for - the next corner, that tree, that light post etc.

Just keep going.

[Lady-bug]

I agree with the others. I have never been a runner, but I needed something to release anger. It is hard at the start but once your in the swing of it, its amazing how quickly your body improves. I started doing a bootcamp soon after I started running and that definitely helped with over-all fitness and therefore made running easier.
I thing I love the most about running is, it is the only thing that is 100% for me. No one comes with me, no one interrupts me, all for me.

[Lady-bug]

And I should also say, getting out the door is the hardest part. I still don't think I can say 'I'd love to go for a run now' but its the feeling afterwards, that's the best.

[Phteven]

I love running. Stick at it and it gets easier, for some reason the first km is the hardest for me but once I muscle through that it gets easier.

For stitches try this.....Slow your pace and exhale as the foot on the opposite side of the stitch strikes the ground. This doesn't mean every time that foot hits the ground, but as you exhale, do so in sync with that opposite side. When you exhale, you use the muscles of your diaphragm. When this happens in unison with your foot striking the ground, the impact forces travel up the body and through your core (your side too) and exacerbate (**** off) the muscles in spasm creating that stitch. When you change the side of the landing forces to the opposite side, the tension causing the stitch releases. For example, your stitch is in your right side. You slow your pace, and exhale as your left foot is hitting the ground.

[Teeki]

Thanks for the tip Zazou! Tonight was an inside workout but I'll definitely try that tomorrow if it happens again.

Actually getting out there to do it isn't really an issue for me, like I said I'm stubborn lol and I want to get better at this. So every second day I'm out trotting around the back paddock lol hoping the neighbours don't see me!

[~Hestia~]

Just wanted to say good on you for getting out there and giving it a go!

[Jewel]

Omg! I'm doing a beginner to 5k program too. I'm not sure where it's from my sister, who is into fitness and exercise stuff and is fit, got it and has it and encourages me. I'm up to like wk 4 or something and I can say I'm not really hating it as much as I did in the beginning but I can't see myself running a 5k just yet. lol. Or can I see myself ever going "I feel like a run." and off I go. Lol.

Mine is in minutes. Yesterday I did 5min warmup - brisk walk, run for 8mins, walk for 2mins, x 3. Tomorrow is jumps to run 10mins, walk 2mins, x 3 (not looking forward to it.)

I think I so would have given up if I didn't have my sister. I have shocked myself I haven't whinged much or tried to give up.

Big high fives for you. You can do it! You're awesome!

[Teeki]

Thanks heaps Hestia

Jewel that sounds similar to what I'm doing, it has a distance or a time option. You sound quite similar to me too, I am enjoying it more than I did in the beginning - not that I actually like it lol, but I want to get out and master it, and I'm whinging less.

Motivation helps doesn't it! If I do it as soon as DH gets home from work (around 3:30) he and the kids watch and cheer, it's so cute having DD cheering me on and definitely makes me want to quit even less. DH also tells me he thinks I'm going a bit fast. My pace in week 1 was around 8.6 (8.6 what, I dunno!) and now it's never below 10.5 even though I know I should go slower. It's stupid but it feels like I can't. And I think some of it is subconsciously because the first two weeks were timed, I could run slowly and still stop after 60 seconds. Now it's distance so the faster I go the faster I'm done. Silly.

[onthefly]

You just keep going, one foot after the other
I agree with Zazou, it's the start that's hard, like the first 10 laps in the pool I'm trying to work toward 12km but am going to have to get a pedometer or something as I have no idea how far I'm going now (nowhere near 12, I know that much)

[danita]

Sorry to hijack and kinda off topic sort of . Wondering what bra does everyone wear while running? I would like to run but can not as I just don't have a supportive enough bra and I'm sure you can imagine what's happening while I'm trying to run without one :/

[xXHopeXx]

Sorry to hijack and kinda off topic sort of . Wondering what bra does everyone wear while running? I would like to run but can not as I just don't have a supportive enough bra and I'm sure you can imagine what's happening while I'm trying to run without one :/

Two words: panache sportsbra!! I am a 14G cup and they are IN-CREDIBLE! Once I tried it on, I had to buy it then and there because seriously my boobs like did not move. At all. And they say or reduces bounce by upto 83%, and that's actually tested on women ABOVE a DD cup, who actually need it more lol. A bit exxy but so very worth every cent!!

As for the running, I am quite big and essentially trained myself to run. It's hard but so very worth it. I just had to keep telling myself that my brain gives up before my body does. You can go days on mental exhaustion before physical exhaustion. I used to use the trick (I can't remember who said it, I'm on my phone sorry!) of getting to a certain distance/time/landmark/point in song to get me to go that little bit further. I also used to try and not let myself get the same time twice. Even if it's a second quicker, it's still quicker. Helps me to push myself further and not get complacent.
The furthest/best I got to was 5km in approx 35 mins, no stopping. Being over 90kg and about 170cm tall, I'm not exactly small or skinny sheer determination is a good thing, just find ways to push yourself further!

[Pholi]

Stick with it... It gets easier, ime. I did the c25k too, and dreaded each week change, but even I made it through to the end, and for a few months I even went back to the start and did the intervals with slow run/fast run instead of walk/jog.

Following the bra question: I'm a 12G, and also struggle to find one that fits, let alone allows me to run. I was using 2 sports bras, one on top of the other. Part if my problem is that to get any kind if support it needs to be quite firm around my ribs, and that in turn limits my breathing. :/

[xXHopeXx]

Following the bra question: I'm a 12G, and also struggle to find one that fits, let alone allows me to run. I was using 2 sports bras, one on top of the other. Part if my problem is that to get any kind if support it needs to be quite firm around my ribs, and that in turn limits my breathing. :/

Pholi I was exactly the same as you! I used a sports bra and 2 compression singlets (1 was always quite tight too) when I used to exercise before it found the panache! Quite honestly that 1 bra eliminates the need for anything else! I do tend to use 1 compression singlet though more for the tummy fat though lol. When fitted properly at least, if you do want to buy one id strongly suggest finding a supplier from their website and getting it fitted before buying, as when it's the right fit it really is amazingly!

[Pholi]

I'll definitely look into that one, thanks! I always, always get properly fitted. Only one bra in 20 with my size on the label actually fits properly.