Running bores me

Have you not tried Sprinting? Short bursts, preferrably uphill. Grab a few cheap cones and do some shuttle runs.

I'm the same, hate running, am bad at it, and too competitive (try and catch up to the better runners!) Sprint work's in that case. Of course it helps that I'm more built for Speed\Power

Depends on your goal as well, If it's just wieght loss\body shape, sprints will be just as good, I'd only look at running a long time If I was planning on running over 10K

When you say another x minutes until I can do something fun... what's fun?

Is there a reason you are running if you hate it so much?

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Can you find a friend to run with? Runners are very social and many are looking for running buddies, and after that first "date" with the right partner (nerve-wracking just like a romantic date), it can make a huge difference and make the time go by so much faster. Look online or at a running store for local groups--they're usually free. Also change up your route, or think about something else (my favorite trick is to listen carefully to try to learn all the words to a song). I hated hated hated running when I first started but after a month or two I loved it, as it got (a little) easier and I figured out what worked for me.

You can do other things you enjoy more. I really enjoy running. It's a break for me. But if I hated it I'd be hiking or riding my bike or something like that. Find something you enjoy or you won't be able to stick to it. You could try signing up for a 5k too. Maybe training for something would be more exciting.

Have you tried that app Zombie Run? That might entertain you, I have heard a lot of people say it makes the time go by faster. I have not tried it, but my understanding is that there is a story line and you get chased by zombies. I think that you might be able to play your own playlist with it too, but not sure.

I love running. But it wasn't always that way. I had to set goals, first one was to complete a 5k. Training was a chore at first, but then I was motivated more when I saw progress.

For the longest time, maybe until I did my first 5k, it was only the goals that kept me motivated.

And eventually, something just clicked, and I started to really enjoy it.

The first mile is still not my favorite, but I'm okay with that.

running is boring to me too.... i started doing interval running; i downloaded the C25K app on my phone and do week 2 all of the time, i have no desire to go past that and run 3 miles straight. i do 3 miles total but not just a straight run and i can do 3 miles in a good time also....

Keep running. Learn to love it. Or not. You already have a great playlist and a beautiful place to run, not much to add to be honest.

Download Zombies, Run! A distracting storyline to intersperse your playlist and having to speed up in places to stop being bitten by the undead is a motivation like no other!

Run different routes. Run to visit friends. Run to pick up the groceries. Go running with friends. Join a running club. Do online challenges if you can't run with other people in person. Power-walk for a change of pace (if you're a great runner, you can actually get more out of breath trying to walk fast). Make yourself a circuit - run to one corner of the park and do jumping jacks, run to the next and do push-ups. Run backwards. Run sidewards. Skip. Run up hills. Run with high knees. Run doing bum-kicks. Enter a race and train using an online plan with different targets for each running workout and aim for a PB. Leave your watch, HRM, phone, MP3 player and everything else at home and just enjoy the changing seasons.

For other free cardio, YouTube workouts, or borrow exercise DVDs from friends. Power walk for a change of pace. Go for a swim in a public pool (not entirely free but very cheap!). Get a skipping rope. Dance around to your favourite music. Borrow a bike. Google bodyweight exercises and callisthenics.

Still bored? Don't know about you, but I'm exhausted just typing that!

Help!
I can't really afford any other kind of cardio except for running, but oh my god, does it bore me. I have a kickass playlist, nice workout clothes, I run along a beautiful river... and all I can think is "ugh, another X minutes before I can do something that's fun".
Anyone else have the same problem? What do you do about it?

What do you want? A medal! so it bores you, do something else, stay at home, eat cheese... Get a bike, cycle for an hour, or is that to boring too.

Yes. I try to find other activities that interest me. If you have a game system, you could try dancing, boxing, or other athletic games.

How about a home work out of interval training, mixing it up and the speed of each work out might keep you interested? Here's one I do if I cannot get to gym or missed a workout;

-Run on the spot for 2 mins to warm up

-Star jumps for 20 seconds
10 sec rest
--Knee raises (high as you can ) for 20 secs
10 sec rest
--Climbing plank (go into plank and then lift each leg one at a time to meet your elbow quick as you can) for 20 sec
10 sec rest
-Fast crunches for 20 secs
10 sec rest
- Hold a side plank for 20 secs on each side

Repeat 2 to 3 times, can also increase each exercise time to 30/40 secs as you feel fitter or need more.

Finish with a good stretch!

Another thumbs up for Zombies, Run. Even running laps around the park by my house is more fun with zombies.

Also, the most fun I have while running is when I think of it as "play" instead of "work." I hit some trails, run when I want, walk when I want, stop and take pictures with my phone, sit under a tree and take a rest.

Fartlek. Not just a distracting running workout but a very, very funny word.

Try hiking instead....most places have several trails that are great for hiking. Make a day of it by packing some sandwiches and some water and get some fresh air.