Running Stamina Question

[sammiekay]

I hope this is the right place for this question!

After 2 years away from running, I started back up in September and have managed to work up to running up to 2 miles without stopping (12:00 minute mile pace) on my best days.  I have found that once I start, I have to keep going without stopping.  If I stop for a walk or water break, even 30-60 seconds, after that it's like I'm still mentally capable but physically my legs feel like lead and I feel like I can't run another step, no matter how much I want to.  Last night, I did a mile straight, stopped, and then had to push really hard to do another 0.25 miles, and then it was like I couldn't do anymore and so I just walked the rest.

I warm up for 5 minutes at a brisk walk, I just bought a new pair of shoes, I try to stay hydrated and I eat a small snack 45-60 minutes before the workout and sometimes that helps and sometimes it doesn't.   

Is this a stamina thing that will continue to improve with time?  Am I running too fast? Is there anything else I can do to push past that physical feeling?

I guess another question is...why are runs so easy on one day and so hard the next time?

[GershonSurge]

Part of running is programming your subconscious mind. I call mine "Coach." "Hey coach, I'm going to stop for a minute and then keep running, OK?" 

"OK Sammie. Got it."

or

"Coach, I'm going to run 2 miles. Set a pace where I can make it without too much fatigue."

"Ok, Sammie. Just listen to me when I tell you to speed up or slow down."

During the run, listen to that small voice giving you directions and let go with your conscious mind.

If you want, you can keep a journal of these conversations. It's fun to look back on them after a few months.

Whether you use this technique or almost any other, the sensation will pass with more miles.

[shipo]

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@sammiekay wrote:

I hope this is the right place for this question!

After 2 years away from running, I started back up in September and have managed to work up to running up to 2 miles without stopping (12:00 minute mile pace) on my best days.  I have found that once I start, I have to keep going without stopping.  If I stop for a walk or water break, even 30-60 seconds, after that it's like I'm still mentally capable but physically my legs feel like lead and I feel like I can't run another step, no matter how much I want to.  Last night, I did a mile straight, stopped, and then had to push really hard to do another 0.25 miles, and then it was like I couldn't do anymore and so I just walked the rest.

I warm up for 5 minutes at a brisk walk, I just bought a new pair of shoes, I try to stay hydrated and I eat a small snack 45-60 minutes before the workout and sometimes that helps and sometimes it doesn't.   

Is this a stamina thing that will continue to improve with time?  Am I running too fast? Is there anything else I can do to push past that physical feeling?

I guess another question is...why are runs so easy on one day and so hard the next time?

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I coach a lot of beginning runners for my company's running club as well as a local public running club, and what you've described is a fairly common issue.  As a general rule, I have the individual slow down from say a 12:00 pace to a 13:00-14:00 pace and then to extend their distance.  At first they complain they feel like they're crawling along, but pretty soon, not only are they back to their original pace (12:00 in this instance) but they're running four or more mile while doing it.

Give it a try and keep us posted.  🙂

[bcalvanese]

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@sammiekay wrote:

I hope this is the right place for this question!

After 2 years away from running, I started back up in September and have managed to work up to running up to 2 miles without stopping (12:00 minute mile pace) on my best days.  I have found that once I start, I have to keep going without stopping.  If I stop for a walk or water break, even 30-60 seconds, after that it's like I'm still mentally capable but physically my legs feel like lead and I feel like I can't run another step, no matter how much I want to.  Last night, I did a mile straight, stopped, and then had to push really hard to do another 0.25 miles, and then it was like I couldn't do anymore and so I just walked the rest.

I warm up for 5 minutes at a brisk walk, I just bought a new pair of shoes, I try to stay hydrated and I eat a small snack 45-60 minutes before the workout and sometimes that helps and sometimes it doesn't.   

Is this a stamina thing that will continue to improve with time?  Am I running too fast? Is there anything else I can do to push past that physical feeling?

I guess another question is...why are runs so easy on one day and so hard the next time?

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Would also like to add that running is a mind game, and every little thing that make you uncomfortable is amplified 10 fold while running.

The second you give up in your head, your body will give up too.

Be as comfortable as you can.

Run at a comfortable (slow) pace.

Carry as little to nothing with you as possible.

Dress comfortably.

Think about everything else except stopping.

I also set my goals for distance rather than time. There is nothing worse than watching a gigantic clock ticking. But if I know I have to make it 1 park bench further than I made it last time, I'm much more likely to make it.

[sammiekay]

Thanks all.  I guess it is more mental than I was willing to admit! I will work on slowing my pace and hopefully will see an improvement.

[bcalvanese]

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@sammiekay wrote:

Thanks all.  I guess it is more mental than I was willing to admit! I will work on slowing my pace and hopefully will see an improvement.

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It may also help to do intervals of walking and jogging. I do power walk / very light jog intervals to recover from more intense workouts.

[emili]

@sammiekay.. I just want to add my two cents. The reason why some days are better than others depends on what happens the day or night before the run. It also depends on if you are congested or if you didn't get enough sleep, etc. There will always be bad running days, just like there will always be good ones.

I agree it is a mind game more than physical- unless something hurts. I play the five minute game when I run and get to a point where I want to stop. Not because anything really hurts, but because it kind of feels like any minute now it might. I say go five more minutes, you can handle anything for five minutes. Then I say three more tops. What's three more. Then back to five. Before I know it another two miles have gone by and if I really want to stop at that point, I do. Try the five minute game.. Or

If I run outside, I use markers. I will stop when I get to that tree or street X. then I add another landmark- you get the idea. Focus your mind on something other than the physical...

[jbush]

I play the same game as Emili. I bait myself to making a block at a time. If I'm feeling unusually tired, I run from mailbox to mailbox to mailbox. Then like everyone else...think of anything except for the actual running. ;D