That was a wonderfull article. I myself was not a very good runner so it turns out, though I still don't have much endurance. So tell me, is the best way to build running endurance to run longer distances and times, simply to run as long as you can every time as it gradually improves, or is there a better way in gaining that kind of endurance?
running endurance and running longer distances is something that should be approached slowly and diligently. To increase distance you should have a very scheduled plan involving a 10% increase in distance per week. Meaning if you currently run 10 miles per week, then the next week increase it to 11 and no more. You should also include HIIT's into your routine. Google these to learn more, or use the search function in this forum as there is a lot of information on them here.
Also, I don't have asthma or anything, but when I run, and get tired, I am ussually very out of breath, and(and ?I'm not sure if this feeling is entirely normal, as I don't really know any runners) but my chest, specifically right in the middle begins to actually (the closest word I can think of is hurt, but it's a really dull kind of pain), is that entirely normal? Will that pain eventually go away as I grow used to running more?(maybe it has something to do with my mother and sister being a smoker and me being around it all my life)
No it is not normal as this is what I generally always run with due to my personal problem with asthma. This dull pain for me will never go away thanks to scar tissue on my left lung thanks to asthma. If you've been around smokers for your entire life it would be wise to get a pulmonary capacity test done on yourself to see what kind of damage is present. The pain for me has never gone away, I've just gotten better at dealing with it. The only form of comfort I can offer is that if you do have lung problems, as your VO2 max increases, it will become easier and easier to run at slower paces. 7 minute paces used to be obscenely difficult for me and now I no longer have any problems at this pace. Sub 6 minute paces bring this pain back.
Along with that if a weird throat feeling, feels like I'm running in winter, even when it's hot out, it gets really sore and that doesn't really help that rythemic breathing.
You might just be gasping too much or taking in too much air through your mouth which will dry out your throat and make it sore. This is the only real problem I can think of which will cause this especially when it's less humid in the winter and hot summer months.
Of coarse this could all just be standard problems for new runners, but I figured I would get some input and advice on it.
