I WANT TO LOVE RUNNING

I felt the same way. I started with Couch to 5K and when I started I struggled to run for even a minute! But the more I pushed through and just did it the more results I saw which was really motivating. It's surprising how quickly your fitness improves even from one run to another. Just don't push it a the beginning by running too fast or every day and don't feel bad for missing a couple runs, it'll happen. Just get back on the wagon.
Good Luck!

“LOVE” is overrated. Even the best runners have days where they just don’t feel like getting out. After 5 years as a runner I still have that love-hate relationship with running: the toughest part is the first 5 minutes, then you get in the groove. Don’t focus on whether you love it or not - try getting into a routine for a month or two

Random addition here - I want to love running - or at least be ABLE to run - because literally I have dreams about running - not effortlessly, but amazing!

Unfortunately you may have to hate it for a while before you can love it. I still have a love/hate relationship with it at times. I've found out that it is A LOT more complicated for me than to just "go running" and become great at it.

At first it was the mental aspect of it. It was all about learning how to power through and keep going. C25k was immensely helpful for this, every day I surprised myself by running farther than I did the day before, even though I didn't think I could. For me it's very much mental, I don't get any better unless I push myself more and more every day.

I also learned that I had to take care of myself a little better. It wasn't only about diet, I also had to stay hydrated, do a lot of stretching, foam rolling, etc. It wasn't just about running, it was also about rest and recovery. I had to push myself but not overdo it and give myself shin splints (again) or plantar fasciitis (or anything else).

I found out the hard way that shoes were very important for me. I got fitted for a pair of shoes at a running store, they fit great and had a lot of cushion as recommended for my suppination. I ran for 6 months in them and saw very little improvement. I tried all kinds of things, more stretching etc. and sometimes they helped but not enough. I'd still run about a half mile before my calves and hips started to burn. I didn't believe shoes had that much to do with it but one day I finally decided I was out of options and got a pair that was more supportive and my first run in them was better than I'd had in months. So it's not about just getting fitted, it's also about finding shoes that work for you.

After all that, it started to get better. Then I had to worry more about chaffing, blisters, and staying hydrated on long runs. There's always a new set of challenges for something that seems like it should be so easy, but I just keep going.

I had my first actually enjoyable run yesterday. I started with walk/run intervals and ended with me running for 15 minutes straight which I don’t think I’ve done since jr high. It’s true what they say, that the first 5 minutes or so is hard but after that you kinda get in the groove and feel like you can just keep on going. Of course I was going like sloth pace, but I was still running. I was so proud of myself. Keep up with it and you will get better.

I absolutely despised running, mainly because it wasn’t easy at first, due to me not being physically fit for it. I wanted to find a way to build up to loving it and I noticed the more I gained the stamina, it became pretty easy and enjoyable. There are a lot of interval running workouts on Pinterest, but this one kind of suited my schedule for my weekly workout routine best.

Here’s another one I tried out, but had to adjust to the first one I posted. I noticed on the previous one that it didn’t take me a full week to gain the stamina to complete the full run/walk in that week. After about 3 days I was ready to move on to the next week run/walk, because the current run/walk was a breeze and I wanted the challenge.

MelanieCN77 wrote: »

mjwarbeck wrote: »

I never liked running. Weights? No problem. Exercise bike? No problem. Hated running. Now, to be fair, I am focusing on treadmill running, so running outside might have been different.

With that being, I started to transition to the treadmill in January. At the time, I was close to 230 and a type session was a 20 minute walk at 4.5 mph. From there I just kept going. At first, I increased duration. Then I would alternate improvements to duration and speed. And at the end of each week, I wanted an improvement.

Today I just set a personal best, still on the treadmill, 3.2 miles in 24:52. Top speed was about 5 minutes at 9 mph. Not bad for a now 46 year old who hated running.

By September, I want to approach 20 minutes in a timed 5km race. :-)

Do you mean a 9 minute mile? Although if you're homing in on a 20 minute 5k, dang, nice pace!

If top speed were 9 minute miles, for the whole race, we'd be talking about a 28 minute 5k. I think he's serious about that 9mph.

drbeanie2000 wrote: »

Random addition here - I want to love running - or at least be ABLE to run - because literally I have dreams about running - not effortlessly, but amazing!

I literally had dreams about running too. Not from anything. Just running. So one day I started C25K. From that day on, I've never had a dream about running again. That was a few years ago. I have back problems and knee issues and haven't run in over a year now. I'm about to get back to it though. I really do miss it. It was such a stress reliever for me.