Love running, enlighten me :)

I hated it for probably the first month I did it! Well, I loved how I felt AFTER going, but felt miserable during the runs.
Now I usually run about 5 hours per week (although I cant lately because I'm sick), and once I've warmed with about 10 minutes of jogging I find the rest of the run exhilarating!

I absolutely adore running...up until I got a pelvic stress fracture...which I'm currently recovering from(month3) I can't wait to get back to my passion...miss it so much...

It took a while and I think there are a couple of things at play. Firstly I love the solitude and relaxation of a run along the river - it's one of the few times I have no kids, no dogs, no clients etc demanding my attention. The other aspect is that I love the feeling I get discovering what my body is capable of doing. A few years ago I was a highly accomplished couch potato (if it were an Olympic event I'm sure I would have brought home gold) and could barely run around the block.

I'll caution you right now - 5Ks are a gateway drug. After you run a few your brain will start to wonder if you can do a 10K, then a half-marathon etc, running is highly addictive (in a good way)!

When I first started losing weight, I walked, a lot. It was great because I just got into an almost meditative state, I just seemed to be able to think and order my thoughts. Recently, I have been able to this while running. I don't have to concentrate that much running anymore and it is almost zen now. Running outside that is, running on a treadmill is evil and unnatural.

I use Nike+ and I have music playing while I run, and that is one of the best things to help your mind stay off the pain while you run. I love the feeling of post running as well becuase you never get that feeling doing anything else. Get another 5k and you wont regret it ! I have 4 5k's coming up in the next 2 months and I am excited for all of them. GL in your races.

i love running :bigsmile: im addicted i love the way it makes me feel!! keep at it and you will get addicted too!! :flowerforyou:

I'm relatively new to running (starting last October/November.) I started with C25k and I enjoyed the accomplishment of each new session and each new goal I hit, but I did not enjoy the running itself.

I started almost immediately with the Bridge to 10k program. It didn't click at all. So I took some time out, as I called it, to just run three times a week, varying the distances. Sometimes 4k, sometimes 5k and sometimes 6k, based on times and rough calculations only, because I hadn't got my Garmin at this stage. I stopped listening to music and/or the phone apps and just ran. This worked for me. Little to no pressure, but the thrill of finishing each and every run.

I occasionally looked up on Google maps where I'd gone and did some time/speed calculations to check where my speed was at, but it was all very casual. Fast forward six months and I knew I was addicted to running, I enjoyed it and sometimes it even felt good. Even if it didn't feel good, I had seemed to develop an inner stubbornness that ensured that a certain amount of will kicked in and I could overcome mental blocks.

I decided to get a Garmin watch which has helped me immensely in my training. I am also one who feels better about 2 - 3 miles into a run. There are days (especially after work) where I feel that I could simply not be bothered... but I have a rule that I must go for my run (unless there is a sufficient physical reason for me to take it easy, I do think it's important to listen to your body) and if I still don't feel like it after 20 minutes, I will wholeheartedly give myself permission to stop...

Suffice to say that this has never, ever eventuated. By the time the 20 minute mark has come around I am all warmed up and focused on some goal or other and I wouldn't dream of stopping.

Today I finished my first race ever - an 8km. My physical preparation was something I was really proud of, truly. But I had a huge mental block at the start of the race. I was so nervous that my breathing went all funny and I actually walked for about 20 seconds. I swear it was sheer panic for about 10 of them and then bewilderment until I snapped out of it and got moving. That was a complete curveball for me... talk about character building lol. Still, it was a respectable time and I learned a lot about running and about myself today. About an hour after the race, I was hungry to get back out and race again and beat that time. It was great fun!

You've got to find out what works for you. For me it was a good six months of just running without a specific program and just learning to run and think at the same time, kind of clear my head.

For some people music works or a specific program. Goal setting. Changing running routes. It's about discovering what works for you. Just experiment and give it time. Good luck!

I used to hate running, but I had to run 4 miles (in 36 minutes) for a physical test, so I created a schedule to make sure I was making progress. I ended up refactoring my own training plan because I was always exceeding my own goals. It turns out that when you get better at something, you tend to like it more. I've now participated in several organized races (including three half marathons).

Signing up for races is a great training motivator. Keep it up.

I've always liked it... but yeah, once I got to 3 miles. I think that's about when you start to properly experience the high.

And as Lorina says, the hardest bit is the first mile, and I often don't feel like going out, but once I'm out there, I'm a happy bunny.