Runners.... when does it start to get fun???

I run outside not on a treadmill (I don't have access to one) and I still sometimes find the run being all about the run. I don't get a ton of enjoyment out of it, but I still look forward to getting out there and doing it, mostly because I'm trying to go that much faster or that much further. I still run/walk and plan to do so for the foreseeable future. I find it best if I can run some place new and not just the same one mile loop through my neighborhood. In fact, I did 4 miles this weekend in the mountains, and while the run itself was tough and NOT fun, I'm still pretty thrilled that I did it.

I do, however, own a stationary bike. I cannot just sit there and ride that thing. I have it in my computer room and I watch TV shows or movies while I'm riding it. I've gotten myself to the point where I really don't watch TV on the sofa any longer. I watch and ride and the 45 minutes to an hour go by very quickly. Rather than listening to the radio, if you can put a small TV, or laptop, in front of your treadmill, you may find that to be a good solution for you, too. If that's not an option, try to get some podcasts of old radio shows, or audio books, instead of just music. Something which more fully engages your brain and distracts you from the boredom of running.

This is another big belief I have, if you want your exercise program to be successful in the long term, you have to find something you enjoy. If you don't like running on a treadmill and can't find a way to make it enjoyable, try something else. Running outside on a good trail might be a good choice to try. For me, I hate running for no reason. I'm a soccer referee and I don't mind running in games and I really enjoy that. But just running a trail with no place really to go is just boring and annoying to me. So I started biking instead.

We've got a great trail by our house that was built on an old railroad right of way. It's pretty scenic and also relatively flat. It spans over 50 miles and connects to 5 different towns along the way. I've found I enjoy riding along there for the scenery and to go to places I don't normally visit. Right now my goals for my riding are to keep pushing a little farther each time and see new scenery and towns. I got a GPS tracking app for my phone from another site and use that to track my rides and estimate my calories burned. That makes it a lot more fun for me.

Try different things until you find the one you enjoy the most and then make some games out of it. Challenge yourself. Explore new areas you've never been to before. Do your activity at diffferent times of the day and see if the scenery changes. Things like that.

U have to get outside and experience running that way...it started to be fun for me once i completed my first 5k. I was hooked after that

bump, want to finish reading later as I'm in the same boat.

Who said you HAVE to run to get sufficient exercise? There are a lot of other effective workouts out there -- if you don't enjoy running, then maybe there are options for you. Exercise is crappy enough; why not find something that isn't torture? :flowerforyou:

agreed. Kudos for sticking with it. And stick with it. But additionally - find something that IS fun. Lots of other cardio options out there.

Try podcasts if you're sick of music (or buy new music). Or go without music and listen to what's around you, outside.

I say give it a few more years and then see if you love it yet. If you don't love it, you'll love the results, and that's reason enough to keep doing it :happy:

Running became fun, when I started running outdoors. I found a beautiful trail and I love running it. Try getting off the treadmill. You will see faster results with outdoors running

This!!!

This is another big belief I have, if you want your exercise program to be successful in the long term, you have to find something you enjoy. If you don't like running on a treadmill and can't find a way to make it enjoyable, try something else.

I completely agree! I find running to be a bore, whether it is on a treadmill, outside, doesn't matter. To me, running will always suck.

I do like to hike, because I like the challenge of climbing steep hills and being rewarded with phenomenal views at the summit. I like to swim (seasonally!). I am starting a new exercise class this week to try something new (Pilates). You have to find what you LIKE to do, not just some calorie burning activity that feels like a chore.

To be honest, I tried running-Couch to 5k, then Gateway to 8k and then I started a half-marathon training plan and I realized, after almost a year, I don't like running! It's boring and there's no good reason to be able to run for an hour.
If your goal is calorie burn, you should try interval running and not for more than 20 minutes.
There is some evidence that steady state cardio isn't great for fat loss:
http://figureathlete.t-nation.com/free_online_article/training/the_final_nail_in_the_cardio_coffin
I think some people really enjoy it, they get a runner's high or they like the quiet time to themselves.
I liked the challenge, to some extent, but I never liked running and couldn't get enough music on my ipod to train for a half marathon!

that made me laugh. i feel that way sometimes too "why am i doing this. I DON'T LIKE TO RUN." it hurts and i can't breath. but when i do it, it is a sense of accoumplishment.

So true... the first 2 miles or so are very hard.
When I do them, I feel like I'm old and stiff... out of breath... and then it eases into a nice relaxed workout. I also hated running until I signed up to train for a marathon... (my first race ever, but it's nearly a year away) and I got a training plan that has speed drills and varying length runs. I try to always run outdoors. I also have a gps tracker on my phone that will tell me (out loud) my speed and total distance and time every quarter mile and/five minutes. That, along with Pandora, saved my running.

So to sum it up...
1.) First 2.5 miles will almost always be very hard and unfun
2.) Goals: pay attention to times, improvement, future races, etc (my gps also keeps track of new personal bests for both distance and time)
3.) GPS, I have a smartphone and the app was free. I love it. It's called runkeeper.
4.) Music (if you like) or podcasts
5.) Didn't mention before... but make sure to hydrate all day long or it will really affect your run. Drinking only a half hour or so before a run won't help if you've not been drinking enough water before.

Hope it helps!