re: At what point does jogging get easier?

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So I'm a couple weeks into jogging about 1.5- 2 miles a night 5x's a week and it still hurts me bad. Hurts my legs but more importantly takes me 20 minutes or more to completely relax and catch my breath. I've got the same exact stamina as the first night and It's boring and frustrating. Not trying to be a "runner", just trying to get in some light cardio to get in shape and feel better. I'm 6'1" 181lbs.

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If it's taking you that long to catch your breath, you're running too fast. Starting out, you should run/jog at a pace that allows you to comfortably hold a conversation with someone running with you. Then work on picking up the pace. 7:30 miles are faster than 90% of most runners, so dial back the pace some until it becomes easier.

Don't most experts consider most stretching do pretty much be a waste of time?

I warm up with an increasing pace walk for 5 minutes. That's all the loosening up I do. I do the same for a cool down decreasing the pace every hundred yards or so.

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I never stretch.

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i might stretch my calf but my pre-run warmup is usually a good poop and brushing my teeth


i hate having bad breath on a run for some reason

It never gets easier. It just gets faster.

I only read three pages in. I ran cross country in high school, and swam from age 5 until the end of my sophomore year in college. I NEVER enjoyed running, but being with other people makes it much more enjoyable. Like other's mentioned, join a club of some sort. At a 7:30 pace, there will be plenty of people slower than you.

If you are in the BTR area, join the crawfish aquatics masters swimming team. They have people of all skill levels, and will really help you progress. I know tiger aquatics, who practice at LSU, had one as well at one point, but dont know about now.

When I look back at it, I think it has a lot to do with mindset. I'm a lazy frick now. I like to just get home and do nothing, which is a terrible habit to get into, and break out of. Find a way to change your mindset, what motivates you? Are you competitive? Start running 5k's. That way you have some tangible goals. After going to a few races you'll notice the runners that are just a little better than you, aim to beat them by a certain date. I used to have the mindset of "if it doesn't suck, I'm not getting better". I would give anything to have that back. haha

Some people, like myself, and I'm assuming you, can't "run slow". I'm not saying I can go out and run a 5:30 mile, but I'm not able to not push myself. Sounds like you are the same way. Your body isnt going to acclimate in two weeks. Keep it up for 2 months, track your progress, you'll get there.

Didn't read whole thread, but you are pushing way too hard.

Act like you're getting ready for the beach next summer. (Think Track athlete building up for the championships next May/June).

They workout 6x week, but have 2-3 hard days with 1 easy day in the middle. Hard days usually Tues, Fri, maybe Sat.

But you are just a joe blow trying to get in shape so start off 4-5 times per week. Rest days can be walking with stretching too.

Vary distances and pace. Also don't always run on pavement. Find a track or grass fields. Add in sprint work(ie 60meters x 5, 30-45 sec rest @ 75% max). Run the levees or hills. Sprint up, walk down for x number of reps(your pace and build up over time)

Try different things, make it interesting, make it fun, give yourself a chance to improve over time, not hurry up to get in shape next week.

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I stretch my back with a yoga wheel every night before bed

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I do yoga every now and then since I am like op and painfully unflexable.

Just don't really stretch before runs

Also this

I get the tempo playing soccer with the cherren either at practices or in the yard.

Have kids and that is your tempo excersise