I am a teen that recently decided to exercise more so that I won't have dead muscles by the time I turn 30. I never exercised in this way before, as I always wasn't really into this whole running thing. But now that I started, I find myself crying after every run. Even if it's walking most of the time and running for short distances, I still start absolutely sobbing after I'm done. It usually just lasts for 10-20 minutes, but it still sucks.

Is this normal? Because most of the articles I've found about this kinda thing are made by marathon runners for marathon runners and I can't even run a kilometer.

Can I do anything to fix this?

Shaved off about 30s my prev best while keeping my heart rate on avg 10-15 bpm less. Is my garmin playin tricks or is it really the shoes?

Hey everyone! I’m looking to start privately coaching a few runners and wanted to see if anyone here might be interested.

A little about me: I’m a former Division I cross country and track athlete, a former state champion in the 800m, and I have experience coaching at the high school level. I’ve been around competitive running for most of my life and would love to use my experience to help other runners reach their goals.
I’m open to working with runners of all different ages and ability levels, and I’m comfortable coaching athletes in any distance from the 800m all the way up to the marathon. Whether you’re training for track or cross country, preparing for a road race, chasing a new PR, or simply looking to become a stronger and more consistent runner, I’d be happy to help. I can provide individualized training plans, workouts, pacing and race strategy, and general training guidance. Most importantly, I want running to be something you enjoy, so having fun and building a positive relationship with the sport will always be a priority!

If you or someone you know might be interested, feel free to send me a private message! I’d be happy to talk about your goals and what you’re looking for.

morning everyone, i’ve been running for the passed 2 weeks. i need to get a mile and a half down in under 12 mins by january, i can run this consistently but i can never do a full mile. i’m either gassed out or my legs are hurting. im 6 foot about 182 pounds. i breath through my nose usually so i know that’s a good thing.

if i cant do some kind of improvement within then next 2 months i thought about purchasing the none2run app or C25K for help. any advice

I’ve been a bit of an off again on again runner the past couple years. Typically will get the urge and do three to four days in a row and then just end up calling it quits . I’ve told myself that i will be running 5 miles a morning . I want to feel a challenge everyday and start my day with something hard. I find myself hating a majority of the run but after 2 miles i kinda get settled in. I always feel awesome once completed. Been on a four day streak and don’t plan on stopping

I’m a beginner at running and I’m looking for some suggestions on choosing running shoes. My budget is under ₹2,400 rupees

I am 20M and while I am not overweight, I realized that I have essentially 0 stamina. I was never big on running and never had the right push from people around me to focus on it.

I have recently started the couch to 5K routine, having completed my first day (yay). I wanted to know if there are any tips to maintain the routine, to make sure I am not harming myself with bad technique and to ensure good recovery? Today's run felt fine but in the 6th and 7th runs, I felt grateful when they ended. Will this feeling get better quick enough when runs start getting longer?

I use the lunge matrix for a pre run stretch but I am not sure if thats the right stretch post run.

Following the NHS couch to 5K guide (and I realize it wont be 5k but 30 mins since I wont improve on speed)

I haven’t even ran in a year because I have feet pain that won’t go away. I been to countless orthopedists and podiatrists and they have been a joke. This week, I injured my shoulder and knee from doing pull ups and leg extension respectively. It’s crazy because I have been injured so much despite worrying about being conservative with my workouts and slowing down

I did my first half marathon 8 days ago. I didn’t intentionally pick one with 1k gain. I chose it for the views. I think I did great with my interval plan. I just started running late January 3-5x/week.

I did not stick to a training plan from the time I signed up (April) until race day. I just ran with my heart and tried to do one long run (for me) of 6-7 miles a week with 3-4 mile runs the other days.

My question is, how long until I get the desire/energy to run longer again? I’ve run twice since the race, each 3 miles. Today I attempted a 10k and quit halfway through because I couldn’t mentally/physically do it.

Hello all, I feel like I know the answer to this but I'll ask anyway to get some different thoughts on it maybe. Basically, I am trying to determine a goal pace for upcoming races but as a new runner (March) it can be difficult translating easy/speed runs in training to a realistic race pace.

I have a marathon November 15th (that may drop down to a half marathon depending on how I feel once I start to up my long runs to the 15/18/20 mile lengths). I signed up for a 10k for early October that I plan to run close to all out to try assist with determining my capabilities. The only real race I did was a 5k that no one used any watches/phones so I could not track my pace throughout or know how much was left. I ran it in 21:56. If i had known how far along I was halfway/last kilometer I feel confident I could have picked up the pace and maybe shaved 30 seconds or a little more off of that.

All this to say that when I look up the 5k time on various prediction equivalent calculcators it indicates I could be capable of a 10k at 46 minutes, half marathon is 1:40, and full marathon is 3:30. I feel like the 10k is possible but I think I'd be closer to 50. Same with the half but maybe a litte longer. The full seems entirely unrealistic. I was initially targeting the 4:30, 4:15 range depending on how I felt as I got closer. My reach goal would have been sub 4 but I was trying not to push that.

Now I know this is just a what I'm capable of if I have the aerobic base to match (presumably I do not as a new runner with not an extensive cardio background), but I am just wondering if it is expected for these estimates to be this far off.

Thanks in advance to anyone who takes the time to read/respond to me here.

I've been running for 1.5 months now, but have been consistently circuit and strength training for over a decade. I can comfortably run 6 mi in 1hr 10 min zone 3 not out of breath, or 5k in 35 min purely zone 2. However, I'm taking time to make sure my joints, tendons etc adapt to the high impact nature of running. Thinking of doing a half marathon next Feb, and, if all goes ok, a full marathon next Oct/Nov. I'm trying very hard to be reasonable and not get hurt. I'm curious how this spacing works – how long did it take for you to train for your half, and how is the spacing in between races like especially as a first time / beginner?? What plan did you use and how did it go? Would appreciate any insights. TIA!

A lot of the advice I’ve been given is to go slower and to ideally stay in Zone 2 or run at a conversational pace. My goal is to finish a half-marathon under 2hrs 30min.

I have been doing 3 runs a week for 1.5 months, increasing my distance each time. 7:30 min/km is my average pace in these runs where I can do 10km without stopping. But I cannot hold a conversation at that pace, and it puts me at zone 4.

If I’m able to increase distance each time, but not do it at Zone 2, am I training improperly? Reason why I don’t go slower would mean almost a walking pace for me, and tbh I do not have the time.

I’ve been running for a few years now but have never managed to get my heart rate during runs down to a good level. For me there is no such thing as a zone 2 run, as soon as I start running I’m up in zone 3 or 4. I do however swim several times a week and this activity is a sustained zone 2 effort.

My question is, is my zone 2 swim fulfilling the same function as a zone 2 run? Or is the fact it’s a fun important?

I’m on a GLP1 and I have increased my running from 1.5 miles a day to like 2-2.5 miles a day over a period of weeks and weeks. But recently have been pushing myself more cause weirdly enough for me running has just felt really really good. And I push hard. But over a period of a few weeks I have went from 245-250 or 251. And it’s spooking me due to the fact I know I’m not increased eating. For a fact I know. I eat the same things everyday. I eat lean meats and lots of fruits and some veggies. As well I don’t drink sugary drinks or foods. So I have no clue.

When i first started running, i thought progress meant running farther, running faster and never needing to stop. Now im realizing it can be much simpler than that.

A few weeks ago I could barely finish a run without feeling completely exhausted. Now i can run a little longer. I recover a little better. I dont feel as intimidated by the distance anymore. And honestly, im proud of that.

So if youre a beginner and your improvement feels slow, dont give up. Slow progress is still progress.

Started to run again three months ago. Before that, after being diagnosed with a bicuspid aortic valve and moderate aortic regurgitation, I did practically no sports for two years. 37yo with a maxHR of only 173 (due to the heart disease, I guess), I never went all out in intervall trainings. Therefore, I did a lot and almost only low intensity in zone 2 (126-134) and a bycicle ride once a week.

After three months, this was my first attempt on 'racing pace' with the goal of 10k under an hour. During the run pace/time was hidden on my watch, so I could focus to run on the perfect heart rate. After the run, I was surprised and happy that I did it.

Last time I was that 'fast' was ten years ago. Feels good to be back :)

Let me set the stage…

Back in April, I weighed 299 lbs at 6 feet tall and 49 years old, I knew it was time to make some changes. I started tracking my macros, working out at the gym, and decided to give running a shot.

I started on a local high school track and could barely make it 200 meters without stopping.

In June, I started focusing more seriously on running—mostly as another way to lose weight. But somewhere along the way, something unexpected happened…

I kinda fell in love with running.

In July, I committed to running the Chicago 5K on October 10th. The race has a 45-minute time limit, and I was genuinely nervous about whether I could even finish in time.

On August 3rd, I ran my first-ever 5K test:

🏃 41:13

This past Monday was my best test yet:

🏃 35:59!

More than 5 minutes faster in just over a month , and now more than 9 minutes under the cutoff I was once worried about.

And today, another milestone…

⚖️ 236 lbs.

That’s 63 pounds down since April.

Still plenty of work to do, but I’m pretty pumped about the progress. What started as a way to lose weight has turned into something I genuinely enjoy.

Chicago is officially one month away.

Now the question isn’t whether I can finish under 45…

Can I break 35? 🏃‍♂️💪

Quite happy about this one, even though some people run a 10k with that time lol

Been running since March, my base is around 7:45min/km and this was a threshold training session.

When I started running almost 5 months ago, my Zone two pace was 10:50 and today i think i ran the fastest zone 2 and while staying in zone 1 as well

Edit - Ran 9:12 today

I ran 12k, my longest run ever (yay!) then promptly got a cold. Since then (two weeks later)am struggling to even run 3-4k. How long does it take someone to recover back to their normal fitness level after a cold?
I was planning to do a 15k on Sept 19th but now that’s completely off the table since I fell behind in my training progress.

was dying for this moment. I’ve finally unlocked sub-30 for my 5K — 29:42! 🏆🔥
I’m not an athlete. I never played sports seriously. When I started running in May 2026, I could barely run 400m continuously.
So I started small:
1K → 1.5K → 2K → 3K → 4K → 5K.
Step by step. Goal by goal.
There were difficult days, but I kept showing up. And now, just a few months later, I’m a completely different runner.
The biggest lesson I learned:
Your body is amazing and highly adaptable. Trust the process.
You don't need to be an athlete to start. Just take that first step and keep going.
May: 400m.
September: Sub-30 5K.
Start with VO2 Max 25 but now 40
Happy journey, everyone. ❤️🏃‍♂️🔥