I HATE running!

2»

Replies

  • becalee26
    becalee26 Posts: 185 Member
    I hate running too. I did run 22 minutes today and it was torture. My husband on the other hand who is unhealthy and out of shape can go out and run 4 miles like it was nothing. Drives me nuts! I keep hoping that I'll like it so I can start doing 5ks and whatnot like a lot of my friends but I just don't see it happening. I actually just started spinning and I LOVE that! I get more of a high than when I force myself to run. I actually look foward to doing it instead of dreading it.
  • 0uTc4sT
    0uTc4sT Posts: 26
    I love running! I used to hate it years ago but fell in love with running a couple months ago. Your pace should be at what some call a conversation pace. Meaning you should be able to talk to someone while running and it not effect you at all or if it does, the effect should be minimum. Try to run at that pace and i'm sure your run will last longer. Also, Take shorter more gentle/light steps and try not to swing your arms hard. The key thing to running long distances is reserving as much energy as you can while running and that is why form is so important. Good luck :D
  • strido
    strido Posts: 11 Member
    I understand how you feel Daisy! I never thought I'd get into running to the point of actually enjoying it, but I am now! I don't think I enjoy the process as much as I enjoy the results (let's be honest, even an Olympic runner is after results, only Forest Gump runs without a goal!) but it is what keeps me going. I live in the UK and I found an association that organises 5K races on a weekly basis and every saturday, they time you. My goal is to have a PB every week, even by a few seconds, and it works! I'm so pumped that I will train during the week to make sure that I get a PB the week afterwards, and I therefore push myself more.
    So in a nutshell, i would advise you to find a local running association that organises that kind of events, even it's not on a weekly basis. Hope this helps!
    Good luck :)

    PS: I agree with everyone else regarding running outside. The treadmill has to be the most boring place on earth and even if it's good to boost your pace, I always find that I get tired quicker than when I run outside.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    I wish I could help but I used to run. Did it reguarly for almost 3 years. Hated it the whole time. Now I do Zumba instead. It's fun and I've lost just as much weight as I did running.
  • k8edge
    k8edge Posts: 380
    Why don't you try running outside? Part of your frustration could be boredom from the hamster wheel... As well as focusing in on the digital time/cals/numbers in front of you.

    Just a thought... :)
  • nickiben
    nickiben Posts: 117 Member
    I also dont like running. Ive tried, and completed a 5k run which I was really pleased with, but overall, I just dont enjoy it. Find something you love, then you're more likely to stick with it and be enthusiastic with it. Have fun!!
  • fteale
    fteale Posts: 5,310 Member
    Don't do it then! I love it, but I think I prefer aerobics.
  • beaner1st
    beaner1st Posts: 229 Member
    This may or may not apply to you, but seems true for me:

    I recently read a very long post on some running forum about lactate threshold and why some people never seem to get comfortable running. Essentially, many people (myself included, and numbers proved it during recent metabolic testing) have a low anaerobic threshold. Those in this category often get frustrated because they are pushing themselves too hard. Basically, my mentality was always about running a mile at a certain speed and then adding distance to that each time I go out in order to try to improve my endurance. This is more about mental endurance than physical, because your muscles will simply not allow you to get comfortable training this way. What I need to do, and you may need to do also, is run at a much lower heart rate so that my body increases its anaerobic threshold and its aerobic base. Basically, I need to train at slower speeds so that my heart rate is still low enough to benefit long-term from my cardio. Maybe you are in a similar position? Elite marathon training professionals often use this approach, though I am admittedly much worse in terms of my anaerobic threshold than the runners they probably start with.

    Definitely something to think about...my heart rate does normally stay around 90-93 when I'm running, so it may be a little too high..

    This is very interesting to me. I have been trying to do more jogging but find within a minute I am above my max heart rate. I have worked up from a normal walk to a fast walk so it isn't like I am jumping right into this. If you have any links or other info on this I would appreciate it.
  • gaeljo
    gaeljo Posts: 223 Member
    The best way to love running is to do a triathlon. They are sooooo much fun, you'll enjoy the training. Also, loving running comes with time. Just keep grinding through it. I found that having a running plan that helps me achieve specific goals for distance and time is really helpful. I'm a pretty slow runner but I'm making good gains this year. I love to hit goals so setting them has been very motivating. When I started running I would run a 5K in 41 minutes. Not this year, baby! I got myself a running coach and a couple of running partners and they've helped step up my game. Having friends to run with really is very motivating. Especially if you have a friend whose a chatter box and talks while they run, it helps you lose focus on your pain. I ran 10 miles with my friend on Tuesday and if she hadn't been with me, I may have quit early, but because she was there it kept me going. So get yourself a running partner, a running coach, and start setting some goals. In no time you'll love it. And cross training is great for helping you love to run. Don't be afraid to swap your run courses too. Go different places, hit the trails, try different roads, etc. I use map my ride to find the distances ahead of time or I use my Garmin, but not everyone has one of those. Enjoy!
  • Mrs_TrimWaistFatWallet
    Mrs_TrimWaistFatWallet Posts: 486
    I run at the gym. Then, I have Netflx, Hulu Plus, MFP, and CNN to get me through it.
  • RMinVA
    RMinVA Posts: 1,085 Member
    A large portion of running is mental. You have to wrap your head around what you are trying to accomplish. Set a goal, like running a race. Then put yourself on a plan. Lots of good stuff out there like Couch to 5k or a free plan from runnersworld.com. Some structure goes a long way toward moving forward with your training.

    I spent the first year or so just struggling to get to 3 miles. I was doing it on my own, and not on any sort of plan. But once I ran my first 5k I was hooked!! I ran right home to look for a target half marathon and found a training plan. Less than 6 months later I ran my frist one!! I just registered for my 3rd in March of next year. In between I have my first sprint triathlon, my 3rd 10k, and my 6th 10 Miler.
  • fteale
    fteale Posts: 5,310 Member
    I really believe there is no point in doing a sport you hate. I hate swimming - so I don't do it. I don't feel obliged to because other people rave about it.

    Sadly sometimes I have to take the children, like today, and there's no avoiding it, but I HATE it.
  • tattereds
    tattereds Posts: 120 Member
    I run at the gym. Then, I have Netflx, Hulu Plus, MFP, and CNN to get me through it.


    Me too! There are a lot of advocates for the lovliness of running outdoors, but personally I find that worse and quite boring. I've tried varying routes etc, but can never seem to enjoy it. I find that at least on the treadmill I can push myself to maintain a certain speed and reach a certain distance/time goal which I can count down if I'm really struggling.

    I did my first mini-marathon in May and while the feeling of accomplishment was great at the end, I really didn't love the actual running part lol.

    I have some attention issues and can become bored quite quickly with repetition. For me, distraction is the key. The only way I get through a run is to have someone beside me to chat to, or my iPod loaded up with movies and tv shows to watch.
  • hannavasgreen
    hannavasgreen Posts: 27 Member
    I really hate running. I tried for a while to convince myself that I liked it. I bought a Nike plus watch and got new shoes. I did c25k for a while, but I still hated it. So I joined a gym and now I do the elliptical. I love it! I work up an awesome sweat and can workout harder for longer than I could ever run for.
  • Garrett1234
    Garrett1234 Posts: 147 Member
    I hate running too. I do it on the treadmill to keep me up to speed and on target, but outside I usually just walk, or ride my bike.
  • bunchesonothing
    bunchesonothing Posts: 1,015 Member
    A large portion of running is mental. You have to wrap your head around what you are trying to accomplish.

    I completely agree with the rest of your post, but sometimes, you have to UNWRAP your head around it. It depends on what kind of person you are. Some people associate and some people need to disassociate from what they're doing.

    People who associate, like you, focus on the goals short and long term and how about how what they are doing pertain to them. Based on studies I've read, these are the go-getters, the racers...etc

    People who disassociate listen to music, watch tv, talk to people. This is about getting through, especially when things are rough.

    Both definitely have their place.

    And frankly, I can say that I've needed to use both from time to time... especially to get me through marathon training and PRing.
  • lbiel
    lbiel Posts: 2
    I listen to podcasts when I run (This American Life, Radio Lab---whatever) and it helps distract you a lot so you aren't so much thinking about your run as listening to a story.
  • RMinVA
    RMinVA Posts: 1,085 Member
    A large portion of running is mental. You have to wrap your head around what you are trying to accomplish.

    I completely agree with the rest of your post, but sometimes, you have to UNWRAP your head around it. It depends on what kind of person you are. Some people associate and some people need to disassociate from what they're doing.

    People who associate, like you, focus on the goals short and long term and how about how what they are doing pertain to them. Based on studies I've read, these are the go-getters, the racers...etc

    People who disassociate listen to music, watch tv, talk to people. This is about getting through, especially when things are rough.

    Both definitely have their place.

    And frankly, I can say that I've needed to use both from time to time... especially to get me through marathon training and PRing.

    I agree that they are not exclusive. I know I'm "in the zone" when I get that zen like feeling and I completely lose myself in the music.

    Maybe I should have explained myself a bit better. I do think you need to set a strategy (wrap your head around what you are trying to accomplish) prior to setting out for every run: even if that strategy is no strategy. That's where the "mental" aspect of it comes in. Whether you are doing speedwork, distance, or just running with no focus on anything (time or distance), you still need to set an expectation for that run. Then what you do, or how you get through that run, is up to you.
  • rat70
    rat70 Posts: 129 Member
    As others have said, it is not compulsory but it is a great burn for the time invested. I have recently come to it and I am now enjoying it but check out my earlier post which was similar in title to yours...

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/285875-will-i-ever-love-running?

    I was given lots of great advice in that thread.

    Also check out my post about Tips for the C25K as that might also give you some ideas.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/298553-ten-tips-for-success-with-the-couch-to-5k?

    All the best!
This discussion has been closed.

Categories