How Long Did it Take You To Like/Love Running??

It took cancer for me, no kidding! I was never a "runner" prior to getting sick, but when the Doctor told me I couldn't run anymore it kind of sparked something. I could only run about 30 seconds at a time initially but somehow evolved into a marathon and now am involved in multisport!! I doubt that will help, but I guess what i am trying to say is imagine if you, no crap, really were not physically able to run, count your blessings and get out there and do it!!

LiveStrong
Jas

I fall in and out with running, and I've discovered my relationship with it is directly proportional to how hard I train. When I have a goal in mind (say, a race I've signed up for or a challenge to run X number of miles in a given timeframe) I am far too stubborn to give up on that goal so I go for it and really commit to a training plan. During each run I grumble and complain at some point, but towards the end I feel much better, and then I feel great when I have completed it!

I have to see a "point" to running though - I have to have a goal. I'm not one of those people who can just happily skip out of the door for a random 5 mile run because I feel like it. I have to actually be working towards something.

I am still only a walk/runner and I still kinda hate it.
I want to be good at it so bad. I have never ever been a good runner, I run out of breath so quickly. It is a lot about pace, don't try to stay with your friends necessarily.
The best advice I've gotten to date is to walk as fast as you can and just skip into a running cantor instead of a walk at that same pace. That was the first mile I ever ran through, at 3.8mph, but I ran it!

I JUST started running (today is day 4). I use a C25K app. It starts off with a 5 minute walk and then you go into a 60 second run and 90 second walk interval. The first day I ran it was on a full stomach. Bad idea. My lungs were burning and I thought was going to pass away. Day 2 I ran on an empty stomach. Felt like a million bucks after. I used to get shin pains when I walked, tied my shoes tighter and that's not a problem now. I run on the road instead of the sidewalk because the asphalt is softer than the cement. I run REALLY slow. Turtle slow. I didn't think I'd like it but I really do enjoy it now. You just have to try different things and see what works best for you!

Running was something I simply couldn't do when I was at my heaviest. I could hardly walk through the shopping mall without swollen ankles. Over time, running became the symbol of all the things I "couldn't" and would never do because of my weight – it represented my limitations, perceived and actual. I would solve world hunger and find Jimmy Hoffa's remains before I could run. When I was about 60 lbs down, I decided to try to run and I ran one lap (3/4 mile) around a small lake at a local park – a HUGE accomplishment for me. In that moment, instead of being a symbol of all I couldn't do, it became the symbol of the fact that I could do anything I set my mind to. In that moment I loved it.

This is one of the most inspiring things I have read in a long time! You are amazing! Thank you for that.

Aww, thanks! It means a lot to hear that!

I think I started liking it better after I started to notice improvements. Running is hard, especially if you are new at it, and most especially if you are overweight or not in great shape anyway. It hurts sometimes, and it's hard to breathe. There are still times that I hate it...while I'm doing it. But I started to learn to appreciate the runner's high that I got afterwards. Working hard like that gives you feel good endorphins, and that coupled with the feeling of accomplishment when you run longer or faster than you have before, makes it really addictive.

Running now is it's own motivator. Now I do other exercises (like strength training) so that I can run better without getting hurt. Also it's become motivator for losing more weight. I know that I'll be faster if I'm lighter, so I am motivated to watch my diet.