It doesn’t. You just run faster.
Watch movies and TV while on the treadmill.
Ah, but the dying feeling isn’t because of your jogging, that’s just what it feels like to be alive right now (and probably any other time).
It’s probably very dependent of your current physical status but trust me at some point it will be like being on a machine moving you through the environment. You will stop feeling anything about it, much like walking, standing or sitting.
I never got to the point that jogging felt good. But eventually what happened was that I’d feel better for the rest of the day on a day I ran, than on a day I did not run.
Aerobic dance classes are enjoyable once my aerobic base develops but running is boring and a drag always.
Drop it to ten minutes a run plus walking, but up it to four times a week. You’re better off taking it slow and working up. Easier on your lower back and knees. Good shoes also matter. Might want to add some free calisthenics too. Body weight squats, pushups, dead hangs at a pullup bar, etc.
But also, at the same time: I’m mad that the people who said “exercise gives you energy” were right.
Are you jogging with a toe to heel motion, or a heel to toe motion?
From what I’ve seen, most people have no idea what proper form is for running. I was the same way until I thought to myself, “maybe it’s not just my body being shitty.”
It helps to not think about running as taking steps, because it’s not. When you take a step, it’s basically a controlled fall. You step out and lean forward landing on your heel and rolling to the ball of your foot
Running is pretty much the opposite. You’re pushing yourself forward with what’s basically a small jump. You want your feet to start off nearly directly below your hips, push off with the ball of your foot, and land on the ball of your other foot with your heel off the ground, as close to under your hips as you can.
It’s hard to explain the full movement through text, so I’ll leave this video about it https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=entUXhcgt3c
But once I changed my form, even my old meniscus injury doesn’t hurt.
If I had to guess, you’re in need of building up your aerobic base. To do this you’re going to want to aim for having more time on your feet, which of course is tricky since it feels so heavy for you at the moment (I’ve been there).
The key insight for me was that I needed to decrease my intensity during runs. 80% of your runs should be at an easy pace, which is defined as a rate of perceived exertion (RPE) of 4/10 or less.
When I started adopting this, it felt like I was running at an annoyingly slow pace. For some people, it might even mean that you don’t run continuously during your sessions, and instead do a mix of running and walking (X minutes on, X minutes off).
You just start to like that feeling.
Ever seen a runner smiling? Me neither.
I actually thought of that meme when I posted this, was wondering if anyone would pull it out :)
No but I see them casually having conversations while running with their friends annd that seems like magic to me. I get embarrassed at how I breathe after a flight of stairs or if I have to hurry a little crossing the street.
Yeah, I hear ya. Any cardio exercise helps with that though. I like to hike on local trails at a brisk pace and I’m in a decent place there (not running any 10Ks though)
There’s a lot of factors, it’s a matter of training your body to get used to the effort. I used to jog a lot myself, beginning it sucked, after a month or two the happy chemicals started working that made it feel good. Add in going out on beautiful days as well and seeing nature helps as well. It’s easier to do it here in the spring and autumn months because the weather is much more agreeable.
It took a few weeks for me. You may just need to slow your pace. I do it more by distance than by speed.
I dont run anymore, but when I did, I intently focused on my breathing to keep it slow and stable, even if I was dying. I was never a fast runner, short legs didnt help, but, I could go for awhile after some time.
How long have you been doing it? I remember when I was first getting into running and struggling like this.
I forget how much time it was, but within a year, I was running a 5k at least twice a week. In addition to that, I ran 8k twice, but that was pretty intense and I had a lot of pain after doing that. So, I stopped doing that.
What I am trying to say is just keep with it and if you are running a pace that causes you breath so heavy. that you can’t talk, then slow down your pace.
30 minutes
I mean how long have you been running 30 minutes twice a week?
30 minutes each time
Are you trolling?
If you went from nothing to 30 minute jogs, likely a little while. What’s your history? Solid couch potato with a potato shaped body or worse? You’re looking at a couple hard months. Formerly fit/fit-ish, maybe some high school sports or something? Maybe an unpleasant month or so. You’d be better off easing into it a little slower. Can you do a brisk walk for 30+ minutes? Jog for 10-15? Build up to a full 30 minute jog. They have things like C25K (Couch to 5K) programs that give you good pacing.
I work in the trades, constantly pushing 400lbs crates on wheels, I’m not unfit, but I wouldn’t say I’m running fit. It’s like a whole new part of my feet and legs just gives out while other parts can keep going
Imo the leg muscle pain from a lite run will go away fast. Especially if your body is used to work, like you have.
It’s worse if I skipped a run one week
Everyone’s body is different but try lighter and more frequent. 3x 20 minutes. You can always push faster, more frequent once you get past “it always feels like I’m dying”, but at this point you’re trying to convince your body, “this will be a regular thing, I need to be able to do this”.
Do 3x 20 and add in walks on off days. Anything to overall make your body raise its “floor” for cardio.
Taking days off is when your body immediately tells your lungs and heart “see I knew he was kidding!”
You can go from marathon shape to having running be a struggle at old levels with 4 weeks of inactivity. Most people go faaaar longer than that without exercising and think there is something wrong with or unique to them.
Our bodies want to save energy and not waste it burning calories to keep you in shape, so regularity trumps all. Go light, go often, and slowly increase pace, duration, frequency as it feels good. Your body will respond in time.
That’s the SAID (specific adaptation to imposed demand) principle at work. You’ve gotten used the movements you do every day and your muscles can perform them more efficiently. The same will eventually happen with running, once you’ve been doing it long enough for it to not feel like a new movement. Keep at it.
