Why I love running
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I just started running last week. It is definitely a mood enhancer for me. It actually makes me feel happy and energizes me afterwards. My entire life, I didn't think I could run. I had this mental block. Every time I tried to run, I would just stop out of this weakness which was not real.
After only a week - I can run over 3 miles non stop. It does not hurt any part of my body. I can feel my muscles working. But it is not pain. I have figured out how to maintain my breathing. I have figured out how to bring myself back to core. I have figured out how to pace myself. I had always just assumed I could not do this activity.
BTW - me being able to run 3 miles in a week - it's because I had been previously walking 3-6 miles per day, and doing the elliptical at least 5 times a week - for the past 8 months. I was getting seriously bored of walking. Wanted to take it to the next step.5 -
I love running. Started senior year of HS, have taken some breaks for injuries, laziness, pregnancies, but I always come back. It's ruined me for other exercise. Nothing else gives me the same sense of achievement, of feeling like an athlete, and nothing gives me the high calorie burn. I started heavy lifting a few months ago and really like it...but I still run 15-20 miles a week.
For growing up as the unathletic chunky kid, it's amazing to me that I feel athletic.7 -
Also, the competition factor--with myself. I've gotten my pace down a whole minute this year and I'm super excited about that. Getting an extra few floors on the stair master or distance on the elliptical just don't excite me like that little voice on Fitbit telling me my split pace!3
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Hi - I'm 47 and started running this past September. I love it because it amazes me every day that I'm even able to DO it, and that I can go further and for longer times. I love what it has done for me physically and mentally.
And I love that I can eat more too. :05 -
I used to run a half marathon once a week but that was before I had my twins. I just started running again last week and it feels awesome
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I'm so off and on with running, but you're right about the calorie burn. When I start in on a running program, it's like my body says "oh crap, we're gonna do THIS now? I better drop some of these pounds."
I got bored with running down the road, so I recently started trail running. I'd been hiking on some of these wooded trails for years. Thought, hey I should just run these instead. And WOW, this is SUCH fun.5 -
I'm with you! I started running almost exactly a year ago and am hooked. So many reasons to love it, the calorie burn definitely being one of them.
I ran 18 miles on Friday and then went to Vegas for the long weekend - those additional 1900 calories were quite helpful in off-setting the Vegas boozing!0 -
mommarnurse wrote: »pinkteapot3 wrote: »Been running for 18 months, now on a steady three runs a week - 10k on Saturday and a couple of 5k's mid-week. Not aiming to set any records - I used to run years back but stopped due to a foot injury. Keeping the pace high enough to give a good burn but not pushing the training hard.
Love love love running, it's an amazing buzz. But do also enjoy the amount you can eat on a 10k day.
I also cycle, play table tennis and shoot archery but they're less intensive. Though 10k today plus an hour of table tennis equals 1,000 cals on top of my basic 1,700.
Nothing wrong with the Blerch. I have this mug on my desk at work:
https://supermug.co.uk/products/i-like-to-run-because-its-good-for-me-and-also-i-like-to-eat-and-drink-a-lot
Been in maintenance at goal weight for a year so comfortable with eating back exercise cals.
Have you ever thought about switching to TDEE? I run similar amount as you &am considering switching but Im almost obsessed with the loads of extra calories i can use during the week if I keep the regular formula
Have never been interested in switching to TDEE.
I only have a dim understanding of it from posts on here, but I don't feel any need to investigate further. I lost weight using MFP, simply by eating the basic cals it gave me plus logging and eating exercise cals. And I've maintained for a year by doing the same thing, so it works!
I don't think TDEE would work for me because I'm not consistent. Some days I do no cardio and eat my basic 1,700 cals. Other days I can earn anything up to 1,000 from exercise. It's not the same each day. Days with bigger burns, I eat more.
In short though, 'standard' MFP - as it was designed - has worked for me for 18 months so no reason to change to anything else.
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I love, love, love running, too! I love that I can eat more and not gain weight. I love the feeling of accomplishment. I love the shape of my legs. I love being able to clear my mind and just run.
Unfortunately I cannot run again until November (ACL surgery) so I might have to learn to love cycling for a little while.4 -
Somebody_Loved wrote: »I'm with you! I started running almost exactly a year ago and am hooked. So many reasons to love it, the calorie burn definitely being one of them.
I ran 18 miles on Friday and then went to Vegas for the long weekend - those additional 1900 calories were quite helpful in off-setting the Vegas boozing!
18 miles in under a year!! That's amazing! There is hope for me then -
I've stopped & started c25k over and over the past few years and I know my lack of completion is mostly a mental game I'm playing with myself. "I can't go further", "I'm too old for this (I'm only 42, lol), "I'm just not a runner".....but I want to be, haha. Your progress is inspiring to me!
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I love running too, but the extra caloires will (have have proven to do so while I ran marathon after marathon and ultra marathon and gained weight). However if I just do a little quality running, and still eat just the right amount and not extra, I stay fit and trim. Everyone is different, but most females will experience extra hunger and it won't serve them well if they spend too many hours running.0
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. I am still a runner at age 55. Age is not a factor, but pushing through until your body is conditioned for it is, edging your way up. Conditioning is the key, the body has to have time to adapt to a new type of stress.KetoneKaren wrote: »Curious how old most of you are. I love the idea of running but not the actuality so much. I am 61. I see two of you in your early 50's.
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KetoneKaren wrote: »Curious how old most of you are. I love the idea of running but not the actuality so much. I am 61. I see two of you in your early 50's.
61 here also. Ran in High School, College and Uncle Sam's Misguided Children. Laid off it for a long long time and started again about two years ago. May 15 first 5K 29:09; Memorial Day second 5K 28:28. Now signed up for another 5K in July, a 4 miler in August and, gulp, a half marathon in September. My wife now just looks at me and shakes her head, but, with a smile.6 -
Two reasons:
1. Running is one of those things where I can make the rest of the world go away - even for just briefly - but the rest of the world just doesn't exist, and I'm good with that.
2. Done right, the afterburn from running is a joy to behold.
Ain't nothing like it9 -
Running has been my work out of choice since starting my health and weight loss journey! I've tried SO many different work outs but always go back to running. Getting leaner when the weather warms up and I can run more is icing on the cake for me, I simply love how I feel during and after a run, more energy, improved mood...1
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KetoneKaren wrote: »Curious how old most of you are. I love the idea of running but not the actuality so much. I am 61. I see two of you in your early 50's.
61 here also. Ran in High School, College and Uncle Sam's Misguided Children. Laid off it for a long long time and started again about two years ago. May 15 first 5K 29:09; Memorial Day second 5K 28:28. Now signed up for another 5K in July, a 4 miler in August and, gulp, a half marathon in September. My wife now just looks at me and shakes her head, but, with a smile.
Oh gosh. I really have never been into running except for about a year in my 30's when I worked up to and maintained about 3 miles a day. I was in pretty good shape, I will admit, and kept my weight down. I have on my list of requirements for "optimal health" to be able to run a mile on any given day. I am too heavy to do that now, and would huff and puff for even an eighth of that, I am sure. I do a reasonably vigorous Jazzercise class 4 days a week. I take the dogs for a walk. I am going to start jog-walking and see if I can get the "run a mile on any given day" accomplished yet this year. I know it will take some time for my body to adjust, and I will need to carefully choose my shoes and my surfaces to protect my joints. Why am I feeling so weepy and intimidated by this? Ridiculous! Just do it!
Karen in Virginia
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KetoneKaren wrote: »Curious how old most of you are. I love the idea of running but not the actuality so much. I am 61. I see two of you in your early 50's.
46. Ran (sprints/hurdles) in middle school because it was an easy way to earn a letter. Tried running casually in college because everyone else was doing it--hated it. Started running again in earnest in 2012 because I couldn't keep up on the lacrosse field with a bunch of 12-year-olds. Stuck with it. Have run several 5Ks, a handful of 5 milers and 10Ks, and 2 half marathons since then, and had my eye on running a marathon this summer to try to qualify for Boston...3 -
KetoneKaren wrote: »KetoneKaren wrote: »Curious how old most of you are. I love the idea of running but not the actuality so much. I am 61. I see two of you in your early 50's.
61 here also. Ran in High School, College and Uncle Sam's Misguided Children. Laid off it for a long long time and started again about two years ago. May 15 first 5K 29:09; Memorial Day second 5K 28:28. Now signed up for another 5K in July, a 4 miler in August and, gulp, a half marathon in September. My wife now just looks at me and shakes her head, but, with a smile.
Oh gosh. I really have never been into running except for about a year in my 30's when I worked up to and maintained about 3 miles a day. I was in pretty good shape, I will admit, and kept my weight down. I have on my list of requirements for "optimal health" to be able to run a mile on any given day. I am too heavy to do that now, and would huff and puff for even an eighth of that, I am sure. I do a reasonably vigorous Jazzercise class 4 days a week. I take the dogs for a walk. I am going to start jog-walking and see if I can get the "run a mile on any given day" accomplished yet this year. I know it will take some time for my body to adjust, and I will need to carefully choose my shoes and my surfaces to protect my joints. Why am I feeling so weepy and intimidated by this? Ridiculous! Just do it!
Karen in Virginia
Karen:
Amazon has several "apps" from Personal Running Trainer. 4 Weeks to a mile; 8 weeks to 5K; 8 Weeks to 10K and # Weeks to a Half Marathon and some time to a Marathon. Start with 4 Weeks to a Mile, a series of walking and running to get started. Try it, if you like it, continue, if it's not for you, try something else. Your age is NO reason not to give it a whirl.
Don't want the coaching? Go for a walk. After a while, jog a small portion, as you feel, increase the jog to a run and lengthen your distance. But, if you don't like it, don't do it. Find something you like. There are many, many options.2 -
Raptor2763 wrote: »Two reasons:
1. Running is one of those things where I can make the rest of the world go away - even for just briefly - but the rest of the world just doesn't exist, and I'm good with that.
2. Done right, the afterburn from running is a joy to behold.
Ain't nothing like it
Agreed!! It is like a mind vacation for a moment in time.
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KetoneKaren wrote: »KetoneKaren wrote: »Curious how old most of you are. I love the idea of running but not the actuality so much. I am 61. I see two of you in your early 50's.
61 here also. Ran in High School, College and Uncle Sam's Misguided Children. Laid off it for a long long time and started again about two years ago. May 15 first 5K 29:09; Memorial Day second 5K 28:28. Now signed up for another 5K in July, a 4 miler in August and, gulp, a half marathon in September. My wife now just looks at me and shakes her head, but, with a smile.
Oh gosh. I really have never been into running except for about a year in my 30's when I worked up to and maintained about 3 miles a day. I was in pretty good shape, I will admit, and kept my weight down. I have on my list of requirements for "optimal health" to be able to run a mile on any given day. I am too heavy to do that now, and would huff and puff for even an eighth of that, I am sure. I do a reasonably vigorous Jazzercise class 4 days a week. I take the dogs for a walk. I am going to start jog-walking and see if I can get the "run a mile on any given day" accomplished yet this year. I know it will take some time for my body to adjust, and I will need to carefully choose my shoes and my surfaces to protect my joints. Why am I feeling so weepy and intimidated by this? Ridiculous! Just do it!
Karen in Virginia
Karen:
Amazon has several "apps" from Personal Running Trainer. 4 Weeks to a mile; 8 weeks to 5K; 8 Weeks to 10K and # Weeks to a Half Marathon and some time to a Marathon. Start with 4 Weeks to a Mile, a series of walking and running to get started. Try it, if you like it, continue, if it's not for you, try something else. Your age is NO reason not to give it a whirl.
Don't want the coaching? Go for a walk. After a while, jog a small portion, as you feel, increase the jog to a run and lengthen your distance. But, if you don't like it, don't do it. Find something you like. There are many, many options.
Thank you, I will look at it. Any other helpful hints welcome! I feel sort of excited...
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