I HATE RUNNING.

cmonskinnylovee
cmonskinnylovee Posts: 339
edited October 4 in Fitness and Exercise
I can do strenous aerobic workouts for almost hours on end, I can kick my own *kitten* riding my bike 20 miles one way, i can perform all three levels of the 30 day shred with ease, I can do crunches until the sun sets-

but ask me to run around the block once and I will probably die.

Why is running so hard for me??? Does anyone else have this problem, but only with running?
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Replies

  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,031 Member
    Usually it has to do with technique and that running is actually tough for beginners.
  • Usually it has to do with technique and that running is actually tough for beginners.

    Do you mean a beginner to workouts or a beginner to running? Because I'm not a beginner for either :( I have been taught proper technique (breathing and form) by my track coach in high school (I joined because I thought learning to run would make me like it more- it didn't.) and obviously I work out a lot

    maybe it's just not for everyone :( which is sad because it's so effective.
  • hush7hush
    hush7hush Posts: 2,273 Member
    I hated it at first, too.

    It made me want to kill myself.

    Now I love it.

    Try the Couch-to-5k plan.

    It helps you ease into running by using intervals.
  • AZTrailRunner
    AZTrailRunner Posts: 1,199 Member
    Anytime you ask your body to be completely off the ground at one time (and repeatedly with running), it's gonna be tough.

    Jump rope, burpees, are other *kitten*-kicking workouts that many people can't do for long durations. :-D

    Keep at it though, it's worth it.
  • I hated it at first, too.

    It made me want to kill myself.

    Now I love it.

    Try the Couch-to-5k plan.

    It helps you ease into running by using intervals.

    That's what my mom said... hmmm, maybe if it wasn't so cold here in Chicago I would :(
  • Try the C25K program (google it). It's a program designed for people to get into running and in 9 weeks it will have you running 5k. I'm doing it at the moment and I think it's great. There are a lot of people on here who have done it and say they now LOVE running, when before they used to HATE it. Good luck!
  • Anytime you ask your body to be completely off the ground at one time (and repeatedly with running), it's gonna be tough.

    Jump rope, burpees, are other *kitten*-kicking workouts that many people can't do for long durations. :-D

    Keep at it though, it's worth it.

    Do jumping jacks fall into that category? Because I am obsessed with those! Maybe I can replace running with jacks... hahha

    Once I did jumping jacks for 20 minutes straight, and not wimpy slow ones either (: Just thought I'd brag a little haha
  • Remember that "Running is most sports punishment"
  • Remember thar "Running is most sports punishment"

    And I understand why! haha
  • hush7hush
    hush7hush Posts: 2,273 Member
    I hated it at first, too.

    It made me want to kill myself.

    Now I love it.

    Try the Couch-to-5k plan.

    It helps you ease into running by using intervals.

    That's what my mom said... hmmm, maybe if it wasn't so cold here in Chicago I would :(

    I'm in Michigan, I feel your pain.
  • Scorpiomom222
    Scorpiomom222 Posts: 1,462 Member
    Hey, if you hate running, use an elliptical if you can. Has all the benefits of running, but without the impact on your joints. And no leaving the ground. :happy:
  • hush7hush
    hush7hush Posts: 2,273 Member
    Hey, if you hate running, use an elliptical if you can. Has all the benefits of running, but without the impact on your joints. And no leaving the ground. :happy:


    I am SO in love with the elliptical.

    By far my favourite cardio activity. ::)
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,031 Member

    Do you mean a beginner to workouts or a beginner to running? Because I'm not a beginner for either :( I have been taught proper technique (breathing and form) by my track coach in high school (I joined because I thought learning to run would make me like it more- it didn't.) and obviously I work out a lot

    maybe it's just not for everyone :( which is sad because it's so effective.
    Then you may not just like it at all. I do it and despise it, but it does for me what it's supposed to and that's burn a good amount of calories.
    I would rather kickbox on a bag, but I haven't set up my bag (well my wife doesn't want it in the garage) so I have to run instead.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,031 Member
    Anytime you ask your body to be completely off the ground at one time (and repeatedly with running), it's gonna be tough.

    Jump rope, burpees, are other *kitten*-kicking workouts that many people can't do for long durations. :-D

    Keep at it though, it's worth it.

    Do jumping jacks fall into that category? Because I am obsessed with those! Maybe I can replace running with jacks... hahha

    Once I did jumping jacks for 20 minutes straight, and not wimpy slow ones either (: Just thought I'd brag a little haha
    Jumping jacks is a great alternative.
  • Scorpiomom222
    Scorpiomom222 Posts: 1,462 Member
    Hey, if you hate running, use an elliptical if you can. Has all the benefits of running, but without the impact on your joints. And no leaving the ground. :happy:


    I am SO in love with the elliptical.

    By far my favourite cardio activity. ::)

    I loved using the elliptical when my knees were sore, so I could get a break from jarring my joints. And it was easier to listen to music on my headphones because they didn't keep slipping out of my ears. lol
  • fragilegift
    fragilegift Posts: 347 Member
    I actually find running easier on my calves than walking. Go figure. I can just walk further than I can run...(this month)
  • ludgerclay
    ludgerclay Posts: 95 Member
    Running involves your core muscles much much more than cycling, elliptical, and inline skating. Elliptical has most of the benefits of running, but not all. Try running slower (jogging) to start with until your core gets used to the continuous exertion. I started out inline skating, pushing hard for an hour at a time, but when I started running I could only run for about 5 minutes before I felt beat.
  • Black_Swan
    Black_Swan Posts: 770 Member
    I think you dont have to like all sports, so just relax!
  • jo_marnes
    jo_marnes Posts: 1,601 Member
    Running is hard. I will never love it. I have, in August, run my first half marathon. I trained for months. I did it in 2 hours. I still hate running.

    Running is more of a mental challenge to me. I'm not much good at getting past the 'this is awful why am I doing this?' line of thought.

    Since my half marathon I've run about 2 times, lol. I prefer to go for a long walk than run. That's just the way I am
  • SmartFunGorgeous
    SmartFunGorgeous Posts: 699 Member
    Not everyone has to like it, but I love it. You can try C25k, but you may never like it, and that's okay.
  • oneoddsock
    oneoddsock Posts: 321 Member
    I hate running too. I tried C25K - it made my hatred worse. I don't mind spontaneous acts of running, like realising I'm about to miss a train and just legging it, but any form of running involving any kind of preparation, specialist clothes, wearing proper shoes, warming up, warming down, etc, just makes me want to scream. I also feel like a massive numpty running around in the street, and am certain that I look quite alarming. I also discovered, on the few occasions that I went running, that it makes my underpants fall down, which contributed to my feeling like an idiot. (I hasten to add, I was wearing trousers so there were no catastrophic/inappropriate incidents)

    I've reconciled myself to the fact that running and I are never going to be anything more than very distant friends. Personally, I'm sticking to zumba, hula hooping, long walks and dancing around my kitchen whilst cooking dinner. At least there, nobody can be terrified by my enormous sweaty body lumbering around like a disco-dancing elephant...
  • Crawflowr
    Crawflowr Posts: 106 Member
    I've tried a couple of times to get in to running. Starting simple and running a short distance then walking then running again, just as I see C25k recommends unfortunately both times I've tried I've ended up injured. First time pulling the muscles in my inner knee which left me crippled for over a month. And this last time I've ended up with shin splints, and that was only running a couple of 100 yards on grass. I don't appear to have flat feet or anything but must just run wonky. Think I'll have to stick to walking and the elliptical.
  • dancingj2
    dancingj2 Posts: 4,572 Member
    I think each exercise is just different. I know I have had years I could ride 100 miles in one day but could barely jog 3 or 4 house before feeling terrible.

    Since starting MFP, I have been walking most mornings. I would jog betwen a few driveways and then walk then jog. etc. After nearly 2 months I suddenly realized I was jogging my entire route - a half mile! I can now jog a mile!

    So I still do not like running but I feel better since I can now run if I choose to.
  • I have fitness professional friends and a dietician friend that share your same dilemma: wanting to run b/c it's efficient, yet they hate it. I enjoy running so I don't know how to overcome the hate part. However, some days are tough to get out the door. I tell myself, "Ok, just put your shoes on, get out the door, and walk for 10 min. Then you can be done." I always end up feeling better after 10 min., start jogging, and complete my run. Other things that keep me motivated: listening to my favorite music, hiring a running coach to create a custom program, and running with friends. I think you really need to enjoy whatever activity you do, and you sound like a real go-getter! Maybe running isn't your thing right now. That's ok. Keep on kicking butt with your other activities, and consider running when it's nice outside in the spring. :)
  • fteale
    fteale Posts: 5,310 Member
    So don't run. Not all exercise is for everyone. I hate swimming.
  • dad106
    dad106 Posts: 4,868 Member
    So don't run. Not all exercise is for everyone. I hate swimming.

    Exactly! Why are you trying to make yourself do an exercise you hate.. thats just stupid and counterproductive.

    Find an exercise that you love and do it.. end of story.

    I always have and always will hate running.. so I walk instead. Got me to the exact same place most of these runners are, and I was doing something I liked.
  • Littlemouse1973
    Littlemouse1973 Posts: 21 Member
    I hate running too. I can sprint, up to 100m, during boot camp and I don't hate that, but if asked to run around the sports ground any more than once and I would rather stick pins in my eyes. So I don't run.
  • I hate it too and is nothing wrong with it ! I just do everything else like you and I'm excellent at it. Running is good exercise but is not a necessity to my workouts...if I hate it why to punish and torture myself.(and my longs hate it too) I love Jay walking though with an occasional sprints,That's what works for me.
  • JamesBurkes
    JamesBurkes Posts: 382 Member
    I don't mind spontaneous acts of running, like realising I'm about to miss a train and just legging it, but any form of running involving any kind of preparation, specialist clothes, wearing proper shoes, warming up, warming down, etc, just makes me want to scream.

    This is precisely why I've started running recently.

    I've always been a weights fiend and I do a bit of cycling here and here, but in June a friend and I arrived at Madrid airport and we had 3 minutes to get a connecting flight. Now, I don't know if you know Madrid airport but it's half a mile long, maybe more, so basically we had to run from one end of it to the other, in boots and jeans, to catch the flight. My friend is as sedentary as sedentary can be, yet he was less out of breath when we got there than I was. I was literally gasping for air, to the point where I could barely breathe. Plus, my shins and calves were on fire.

    At that point I realised I had a serious gap in my fitness, and I resolved to put it right.
  • Kimblesnbits
    Kimblesnbits Posts: 321 Member
    I learned to like running because it was the hardest for me (compared to all other exercises i've tried) so I took the challenge up...
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