I HATE RUNNING!

Hmmm, I used to hate running but now I'm addicted to it. I've run to 5Ks (Warrior Dash...hey why not jump in with both feet?); I'm training for my first half marathon for the Spring (I'm hoping).

Start slow, don't try to kill yourself; find a place that you would enjoy running...at a lake, along a river; places that are scenic with trails...ENJOY the run and start SLOW. Also you might want to consider either the C25K or even Jeff Galloway's method (you can get an app or just a music mix that tells you when to run and when to walk); the intervals of walking & running will build up your cardio and leg muscle, so that it becomes less of a difficult effort.


http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training/walk_breaks.html

Make sure you have proper form

http://www.runnersworld.com/running-tips/perfect-form

From my experience, if you hate running now, you will probably always hate it. I'm not going to sugar coat it. I hated running when I started but I thought that as I got better I'd like it more. I ran for about a year and a half. Did two 5Ks, a 7K, a 10K, a 12K and two half marathons in that time.

I hate it even more now than I did when I started. Sure, I got faster, by a lot actually. I got better at it overall. The races were exciting in their own way. But I just hate running. I enjoy the ARC Trainer, and the stair mill, even kettlebell, lifting weights and rowing machines. But running can suck it.

Unfortunately, I've ended up coaching running. When I was training for my second half one of the women on my team at work decided that she wanted to run a 5K and asked me to coach her through C25K, then in the middle of that, a friend asked me to do the same. The coworker just ran her 5K last Saturday, loved it and wants to keep running to keep getting faster. And I'm in the middle of week 6 with my friend.

Last night, while we ran, all I could think about was how boring it was and how much I hoped it would end quickly. But I have to be motivational vocally, so I'm constantly giving words of encouragement as I coach. But I'm definitely counting down the days to the last day of the coaching because I'm just so sick of running all the time.

Wow. That is maybe the first time I've ever heard of someone with your experience say they absolutley hate running. I have to ask the obvious though...why? Why did you keep going and why do you still? If something made me miserable, I just plain wouldn't do it.

Especially the half marathons. I mean, up to the point of a 10K you can kinda take the "I don't really like this, but it's getting me fit" approach. Even then there's an argument that there are other ways to get fit, but at least it's fair reason for continuing. Past the 10K mark running ceases to be about fitness and starts to be a hobby. Something you do becasue you like it and want to spend time on it, why do that for something you hate?

Answered earlier already - but in case it got lost in the jumble. I'd made commitments already, both in races (and trips to get to them) paid for and the coaching. I stopped the running for my own personal training after my final race commitment and will be done with the coaching in just over three weeks. So I will be focusing on the kinds of workouts that I prefer once I have followed through on what I promised to do.

Zombie run app to get you up to a 5K? I think that would be a blast!

Zombie run app to get you up to a 5K? I think that would be a blast!

Giggle it could yell " They are coming to get you Barbra!" when it is time to run hehe

I absolutely hate running. I am slow, fat, and it's uncomfortable. I want to establish a new relationship with running. Any runners out there have any advice on how to flip my dread to excitement?

This is like saying, "i hate x food but i want to eat it." The solution is simple, don't eat it. In your case, don't run.

what he said why not do Zumba or swiming or the elipptical the options are endless

Just keep doing it. I was running a couple miles a day on the treadmill and decided to start running outside at the end of July. Hated it. Well, honestly just disliked it a lot but I still did it some because it was a good calorie burn. One of the guys I work with runs all the time and he showed me what I was doing wrong. The answer, quit worrying about how fast you run and just run. Run at a comfortable pace and enjoy it.

I took his advice and I went from don't like, to sort of like, to like, and now I love it. I ran over 6 miles this morning, 4 miles yesterday, 5 miles the day before that... I might be addicted. Give it some time. It grows on you.

^^ quoted for truth^^

If you hate it...don't do it. Find something else that you enjoy! Coming from experience, running isn't actually that great for your body. It puts a lot of impact on your muscles and the more you run, the smarter your body becomes at storing the fat so that it has energy for long runs. I trained for a half marathon and didn't lose a pound. Try weight lifting....you'll see better results and burn more calories resting because the muscle in your body burns more calories than fat. Just a thought...if you hate eating something you don't make yourself eat it...if you hate a certain type of exercise find something you do like so that you can be more successful!

I've only scanned a few replies, but yah, if you truly hate it and you're only doing it for calorie burn.. find something else.
If you WANT to love it, than try and stick with it. It sounds like you're talking yourself out of doing it. I find myself doing that too. I just did my first 5k at Disney this weekend (I did do a 4k the weekend before that), and as soon as I started, I looked out at the hundreds of people on the trail winding in front of me, and I saw a lot people walking it. I told myself "I can't do this. I can't keep running this far.". And I kicked those doubts out of my head and I completed it. I squeezed my way thru all the walkers and ran the whole way. I ran so much, I actually kept going past the finish line. I forgot to stop! If it weren't for the lady standing there with the finishers medal, I might've ran even more!

I have never been a runner. I started the C25k program. I actually 'graduated' it the day I did my 5k. And I remember when I was doing the C25k run/walk intervals, I actually was loathing when the voice command would tell me to start running again. But as I saw myself improve, I started getting excited to hear the prompts telling me to run. I didn't want to walk anymore. I loved seeing how my body could adapt and improve! My body surprised me! And another thing that has helped me, besides not listening to that voice in my head that says I can't, is deep breathing. When I feel I'm getting winded, I slow down and concentrate on taking deep breaths.

Another thing that helps me stay excited -- cute costumes/outfits to wear to races! I've got some great ideas! My next two races are Glow (glow in the Dark) and a Pirate Invasion. FUN!!!:laugh:

Simple fact, running isn't for everyone. I"m glad. Then there would be way to many at all the races.

I LOVE running. If you hate running then do something else you LOVE!

I just put up 2 items on my running. The thing I always liked about running is that it is the quickest way to burn calories. Ant excersize you do is going to cause your body to hurt somewhere. If you run everyday your body gets used to it really quick, however maybe you have to do it every other day until you get used to it. if you do it once a week or so it is always going to hurt and be unomfortible becasuse you don't ever get used to it. run kind of slow until you get into shape. I recommended to a lot of people starting out to walk and when your legs are loosened up then run easy until you are tired, then don't stop, just go back to walking, then when you are comfortible start running again. You keep that up and in several days you will notice that you are running more and walking less and you are losing weight

Let me know how you are doing

Basil

I poste this on a friend's page:

I don't get that. It's the only time I feel free. When I lift I feel RAWR, when I teach I feel like a caricature of myself . . . my face but brighter and glossier, when I run I feel free. When I run the crap stays a quarter mile behind and I finally catch up to all the answers. The methodical thump thump of feet hitting floor is enough to induce meditation, and then come the hills. Lean in, grit teeth, head down, and attack.

But not every exercise is for everyone. Running Is right for me, do what's right for you.

I love this. I agree. Me too. That's what happened to me tonight on a run, and there is no other high. Not even sex. Running is a bit of an enigma -- a love/hate relationship. It's difficult, painful, but so freaking freeing. It's not for everyone.

But my guess is you haven't had the "encounter" yet. That moment when you go out for run feeling like crap, run through tears, and run right past your own emotion. I would encourage you to go for a run on a really bad day. Leave your watch, cell, Garmin and HRM at home. Run, think, and get in touch with what we were born to do since birth. Crawl, walk, run.

Or try Zumba, spinning, P90X. You'll find your thing.

I used to hate running too. I had to for my bootcamp and noticed it got easier and easier and how many calories it burned. I then started setting small goals. i ran 1k without stopping. then 2, and then when i was going to shoot for 3 I didnt feel I needed to stop so I kept running till I did 4 miles!!! The next time I changed my route and ran 5 miles! Then it got cold. LOL. I live in canada and I dont do winter running outside. i still go 3 miles or so on the treadmill but I found I really like to zone out and run outside! Surprised myself!

I love this. I agree. Me too. That's what happened to me tonight on a run, and there is no other high. Not even sex. Running is a bit of an enigma -- a love/hate relationship. It's difficult, painful, but so freaking freeing. It's not for everyone.

I feel exactly this way about Yoga! Some poses are uncomfortable but by breathing into the discomfort is the way to relaxing and freeing that tight spot.

I have had an on-off relationship with running, most runs I have done in order to be a fit enough runner to do those runs I really wanted to do like the barefooted run on the beach or the meditational plod along woodland tracks. I have never been competitive.

Then I became far more involved in Yoga and now find I must be doing enough cardio or yogic breathing at least to be able to enjoy those special running moments without being out of breath.

I like running - sometimes - but I absolutely love Yoga.

The secret is to find something that you absolutely love better than sex and chocolate and you'll never look back.

edit: spelling

Do you have to run...find something else to do for cardio