How long did it take for you to start to love running?

sijomial

53 years and counting!
Used to love sprinting but always hated distance running. I've never had the ability to jog, I'm either walking or running with nothing in between.

I made myself train for and run a few 5k races after my knee got mangled mainly as a challenge but also because free beer and T-shirts were involved... :drinker:

C25K is the exact opposite way I trained by the way - personally for natural sprinters I think intervals/fartlek works better but that's just my opinion.

Used to run fast miles when I was playing squash seriously and still run some intervals most weeks as "sprinters pride" means when I play sport I will not be the slowest even if I'm the oldest.

tnsumner

I started running about a year ago. I still hate it. It has gotten a lot easier, but I don't look forward to it. I much rather sit on the couch eating salt and vinegar potato chips.

Panda_Rolls

Not really an answer to your question, but I've been DYING to share this somewhere, and this seems like a good thread to do it.

http://theoatmeal.com/comics/running

Now, as to actually answering your question, I have a friend who said it took her a year. Personally, I'm in the same boat as you, I don't like it but I keep willing myself to do it anyway as if someday I will magically like it. I just moved and can't afford a gym membership, so yeah, running is really one of my only options right now. Really if I had my way I'd rollerskate everyday.

corinneallene

once it stopped hurting and after i discovered running as a stress-reliever!

elliej

I've been running for just under 6 months and I still don't love it. It's fine. It's a means to an end. Sometimes I feel quite good and enjoyed a run but for the most part it is just fine.

laurynwithawhy

Oh, it's going on about 14 years and I'm finally getting used to it. Me and running are like an old married couple. I don't care for it most of the time, but I'll never ever leave it, and every once in awhile I have an amazing run that reminds me why I fell in love in the first place.

But really, if you don't love it by your 50,000 try you might never. But you don't have to be head over heels for it. Just enjoy it.

ETA: I saw this great Tshirt that said "I run because I can. When I get tired, I remember those who can't run, what they would give to have this simple gift I take for granted, and I run harder for them. I know they would do the same for me".

Sort of puts the misery in perspective.

janinab75

I started about 4 months ago, partly to burn more calories, but mainly as i want to do a 10K in October. I was also a sprinter at school, although I did a bit of orienteering when I was younger. I've never been a runner of any distance.

I don't love and and don't think I ever will, but like a lot of comments here some are worse than others. When you get to a point where your runs are all about goals, the next mile, the next corner, hell, the next lamp-post - rather than "when am I going to finish this" it will become easier. You may not love 'em, but you won't hate 'em. I'm out about 3 to 4 times a week, minimum 3.5 miles - although that'll need to go up this week.

Took me about 6 weeks to reach this point, probably once my body realised that I was going to keep going with this and that it better get on board. The telling point for me will be when I've done the 10K and winter really starts

Now cycling, that's a different story, exercise is a very personal thing.

Thats kind of where I am, "Now let me get to that next drive way, okay the next stop sign", Then the next day a bit further, now I'm at the point of where I say okay, yesterday you did 18 minutes, today go for 20. So today I jogged 20 minutes straight. The next time I'll go for 22, or just around the next corner" It has to be about goals for me and reaching the next goal. I'll keep at it.

Thanks everyone for all your input, it's very helpful!

janinab75

ETA: I saw this great Tshirt that said "I run because I can. When I get tired, I remember those who can't run, what they would give to have this simple gift I take for granted, and I run harder for them. I know they would do the same for me".

Sort of puts the misery in perspective.

LOVE THIS!!!!

YoBecca

I started loving it when i started running with friends.

I forced myself to start running as an adult, but never liked it until I started raining for specific distances with a running buddy. We trained for a 5 k. Then a half marathon. And a few more of those. Then a full marathon. My running buddy became one of my best buddies, and a free therapist, but he moved earlier this year - I still have the sad's about that. But I have made more running friends, and I never run alone.

A lot of local running shoe shops offer group runs on the weekends or evenings. Check those out. Time and distance fly when you're making friends.

jonsey_s

Hate running.

Walk, it's actually better for you.

sevsmom

It took about 3 months of dedicated running to "fall in love". But just like falling in love with a person, you don't always LIKE or FEEL GOOD about every run.

In fact, I posted a topic in the forums on Sunday. . . Snapshot of a REAL run...Not all sunshine and roses.

I'm up to training for a full marathon and I had the crappiest run in a long time this past weekend. CRAPPY! I did not LOVE that run. But, I love running. So, I laced up on M/W and I'll lace up tomorrow and Sunday and keep pursuing my passion.

Agate69

How long did it take me to love to run? 62 years x 365 days. sooooooooo maybe tomorrow is the day

As a child, girls did not run, we were told it was not LADY LIKE
At 30 - 50, I did not make time to run, Thus I ate and ate
At 300 pounds I could not run
At 62 now and 122 pounds less, I run because I can

Mr_Knight

Now I don't want to run marathons, or even 10K's necessarily, but a 5K would be nice. Okay, maybe a 10K down the road, eventually..., but first things first. I just don't want it to be a chore each and every time, that's what I'm hoping for. I do like cycling though and do that as well.

Cycling is fantastic aerobic activity, no shame in cutting back a bit on running and replacing it with cycling.

Plus, once we get in shape, 5km is something that can be knocked off in 20 minutes. That's practically a sprint.

pinkraynedropjacki

Hate running.

Walk, it's actually better for you.

Really? Evidence? How is walking better? If your talking about running hurting knees.... then you are wrong.

VanillaBeanSeed

I think we need to learn to pace ourselves.

I am on week 4 of a running program. When i go with the others I have to slow myself down as I have a bit faster pace. And I love it.

When I go alone, I hate it. Im out of breathe, my legs are killing me, IM DYING! lol


So I think you have to start slow, or else you wont LEARN TO LOVE IT!

Went for a run lastnight.. and Im already thinknig about the next time I can get a run in!!!!!! >.<

pcastagner

I started to tolerate it after a few months, but since discovering speed rope I never bother with running unless I'm in a hurry to get somewhere on foot. Maybe I'll run to a park to hook up my trx.

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Patrick0321

Would never say I love running, but I like the feeling of finishing a run. No matter how far or for how long you go for, the feeling once you've finished (stopped blowing like a whale) is still a good feeling

Petefry1

Running is fun when you're fit for whatever level of running your aiming for. Getting fit to run sucks, especially if you've lost the running fitness, know what you can do, and are trying to get back there.
You'll find running more fun by running with friends - especially similar paced friends so you can push each other, and also by running events.
To keep motivated to keep running and maintain running fitness I have a program of regular events every few months or so.
I do love both participating in, and the achievement of finishing events.
Some runs are better than others, and I do love the good ones. But even the bad runs you hate will still give you a sense of achievement of having completed them.
Good luck with building up your running fitness. Stick with it, because it will be fun eventually.

TammyW18

The first time you have a "floating" run, you'll get it.

Even seasoned runners don't love every run...there's good ones and bad ones, but the floating ones are so good they make the bad ones worth all of it. You feel weightless and strong and fast and just generally awesome.

^^^this

Also I find too that when I can't run...I miss it ...in the summer the outdoors is my gym in the winter i must go to the gym...I never miss the gym

FancyGirl7

Truth be told, I RARELY love to run. It's just the necessary evil required to complete a triathlon! Hahaha! That being said, I LOVE to run in the rain along the Trinity River. There's just something magical about it.

bnorris2013

I have always wanted to be a runner but I always to big to be a runner After having lost over 50 lbs I decided if I can be on the elliptical for a hour I can certainly train for a 5k and I am enjoying every second of it

I am using the c25k run my breathing has definantly gotten better the only thing bothers me is when i am running sometimes my legs start hurting not like a bad hurt but a hey your running hurt but this just tells me i am getting better because i used to get this at 30 seconds of running now its over a minute before i feel this so my body is conditioning itself and i am loving it

tootoop224

52 years, and counting... lol:laugh:

Lisah8969

I have been running/walking for 8 years now. Wow...I didn't realize it had been that long until just this minute when i really thought about it. It was almost 7 years ago when I did my first Half Marathon. I always put in the miles that I needed to train for whatever race(s) I had coming up and I was usually ok with doing what I was scheduled to do. It wasn't until I dropped 60+ pounds and tipping over into the side where I run more than I walk that I almost look forward to it, but still can't say I "love" it. In the past year, I have taken almost 2 minutes off my average per mile time and I am proud of that. The longest I have ever run non stop is only 3.5 miles and I can't do that consistently. I think when (if) the day comes that I can keep running without walking (even though I do realize that right now that is probably more of a mental block for me than physical), i will start to actually love it. For now I can say that I am proud of myself and my progress.

Cindy4FunFit

I only started running when I was age 38 to knock off weight gain that would no longer budge with brisk walking. I felt forced that it was the only way, and for about 5 months it was torture. I literally would run for 5 minutes at a time and then take a break to walk. I did this until I could run straight for 30 to 40 minutes.

As my fitness and cardiovascular improved, I felt great. I would get running "highs" and became hooked. I would want to run every day possible, usually for 30 to 40 minutes as part of my lunch break from work. I started running 5k's and Warrior Dashes and felt amazing.

So, it sounds like you are starting small like I did - but stick with it until you hit the good stuff- endorphins! We carry our own mood enhancing drugs - we just have to kick start them! : )

lilpoindexter

Runnning sucks...it's boring. That's why I ride a bike.

TdaniT

I have never been a runner. I was walking as a form of exercise but was getting bored with it. I downloaded a C25K app and completed it in 12 weeks. It motivated me and gave me a goal to accomplish. I did it all on the treadmill inside. When I moved outside I started having problems. I have been told that I have exercise induced asthma and now have an inhaler that I use before I run. I love how accomplished I feel after I have finished the run. I usually wish I stayed in bed at the start of it. I want to absolutely love it. But for me, I don't think that will happen until my lungs cooperate. I end up stopping because of my breathing...my legs want to keep going. :grumble:

itcanbedone13

bump

Perixi

I want to love it, I'm working hard at it and setting myself targets and I am getting better at it. When I hit a new distance I feel awesome and it makes it worthwhile.