help! can't run anymore!

I used to run xcountry and would regularly do 5miles etc, it wasn't anything hard core, nothing over 6 miles but I stopped running when gained weight on my chest (it made me feel like I was jugs on stick legs running). Anyway, I am losing the weight right now and while I have been exercising regularly in a gym for the past year, I cannot seem to run! I can go on an elliptical machine at 11-12kph for 60minutes, (with a level 10-12 resistance setting), I can cycle for 70minutes with hills at an rpm of 85-100, I am in very good shape and when I run I can, on a very very good day, keep up a 7 and a half minute mile pace for 5 miles.

But this is rare, on most days I lack the motivation- I am not physically out of breath, or anything too stressed aerobically or body wise but I will just stop! I can't seem to get past those first 15-20minutes anymore where you are trying to find your rhythm! I have tried running slower, but I get bored because it seems to take AGES to get anywhere, and so instead I go at a good pace, but then stop and walk! I will walk for about 15seconds or so only, but I think it breaks the running rhythm and I want to just learn how to resist the urge to walk when I am physically not hurting overdoing it etc. I would NEVER stop in a gym regardless, or on my concept 2 ergo at home (when I am alone) so why do I do it when I run?

Anyone got any tips to prevent this? I just want to run flat out- but I can't mentally get my mind into a state where I can and where I won't just think, why the heck am I running when I can be walking?

Thanks!
 
Get a running partner or two! This will help keep you from becoming bored...

BTW - Jeff Galloway has a theory about run/walking that is pretty dang COo.oOL! Try running at your 7.5 minute / mile pace for 9 minutes then walk for 1 minute. You can use this walk break for drinking water. As soon as the minute is up, repeat the process. This might help. And, you only lose ~15 seconds of your time per mile run in this fashion!

In case you were thinking that this is a whimpy way to run, there are runners who have used this style to run a marathon in under 3 hours!

-Rip
 
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