Have you learned to love running?

If you like hiking, you could always try trail running. For me street running is enjoyable, and trail running is ecstatically awesome! Just start slow, maybe continue to just hike the uphills until you get faster and steadier. I'm klutzy too, but running on the trails seems to really help me focus and dance off all the rocks, roots and whatever else mother nature throws my way.

I learned to love running outside. I also like to hike, which explains why I like the outdoors more than the dreaded indoor treadmill. Whenever I run, I feel like I can go anywhere I want; all I need is some water, maybe some dried fruits/nuts and my own two legs. You like hiking, right? Maybe try trail running on some easy hikes to see if you like that better.

I run a lot, I run a half-marathon every year, and some full-marathons. I can't say that I love it, but I do miss running if I am not able to do it for a week. For me the key is to run outside, and also get to a point where all I am thinking about is the act of running and everything else is out of mind. Its really relaxing and rewarding that way. Treadmill running is the worst type of running, and you will probably never enjoy it. Though on Treadmill you can go with a program like interval runs / speed workouts to make it interesting.
I have also recently started running with my husband, and for us it was great time to be out together, high fiving each other on crossing small milestones. We ran a half-marathon together. And he used to say he does not like running, and now he is talking about training for a full-marathon with me

That depends on a variety of factors for me: the weather, whether or not I remembered to pee beforehand, if I'm really feeling the music, how much I ate and what, etc.

But I always feel awesome afterward, regardless of how much I enjoyed the run.

I did. For some reason, I decided I needed to become a runner. It was hard work. It was, honestly, miserable at times, often at first. The more I did it though, the more I enjoyed it. Now that I can run longer and more comfortably, I love it. I have been sick and nursing an injury so I haven't been out in a couple weeks and I'm getting rather cranky. Definitely try trail running if you're a hiker but keep in mind it will be a slower build up than road running. Treadmill seems to be hit or miss for people. I can do ten miles on the road but barely one on the treadmill. Plus it gives me horrible shin splints.

I recommend doing the Couch to 5K program. It has definitely improved my stamina. I started with no endurance, and a hatred of running, but I've learned to love it. Even though I'm not very good, there's something intoxicating about the exhilaration.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1363658-when-i-run-i-love

This link is for a thread on MFP. Reading about why people love running has helped me learn to love it.

For me, it helped to orchestrate more desirable circumstances. If you start running at noon on a hot and humid day at the track, no wonder you'd hate it. I started running at night (like right before midnight) just because of the heat, but it became a beautiful ethereal experience. I love the feeling of cool night air, and the expanse of wide, empty streets. All the homes are dark and closed, and I'm the only awake person for miles. It's like being in a fantasy land. And nothing beats the runner's high.

Find circumstances you like. You mentioned hiking. Go running in the mountains. Go in the morning, at night, or after you get back from work. Find a place you love, and a time. Then just go and run. You'll get addicted to the feeling of being alone, strong and happy.

it took me years to enjoy running. and i still have some days when my run will feel miserable. it will literally feel like wading through quick sand. but, i usually push through, and once i'm finished i always feel better. always. be consistent, and you may reach a point where it's tolerable to you. or, you may not. i'm a total klutz too, and trip a lot when i'm outside running - i've been known to face plant on the road, side walk, grass, etc. - but i've gotten pretty good at being able to roll with the trip and avoid landing on the asphalt with my knees! lol i haven't yet gotten really injured from tripping. mostly just some scrapes and bruises - bruised body and ego lol.

I don't like running in the summer months much, but in the winter I usually enjoy a run. I have never really tried to up my speed or to run more than ten km. I think if I were to to push myself I would like running less.

I've recently started doing the zombie C25K and I'm really enjoying it so far especially since I've never been a runner at all.

I used to love running - 100m, mainly because I was good at it (although I was really good over 60m).
Would run around all day playing sport but the idea of distance running (anything over 200m for me!) just bored me to death and I was rubbish at it.

I didn't run a 5k until my 30's after my knee had already been wrecked and that was mostly for the challenge of proving people wrong. Ran one 10k and as I crossed the line I knew I would never do 10k again - quite possibly the dullest exercise I have ever done!
These days I run once in a blue moon and purely to keep the ability to run for sport, even at my age I still have the ex-sprinter's pride that I want to be quick.

I'm in the minority as regards 5k training - I've never had a slow running speed or ability to jog so I trained purely by interval runs, running briskly alternating with walking until I could reduce the walking down to nothing. The opposite of the C25K approach really.

My "cardio" of choice is cycling these days, I can cycle for hours and thoroughly enjoy it.

I never enjoyed the act of running, but I enjoyed doing it up to a point. The first few months of going further and getting faster, smashing PBs all the time was immensely rewarding. But after a while it becomes very hard to put in enough training hours to be able to keep beating those PBs, and to beat the distance records means giving up most of a day to running. It just gets tedious. Which is why after nearly four years of it, going from a struggling 1k jog to doing ultras, I've given it up. There's just no fun in it anymore.

As someone else said, I haven't learnt to love running but I've learnt to hate it less.

As a baseline of fitness, I just want to be able to run 5k without dying. I would normally opt to cycle for cardio but I think being able to do a 5k when I'm away from home and needing to burn some calories is a good thing. So aside from Crossfit, independent Oly technique sessions and cycling I have started doing C25K. I haven't been following the timeline strictly at all because it's not my priority, I've been doing a session whenever I can fit it in ie. when my morning WOD wasn't too hard and it's not a scheduled cycling day. I might finish the 4 week programme in 7 weeks but that's fine by me.

Getting off the treadmill and out on the trail will help. The range of movement involved in trail running gives you more benefit than road or treadmill running, and it's much more mentally stimulating than the machine.

For me, it depends on the session, but sometimes I run to clear my head, sometimes I run for the session itself; intervals completely thrash me.

On Saturday when I was out I did a 12Km trail session, saw deer, buzzards, sparrowhawks, got very muddy and had a great time.

Hell no. I hate running. I can't believe people actually do it willingly.

As mentioned, do the c25k program. They have a treadmill version as well.
It's made for total beginners and really gives you a chance to adjust.
My relationship with running is weird. It seems so hard when I'm doing it, yet I look forward to it everyday.
It's like a bad boyfriend :laugh: