Why Must Running Hurt?

It's day three of my August campaign to kick my workout up a notch and this morning, I've already done an hour-long full-body weight and cardio circuit workout. My knees are quite sore from yesterday's walk with running intervals, which has me curious about why running must be so painful and downright brutal to the body.

I'll be honest: I've never liked running. The build-up to a tumbling run in gymnastics is about as hard as I've ever liked to push it. Still, my trainer really pushed running last year as a sure-fire way to blast calories and build endurance.

So, I'm trying it again.

I won't be signing up for any marathons anytime soon, but I would like to keep some running intervals as part of my brisk walk to keep pushing up the intensity of my workout -- an area in which slacking has traditionally been a problem for me. But if I'm going to stick with it, I need to find a way to make it less painful to the knees and hips.

I already know I need new sneakers, which I plan to take care of with a trip to the Nike outlet this weekend. But I'd love any tips and advice from you avid runners out there as to how to ease the pain. I'm assuming the pain in my lungs will decrease with time -- it's kind of humbling, really; you think you're in great shape until you try to run and find out you're just...not.

Or maybe that's just me.

Comments

[Kaolee]

Do you run with others? That helps the pain & boredom of running.

I LOVE/hate running. It's that kind of relationship. I love the after feeling, but hate it the whole time I am doing it.

Keep it up though. Eventually your body will not ache anymore!

[Strong One]

Well. I don't think your running performance or running durability should reflect your fitness level. I unfortunately am biased. I loved running in my younger years, but age and years of beating my body (and joints) doesn't allow me to run anymore. At least not the traditional type of running.
I now run using an elliptical trainer or an ARC trainer. I get the same great benefits of running, without the painful slashback to my joints.
Best of luck!

[Sagan]

Can't stand running anymore. I used to enjoy it (but only when I've got lots of frustration that needs to be let out:)). And don't worry about having difficulties with the running, its just because you're not used to that specific kind of exercise. You're still in great shape!

[Dara Chadwick]

Thanks, Kaolee, for the words of support. Right now, I'm running alone, but it might be fun to run with someone else. I'm committed to running intervals until the end of the summer. If it still really hurts by then, I'll move on to something less stressful.

Strong One, I was a huge fan of both the elliptical and the ARC at my gym. But neither of those two machines ever caused the same level of "fire" in the lungs for me. Maybe I just wasn't pushing myself hard enough. Both were definitely easier on the joints than traditional running, though.

Thanks, Sagan, for the support. I probably won't stick with running long term, but this is the "real life" part of Fit in Real Life. I'm looking for something I can do to boost intensity that doesn't involve the gym while the kids are home for the summer. After my project with Shape last year, I promised them they wouldn't have to spend a good part of their summer in the gym with me.

[Therapeutic Ramblings]

Running is about consistency and form. If you lack either....it will hurt A LOT more. Oh...and stretch. Best of luck!