Help me learn to like running........

Good tips above....for me, it's really, really good music. Running (other than sprinting or hill runs) is way too boring to me, but music helps if I NEED to do it (which is rare now). There are certainly a ton of other things you can do, though. What about HIIT training or plyometrics or swimming or hiking or a cardio machine or video (if you feel that straight cardio is a must).... Don't torture yourself . Find something you like and that also kicks your booty. Good luck!

P.S My most satisfying achievement wasn't finishing a marathon with thousands of people at a finish line...it was completing my first ever mile without stopping at a dreary industrial estate with no crowds or family waiting...just knowing I did it in 15 minutes, little quicker than walking pace.

I read this and thought "yeah, this guy's a runner."

Everyone is different, but for me, some of the best moments of my life have come while running, usually alone, always outside and never with music. They are different depending on what I'm doing --- it's great pushing myself through a 9th 400M interval at a pace faster than I used to be able to run one, but it's also great running in the mountains near the Appalachian trail during a quiet snow fall.

I also think that the more accustomed to running you get, the easier it is go out and cruise for a few miles, and that's when it's really enjoyable --- your body doing something it's great at, eating up the distance and feeling like you could run forever.

I started running when I weighed 230ish pounds. The only running I did before that was laps in a gym class or a short sprint to catch a bus. I took a ladies only clinic at our local running store. It was a completely unintimidating way to learn to run - they started you out slowly - 1 (walk) and 1 (run) - by the end of the clinic you could run 10 and 1. Not only that, you didn't feel like you were in it alone - there were others there with all different shapes and sizes wanting to accomplish the same goal. A year and a half later I registered for my first charity run (not a race) - it was a 5 km. It was awesome - just being out there with people running for a cause. I loved it. I loved the adrenaline rush of being with a group of people.

During that run, I decided I was going to train to run my first half marathon a year later. I 85% attribute losing over 100 pounds to training for the half marathon. Literally the weight started melting off. And, I got to eat SO MUCH FOOD - it was awesome. Fast forward 3 years and I have now decided I am going to train for my first marathon. I just find it exhilerating. Athletically I am pretty average (at sports and stuff) - I was never picked first in teams at school or anything like that. I also like the fact that you don't have to enter a race to beat anyone (unless you are elite) - it is all about beating myself, my own time (not 100% true - there are a few other runners that I secretly hope I beat their times - but being competitive is healthy and it drives you more). By the way, I have set a goal that I will run my first marathon in 4 hours or less - and I know I will do it. I won't win the race, but I will beat my own goals.

In terms of how it makes me feel, alot of people may do yoga or meditate to de-stress - for me running does that. I have gotten to the point where my mind just empties when I run - it doesn't matter what is going on, I am just in the moment. It also gave me this crazy determination and drive.

One big perk I find with running and especially when training, your long runs typically on a weekend. So, if you are prone to eat badly on the weekends this totally helps. If you go out and eat really bad food the night before a long run, your long run will suck (for me I did it once and got total stomach cramps). It will be hard, you will be tired, so that greasy burger and fries stops looking as appetizing and really starts looking like a road block). So, as a result, it helps you to keep dedicated to eating right becasue you know if you don't fuel your body correctly you will feel it the next day.

I guess that is my long winded way of saying, maybe register in a run - find a short charity race that raises money for a cause you really care about. And, register in a clinic. Not only will you feel like you aren't alone, you will also learn amazing tips from the clinic coach but you will also learn invaluable tips from speakers they bring in (if the clinic does that).

Getting you to the point of loving it. I love to listen to music. I made a playlist of upbeat songs that I love, that have a good beat (I try to find songs where the beat is about the same as my pace - I find it easier to keep up the pace when running to a beat). I have songs that will pull me through a wall (the craziest one is Rasputin by Bony M). When you get tired, slow down a bit. And, if you find yourself slumping, pretend someone is hovering above you with a string holding your head up. It will be easier to breath.

Good luck to you if you want to keep up running. Honeslty, I wish I would have a youtube to show the day I started - it would have been a before and after if I can do it anyone can do it inspirational clip.

Everyone has great advice. My added two cents (especially if you are a competitive person) is to remember that you are only competing against yourself. It doesn't matter how fast anyone else can run a mile or a 5K or a half. My goal is to better my own time when I hit the starting line. Also know that there are going to be days when actually running sucks but its always a great feeling once you are done.

I suggest you find a goal race. Maybe an away race. Train for that race using a training plan. Its harder to skip a run when you know you have a race to attend in the future. Then start the race and race against yourself. Enjoy the atmosphere and don't worry about how fast everyone else is going.

Deciding to complete a race helped me become motivated to run more. At first I dreaded every day I was supposed to run. I started c25k but found my cardio level and previous running experience made the first 4 weeks boringly easy but that I was struggling with enjoying anything past that. I ended up just repeating week 5 several times and like a light switch I was suddenly enjoying running again.

Once I had a known distance (race) to train for I found the free resources on http://halhigdon.com/ are fantastic. I first followed the training plan for a 5k, then 10k and finally the 15k and the distances almost came easily and my pace improved just by following the plans.

Good luck in your training endeavors.

I was never a runner until this summer. I ran my 1st 10K this summer and while it was hard, I did great and am so glad I did it. I only run 1 or 2 times a week now, just to maintain my pace and endurance. Having a good playlist is KEY for me. Also, proper running shoes and running gear. I also have to run first thing in the AM. If I miss my window, no way am I running. I go when it's still dark out.

C25K. It's the only thing that got me to look forward to running.

I have just started the c25k...it is hard,as I'm not built to be a runner!
Big boobed with poor joints!
However, I'm just about to start week 3..... with trepidation!
But I'm losing weight just by doing it!
And I've been at a plateau for weeks!
Yep...just by three thirty minute sessions a week!
3lbs loss this week...
I feel less tired and after each session, I actually feel like I've had a good workout!

I am the opposite- I am actually GAINING weight!!! Still love the affects that I feel on my body though. Keep it up!!

I signed up for a half marathon with Team in Training. I skipped the whole 5k thing and went straight for it, because I knew I'd need the motivation of a big race, and if I was trying to raise a lot of money and everybody knew, I wouldn't be able to slack off and just not do it. I decided I would run/walk the thing, as I wasn't in good enough shape to try to run the whole way. The group training really helped - it was actually fun to get together once a week and do a long run, and the coaches helped me with my form. I can't say I loved the actual running part, but every time we went a longer distance, I started to get a huge sense of accomplishment.

Doing the race itself was amazing. Fun, mentally hard, painful, all those things. But I did it! And I was SO proud of myself. I never knew I would have the stamina to do that. However, I also realized that it would have hurt a lot less if I was better trained. So I immediately signed up for a second half marathon 8 weeks later. I trained for that one on my own, and I enjoyed it a lot more because I was in a lot better shape. I started to really feel like a runner, like I could do things without so much effort. Awesome!

Then the summer came. It was harder training in the humidity, and I also injured myself. It took a lot of effort to get back to running after the injury, and I just didn't enjoy it in the heat and humidity of summer. Still, I signed up for a 10 mile race at the end of summer, and figured I'd just push through it. But the weather stayed way hotter than expected, and the race conditions were foul. Everyone was drenched with sweat due to the heat. Ugh. I finished the race, but I lost my mojo after that. I did one more 5k, but...meh. I stopped running. That was a year ago.

I've missed running, but I didn't miss the disgustingness of running in the heat and humidity. However, I've been feeling that pull, of wanting to do it again. I miss those early Sunday mornings of being out there on a long run, just me and my headphones. I've missed the sense of achievement, of purpose. I've missed the joy of totally zoning out, pounding the pavement, feeling like your body is running without effort (that's the endorphins!). So, I sat down and really thought about how I can love running again, and I realized that for me, it's a great thing to do in the winter, but it's the summer conditions that get to me (I live in south Florida). So that's what I decided to do - start again every fall, and train all winter for a half marathon or other race in the spring, and then take a break (well, switch to indoor activities, or swimming, or cycling). I decided it doesn't matter if I never improve my time because of this starting and stopping. I want to enjoy myself, and that means not running in summer in Florida, unless I switch to a treadmill inside.

I guess I am saying to just keep trying to find your happy with running. It comes only after a period of effort, but then after that if you find it, you'll probably want to keep finding it again. And if it doesn't look like anyone else's happy, who cares?

I'm not a runner. I've never liked it and wonder why it's the first thing people turn to when they want to 'get in shape'.

Actually, for me, it was the very last thing I turned to and it took my 40 years to get that low. Now I kick myself that I didn't get the whole running thing figured out 20 years ago.

It's funny how it takes us time to get to what we really like. To me running has ranked up there with "I should clean my fridge". My daughter loves to run though and is doing her first 5k this month. I'd never discourage anyone from trying it. We all fit a different mould.