Runners Explain...

This question always intrigues me. Find something you like and do that instead. There are lots of things you can do that will get you in shape besides running. Try kick boxing, swimming, basketball, Zumba, spinning. There are so many options. Running can be hard and it's even harder if you don't like it. Life's too short to waste your time doing something you hate in my opinion.

I would not say I am a runner...but I agree...the c25k running program is awesome...after the first two weeks I was hooked! I like that it starts you out nice an easy as you build

This!! I started off hating running, thought I'd give C25K a go as someone told me it was good for burning fat - I have now done my first 5K race AND I've joined a running club!!!!!

I would also add that if you don't like it, you'll never keep doing it, so you should really find something you enjoy and will keep on doing - for me it's horse riding and cycling. No reason why you should have to run, there's sooooo many things out there you could do

Yes, I'm one of those hate it then loved it runners. I started out in February running to lose weight. At first, I really didn't want to get going. But after I got passed a few good runs, I really got into it. I even did a 1/2 marathon last Saturday. Rain nor shine, i'll run because I love it.

You said your shins hurt. my advice is let your shins heal before trying to do a solid run. those are called shin splints. it goes away, but you have to figure out what your doing that causes it. google, "good running form" or youtube it. good shoes are a must. I bought some inexpensive new balance shoes from a discount store and those worked for a while. But after I really got into it, I figured out that I really needed the 100 dollar shoes. mostly try to stick to New Balance, Saucony, Asics, and maybe Nike or Reebok. Try the inexpensive ones first and get an idea for which shoes feel the best.

take it easy at first, try to glide along rather than hitting your feet on the ground. when you run, make it so that your feet don't make any noise. be careful of your knees. Tendons in knees tend to get really sore when first running. If you feel pain, start walking. Work up to a good pace.

your first few runs, just go a half mile or a mile. it doesn't matter how far you go or how long. What matters is that you continually increase your distances and speed over a long period of time. In about 3 to 6 weeks, you'll be surprised at how good of a runner you are and how much your addicted to it. run 3 to 5 days a week. spread out your rest days. like every other day. I run 5 days a week, my rest days are friday and sunday. I now run 30 - 40 miles a week.

My wife, started running too and at first, she hated it. But last Saturday, she ran a 5k and loved it. this week she's been running more then ever and loving it. It may be good to look for a 5k and sign up for it. a 5k is 3.1 miles. train for it. having a goal, will get you to want to run. But when you get to that event, no matter how well you do, you'll be proud of how far you've come and you'll want more.

Good luck, I'm excited for you. I hope you become a great runner. soon people will be looking at you and wondering who's chasing you.

You probably hate it because it's so hard! I've been there but decided to just do it... now that I'm better at running it's much more fun.. get some good engaging songs on ur iPod to distract you and then push through it! Good luck!

Go for a walk and add running 'sprints' ... like if you go for an hour walk, every 5 minutes add 1 minute of sprinting It will gradually get you into running, and you'll find walking a waste of time! haha

I am no expert and not a competitive runner, but I do and have enjoyed running for exercise since high school.

Running is not something that you will necessarily fall in love with over night. But with time you will.

The key is to make running as comfortable and enjoyable as you can. Run at a time of day that works well for you. For example, I don't enjoy running as much early in the morning compared to later in the day. I find running is a great way to release steam, de-stress from the work day, etc which is probably why I prefer running in the evening.

Get a good pair of running shoes, this is the most important tool in running. Everyone's feet are different and there are running shoes designed to fit your foot, go to a fitness store and get sized properly and find a shoe that is meant for your foot. A pair of shoes that is giving you blisters, your foot falls asleep in, you get heel sores, etc...the shoes don't fit your feet properly. Get some new ones.

Finding your groove.... when you first start out, jogging may be uncomfortable, pace might be awkward, etc. The more you try it and the more experience you get with running the more you will settle into the motions and find a pace and stride that is comfortable and you can maintain naturally. Breathing properly is also very important in running.

Programs like C25k are a great way to get into running. Every week brings new challenges.

If running on a treadmill, find something to occupy your field of vision and time. Read a book or watch television. Running on a treadmill can become very boring very quickly for a lot of people. You need something to keep your mind occupied.

Listening to music is great whether running outside or indoor. Crank up some good tunes in your ear phones.

Running outdoors, choose different routes to keep the scenery unique. Find a running partner so your not alone if the social aspect would help keep you occupied while running.

Use a phone app like Runkeeper to keep you in check on distance, current pace, avg pace per mile, etc etc. The app helps me push on, as it provides audio cues and reports through my ear phones as I jog.

I also have to add that the first section of any run is the worst until you get warmed up and find your groove. The first 1/2 mile to mile I run is not nearly as comfortable as the 2nd and 3rd mile. My legs need to warm up, despite the fact that I stretched beforehand, and I need to find my natural groove.

yep every first couple of miles suck... I realized I love it.

When I ran my first half marathon I even wrote on my arm in Marker ... it all gets better after 2.5

I'm with Emma. I absolutely despised running. I mean, really, really hated it. I've gotten better over time, and now miss it if I don't get a run in.

I think most runners would agree that at least the first mile sucks. Problem is, most people who hate it quit before that marker. I've gone from a 19 minute mile in January to a sub-12 minute mile now. AND, I'm training for a half! (did I REALLY just say that??!!!)

I signed up for my first 1/2 marathon last week -- and thought the same thing, Flyntigger (what the &^%$ am I thinking??) Maybe we're crazy...but hmmm...crazy feels darned good right now.

emmaleigh47 -- I might try that arm tattoo!!

I totally agree with everyone who has said "they hated it in the beginning but love it now!!" I hate the thought of getting ready to do it but I love it when I get started. For me, it isnt about the run, it's about being alone, clearing my head, listening to music and just being me. I love to run new places. Tracks are boring and make you ask yourself how much longer. Try some where new, look around while you are running. Enjoy the scenery, it takes the mind off of what you are doing. I started running 5k races to help me set goals. Not that I want to win it, just to give myself something to shoot for! at first I just wanted to complete one, then i wanted to do it in so much time, then i wanted to beat that time, then i wanted to beat someone who has beat me in my last few races. It was motivation to keep at it. So glad you asked the question because you have helped me remember why I like it so much. I use the runkeeper app on my iphone. it helps me a lot too. Good luck to you and your run!!!

I started running back in 2005 (begrudgingly) because I was trying to get into the US Air Force after college. I started off with a modified couch to 5K and kept on going. It got easier! Really! Didn't end up in the USAF, BUT I did end up with an appreciation for runnning which I've kept up with for the most part ever since. I say "for the most part" as I took a 1.5 year hiatus from running, but have picked it up a lot more seriously within the past year. Now I'm able to say I've run a half marathon, and a handful of 5 and 10K's. The 5K's are always fun.

I guess I have it backwards from most people replying. I used to love running. I am 52 and like a lot of people was inspired by the 72 U.S. Olympic heroes Dave Wottle and Frank Shorter to start running. I ran competitively in Jr. High, High School, and Intramurals in college then throughout my adult life including hundreds of races from 5k up through and including 4 marathons, the last one in 1991. I bet I went 15 years averaging 40-50 miles a week and some weeks did twice that when marathon training.

About 11 years ago I just burned out on running and just gave it up almost cold turkey. I ran for a long time in Memphis which is not exactly cool in the summer but when I moved to the gulf coast it was just too dam hot in the summer for me to run and I just didn't get the same buzz from it I used to get. I still have a treadmill and will jog on it every month or so now but no races or organized runs. I loved the time I was a runner though and don't regret a second of it. Some of my best memories are runs I've done in places from Shanghai and Bejing China to Mt. Tamalpais in Marin Co. CA to the Bahamas and Grand Caymans to ... you get the idea. I'll carry those memories forever, much more than any car ride I may have taken in those places.

It does get under your skin and every once in a while I get the itch to start up again. I've spend a good portion of the last ten years weighing between 185 and 195 and when I looked at a running log I'd kept from back in the day, I was 159 when I ran my last marathon at age 32.

To the OP, I'd start with run walks if continuous running is too uncomfortable. At some point, competitive running is all about how much discomfort (pain!) you can stand but running for fun doesn't have to be. What you definitely don't want to do is get injured which will definitely put a cramp ;-) in your running goals but may also lead to weigh gain if you can't do any other exercise because of it.