Help!: Running is hard, very hard, will it ever get easier?

this is what I did.  I set a goal of how far I was going to try and reach (1 mile was my first goal).  I started off walking at a fast pace to warm up and then I would start my jogging after (start when you feel ready).  I'd jog until I started getting very winded and then I'd start walking again at a comfortable pace to catch my breath and bring my heart rate down.  When I felt ready I'd start jogging again.  I'd go through the jogging/walking cylce (as often as I thought necessary) until I finished my distance (I'd always try to finish with a run) and then I'd do a short walk for a cool down and then stretch.  Each day that I went out (I ran every other day), I always tried to push the jogging portion of the cycle a little further.  At the end of about two weeks I was jogging the entire mile.  From there I tried to increase my speed, as well as increase my distance.  I'd add about 1/2 mile about every two/three weeks until I reached the distance I wanted to run on an ongoing basis during the week (time being an issue - I didn't want to be out all night running <grin>) which was about 3-1/2 to 5 miles.  Of course the running was a whole lot easier by the time I reached the 3-1/2 mile mark, but I kept myself on schedule and used the time to work on technique and time, even when I felt strong enough to run further.  I always ended my runs with a short walk (less than 1/4 mile) and stretch.  I was pretty out of shape when I started and had plenty of time to work through this and I also still have a hard time getting into my initial rhythm, but once I do it is great.  Even though you have a much more condensed time frame than I did, listen to your body, find a comfortable pace, and work on your breathing.

 hope this was helpful and encouraging

First of all, I love flyingaqce's info and advice!  That very similar to what I did, which I will describe next, but first of all, SLOW DOWN!  Running is hard, and one of the biggest mental blocks I had to get over was that it is OK to be out of breath.  You shouldn't be able to sing, but you should be able to get out three to five words at a time.  If you can't do that, then slow down.  But keep at it.  I also recommend incorporating more running each day.  Go for three minutes on Monday, followed by a short walk to catch your breath, and repat.  Then do four minutes on Tuesday, and repeat.  Five minutes on Wednesday, and repeat.  When you get to the point you can't do more than three of these, stay at that pace for two to three days, then increase again.  And dear God, please STRETCH when you are done.    You can't keep training without resting and stretching or you will hurt yourself!

 Good luck, hang in there, and welcome to the running club!

plus im currently doing a combo of the training on grass (football field in ok condition) and flat road. any advice as to whats better early on?

haha i liked that last comment

and to the one before that are you saying during my 10-15mins "running" time to run for 1 min, walk for 1 min, run for 1 min etc? then increase the times?

as it stands i can run for like 3 mins then my legs decide to stop moving, my lungs could probably go further, alot further, but my legs get so heavy its just hard to keep them moving.

and 2 miles is my ultimate goal, i need to be able to do that easy.

im currently 196-198pounds.

 today i move on to week 2  of the plan, which is 15 mins of run time where i have to cover 1.5miles...what suggestions? do 2 miles a day however long it takes, increasing the amount of time i run per interval each day. (so eventually i run the entire two miles)

 plus i have a bicycle but i feel this isnt a sufficient workout, is it worth putting in 20 mins of cycling in the morning (all of my runs are in the evening, when its cold...for some reason i feel doing it in the cold is working me harder...and just before you guys ask yes i do wear sufficeint clothing to keep warm)

 "that are you saying during my 10-15mins "running" time to run for 1 min, walk for 1 min, run for 1 min etc? then increase the times? "  QSSGuy is right, this is absolutely what I did when I first started it really works. Start at run/walks of 1 min each, then try 2 mins each running and walking, then cut your 2 min walk to a 1 min walk, then increase your run time and so on and in no time at all you'll be running for the full 15 mins.

Cycling is great to improve your fitness, and cross training like that puts less stress on your joints than when you run.  It will help, but the best training for running is to run.

Lots of good advice so far. Something to add though. Keep trying to smile while you are running. If your face is smiling enough it will eventually convince the rest of the body it is having a good time. Sounds a bit like new age psycho babble but it was a piece of advice I got when I was started refereeing rugby and (annoyingly) it did actually work.

Also there are times when it is better not to focus too tightly on your actual run. Concentrate on something else (?smiling) and your body will just get on with covering next mile or so.

Buddy, running is the least of your worries!

Personally i love my running. it takes time [measure in months not weeks and measure in double figures]. make it interesting and challenging. try trails and run with friends. it is always good to see someone suffering worse than you!

cheers, Rich

Getting into shape requires a lot of dedication, and it's important to work up your muscles and your fitness, and your routines.  Starting easy, stretch, walk, warm up, gradually increase time, cool down, all these are important.  You want to find a sustainable pace.  You don't want to overdo, or your training might come to a screeching halt, and you can work up to your targets.  There is always a plateau effect, so you might as well plan to get to a target and stay with it for a period, before increasing it. 

The cross-training is also an important element.  If your breathing is painful, it may be best to concentrate some of your training on deep breathing.  The best approach for that is yoga, though tai chi (and presumably tae-bo) can also address that focus on breath and coordination with movement.  I found that yoga and also pilates really changed the whole game for me for walking and biking.  I gave up running because it was just too hard on my knees and shins, but I am finding that breathing and centering and stretching with yoga is the best conditioning for other cardio activities.  

How's the training going?