Houston Nesties
Glacier Hiking in Alaska, Summer 2011
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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
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Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
New-ish Runners (or those who remember)
When does it start feeling easier? Natural?
Perhaps I had this misconception that after a while, running would start to feel natural. It is still so hard! I feel like my body weighs a 1000 lbs as I try to propel it forward.
I'm still waiting to go on a run and say "that felt good!" LOL. I feel good afterward, but not while I'm running. Am I expecting something that will not come, or do I just need to keep working at it?
Glacier Hiking in Alaska, Summer 2011
Re: New-ish Runners (or those who remember)
I wonder this, too! Sometimes I think it just "clicks" more quickly for some...and for the others it either takes a while longer or maybe it just never does? :shrug: I sure hopw that's not the case b/c I'd really like to WANT to run, ya know? Some days I can do a couple of miles and it feels pretty easy and smooth, but I don't really enjoy it while I'm doing it...I'm just getting through it. And because of that, I'm not as motivated to keep at it like I probably should.
I guess just keep at it!
Try slowing down. Run at the point where you're not quite out of breath and could hold a conversation with someone. That will allow you to focus more on your body and less on your breathing. If you need to... try a run/walk program like couch 2 5k. You will be able to build pace as your endurance increases.
I can't say that running gets easy but it definitely became more enjoyable for me once I got to a point where I wasn't huffing and puffing and about ready to just fall over and die. Of course I still have my bad days... we all do. I've noticed that it takes me a few miles to warm up and really get my legs comfortable. The first 3-4 miles are usually trying to "get in the zone" (stiff legs, calf cramps, etc) but after that it starts feeling better.
Just give it time. Slow down and see how that feels.
BFP #3 -mm/c @ 7wks, discovered at 9wks, D&C 9/28
Current Status: TTA
~~PGAL/PAL Always Welcome!~~
I hate to, but maybe I'll try this. I've really been trying to push myself harder because I haven't been seeing any great results from what I WAS doing. Figured I wasn't working hard enough.
Right now every run sucks because it's so freaking hot and humid. I remember when I did C25K in the summer I was miserable but pushed through it. Then that fall cooler weather hit and it was wonderful!
Definitely mix up easy and harder runs. At least one run a week should be at an easy pace where you have no problem carrying on a conversation.
Ditto ZAngel about the first few miles of every run being hard. It takes right around 3 miles before I feel like I get into a groove. That's why I hate 3 mile runs. Just when they get good they are over.
The face of Kitty-Hate
based on this, I totally agree to back off a bit - especially if you aren't training for a specific race. give your body a chance to get comfortable with an easier pace before you push yourself faster or farther. if you push yourself too much, you'll either quit from being miserable, or injure yourself.
and to answer your original question...
i started back into regular, consistent running about 4 weeks ago, and i'm just now starting to feel strong and relaxed and comfortable on my runs. for the first few weeks, every run was like, "ugh, this again???"
it sucks running in the summer here, no matter how experienced or new you are to running!
for me, I run three days a week and mix it up each day. Tuesdays are a regular short run, between 3- 5 miles, on a familiar route and pretty much, those suck the most. I just try to let my mind wander and just put my body on autopilot.
Thursdays are my tempo or interval runs. And those suck too. But because they're hard (and they're supposed to be!) I always feel so good when I get done though because I know I got in a good, hard workout.
Saturdays are my long runs (5 - 8 miles) and I try to run a newer route then and those are just fun for me. I slow down a bit and just enjoy the fact that I'm able to actually run.
j+k+m+e | running with needles
I've been running off and on for years now, even at my very best I can't really say that I always "enjoy" running. I love what it does for my body and I feel great afterwards. I definitely get that "runner's high" people talk about, but that doesn't usually occur WHILE I'm running, it happens more often after I'm done. LOL
It does feel more natural now, it definitely gets easier but while I'm running I'm not thinking to myself "My God! I love this! Running is so much fun!!" It's more like "Ok, you can do this, you can do it. keep going. Keep Going. See you're doing it. Wow."
Also, it's really hot right now. If you can hang in there until the fall you will probably have some great runs when it cools down.
Love it!
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BFP #3 -mm/c @ 7wks, discovered at 9wks, D&C 9/28
Current Status: TTA
~~PGAL/PAL Always Welcome!~~