[periram]

Anyone can run, you just need to reset your expectations.

Backstory. I used to not like running at all. Every time I ran, my mind would count down either time left or distance left. It always felt easy in the beginning but very soon would be unattainable. But now I can run decent distances without getting mentally or physically exhausted.

So here are the lessons:

1. The first 1 mile is the hardest.

2. Second mile is hard but not nearly as hard as the first mile.

3. For the first few weeks do not run more than 1- 3 miles (based on your history) even if you can. There is no need to. The habit is more important than what you achieve on any given day.

4. Run slowly, lean forward and really reduce the impact on your knees. I started running one mile in 12 - 14 minutes, that is really slow.

5. Breathing. If you run slowly and let your body do it's thing, then your breathing will become rhythmic and in-sync with how much energy your body needs.

6. After a few weeks magic happens. You can run 8 miles in about one hour, not get bored, not think about it. You mind zones out and focuses on something productive.

I learnt more things, but wanted to share this.

[lm28469]

Also: learn to run properly. It's insane how many people simply don't know how to run and slowly injure themselves.

https://www.runnersworld.com/beginner/a20811257/proper-runni...

[mlevental]

lol @ 8 miles per hour for an entire hour after a couple of weeks. I used to run 15 miles a day (7.5 to work 7.5 back) and even then that would've been tough. and I worked up to that over basically 3 years. a

[badestrand]

Yes, in my experience there are people that are natural runners and there are those who are not. I myself am running for 18 years already, around 2 times per week and even in my best form never reached 8 miles in one hour. A friend of mine picked up running and surpassed me after a few months. People are different, and GP forgot that!

[quickthrower2]

I did that in a race (8.7 in 70 mins, hilly) and it took 3 months from sedate but the thing about a race is the regime is geared up for that day so it’s not like I could knock that one out at any point along the way.

[julius_set]

Errrm., not everyone can run. Some people experience excruciating pain due to herniated discs when running, fortunately there’s biking :)

[emptysongglass]

Yes not everyone can run. I inevitably get shin splints because I have very flat feet. Barefoot running doesn’t help.

[DerDangDerDang]

Can everyone biking?

[postpawl]

“After a few weeks magic happens. You can run 8 miles in about one hour, not get bored, not think about it.”

This is exactly how I got a bad case of shin splints. I don’t mess around with upping mileage this quickly anymore.

[aggerdom]

On a shin splints related side note. Something not sure intuitive for non runners. If possible take the 1 minute-ish analysis at the shop to find out how your feet roll while running. If they roll to much inside (pronate) your appropriate shoe has more support in that area. If you roll too much outside (supenate), they add it on the outside. If you dont roll too much, shoes for either or these can cause shin splints or stress fractures in the medium to long term (still preferable to inactivity). Most of the time this is the key thing to consider when buying running shoes.

[DrOctagon]

I'd be very skeptical of any analysis that takes one minute at a shoe shop. I'd wager those machines are there to anchor, so to speak, a buying decision.

Too much running before the body gets strong enough to handle it, along with hard surfaces are more likely the culprit behind shin splints than poor choice of shoe.

[o-__-o]

You don’t need a machine you need someone to observe your feet as you run. Then based on your roll, buy shoes that support your feet. This is not rocket science, you need new running shoes every year or two. Protect your shins, get proper shoes, if it’s a minute to analyze on a treadmill (“machine”) then take the minute. If you have a friend, have them take a minute..

[emit_time]

How often did you run starting out?

I’ve been doing 1 miles after my strength workouts ~3x a week, and it hasn’t gotten much better. Been doing it for about 2 months.

[mikekchar]

This is years ago, but when I was doing strength workouts, I found that I was burning through my sugar reserves. It takes a while of running before your body moves from burning mostly sugar to burning an even mix of sugar and fat. It does it faster the more cardiovascularly fit you are, but when you first start it can take up to 30 minutes. If you only run 1 mile, you aren't getting there.

I recommend swapping the running and lifting for a couple of months until you get that working better. Once you are running 3-5 miles then you'll give yourself enough time to switch to burning fat as fuel and you won't have so much trouble running after lifting (the first mile is always hard, though).

Or at least that was my experience. Haven't done it in more than 20 years... (stopped lifting -- kept running ;-) ).

[Jeremy1026]

If you're doing lifts first, you're not giving your body a chance to adapt to the cardio. Maybe switch it up and one day a week run first then lift. Then maybe add a just running day.

[sn9]

Do Couch to 5k on 3 of your rest days. When you finish, progress to Bridge to 10k.