Why don't I love running anymore?

Amy_B
Amy_B Posts: 2,317 Member
edited September 21 in Fitness and Exercise
I started running last June after getting down to about 180 pounds. I started with walking and jogging, then in August, I moved up to full jogging. I have done several races. I always thought I'd be a runner eventually. Well, now I see it more as a chore. I don't really care to make time to get in a run. I ran a 5K last Saturday and kind of hated it. I want to like it again, but something's just missing. I just bought a new pair of fitted running shoes thinking that would help. It didn't. Any advice or BTDT?

Replies

  • Panda86
    Panda86 Posts: 873
    I dunno.... were you doing it for fun then? And now you do it just because you know its good for you? I am not much of a runner to begin with. I like biking... maybe try something new? Biking is good :wink:
  • Suedre
    Suedre Posts: 435 Member
    I hate it too. I can hike 16 miles through the woods and, do 2+ hours of high intensity workouts, but can't run more than two miles.Well, it's not that I CANT do it, I just don't like to! I find group exercise classes much more challenging and I stay engaged for the whole 45 - 60 minutes because I never get bored. Twice a week I double them up for endurance. My girlfriend loves to run. She does 15 miles a week and talks about it like its the most calming and fun parts of her week. I still haven't figured out why!

    I'm committed to a 5K in October, suppose I will try to get that one done, but I'm sure there are no 10Ks in my future!
  • Amy_B
    Amy_B Posts: 2,317 Member
    I did it originally because it was fun. I kind of got an adrenaline high from it, and I looked forward to it. I am wondering if maybe the weather has something to do with it. It's been so hot and humid this summer. I think maybe when it gets cooler that I'll want to run again.

    Speaking of weather, last year when I was starting out, it was pretty mild weather in the mornings (this was after teaching summer school was over, so July). That's when I liked to run. This summer after summer school got out, it was so gross outside.

    My goal is to get in at least one run (weekend?) until the weather gets cooler then maybe add in more. I don't have time this week because it's been an off week with school starting back up and a funeral, but next week I'll try this out.
  • AnnaPixie
    AnnaPixie Posts: 7,439 Member
    WOW!! Firstly congratulations on losing 92lbs.......that is just AWESOME!!!

    Secondly, i think we go through phases with things in life. Perhaps you just need something new to stimulate you? Why not put it down for a while, then you might find you miss it? Or perhaps something else will take its place? Who knows, but I dont think you should worry about it. Nothing wrong with you at all. You just liked it then, but don't now. Sounds very reasonable to me :flowerforyou:

    I seem to have the same phases with men!! :laugh:

    Just kiddin :wink:
  • ShaneT99
    ShaneT99 Posts: 278 Member
    Take a break from it and come back to it later when you're excited about running again. That's my advice.
  • RMX82
    RMX82 Posts: 172
    Try cycling.
  • Kath15
    Kath15 Posts: 165 Member
    I agree with other posters. Maybe this feeling of 'something missing' is just telling you that you need to try something new. Without realizing, perhaps you've gotten burnt out of running and it isn't delivering that 'high' that it once was doing. I wouldn't worry about it. Take a break and then give it a go later and see how you feel about it. In the meantime, take a stab at other types of exercise because you may find something that kickstarts that feeling again. And, congrats on losing all that weight!
  • islandnutshel
    islandnutshel Posts: 1,143 Member
    I did it originally because it was fun. I kind of got an adrenaline high from it, and I looked forward to it. I am wondering if maybe the weather has something to do with it. It's been so hot and humid this summer. I think maybe when it gets cooler that I'll want to run again.

    I can't run in hot humid weather, it's torture. During the hot weather I try to exercise early in the morning usualy on the wii, or I concentrate on less cardio, more weights, and pilates for the summer, outdoor hiking, then I look forward to running in the winter, for me it's usualy on the treadmill.
  • ShaneT99
    ShaneT99 Posts: 278 Member
    To contradict myself above, you could also add something to it to make it more interesting. I recently started adding cycling to the end of my run. I'll run 3-4 miles and then hop on my bike and bike for another 12 or so. Not only is the change nice, but cycling is great recovery for your joints after running.

    You might also just try something as simple as finding a new place to run. If you run the same route every time it gets boring after a while. One of the things I like about running is getting out and seeing things, but if you run the same route then the scenery never changes. Cross country running is a nice change too.
  • iRun4wine
    iRun4wine Posts: 5,126
    I say try either doing something different for now and see if you have the urge to run again, or work something else in with running (swimming, biking, etc.)- so you'll run maybe once a week and then do other forms of exercise on the other days just to mix it up. I'm currently training for a half marathon, but plan to work in either biking or swimming (or both) after the race just to avoid *only* running.
  • Amy_B
    Amy_B Posts: 2,317 Member
    Thanks, everyone! I am doing ChaLean Extreme right now and really like it. I might add more Turbo Jam in too instead of feeling like I have to run. I'll aim for that once a week of running, but I won't beat myself up if I don't get it done.
  • DrBorkBork
    DrBorkBork Posts: 4,099 Member
    Take a break! That's what I did. I "broke up" with running for about a month. I did the elliptical and other stuff instead. Getting back on the horse was hard, physically, my lungs felt like I was running in January again, but in a week or two it got better. I definitely don't hate it anymore. I think breaks are good :)
  • LotusF1ower
    LotusF1ower Posts: 1,259 Member
    I started running last June after getting down to about 180 pounds. I started with walking and jogging, then in August, I moved up to full jogging. I have done several races. I always thought I'd be a runner eventually. Well, now I see it more as a chore. I don't really care to make time to get in a run. I ran a 5K last Saturday and kind of hated it. I want to like it again, but something's just missing. I just bought a new pair of fitted running shoes thinking that would help. It didn't. Any advice or BTDT?

    Aw hun xxx

    You are stale and hence why you hate it AT THE MOMENT.

    The reason I say "at the moment", is because the feeling passes, in time it passes. It is not the running you detest, but the boredom and repetitiveness of the same thing.

    Therefore, your training needs to change, do ANYTHING but running for a week, whether it be swimming, long walks, aerobics, if you can get to a gym, do the elliptical, the rowing machine. Do not touch running, once stale you need to renew your interest and it will not happen if you try to push through it. If fact, if you tried to do that, all that will happen is that it will put you off completely.

    I too, have been stale, got on my treadmill and detested it, then gave up halfway through a session. It was only after I had a bad injury and thought I would never run again that when I discovered it was possible, I knew that I would never, ever take it for granted again and now I adore it.

    You want to enjoy your running again and you can, but just not for a little while, you need a rest from it.

    Leaving out running for a short time, will not mean you are not training, because in your particular instance, this is all part of your training xxx
  • Happyoceangirl
    Happyoceangirl Posts: 1,993 Member
    Hi Amy_B!

    First, I've seen your posts before, and you are such an inspiration. You look fabulous and I swear, you're aging backward. :wink:

    Second, this post hit home with me. I also started running about a year ago and it was such a blast. I got such a sense of accomplishment from it and thought I would end up hooked forever. So I started getting frustrated and confused when the high disappeared.

    I agree with a lot of the other posters here - maybe a break is due. When I tried to push through, I just started hating it more and more. I've been hesitant to really break from it though, because I don't want to lose the fitness gains.

    Recently, what has helped A LOT is a) some new playlists b) new routes - I had been running variations of the same route for over a year and c) giving up expectations of myself to improve (time, distance wise).

    I think another key boost will be making the right running connections on MFP. Since my old thread dissolved, I haven't quite found the group for me and I DEFINITELY miss the encouragement and accountability. (I actually ended up here because I was surfing MFP for inspiration so I would put the shoes on and head out.) :laugh: Let me know if you'd like to start a support thread.

    Thanks so much for posting this! Hope this was helpful...
  • Pete_Luxford
    Pete_Luxford Posts: 10 Member
    Congratulations on the weightloss. As said before a change is as good as a rest. Either give it a break for a while, or change what you do.

    New routes always help.

    Join a club. There are many clubs these days both formal and informal where you can just meet up with someone for a run together, it doesn't always have to be a hard one. If you can hold a conversation it's a good pace for fat burning anyway.

    Also, try to just go for a run. Don't take a watch, don't worry about how far you can get before stopping or compared to last time. Give events a rest for a while as they can put pressure on you.
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