Why Can’t I Run???

[Anonymous]

Basic question - I struggle to run without stoping all the time, yet I have no problem biking hard outside for an hour or so, to the point where I’m completely exhausted.

I have no injuries other than the usual mid-40’s aches and pains. I’m female since that may matter.

Any tips? It’s so frustrating since I “like” running and would like to do tri’s.

[Anonymous]

I'm in the same boat. It's psychological. My brain immediately goes into full on "you can't do this"mode and I have to stop. Sometimes I find the right music or get lost in thought and then I can go a bit further. Curious to see what people suggest!

[Anonymous]

How long have you worked on it? Generally, if you start with a run-walk routine, then increase the share of running, you should be able to build up to running nonstop. It will likely take longer than you think, however - perhaps several months to a year.

[Anonymous]

I think it's psychological. I do a lot of strength training, HIIT classes, and spinning so I'm in shape but I just never developed stamina for running. I haven't had problem running in races though (albeit my time is crappy) and I think it's because everyone around me is running and I just don't feel like there's an option to stop until the end. Running by myself though? Nope.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I’ve definitely built up over time, and it’s taken 6 months to get to where I can run/walk most of 4 miles….but I keep stopping.

I like the psychological comment above, and that’s my greatest fear. Far harder to overcome than physical discomfort. How do you get thru it? I guess just force yourself?

[Anonymous]

I agree with the psychological comments above but as someone similar it is also just about running more.

I have always struggled with running, makes my feet hurt/have some IT band and Achilles issues that tend to flare up. And as a result I never really stuck with it. I would train for a big 10k in my town in the summer for a month and then I'd be back on the bike. Somewhat wondering why I wasn't making improvements in running despite making pretty big improvements in my overall physical fitness.

The answer, it turns out, is to run more. At least for me. Gradually increasing my weekly mileage, slow and steady. Adding some speed work. Doing long runs. Two weeks of adding, one week of less mileage/recovery (but not NO mileage).

I ran 12 miles without stopping to walk on Sunday. I signed up for a half after my town's 10k to force myself to continue training. I used to run like maybe once a week, 4-5 miles. Now my 4 mile weekly run is my short easy recovery run. And now I can run 12 miles without stopping (at like a 12 min pace so I'm not out there breaking land speed records or anything).

And now that I can run 12 miles without stopping at a 12 min pace, I can run a 5k at a sub 29 minute pace. A year and a half ago I broke 30 for the first time and it took literally EVERYTHING out of me I was in a heap on the floor and needed serious recovery. Last week I did 29 as my tempo run with a slow mile before and after to warm up/cool down.

This is long sorry, the TLDR is: The progress is slow and steady but its there and I genuinely think the only way to make it happen is to be really consistent and train for months/years and increase your weekly mileage.

[Anonymous]

Running isn’t the best exercise. I know a lot of former distance runners who say they wish they’d never started. Lots of hip/knee replacements, foot injuries, and general pain.
Try swimming, biking, walking or hiking, etc.

[Anonymous]

I used to struggle with running as well, despite excelling at other endurance sports. It felt like my lungs couldn’t handle it. For me it took 2+ years of run/walk before I could reliably run 5k. Now I can run 10k no problem without serious training (not setting any records, but it doesn’t hurt). I always thought my block was physical due to some back/lung issues, but the psych idea is intriguing. Either way, the answer for me was slow and steady. It will get easier, it just may take a long time.

[Anonymous]

For me it is "the bounce," I can't stand it, it is uncomfortable, and I know it is doing more harm than good.

[Anonymous]

For me it's the psychological piece plus physical limitations. Every time I've tried to get into a routine with running I start with mostly walking and then slowly build up to more running and running for more sustained periods. But then I start to deal with alignment issues in my hips and knees. I have an orthopedist and a PT and I've worked on this with them but the truth is that running just isn't great for my body and I'll probably never be able to do it without vigilant PT plus probably restricting to running on ideal surfaces (which means not running around my neighborhood which really cuts down on the convenience of running).

I've just accepted I'm not a runner and try to focus on other things. Weight-lifting has been a surprisingly great addition to my fitness routine and I've gotten into pickleball for cardio which also aggravates my alignment issues but to the degree where I just can't do it.

[Anonymous]

OP here - These comments are incredibly helpful. Thank you to everyone.

I agree with the comments about the slow grind of building up your running endurance, assuming you’re not a rabbit who gets off the couch and runs three miles. Wish I could, but I doubt I ever can get to that point.

More work is usually the answer!

[Anonymous]

Interesting question...I used to run alot up until about 5 years ago. I did one half marathon, several 10 milers, 10K, 5Ks, etc. My pace was anywhere from 7 min/mile on 5ks to about 8:10/mile on my half. Then I got pneumonia in late fall/winter of 2019. Right before Covid hit. I was miss diagnosed at first. Took me a few months to recover and I have not been able to run since. All I can do is run/walk. I can shuffle my feet without a break at about a 12 minute mile pace but then I'm dead...and I run/walk for about 3 miles 3 or 4 times a week. Lungs are shot I suppose. Zero endurance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Interesting question...I used to run alot up until about 5 years ago. I did one half marathon, several 10 milers, 10K, 5Ks, etc. My pace was anywhere from 7 min/mile on 5ks to about 8:10/mile on my half. Then I got pneumonia in late fall/winter of 2019. Right before Covid hit. I was miss diagnosed at first. Took me a few months to recover and I have not been able to run since. All I can do is run/walk. I can shuffle my feet without a break at about a 12 minute mile pace but then I'm dead...and I run/walk for about 3 miles 3 or 4 times a week. Lungs are shot I suppose. Zero endurance.

DP - This is not what I want to hear. I’m a month out from pneumonia and I’m really struggling to run 2 mins and walk 1 minute for a total of 12 minutes. I’m used to doing several mile runs. But i get so winded and start coughing but I assumed it would just take time and I’d be back at it soon.

[Anonymous]

OP ... try running much slower than you think you need to. A lot of newer runners think they can't simply because they are going too fast, and it hurts.

I never fell for the whole barefoot running craze, but the principles behind it were good -- if you run lightly, you can usually go a lot farther. Then you're not beating up your body as much, and you're more ready to go the next time.

[Anonymous]

I can’t run because no matter how much I train I am very prone to getting a “stitch.” I can do verifiably good workouts ( tougher on paper than the slow runs I attempt) swimming, biking, walking fast w significant incline but despite all my efforts I cannot breath in a way to not get a stitch when running. I’ve tried all the tricks to address this and no luck.