Hate running but want to run

Take it slow, start with walking mixed in with short bursts of jogging, then gradually increase the jogging and decrease the walking. Music helps most people to run longer...but I have a friend who listens to audio books and swears they are better than music for him.

But if you really don't like it, just pick something else. There is nothing magical about running that other cardio can't duplicate.

I started running with Couch to 5K 4 months ago and now I'm on to a 10k. I prefer passing the time with distractions like audiobooks and podcasts. I use the stitcher app to download podcasts for offline listening. It doesn't make you run fast the way music does, but it helps the time pass. I also tried zombie run (2.99 iphone app) and it's entertaining too. Also, if you're a woman, make sure you have a good running bra and shoes. If those don't fit right, you'll hate it forever! Good luck!

I used to hate running, for all the reasons you listed. It hurt. And that's because I was running (or trying to run) too fast and too long, and didn't realize I had to built up slowly and learn to run. Couch to 5k was great.

I've been running for four years now, and at this stage, I've come to realize that I enjoy running best when I throw in some walk intervals. It doesn't affect my overall pace that much, but it greatly increases the fun I have.

I like running but I agree with others who say it isn't for everyone.

I would try C25K or a similar program (I used Run For God which is pretty similar but has a Bible study component along with it...you can find out more at www.runforgod.com if interested). The main thing is: No matter how slow you go, if your feet are leaving the pavement and then coming back down that's "running". As long as you put in the workouts, you will see faster times and better lung etc. condition over time.

I ran my first 5K in well over ten years last year. I'm doing Run for God again this year and planning a 5K *and* a 10K (and pondering a half-marathon depending on how well June's 10K goes..)

If you try C25K and find you don't care after running your goal race, I'd find something else...the easiest way to stay active is to find something you consider to be "fun"...it doesn't feel like exercise then. Good luck...

If you hate running, don't run. I'm the same way, and every year I try to force myself to run and it makes me miserable. So this year, I set a goal to not try and force myself to be a runner, and I'm so much happier!

i really was on the fence about running for a while. and then i read this.

http://theoatmeal.com/comics/running

I highly recommend the C25K app/program. When I first started, just running for 90 seconds at a time was killing me. Now I can complete a 5K run in under 40 minutes without walking or stopping, and am participating in my first 5K event in less than a month. I think it does a great job of easing your mind and body into running.

Agree with the comments above. Nobody likes wheezing, being out of breath, side stitch cramps or sore legs/back/feet.

But you can avoid a lot of those things by easing in with a C25k program and getting the right shoes. Once you build some lung capacity you'll be amazed at how quickly you can push further and further. And then at some point (spoiler alert you'll think the app is crazy that day), you'll go further than you thought possible.

But ultimately it's about why you want to run. I imagine for most of us, it started off as an efficient way to get some cardio in (and gain some daily calories back) then grew into something we enjoyed.

gabbo34 wrote: »

But you can avoid a lot of those things by easing in with a C25k program and getting the right shoe.

This. So much this! I finally broke down and bought new shoes at a specialty store and after one run today I feel a major difference. My feet would hurt so bad after my runs that I sometimes didn't want to run. Today my feet are sore but not in pain. Huge difference. And I love c26k. I started without it and recently went back to pick it up. I feel like my pace and breathing are improving.

If you honestly hate it after a solid try, then don't do it. I hated running until I signed up for my first 5k and weirdly, I started to enjoy it.

Everyone's given really great advice, so I guess I'll just reiterate a few things that I found really important:

- C25k is great, the app tells you when to run/walk, it's nice and easy.
- Go slow. No, really, SLOW. I was barely able to "run" for 90 seconds straight and my boyfriend told me to try to slow down. I thought this was ridiculous, because I felt like I was barely moving already, but sure enough the next time I was out I tried going even slower (while still going faster than walking) and BAM was able to go for 5 minutes straight! You're aiming for more of a jog than a run, I'd say.
- Learn to breathe. A year ago when I tried to get into running, my lungs always gave out before the rest of me. At first I attributed this to my mom's secondhand smoke, but then I googled and found an article or something that said focus on breathing in & out through your nose only. I'd been huffing and puffing and barely getting any air in, but once I really tried to breathe only through my nose, it helped tremendously! This might help with your lung/stitches issue.
- Do NOT focus on running. It may be hard your first few times to think of anything other than "I'm going to die this is awful how do people do this for miles I can't even run 1 oh man UGH", but it's mostly mental. Listening to music is helpful!

I never liked running and I always rolled my eyes at people who said "it only takes a couple weeks to get into it, really!" Turns out...they were right! You may as well try it out, you may like it too