I hate running ... so why is C25K on my phone?

Catawampous
Catawampous Posts: 447 Member
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Well because of my dog! She is high energy and needs me to be the friend she needs. That being said I am willing to give this a go no matter how much I don't like it. LOL

I have tried to teach her to run along side me when I bike ride. That was a disaster! She knows how to heel and stay with me but on the bike my shoelaces are her jam. This results with a crazy old woman and her dog face planting in particularly entertaining ways in public places. That is NOT my jam!

I have done the C25K twice with her now and things went pleasantly well. My shoelaces are no longer at eye level for her! But ... I still dislike running. A LOT. I used to play soccer a long time ago so I CAN run. Kinda ... I am 55 now so there is that LOL. But running just to watch the trees go by was never my thing.

Anyone have any tips on how I can get through the mental boredom I feel while doing this? Also any tips for an oldster starting out with this and how best to avoid me killing myself would be appreciated!

Replies

  • jon2412
    jon2412 Posts: 61 Member
    Hey there,

    Running with my dog is a disaster, she doesn’t get it at all. Randomly stops in front of me and all sorts. I don’t go running with her now!

    Take it slow to start with and work up gradually - Listen to how your body is responding and that should see you right. Running shoes are likely the most important piece of kit and second (for me in mid 40’s at least) is what clothes I wear - namely tights because I get sore knees if they even have a sniff of cold weather and what bottom and mid layer I have to stay warm but not ‘boiled-in-the-bag’


    Good luck!
  • spiriteagle99
    spiriteagle99 Posts: 3,750 Member
    Pay attention to how your dog responds to the build up in miles and various temperatures. My dog can't handle heat at all well, but I know people who run regularly with their dogs in warmer temps than we have.

    Can you run trails? That is a lot more interesting than the street. If you are running in town, then vary your routes as much as possible. Maybe find a friend to run with you so you can chat. Music or podcasts work for many.

    Best advise is to run slowly. Don't let your dog set the pace - you do it. When I tried running with my dog, he wanted to sprint, but I learned that he does a very nice trot after a few steps when I was going slower than he wanted. Running will be more enjoyable for you if you aren't puffing and panting. You should be able to carry on a conversation, recite poetry or the words to the songs you are listening to.

    FWIW - I did C25k at age 55. I've since run 3 marathons and qualified for Boston. You might surprise yourself.
  • canadianlbs
    canadianlbs Posts: 5,199 Member
    Catawampous wrote: »
    Anyone have any tips on how I can get through the mental boredom I feel while doing this?

    disclosure part is i've never turned into a runner. just had at most a few weeks at a time where it hadn't got around to hurting me yet.

    with that said, the boredom i certainly get. i found my own solution was a kind of physical narcissism, i.e. hyper-minute awareness of every minuscule body part and its role in every step. after a while of doing that i would sort of zen out, similar to the way you can get after a while with yoga.

    i didn't find that boring because as mentioned running just doesn't seem like it works for me so i had a vested interest in this kind of approach, but ymmv about that.
  • Spiderpug
    Spiderpug Posts: 159 Member
    I have audible.com on my phone. I've found i can hear the story and the world around me. Stories can be downloaded but I tend to avoid comedies as I cant run and laugh!
  • evilpoptart63
    evilpoptart63 Posts: 397 Member
    Spiderpug wrote: »
    I have audible.com on my phone. I've found i can hear the story and the world around me. Stories can be downloaded but I tend to avoid comedies as I cant run and laugh!

    I second audible if you get bored running! Or put together a playlist with awesome songs :) I started listening to a book and enjoyed it for a while before I realized I prefer some time to be alone with my thoughts and just enjoy the sound of my footsteps and breathing. Im a weirdo though
  • Gisel2015
    Gisel2015 Posts: 4,192 Member
    The best exercise for fitness is the one that you enjoy doing, not the one that you force yourself to do for whatever "dog" reason. If you don't like to run, just don't! Walk your dog at a very fast pace and try to go up and down hills or in any uneven terrain.

    If you still want to learn and love to run but your dog is the problem, then leave he/her at home and just concentrate in the running.

    By the way, I don't like running and I never run.
  • Catawampous
    Catawampous Posts: 447 Member
    Thank you guys! You gave me a few things to think about and give a try! Most helpful.

    Jon - thanks for the clothing info. I will take it on-board. There's a running store close to where I work that I will pop into and see about shoes. I get the weather thing. I live in Florida so I have the opposite problem. lol

    spiriteagle - OMG that is a great achievement! Thank you for your input. I will definitely be careful with her in the heat. The trail running I just might be able to get into. I have read a couple threads on it and thought it looked like fun!

    canadianlbs - Thanks for that suggestion. I do Yoga so I get what you were getting at. It may be an approach I can work with!

    spiderbug and evilpoptart - Thanks! I love both music and books so maybe I can find something to work with on that. Appreciate it!

    Gisel - Yep. I know. But I made a commitment to her and I want to do what is best for her. I do biking and weights for myself and love them. I feel I can add a bit more to help her live a good life too. Thanks for your thoughts and I totally get them!
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    Back to biking, is there something you can slip over your shoe to keep the laces from enticing your dog? Even duct tape!
  • Tacklewasher
    Tacklewasher Posts: 7,122 Member
    I listen to Rock My Run. I can pick a genre and a pace that works for me when running. I did the C25K last Jan-Apr and have done a 9K and 10K race, 15 Park runs (5K) and run around my neighborhood lots. So I started at 51 (52 now) so I ain't no spring chicken either.

    But I can't run with my dogs. I'd like to but one can't run well at all (short legs) and the other gets distracted too easily. I've tried with her.
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