does it get better?

I am 212 pounds, stated jogging about 2 months ago - training for a 5k in September. I am now doing 16 minutes straight, and... I still hate it!! I am really slow too I calculated that it would take me about 45-50 minutes to complete the 5k.... In will not give up, but can I expect to become better in the next 2 1\2 months? Also, is losing weight going to make it easier, or I am just naturally slow? Its not encouraging to know that a good 5k is usually done in about 30 minutes...
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Replies

  • Walter__
    Walter__ Posts: 518 Member
    If you hate running then don't do it.

    Find an exercise you actually enjoy and can stick to.

    For the record.. I hate running to so I don't do it.
  • murphy612
    murphy612 Posts: 734 Member
    I'm sure the more often you do it and the more fit you become it will get easier. However, if you hate it I can't imagine that part will get any better. I hate running, so I don't do it :-)
  • Paco4gsc
    Paco4gsc Posts: 119 Member
    You will get better. You might still hate it. Losing weight can make it easier, but what will help more is when your muscles adapt and strengthen and when your form improves. Don't worry about time at all. Your first goal should be to just finish. Endurance first, then speed.
  • SonicDeathMonkey80
    SonicDeathMonkey80 Posts: 4,489 Member
    Why would you do something you hate? Did you lose a bet?
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    It never got better for me....I loath running. I tried to force the issue for months in the beginning before I realized that life is just too short to be spending time doing **** I don't like doing. I ride my bike now instead and I love that.

    I would also add that not everybody can be a good runner...I was an outstanding sprinter growing up and through highschool but have always been a horrible endurance runner, even when I was in the military and in the best shape of my life, I had issues with the run for the PT test...I was just never made to be a distance/endurance runner.
  • _Waffle_
    _Waffle_ Posts: 13,049 Member
    Also, is losing weight going to make it easier
    Of course it will. Imagine carrying twelve 16 oz. water bottles with you when you run. Would you run faster without them? That's what dropping 12 lbs. would do for your running. It can make a huge difference.
  • yopeeps025
    yopeeps025 Posts: 8,680 Member
    I don't hate slow steady cardio. It is just too slow so I do HIIT instead. I used to run a lot back in second weight loss attempt.
  • likitisplit
    likitisplit Posts: 9,420 Member
    I am 212 pounds, stated jogging about 2 months ago - training for a 5k in September. I am now doing 16 minutes straight, and... I still hate it!! I am really slow too I calculated that it would take me about 45-50 minutes to complete the 5k.... In will not give up, but can I expect to become better in the next 2 1\2 months? Also, is losing weight going to make it easier, or I am just naturally slow? Its not encouraging to know that a good 5k is usually done in about 30 minutes...

    I started enjoying the actual running at about 8 weeks, but it takes some people longer. I'm assuming you like how you feel after you are done.

    If a good 5k is done in 30 minutes, I haven't had a good one yet and I've been running for a year and a half.

    Losing weight will make it easier. A lot of the reason you are slow, though, is because you simply haven't put the miles in. The more you run, the better you will get.
  • troelsandtheis
    troelsandtheis Posts: 45 Member
    A few years back when I was slimmer I ran 3 times a week for about 18 months. I hated it every time. I was also never any quicker at the start of running to being a regular, fir runner, I could run for longer but I've always been painfully slow. I do about a 12 minute mile. I get embarrassed about it and will never run with or even near others who might be able to spot how slow I'm going!

    I stuck with it because I liked the look of the some of my body that started to emerge like new muscles on my legs that I'd never seen before! Also it is the best quick hit, if I run 20 minutes at my current weight then I burn 200 calories and sometimes that is all the difference between a good day and a bad day.
  • accelerashawn
    accelerashawn Posts: 470 Member
    I agree, don't do it if you don't like it.
    Besides, doing a buttload of cardio will just make you better at doing cardio. Pick up some weights, build a little muscle and you'll really shred the weight!

    yes though, everything gets easier the more you do it and the more fat you lose...except floating in a pool...that gets way harder.
  • likitisplit
    likitisplit Posts: 9,420 Member
    A few years back when I was slimmer I ran 3 times a week for about 18 months. I hated it every time. I was also never any quicker at the start of running to being a regular, fir runner, I could run for longer but I've always been painfully slow. I do about a 12 minute mile. I get embarrassed about it and will never run with or even near others who might be able to spot how slow I'm going!

    I stuck with it because I liked the look of the some of my body that started to emerge like new muscles on my legs that I'd never seen before! Also it is the best quick hit, if I run 20 minutes at my current weight then I burn 200 calories and sometimes that is all the difference between a good day and a bad day.

    Are you saying that your easy run is a 12 minute mile or your race pace is? Because my easy run is currently in the 14 minute range.
  • AllOutof_Bubblegum
    AllOutof_Bubblegum Posts: 3,646 Member
    Same advice as above posters: don't do something you absolutely hate. You will have a devil of a time staying consistent with anything that makes you hate your life. There are tons of exercises and activities that people find more enjoyable than running. I am not a runner. I suck at it, and I generally despise it. So I found things I do like, like kickboxing, hiking, BodyPump, and weightlifting.
  • sklarbodds
    sklarbodds Posts: 608 Member
    It all depends on the person.

    For me, I got a lot faster and better as time went on. I started around 10 minute miles, now I run 7-8 minute miles regularly (6-7 if I'm just doing 1 mile).

    As far as enjoyment, I hated running until I got to the point where I could go 2 miles+. I don't know what it was, but once I hit that point my body just kicked into endorphin mode and I can't get enough of it. I almost need it to de-stress anymore.

    Good luck. If it were me, I'd stick with it until I could hit my goal(s) and then if it's still not enjoyable, I'd find some other activity.
  • TheBrolympus
    TheBrolympus Posts: 586 Member
    Its not encouraging to know that a good 5k is usually done in about 30 minutes...

    A good 5k is one that you complete, feel like you gave your all, and didn't get injured.
  • likitisplit
    likitisplit Posts: 9,420 Member
    It all depends on the person.

    For me, I got a lot faster and better as time went on. I started around 10 minute miles, now I run 7-8 minute miles regularly (6-7 if I'm just doing 1 mile).

    As far as enjoyment, I hated running until I got to the point where I could go 2 miles+. I don't know what it was, but once I hit that point my body just kicked into endorphin mode and I can't get enough of it. I almost need it to de-stress anymore.

    Good luck. If it were me, I'd stick with it until I could hit my goal(s) and then if it's still not enjoyable, I'd find some other activity.

    Oh yeah. Forgot.

    Rule #1 - the first 10 minutes or mile of a run (roughly) sucks. It just does. Elite marathoners and C25k newbies alike. It just sucks. You will learn to recognize the suck, put it in your pocket and recheck how you're feeling after you sigh and relax into your run.
  • eaglelakebill
    eaglelakebill Posts: 120 Member
    It never got better for me....I loath running. I tried to force the issue for months in the beginning before I realized that life is just too short to be spending time doing **** I don't like doing. I ride my bike now instead and I love that.
    I agree 100%!
    I do not enjoy running!
    I have found a love for riding my bike though.
    I've only been using MFP for 18 days but I am certain
    the bike riding has helped me to loose the 6 pounds
    and yes it is getting easier.
  • sklarbodds
    sklarbodds Posts: 608 Member
    Rule #1 - the first 10 minutes or mile of a run (roughly) sucks. It just does. Elite marathoners and C25k newbies alike. It just sucks. You will learn to recognize the suck, put it in your pocket and recheck how you're feeling after you sigh and relax into your run.
    Exactly :):drinker: :flowerforyou:
  • melaniecheeks
    melaniecheeks Posts: 6,349 Member
    Yes, it gets easier.
    Yes, as you lose weight you'll get faster.
    45 mins is a perfectly normal base time to start from.
    As well as doing your 5k it his year- which you will succeed at, and you will feel such a rush of emotion and pride that you met your goal- I challenge you to keep on running. And come back and tell me next July 1st what your running 5 k in.

    Keep it going!
  • TwelfthLady
    TwelfthLady Posts: 15 Member
    I'm sure someone might have suggested this already, but try YouTube. It has tons of free workouts and it's always where I do mine. There's anything from step aerobics, regular aerobics, all sorts of options.

    My favorites are Jenny Ford and Jessica Smith. Jenny has mostly step aerobics but other options as well and Jessica has all sorts of options from kick boxing to ballet or barefoot workouts.

    I agree with others too, it does get easier. Very much look into doing some strength training and weights, it will build your muscles, get you stronger and then any cardio you approach will get easier as a result.
    Best of luck!!
  • TutuMom41
    TutuMom41 Posts: 278 Member
    it gets better and you will get aster. There is nothing like crossing the finish line and that infamous runners high
  • _Waffle_
    _Waffle_ Posts: 13,049 Member
    Rule #1 - the first 10 minutes or mile of a run (roughly) sucks. It just does. Elite marathoners and C25k newbies alike. It just sucks. You will learn to recognize the suck, put it in your pocket and recheck how you're feeling after you sigh and relax into your run.
    Exactly :):drinker: :flowerforyou:

    This is very very true but I seldom bring it up when people are talking about C25K since they don't typically hit that distance. I feel mediocre until somewhere around the 3 mile mark. Before that it's "Left shin is a tad sore. Is that shoe too tight? What's the odd twitch in this hamstring?" After the 2 - 3 mile point when everything is warmed up it feels fantastic for the most part. That's where the good stuff starts.
  • AllOutof_Bubblegum
    AllOutof_Bubblegum Posts: 3,646 Member
    ^^ This is true. It does get better after 10 minutes or so. But I never was able to run more than an 11 min mile, and never for longer than 5 or 6 miles. I was unhappy with complete lack of any progress after months of running, plus my hips started to give out. So I was like eff this I'd rather put my time to better use.
  • melaniecheeks
    melaniecheeks Posts: 6,349 Member
    Oh, and my current mantra, having been unable to run for 7 weeks due to injury, and just slowly getting back to it....


    There more to running than going fast.
  • ShellF415
    ShellF415 Posts: 182 Member
    Try an elliptical or something similar. You may like it a whole lot better.
  • tanyoshka
    tanyoshka Posts: 50 Member
    Keep going! I still hate running while I'm doing it, but I also feel like a total bad @$$ afterwards. We are RUNNERS! My 245 pound self would never have believed it. As for your speed, don't worry about it. Speed will come later. I've had to re-do the C25K this year because I took quite of bit of time off. I'm still happy to break a 40 minute 5K.
  • dpwellman
    dpwellman Posts: 3,271 Member
    , but can I expect to become better in the next 2 1\2 months?
    http://www.velominati.com/the-rules/#10
    Rule #10 // It never gets easier, you just go faster.
    As this famous quote by Greg LeMan tells us, training, climbing, and racing is hard. It stays hard. To put it another way, per Greg Henderson: “Training is like fighting with a gorilla. You don’t stop when you’re tired. You stop when the gorilla is tired.”
  • troelsandtheis
    troelsandtheis Posts: 45 Member
    I can't go faster than 12 minute mile, I don't mind that at my current weight but when I was 123lbs and had been running miles and miles for over a year I thought it'd get faster! I know I'm not the slowest runner ever but I certainly am on the running circuit I do (there are tons of running clubs near me so everyone is really fast!)
  • likitisplit
    likitisplit Posts: 9,420 Member
    , but can I expect to become better in the next 2 1\2 months?
    http://www.velominati.com/the-rules/#10
    Rule #10 // It never gets easier, you just go faster.
    As this famous quote by Greg LeMan tells us, training, climbing, and racing is hard. It stays hard. To put it another way, per Greg Henderson: “Training is like fighting with a gorilla. You don’t stop when you’re tired. You stop when the gorilla is tired.”

    Yes and no. I believed that at the end of C25k that you just go farther, faster. Then I learned that the running doesn't get better - life gets better. You find yourself doing all sort of things you never believed were possible before because of your increased fitness. Then I learned to enjoy the toughness of running. The way it measures you. And then finally, beyond any hope of it, the running really did get better. I was able to just go and run with no music and it was just a thing. It was as natural as walking.
  • likitisplit
    likitisplit Posts: 9,420 Member
    I can't go faster than 12 minute mile, I don't mind that at my current weight but when I was 123lbs and had been running miles and miles for over a year I thought it'd get faster! I know I'm not the slowest runner ever but I certainly am on the running circuit I do (there are tons of running clubs near me so everyone is really fast!)

    Yeah. I don't do running clubs much because my race pace is their recovery run.
  • PaytraB
    PaytraB Posts: 2,360 Member
    I am 212 pounds, stated jogging about 2 months ago - training for a 5k in September. I am now doing 16 minutes straight, and... I still hate it!! I am really slow too I calculated that it would take me about 45-50 minutes to complete the 5k.... In will not give up, but can I expect to become better in the next 2 1\2 months? Also, is losing weight going to make it easier, or I am just naturally slow? Its not encouraging to know that a good 5k is usually done in about 30 minutes...

    Don't worry about other people's speed. It's all relative. My first 5K run took me 50 minutes; after 1 1/2 years of running 3x a week, my time is now 38-40 minutes. Speed comes slowly but it will come.

    You can run the 5K by September, with dedication and practice. But you probably won't be doing it in 30 minutes. The time won't matter. You'll do great whatever your time because you'll have completed 5K of running. Think how great that accomplishment is.

    At this stage, you should be slow. That's the only way to make it through your 16+ minutes of running. As your body gets used to the exertion, you'll naturally speed up (but it will happen slowly). By September, you'll be able to run 5K, if you continue to train, but it will take you about 50 minutes to complete.