Non-Runner looking to be a runner

_jayciemarie_ · December 2013

I am just curious if there is anyone out there that HATED running, but now runs frequently? I was in the Army. In basic training we started out on 1 mile runs and by the end of A.I.T. we were doing over 6 mile runs. Span of time was about 10weeks. At first 1 mile killed me as I HATE, HATE, HATE running. However, I was able to run 6+ miles without stopping. I still hated running!! I got out of the Army and swore off running the rest of my life. Well, I took up walking in July. That led to brief running. Now--i desperately want to be a runner. Im still fat (185) so I love doing cardio to burn calories. I know people follow the C25K program. I looked into it, and I need more cardio than that. So, I'm kind of following the program but extending it so I get a full 60min workout. I still don't necessarily like running, but I do like how I feel about myself after. Has anyone went from HATING running with a passion to loving it? And not just "saying" they love it, but actually loving it?

eldamiano · December 2013

No. Never hated it but got into competitive running to lose weight. By competitive, I just mean signing up for the local races. Where I am, they attract from anything from 500-2000 people and I just love the event and so it gives me motivation to train and then see if I can beat my PBs.

If you are like me, check your local races and if there is a Parkrun near you. It's a free race held in loads of towns and cities across the world. I find them great too.

AmyRhubarb · December 2013

I am just curious if there is anyone out there that HATED running, but now runs frequently?

Me! :bigsmile:

Always hated it. In high school I switched from basketball to volleyball because there was less running. I did every form of exercise for a couple of years, but not running.

Then something clicked in my brain about two years ago, and I decided I wanted to give it a shot. I downloaded the c25k FREE app by Zen Labs and went for it. Two years later, I'm still running three days a week and I love it.

If you're doing other workouts, I wouldn't worry about trying to do more and make it 60 minutes a day, unless you want to do something other than run at first. The program works great, working you up slowly which helps avoid injury. Walk more, do a little kickboxing or whatever, but get through the program and add time/distance after you've completed it, and continue to build up slowly.

Signing up for a local 5k that's happening after the 9 weeks of c25k is a great motivator. And racing is a blast.

Good luck!

RunnerElizabeth · December 2013

I was a running hater all my life. In school, the collective (parents, teachers, docs) wouldn't let me run the mile because of my severe asthma and allergies. But I forced myself into athleticism as an adult (hiking, boxing, lifting, etc) but I could not understand why anyone would want to run. Even a little. Even if they were being chased. Straight cardio alluded me entirely. But 2 of my closest friends were runners.

Anyway, I had a baby (single mom) and the first year I couldn't figure out excercise. My 2 runner friends were on me to start running, because I could get a jogging stroller, do it with my daughter and not have to worry about child care. So I started c25k. I hated it, I kept getting sick (strep 3 times in 6 weeks because I was run down due to adding excercise back into my life) and I never made it through the program because of it. But, something changed in my head, I wanted to conquer running even though I hated it. I made 2 more attempts before I threw c25k out the window (the next year) and just decided to see how long I could go without stopping... 20 mins. So I started adding 5 mins to my run time once a week. Once I was running 5k (39 mins) I switched to a program to run a faster 5k and got down to 29:52 in 6 weeks for an official race pushing my daughter. That's when I realized I didn't hate it anymore, I actually loved it.

Now (a year and a half after my succesful attempt) I am training for my 5th half marathon. My weekly long runs are in the 10-15 mile range and I log 25-30 miles a week for maintenance. I run 6 days a week most weeks. And my asthma is better than ever.

Seriously, stick with it. And see if the approach of running for a set ammount of time and adding minutes each week works better for you.

bobbijodmb · December 2013

That is me-- to a tee. I have always hated running, always. I have had friends who have told me that eventually you will love to run but I seriously thought that they were lying or crazy.

I started running races for good causes over the last two years and I would hate it the whole time until the end when I would feel a sense of accomplishment.

7 weeks ago a friend asked me to run a half marathon with her-- i told her she was crazy and then I started thinking about it. I have lost a lot of weight and thought it would be a really cool goal to work towards.

I downloaded a program through map my run-- called map my run trainer. Again, i didn't like running, but as the weeks went on, I hated it less-- the difference between now and every time I have tried to run was really focusing on my pace, finding good music, intervals with walking and starting at a small goal and working my way up.

I started on the treadmill and have worked my way to running outside--- in the rain, snow, cold and I can say that I am truly starting to enjoy it. I hate the first mile- two miles but after that (at the right pace) it is really euphoric. I didn't think i would ever feel that, but it has changed for me.

Plus it burns a lot of calories!!

good luck and keep us updated on your progress!!

*and on a side note-- when I first started the program and it would have me run for 20-30 min, I would do the rest of the hour on the elliptical because I like getting an hour in.

famoushamish · December 2013

I always hated running - so freaking boring. But I recently started running regularly and now enjoy it. A couple of things that made the difference for me:
- I was always running on the treadmill in the gym and was bored. Now I run around my neighbourhood. Outdoor running is harder but much more interesting - some scenery variation to help make things a bit more interesting.

- I listen to relatively high tempo music when I run - helps distract me from the time, and keeps me pumped/gives me motivation to keep going.

- I moved to Florida from Boston....

Mornings in Florida in the winter are MUCH more conducive to running than in most other parts of the country.....

It also helps to set yourself some targets - time/distance each day/week and work to hit those.

I started barely able to run more than 1/4 of a mile at a time - I would jog/walk 1 mile for a while, and took ages to get to a point where I could steadily run just 2 miles. Now I am about to bump my regular runs up to 5 miles, 3-4 times a week. When I do my first 5 mile run next week and am able to actually run steadily that whole distance, that will be a great feeling.

ecottencat · December 2013

I always hated running till 4 mos ago. I swore I never was going to run unless I was being chased my something. Started running because my now ex bf was into running so wanted to give it a try. Started with the couch to 5k. My gym also had a 5k training program for free since I am a member there so did that as well.

I enjoy running more, however I won't say I love it. The 5k runs are fun and still can't quite run the whole 3 miles but getting close. Also trying to beat my last time.

Non-Runner looking to be a runner

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