Three weeks ago, I returned to the gym after the trainers issued an All Points Bulletin.
Though I look fit–lean, no flab, fair muscle definition–I have little endurance either on a treadmill or on the street, at running speed. I can walk 4 mph all day and night. But when I start running (maybe 6.5 to 7 mph), I last maybe 3-4 minutes before I start huffing and puffing, wimp out, and start walking again. What doesn’t make sense to me is that so many people at the gym who run effortlessly have big guts or otherwise look really deconditioned, but can run me into the ground.
Historically, the few times I’ve tried to run, I never had much endurance. By this, I mean I’d give running a try for 1-3 weeks (every other day or so), feel winded after a 1/2 -3/4 mile, and start walking, believing I didn’t have the physiology to EVER be a good runner. (BTW, I am about 6 feet 1 inch, 167 pounds, and have a resting heart rate of about 55-60 BPM. When I’m running, my max pulse is about 145-150 or so. I had a cardiac scan 3 years ago and it registered 0.0 in occlusion, so that’s good.)
QUESTIONS: (1) Does the passage above sound like I’m unusually deconditioned, or about average for a newbie? (2) How long does it typically take for someone to develop the endurance to run, say, 2-3 miles at a reasonable speed, without starting and stopping? (3) Should I run every day?
Also, how hard should I be pushing myself? Frankly, I don’t like the heavy huffing and puffing involved in running, but know that you have to push yourself somewhat, in the beginning. My legs sometimes feel tired and I get winded, but wonder if I should push myself, as long as I don’t feel I’m overdoing it.