HELP!! How long did it take you to like running?

sprinkies

When I started running outside and running races. It's never fun on a treadmill.

As for how long to give yourself? Couch to 5k takes approximately 9 weeks.

100% agree.


i dreaded running on a treadmil, and did it for a year cause i signed up for a half marathon ((without ever running). then i STILL hated it, but signed up for a second half, and started running OUTSIDE and signed up for a full. now i LOVE running. outside = win.

PoeRaven

I took to running slowly. I think it was reaching that first 12 minute mile that made me fall in love. Plus keeping a log of my mileage and setting new goals keeps me motivated.
Stats:
2010: 555 miles
2011: 696 mile2
So far 2012: 182 miles
To date: 1433 miles
I'm a 52 year old granny...if I can do this, YOU can do this.

Keep on keepin' on....

mes1119

about 3 months. but I never hated it because I have always been an athlete. I just had gotten out of shape so exercising had gotten difficult

froeschli

I never liked running. Then I started c25k the first day with no snow on the ground (about 6 weeks ago). The temperature dropped again, there was ice, rain, storms, I went out anyways. A couple weeks in I realized I didn't have to make myself go anymore, I anticipated my runs. I borrowed some books on running from the library, just to do some background reading, and found myself deviating from c25k to go for a 10k program. Wtf, me, a year ago, would laugh at the impossibility of this. Anyhow, I'm about 7 weeks away from running my first 10k, no race yet, just proving to myself that I can do it.
I agree with other posters that trail running beats treadmills and streets/sidewalks hands down.

jquinn1971

I started liking running when I gave up wanting to run a certain speed and went with the 'run till you need to walk; walk until you can run again' mindset. After that, I loved it. Then discovering trail running was the final nail.

riskiestlavonn

Thank you so much you guys (you're so encouraging). I think I have probably just been taking it too fast. just looked up the C25K program (I've just been going outside and running for 20-25 minutes straight and hating it).

thelovelyLIZ

I feel like I really began to enjoy it when I became able to run two or so miles without stopping. The beginning was frustrating since I felt like I was going so slow and couldn't sustain it very long. But once I start being able to run for 20 or so minutes at a time, I enjoyed it. Now it's fun because it's a way to constantly challenge myself. There are still days I just don't want to do it, but the days I do, I always enjoy it, or at least the runner's high afterwards.

garlic7girl

It took me a year.

Calvinator24

Started running in March 2010 with C25K. Ran the Dallas White Rock Marathon in December '10 & '11. Training for the OKC Marathon on April 29th. I ran over 120 miles in February and will put in over 160 in March and April.

I still don't love running. However, I no longer hate it, and I guess I'm addicted because I feel like something is missing if I don't get a scheduled run in.

I definitely like the results I've gotten since I started using MFP last September. I lost 20 pounds from marathon training in 2010. Put 10 of it back on after taking a few months off after the Rock. I thought I would quickly lose that 10 again and then some when I started back last year. I actually gained 3 pounds over the first 3 months of training in 2011, so I started using MFP, and the pounds started melting away. I'm getting to the point where I have used up most of my reserves, so I can't be as restrictive of my calories now.

hbm616

When I completed my first mile without stopping. Or dying.

Yup that about sums it up for me too. I've been consistently using an elliptical since December and it has always been my exercise of choice. About two weeks ago we had some unseasonably warm weather so I decided to run and see if I could go for a mile along the bike path by my house. Knowing the distance helped to motivate me to keep going and I was able to run a mile without stopping. Now I can't wait for more nice weather so I can keep pushing myself!

catlady100

It took about a month i think. i joined a running group and that helped a lot with motivation to get out of bed on a Sunday morning to do a long run. Knowing that I have a long run with the group on Sunday, motivates me to go out during the week on my own

riskiestlavonn

Haha, I read some article that said it takes between 3 - 6 months to really start enjoying it. Means you have to hang on for half a year before you enjoy it (I hope not).

LilRedRooster

I didn't really enjoy running too much, until I ran one day, and I felt like I could just keep going forever. It was that "runner's high" feeling of floating effortlessly over the ground, and after that, I was hooked. I don't remember at what point that was, but it was a few months, maybe two or three, into running regularly for at least 30 minutes at a time.

rileamoyer

Has not happened yet (and it never will). But I do love to walk and hike.

dustyhockeymom

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Oh, and you will hear a lot of talk about the dreaded 10 or whatever they call it...but it is so true. Once you get past 10 minutes, it is like you get a second wind and POW....

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This is so true. I hate running every time for the first 10 minutes and then I love it. The couch 2 5K is a very popular program, but it didn't work for me. I would psych myself out with the increase each week and so I stopped. I have found that Easy 5K / Easy 10K by Jeff Galloway works better for me. The intervals between walking and running are totally controlled by you and the focus is more on distance and endurance building. I am doing the Easy 10K right now and I love it. I notice progress almost every run. I do 2 minutes run/1 minute walk and I am up to 6 miles at an 11 minute mile. It's harder to psych myself out with this program because the goal isn't to ever not walk some intervals, and that is just a better fit for me because I don't feel like I am not really running if I have to talk walk breaks.

Mizzou91

I don't like it. I just do it. Just like i don't LIKE going to work but i still do it. But i feel great after. And what better way to check out the hot guys that are also running. You look like a chump if you're just walking by checking them out. If you're running tho--yeah, they're checking you out too

This is true. We like checking out runner girls. Hot legs, nice butts. LOVE that my wife is a runner. As for when I started to like running, I'm not sure that I would classify what I feel about running as like. I would classify it more as that kid we all knew growing up who always told us what we couldn't do. Bull. I'll show you EXACTLY what I can do and I'll kick your rear while I'm doing it. Finishing a run faster than the last time or going further than ever before is a phenomenal feeling.

BrunetteRunner87

Not until I got incredibly bored on the elliptical!

rextcat

:happy: i do it but i dont like it...yet...mabie in 20lbs i will

Raynn1

I started to enjoy it around week 3 of the C25K program. I was craving to go back out and run, and I have never been a runner or cared to ever run in my life.
I am still over overweight, but running came to me pretty easily. The day I ran my first 20 mins on the program I burst into tears. And I screamed for delight when I ran my first 5k 10 days ago. I have signed up for a 5k race in three weeks and I cannot wait to go out there and be "official:)

wbgolden

When I completed my first mile without stopping. Or dying.

THAT

jsapninz

Like it??? I've been doing it for years and I still don't like the actual running part.

THIS. Except I HATE IT. I figure it's a necessary evil. :grumble:

hilary619

After I was able to run for 20 minutes straight, I was able to enjoy it. I really enjoy the benefits! Since I started running, I dropped 30 lbs. Been running now for almost 5 years. Signing up for 5Ks is a great motivator. Honestly, the first mile of each run is tough and I hate it---but then you get a pace, and you're good. Off you go! Good luck! Keep us posted.

jackiemarie

The first race I ran was a half marathon I trained for it starting January this year & completed it march 18 in 2:05 i have never ran more then two miles im a row before January !!! Now I'm addicted I think

ohpiper

While I wouldn't say that I have found that inner love of running, I have very much enjoyed doing events like Warrior Dash and the Pittsburgh Sprint Triathlon. For me, it helps to have the obstacles or variety of events to make things interesting. Now I'm shooting for something longer and crazier, Tough Mudder. For me, having event goals helps me to keep on track with my workouts and motivates me. It all comes together, then, to help me try to keep in shape. Having said that, most runners I know (marathoners) have had knee/injury issues. I do the amount of running that helps me to keep on track with my event goals, but I don't want to get to the point that I am plagued by injuries. I like having varied workouts, as with the P90X, Insanity and swimming to keep things in balance.

johnlatv

about 8 years of steady running.

LetsDoThis103

As I neared the end of Couch 25K I started to really like it. Today I put in 4.27 miles! If you are not a runner and need to build up to running, I HIGHLY recommend Couch 25K - I loved it and it really helped make me a runner!

Same here. The second to last week of C25k is when I realized I was actually looking forward to running each day and actually enjoying the runs.

_HeathBar_

When I completed my first mile without stopping. Or dying. I started running (again) last June. Love it now.

^ This. It felt so good to actually go an entire mile without stopping.

VTMudRunner

I am a running coach with a specialty running store in town. I think what helps is running with other runners especially if you are new. If you have a running store near you stop in and talk to them. Get plugged into a group. I love encouraging newbies. I lead the walk 2 run groups and I so love to see them go on to the longer 5k and 10k groups. Some of them now are faster than me and run longer miles than me.

losethechalupa

http://c25k.com/

I am on week 1 and repeating day 2 of this program.

I like you dream of running and I am taking on this challenge. I hope to one day love it too. Good luck!

Grlnxtdr0721

I am in the 9th week of the Couch to 5k (c25k.com) program and have really enjoyed it since about week 4 or 5. I have never been a runner, but have found it is a great stress reliever. And I like the feeling of accomplishing things I haven't before and competing with myself.