Runnng: How to NOT Hate it with a Passion

I totally get where you're coming from! I would love to be a runner, in theory, but I just find running so boring. And uncomfortable. I tried the Couch to 5k program, which is supposed to ease you into running gradually, so you could give that a try. I still got bored, but I know others who liked it.

Personally, I've gone back to cardio I ENJOY. I'll never be a runner, but that's ok with me.

First of all, stop thinking of how much you hate it. The more you think you hate something, the more you will. Don't focus on the negative but think about how great you will look and feel after you are done. Maybe you are running too fast and that is why you feel like you are hurling yourself forward. Running is a natural thing.

If you feel your boobs flop around too much, buy a better bra.

as for breathing, you should do a 2/2. What I mean is breath in for two steps, breath out for two steps. It will get easier and then you can move up to 3/3.

I love running and even the mornings I am not in the mood, I force myself to get out there and I don't regret that one bit. I regret the mornings that I don't get out of bed to run.

Running is not for everyone. And I truly believe you can't FORCE yourself to love running. You either enjoy running or you don't. If you don't enjoy it, find other cardio you enjoy more. There's nothing wrong with not liking to run.

find something you enjoy. Theres no point slogging away at an exercise you hate.

Also your boobs shouldnt be flopping around. You need a decent sports bra for any exercise. Best favour you will ever do your girls

I always hated running for all the reasons you mentioned. I did C25K because I like to challenge myself, and really, really, really wanted to do the Warrior Dash and not have my friends and family stopping to wait for me.

Along the way, I started to improve, and that's when running became fun for me. When I could see the positive changes in my performance, mind and body. I think it started about a month or so into C25K when I was able to run one full mile. That was just amazing to me, that I - the girl who did everything she could to skip gym class 20 years ago - could run one mile! Then two, then three, then four...

bump

i hate running too, mostly because i think it's kind of boring :-/ I'm going to start the c25k tonight to see if i can gradually get into it with a little variety of walking and jogging. i forgot my headphones though, so it might be difficult to enjoy :-(

You can do it, running outside somewhere nice like a park / lake makes it more interesting, i like running outside but get bored out of my mind if i try to do longer than 15 mins on treadmill. take your MP3 / ipod with some of your favourite songs.
run as slow as possible, even if its only just faster than walking dont worry you will get there. at first you will only be able to run for maybe 30 seconds, but that will soon be a minute, then increase by a minute or two each time. Once you get past 10 minutes it seems easier to keep going, once you can run for say 30 minutes without stopping, then start trying to increase your speed a bit at a time.
I like to play games with myself - run to the next tree / post / whatever markers are on your route, run until the end of the song, a minute longer than last time etc.
it soon adds up and you will soon be a proper runner

I am the SAME way but I really want to pick up running. I am thinking of trying the couch25k program.

Then I get out and try to run. And I hate the way my body feels trying to hurl itself forward, how terrible I am, how out of breathe I am... how my boobs flop all over the universe. I'm in decent shape- I can do my part on the elliptical and walk miles and miles without blinking an eye.

I hated running when I started, and the big reason is that I started out too fast. Get a heart rate monitor, figure out your aerobic heart rate zone (google it), and then keep in that zone. If you have to walk to do it, do it. As you get fitter, you can start running and stay in the zone. Trust me, you will start to enjoying it, and how it makes you feel when you are done. I have kept 60 lbs or so off for five years now by running and lifting weights. Let me know how it goes.

I think it's all in your mentality. When I first started out - I did not like it, but eventually I began to be more proud of finally being able to go 15, 20, 30, and 45 min and still feel good, and then completing my first 8K under my goal. It's not about being the fastest, but more so about feeling good. You may want to read more into proper running form, which could help you with being tired so early. You may be wasting a lot of energy based on your form.

If you don't really want to be a runner, I wouldn't suggest you run. Finding something you WILL do is fundamental to choosing a workout. I am currently on Week 6 of C25K and it's definitely a state of mind. --> So, if you don't want to be a runner, the program won't make you one. It does gradually transitions you into NOT HATING IT WITH A PASSION if you follow the program. Most of the time I find myself fighting my thoughts. I wanna stop right this moment, but I keep pressing until I finish. I remember when I started the program and running for a minute was the longest and walking for 1 1/2 was the shortest. Now I can run for 30min without stopping to walk and I still have 3 more weeks to go in the program.

One thing I have learned from this program is before I pushed myself way too hard to say I was trying to run distance. You have to pace yourself and this program will help you do that. Talking to one of my MFP friends, I found out that the the run should actually be a converstional jog. Yeah, that sounds really slow and won't help a lot with fat burning is what you might be thinking. I typically increase and decrease my speed in intervals.

Ok, I'm giving a lot of personal experience here, so I'll stop and you can inbox me if you have any questions (let's let some other ppl comment) So, just ask yourself, "Do I really wanna be a runner?" If the answer is yes, give C25k a try. If the answer is no, work that elliptical baby. Or experiment with other things you might enjoy. What ever you do, KEEP IT MOVING!

I agree with the folks doing the C25K. I bought a treadmill a few years ago with every intention of toning up. I started dreading it every day and started to make excuses as to why I didn't want to run that day. Then I started doing the C25K and although the first few times was hard, I found myself starting to really enjoy it. I've even started running outside which is even better!

I have always hated running. I am on week 6 of the c25k program right now and it honestly hasn't gotten any better yet. I want a runners body so I try to think of that when I am running but I find it kind of boring and it doesn't help that I have quite a bit of pain when I run in my right hip and left knee. I always thought if I got into it I would grow to love running like so many people you read about on here but so far it still hasn't happened for me. I am, however, commited to finishing the program and completing the 5k I signed up for after I finish. If I still hate running after that I will probably move on to something else but I definitely want to give it a fair shot. I do feel a sense of accomplishment after each run but it's not really enough for me to find it enjoyable.

It's about music!
Get some fast pumpy music you like (or Rock) and it will urge you on!

I prefer cycling to running, so maybe running isn't for you?
But I do run and the more I do it, the easier it becomes.
You won't know what people love about running till you get there and that takes dedication and determination.
Take one day at a time and increase the amount you do each day.
Doing it enough will make you love it (and that goes for any exercise).

The benefits are more than just physical!