Will I ever be a runner?

[bgenew1]

I have tried the C2K program twice without completion and am now trying the Jeff Galloway walk/run program. I have exercise asthma which holds me back and the humidity here in Georgia makes it worse.

I am okay with never running a half or whole marathon but I would like to be able to run an entire 5k. I do a 5k every month and can walk it in 45 min or less.

My DH has been very supportive but has said maybe I need to give up the running and stick to walking.

We are doing the Wine & Dine Half Relay in October and I am trying to decide to stick with the Galloway or just work on walking faster.

Are there others out there that are unable to run?

 

[johde]

Hi

You might call me a c25k dropout. I tried it several times and could get going. My history, I started serious distance training 2 years ago (almost exactly). I spent the first year almost exclusively as a walker. Looking back, whenever I tried to run I ran way to fast. It wasn't until last May the running started to click. I was just finishing training to walk my first half marathon and I was doing some walking fartleks, when I would occationally do a few second of very brisk walking. That turned into a few seconds of slow running.

I've spent this past year working on run/walk. First, I started using Bingham/Hadfield's "Marathoning for Mortals" walk/run plan (I had used their walking plan for my first half), and I've since transitioned to more of a Galloway style. I completed my Second half marathon in October doing run 1:00/Walk 2:00. From that point, I started working on more running and less walking. I built up first to 400m intervals, then 800m intervals, Then a mile. I'm still faster with shorter run/walk intervals, I did my April marathon of this year Run 1:15/walk 1:00, but I try to do at least 1 run a week where I do extended periods of running. My longest single run to date is 2 miles extremely slowly. I'm actually planing on my first all running 5K at the end of July. Almost 2 years after the first time I started c25k.

Sorry this got a little bit long, but the point is everyone is different. Some people need to ease into running more slowly than others. As far as the W&D goes, since your intrigued by it, you may as well start Jeffs beginner "to finish" plan. It starts you out with 10sec. segments of running. When you start out, just run them slowly and build from there.

Good luck.

 

[runner_princess]

I love the Galloway method - you just have to stick with it. What finally helped me what doing each week in C25K twice in a row (week 1, week 1, week 2, week 2, etc). And don't be afraid to run slowly, it will make a difference in your endurance.

I have been running since September 2009, and it took me well over a year to run a whole 5k. No shame in walking parts of it. Your body make just take longer to adapt.

 

[lisah0711]

Add me to the list of folks who switched from C25K to run/walk intervals. I just can't run for long periods of time. Don't be afraid to be slow and take a long time to get where you want to be. I started running last summer and just finished my first half walking in 4:19.

You may also want to ask your doctor or preferably a sports medicine doctor about your asthma. I get very wheezy for a day or two after I've had a long run. Even though I haven't used my inhaler for quite awhile I will be checking with my doctor this week.

Good luck and don't be afraid to be slow!

 

[bgenew1]

Thanks for the encouragement. I want to keep going because I do enjoy being outside and overall I feel better when I finish.

I am going to try a 1min run/walk for my 5K this Saturday and see how it goes.