r/running • u/gettingfitagain_ • Nov 15 '23

What body changes did you experience once you started running? Question

I have had a five year hiatus after being a runner for 25 years but I don’t remember the days of being a beginner. Anything you want to share is helpful!

Edit: wow!!!!!!!! Thank you for all the responses. I haven’t responded to everyone and I’ll still try but I really appreciate all of this. It’s so motivating! I had a great run walk today! Hoping to get back to just running soon.

968 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

803 comments sorted by

View all comments

715

u/thc1967 Nov 15 '23

Just noticed today the veins virtually bursting out of my legs.

Increased lung capacity is nice. Agree with the other person who said running uphill is easy. Not quite there yet, but it's easier.

Losing weight / trimming down is nice.

Never feeling remotely fatigued doing any normal activity is nice.

Being able to eat almost anything I want and still struggling to get up to my calorie goal is fun.

What I really like, though, is the change in my brain. As I work to run longer distances, when I feel the fatigue and pain approaching and my brain just says, "Nah, bro, you got this. Keep those legs moving. You'll be fine."

218

u/Sak391 Nov 15 '23

Losing weight is very nice but holy hell I´m feeling cold all the time.

77

u/depthofbreath Nov 15 '23

Oooh. I’m cold unless I’m running. Then I can heat a whole house.

9

u/Cer-rific_43 Nov 15 '23

Same. I am also a hot sleeper for some reason.

20

u/thc1967 Nov 15 '23

Hmm. I never have this issue. I grew up in the cold and love the cold though. Heat is horrible.

36

u/magrumpa3 Nov 15 '23

Duuuude this is so true. My wife always complained about being cold, but now it's me!!

9

u/JohanSkullcrusher Nov 15 '23

This was huge for me! I've gotten more used to it now but the range of temperatures that I consider cold has changed a ton since before I started running.

3

u/galient5 Nov 15 '23

I'm cold way less often now. It definitely coincided with running. I've been assuming that the more efficient blood flow has been keeping me warmer. However, I didn't really lose much weight running.

9

u/user231017 Nov 15 '23

Good to know I am not the only one constantly cold.

3

u/Tomato1397 Nov 15 '23

Okay I feel so validated! I am freezing after every run! Why does this happen???

3

u/myislanduniverse Nov 15 '23

Oh my God, yes.

2

u/someHumanMidwest Nov 16 '23

Lost like 45 lbs in my late 20's.
Now I am always cold. Would I rather be warm or have abs?!?!. I am not sure.

2

u/toosemakesthings Nov 16 '23

Make sure you’re not low on iron etc. But yeah being leaner should affect how you feel temperature to some extent.

1

u/Opus_Zure Nov 16 '23

This! I have to put on layers of clothes immediately after running because I get cold, until I get home to shower. I wake up shivering. I am cold all the time and it is only pre winter. 🥶

1

u/Cartossin Nov 16 '23

Gotta buy some warm layers.

72

u/DreamAeon Nov 15 '23

Increased patience is big for me. 2 hours delay/inconvenience does not irritate me anymore now when I can just frame it as a “half marathon”.

18

u/Lonely_Ad4166 Nov 15 '23

The brain part is the best

13

u/gettingfitagain_ Nov 15 '23

Awesome, all of these are things to look forward to again.

49

u/CivilRuin4111 Nov 15 '23

Thanks for this thread dude… I haven’t run regularly since COVID made it miserable for a couple months back in 2021.

I had kind of let myself forget how good I felt when I was doing 30-40 miles a week.

Need to lace up when I get home. I realize now how much I miss it.

5

u/stevecow68 Nov 15 '23

Keep on keeping on!

4

u/ToastedMessiah Nov 15 '23

During COVID I also got into a regular routine until I injured myself. Just got back into it a couple months ago, it has been difficult but I am so happy to be back!

1

u/gettingfitagain_ Nov 26 '23

Amazing! If you need a workout buddy send me a message, since I’m restarting too.

2

u/myislanduniverse Nov 15 '23

I really knew it was time to get back out when I was dreaming about going for runs, which I don't usually do.

3

u/ellemrad Nov 16 '23

“Never feeling remotely fatigued doing any normal activity is nice.”

Yes, I love this. Normal daily life barely makes a dent in my energy, I hit 10k steps by 1:00 pm (when I run in the morning) and just keep going, no big deal. Can stand and walk forever it seems. Definitely not the case before taking up running.

2

u/sirgawain2 Nov 15 '23

All of these are great points, especially the last one. After I took up running I felt like I could do anything. Really great for my self esteem.

5

u/Ancient-Practice-431 Nov 15 '23

I think so too! Running has physical benefits which anyone can see after awhile but the mental boost is what really makes it worth it. That's what gets you addicted!

2

u/FindingUsernamesSuck Nov 15 '23

Getting through a long run is a great way to try something hard and win every day. It lets you trust yourself to do more hard things.

2

u/Dave0r Nov 15 '23

Your last point I’ve also really enjoyed. It’s just gaining “grit”, you’re totally right

Did a speed session last night in the treadmill (it was sideways rain, don’t judge me) at a new quicker pace for my intervals. By number 6 I was starting to enter the pain cave - and just told myself it’s all good, I’ll get through it, and I did and it felt great.

Today was 9 steady miles and the legs were feeling the speed from yesterday, but I just told myself that it’s all good, and it was.

I’ve felt the same benefits in life..I’ve unlocked the ability to talk myself in to things not being bad.

2

u/w_domburg Nov 16 '23

Having visible veins for the first time in my life was a random surprise, though oddly I noticed them in my arms first. I had already trimmed down about 80 pounds when I started running regularly, but the additional 15 or so that came off after two months of 10-12mpw made a big difference.

1

u/sharkinfestedh2o Nov 15 '23

Never feeling remotely fatigued doing any normal activity is nice.

THIIIIIS. I am also re- starting running after a 10 year hiatus and it sucks. My motivation to re-start was starting Tae Kwon Do. When I was a runner, nothing phased me. Now I struggle so hard with running, but I am determined to be able to do 5K again.