I gotta say that for the first year to two years that I was working out, about 5 min into every single workout, I felt like I wasn't going to be able to finish it. It took a good two years of very consistent exercise to get the point where it didn't feel like every single workout was a struggle. And my workouts are still hard. I don't if I really got past the point of feeling like I wasn't going to make it or if I've just completed so many workouts that my brain now knows to ignore that feeling.

I've noticed that changes in my diet quickly produce changes in my body. This isn't the case for exercise. It takes a long time for any change that I make in my exercise to show up in my body--in terms of appearance, endurance, and strength. I think maybe you just need to keep at it and eventually it will get easier, but you probably need to think in terms of years, rather than months. Hopefully I'm not discouraging you.

And, if you don't like running, why bother trying to run longer and farther? It would be one thing to have that as your goal if you enjoyed it, but why try to make yourself do more of something you don't like. Instead, try to get a better workout in a shorter period of time.

There have been multiple studies that show that running intervals is more effective, in terms of fat loss, than steady state. So maybe don't worry about the distance and just try to do 20 to 30 minutes of intervals a few times a week. For most of my running workouts, I focus on doing a specified number of intervals and a specified speed. I never even notice what the distance works out to be. Lately I've been adding some steady state at the end, but for a long time, I didn't even bother with that. I just did my intervals and then a walking cool down. It's been a very effective workout for me and I enjoy it a lot more than running at a steady pace.

This is really interesting, I'm wondering now if I'm not running fast enough because it feels so comfortable when I run. lol..
I do notice however that when I was running for 30min straight without walking intervals it took about 10min for me to warm up and 'get in the zone'. Maybe you just need to give your body time to warm up that first mile?
Another thing I find helps a lot is listening to music, it really distracts me and the time flies by.

thanks everyone! i'm definitely going to take some of these factors into consideration. at this point, i think the easiest place to start is adding in more interval training. oddly, i've found that when i start with intervals for two miles, it makes the time pass more quickly and i am able to go farther and longer for that time. so i guess i'll just keep sticking to that. and hopefully i'll be able to get new sneakers soon.

FWIW, running 101 says you don't mix speed work with distance work (intervals for two miles then keep going to see how far you can extend).

Originally Posted by sws19:
oddly, i've found that when i start with intervals for two miles, it makes the time pass more quickly and i am able to go farther and longer for that time.

This is why I love interval training--the time just flies by. The time drags when I do steady state, but when I'm counting my run out in minutes, it's over before I know it. It's also so much easier to push myself when I know I only have to do it for 45 more seconds, now just 30 seconds, 15 seconds, 5 seconds, done! I see very few people at my gym doing intervals and it always surprises me that more people don't do them.

Originally Posted by MariaMaria:
FWIW, running 101 says you don't mix speed work with distance work (intervals for two miles then keep going to see how far you can extend).

Inquiring minds would like to know why?

Try Glover or Galloway for an explanation.

Originally Posted by MariaMaria:
Try Glover or Galloway for an explanation.

Those are the links to the book. Can YOU tell me why?

Yes, they are links to books.

I'm not an expert but here's how I look at it.

Speed work (intervals) are designed to teach your body to run faster, in the way that you stride, your pace (turnover) and how your body processes oxygen and lactic acid. It's meant to be HARD, you're going to wear out faster, so you have to do this kind of training in shorter sessions. If I do an intense speed workout, then I sure don't feel like going out for a long run immediately afterward.

Long, steady state runs are designed to increase endurance. It teaches you simply to be on your feet and moving for a long time (sometimes a VERY long time).

I guess if you are just out to burn calories, then heck, just keep moving. If you are a runner in training with a specific goal in mind, then how you train for speed and endurance becomes important.

That's my 2cents anyway ....

Originally Posted by MBN:
I'm not an expert but here's how I look at it.

Speed work (intervals) are designed to teach your body to run faster, in the way that you stride, your pace (turnover) and how your body processes oxygen and lactic acid. It's meant to be HARD, you're going to wear out faster, so you have to do this kind of training in shorter sessions. If I do an intense speed workout, then I sure don't feel like going out for a long run immediately afterward.

Long, steady state runs are designed to increase endurance. It teaches you simply to be on your feet and moving for a long time (sometimes a VERY long time).

I guess if you are just out to burn calories, then heck, just keep moving. If you are a runner in training with a specific goal in mind, then how you train for speed and endurance becomes important.

That's my 2cents anyway ....

Thanks a bunch, MBN. I appreciate the answer. ;)

Originally Posted by BlueToBlue:
This is why I love interval training--the time just flies by. The time drags when I do steady state, but when I'm counting my run out in minutes, it's over before I know it. It's also so much easier to push myself when I know I only have to do it for 45 more seconds, now just 30 seconds, 15 seconds, 5 seconds, done! I see very few people at my gym doing intervals and it always surprises me that more people don't do them.

YES, totally! I'm finding this true for me, too. I used to loathe working out because I would hop on the elliptical or cross trainer and get bored so easily... I was a bad clock watcher and it just seemed torturous and blah. When I started C25k - which has you running in intervals the first few weeks - the time just flew by and before I knew it, all 30 minutes were done. Eventually I do of course want to work up to running for 30 minutes at a time, but I'm really enjoying these first few sessions of interval running.

I agree it also helps to know you only have to do it for a certain amount of time... I think doing intervals also helps with not doing too much too soon too fast... it kind of forces you to take things in stride without overworking yourself.

....says the girl with shin splints. :p

The first part of my runs are challenging. I second the intervals suggestions.

I did have a thought. We tend to play mental "tapes" in our heads. Might be worth trying to reprogram yours.

For example: if you think "oh, this is awful, I'm in pain, I'm dying, this sucks, when is it over?"----mmmmm, not so fun!

Try telling yourself:
"What a gorgeous day. Look at that sky. It's so great to be out here. I'm strong. I'm powerful. I'm swift and light on my feet. I'm being so healthy! I rock!"

You might have a better run. I know that when I change my thoughts, my emotions follow.

ok i have consulted with a friend who is also a personal trainer, albeit not on this issue, per se. i asked him about target heart rate because mine is waaay off that zone for 80% of my workout. so he has suggested that i run at whatever pace i can maintain my heartrate at 145 for about 4 miles, however long that takes. i'm gonna try that today, but i'm not optimistic about actually being able to stick to it for that long. i get bored and antsy sooo easily, which is why i like to go faster. but he said that at the speed i'm going making my hr go so high, i'm not increasing my overall fitness level. i'm just burning energy. so we'll see how it goes.