Should I Stop Jogging?

legnarevocrednu
legnarevocrednu Posts: 467 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Okay I know this is really a decision only I can make, but some input would be appreciated! In the middle of February, I started the C25K. I completed it around the beginning of May. I've still been jogging 2 to 3 times a week, just working on speed. However, I DESPISE jogging! I really cant stand it. I find it boring and I stare at the clock just waiting to be done (that's only one reason I don't like it, so I don't need ideas on how to make it less boring...I've tried everything anyway). The benefits are undeniable. I can tell I've toned up all over (legs, thighs, lower belly etc), and I thank the program for that. My problem is now, if I know I'm about to jog, I often drive right pass the gym! I dread it so much, that I haven't been going as often. My worry is that if I give up the jogging, the benefits I received from it will disappear! I don't want to go backwards fitness wise. I don't mind the elliptical or anything else I do, it's just the jogging. Has anyone else stopped jogging and noticed a negative difference? Also, it's hard to give up on something that's taken me 4 months to get to. Before the program, I would have never attempted to jog 30 seconds, much less 30 minutes! Will my endurance be effected? If I do decide to take up jogging again in the future, will I have to start back at square one, even if I've been keeping myself fit other ways? I know there are a lot of people here that really enjoy jogging, so this may be hard to understand. Anyways, input is appreciated! :)
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Replies

  • legnarevocrednu
    legnarevocrednu Posts: 467 Member
    Okay I know this is really a decision only I can make, but some input would be appreciated! In the middle of February, I started the C25K. I completed it around the beginning of May. I've still been jogging 2 to 3 times a week, just working on speed. However, I DESPISE jogging! I really cant stand it. I find it boring and I stare at the clock just waiting to be done (that's only one reason I don't like it, so I don't need ideas on how to make it less boring...I've tried everything anyway). The benefits are undeniable. I can tell I've toned up all over (legs, thighs, lower belly etc), and I thank the program for that. My problem is now, if I know I'm about to jog, I often drive right pass the gym! I dread it so much, that I haven't been going as often. My worry is that if I give up the jogging, the benefits I received from it will disappear! I don't want to go backwards fitness wise. I don't mind the elliptical or anything else I do, it's just the jogging. Has anyone else stopped jogging and noticed a negative difference? Also, it's hard to give up on something that's taken me 4 months to get to. Before the program, I would have never attempted to jog 30 seconds, much less 30 minutes! Will my endurance be effected? If I do decide to take up jogging again in the future, will I have to start back at square one, even if I've been keeping myself fit other ways? I know there are a lot of people here that really enjoy jogging, so this may be hard to understand. Anyways, input is appreciated! :)
    I guess another option would be to attempt to jog outside? I have decided that if I do stop jogging, I will be doing the 30 Day Shred DVD.
  • samf36
    samf36 Posts: 369 Member
    I was going to ask if you had tried outside yet? I much would rahter be out than in the smelly guy.
  • jgic2009
    jgic2009 Posts: 531 Member
    Oh my goodness -- get your butt outside for your next run! The treadmill is awful in comparison.

    If you still don't like it after a few runs outside, then go ahead and give it up. There are so many ways to get a good workout--no sense in sticking to one you hate!
  • dawlschic007
    dawlschic007 Posts: 636 Member
    Definitely give it a try outside. At first, I only ran on the treadmill but now I'm outside as much as possible. It's soooooooooo much better than running on a treadmill. I don't even need to listen to music while I'm running outside because there is so much other stuff to pay attention to. Find a nice park/lake/scenic route to run in and see if you enjoy the difference. I will say that running outside has its own set of challenges but it is not boring.
  • kgprice11
    kgprice11 Posts: 749 Member
    Running outside is so much fun....checking out the scenery and the women/guys. It is so much different compared to a treadmill...thats boring stuff
  • Becool75
    Becool75 Posts: 3
    I like you started and finished the C25k (best thing ever)and I also used to hate jogging on a treadmill. However this time I started running outside, and it has really helped. You can vary your routes, and it has a more pleasant view. The other side benefit is you can pick routes that force you to extend your running as you have gone so far and now have to get home. Using this technique I have gone from 5k to 10k.
  • paul_draper
    paul_draper Posts: 91 Member
    Yes, run outside. In the sun, the wind, the rain. Connect to the real world. You've gotten so far and it seems a shame to waste it.
  • legnarevocrednu
    legnarevocrednu Posts: 467 Member
    Thanks guys! During the program, I did jog outside 3 times. I didn't like it because it was still in intervals and it was just annoying to pay attention to the time. Maybe now that I'm finished and can jog for a straight 30 minutes, it will make a difference. I will give it a shot this week and see how it goes! It's raining today...just my luck!
  • NevaStar
    NevaStar Posts: 9
    Yes run outdside ! Even if it's not on a cool trail or scenic area ! Around your neighborhood could be interesting ! And when you're outside I find check points that help me with speed. After every time i'm like how much faster can I get to this area or a specific item like a bench or mail box. And I think about it all day and I am excited for my next run than !
  • RedHotRunner
    RedHotRunner Posts: 850 Member
    They don't call it the dreadmill for nothing. Get outside!
  • bottleblack
    bottleblack Posts: 1
    Have you thought about signing up for a race? Sometimes having a goal is enough motivation to push yourself to improve or want to train with some frequency.
  • omma_to_3
    omma_to_3 Posts: 3,265 Member
    Give it a month of running outside and see what you think.
  • Pedal_Pusher
    Pedal_Pusher Posts: 1,166 Member
    Treadmill blows. Jog outside, it keeps things interesting.
  • morgansmom02
    morgansmom02 Posts: 1,131 Member
    I can't do it on the treadmill. I have to do it outside! Put your headphones in and go! You can also download a zombie app for your phone to make it more fun!
  • Pedal_Pusher
    Pedal_Pusher Posts: 1,166 Member
    Have you thought about signing up for a race? Sometimes having a goal is enough motivation to push yourself to improve or want to train with some frequency.

    Sound advice.
  • FatUncleRob
    FatUncleRob Posts: 341
    Try running outside and try signing up for a 5K race. :smile:
    Having a race to prepare for helps you focus and it is a lot of fun running with other people.
    I love the atmosphere before and after a race, it's really cool!
  • RiannonC
    RiannonC Posts: 145 Member
    When I started jogging (as a sophomore in high school) I hated it and only did it because my friends were doing it. 15 years later as a 29 year old mom of 2, I LOVE jogging! Somewhere along the way, it grew on me and now it provides me with stress relief, time to think, time to spend with my friends. Most people I know who became runners did not enjoy it at first. I wouldn't give up on it just yet.

    When I started I was running outside, running with friends, running with music occasionally, and I still didn't like the running part of it. Now I have completed two marathons and run half marathons routinely, but more importantly, it is FUN. It might take more time than you expected to grow to love it, but I wouldn't be surprised if it eventually happens. Something about running, it's addictive after a while :)
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member

    I guess another option would be to attempt to jog outside? I have decided that if I do stop jogging, I will be doing the 30 Day Shred DVD.

    I was just about to ask if you were outdoors or in. When you said you drive by the gym, that's when I realized you were jogging indoors. Yuck!

    I hate running too, and generally don't do it and jump rope or run sprint intervals instead. But there is no way I can run indoors, either on a treadmill or on one of those tracks inside the gym. BOOOOORING!!! I totlally agree with you. Why don't you run outside? It's so much better, plus you probably don't have to drive anywhere. Just get up from your house and go. Or find a nice spot on the way home from work. Fresh air, new people to check out, drivers, bikers and dogs to watch out for....it's just so much better. Night and day difference.
  • LilRedRooster
    LilRedRooster Posts: 1,421 Member
    You've done 4 months on just a TREADMILL?? How utterly boring. I can't stand 20mins, much less 4 months of it. I get horribly bored, too, and I love running. Get outside. Seriously. It makes a huge difference. And you'll get a better workout, because it'll be harder.
  • DG_Allen
    DG_Allen Posts: 219 Member
    1. Get outside like everyone else says
    2. Sign up for a race
    3. Have fun! Run at a park, run on a trail, run with a friend, say hi to your neighbors.
    4. Don't "jog" but run easily and with less effort.
  • nikkincs
    nikkincs Posts: 22 Member
    I've heard about that zombie game! have you tried it?
  • amuhlou
    amuhlou Posts: 693 Member
    I wouldn't say I LOVE jogging, but I do know I HATE the treadmill as opposed to outside. I try to jog outside as much as possible when the weather is nice because Michigan spring/summer seems so short!

    Definitely try outside! There's so much to look at and take in.

    It's also more challenging, so take it slow at first. Your speed will probably decrease as you adjust to uneven ground & slight changes in elevation.
  • myfitnessnmhoy
    myfitnessnmhoy Posts: 2,105 Member
    Thanks guys! During the program, I did jog outside 3 times. I didn't like it because it was still in intervals and it was just annoying to pay attention to the time. Maybe now that I'm finished and can jog for a straight 30 minutes, it will make a difference. I will give it a shot this week and see how it goes! It's raining today...just my luck!

    So get outside and run for fun! I know you're following C25K, but you can also just get out and run/jog/fast walk at a pace you can sustain, and focus on enjoying the scenery once in a while. It doesn't ALL have to be serious training. In fact, if your exercise is always serious training, I respectfully submit that you might be doing it wrong.

    And if you are serious training, are you training for an actual 5K? I find that training for an event really helps with motivation (but for goodness sake, real 5Ks are outside and if you have only trained on a dreadmill a real honest 5K is going to be completely different - train outside as much as you can!)

    If you're not training for an event, try something different. Go find a tall, steep mountain and hike up it. Use those buff powerful legs to find something worth looking at. :bigsmile:
  • How_to_save_a_life
    How_to_save_a_life Posts: 3
    I've been in the same position as you when I was a new runner.....even on days I look forward to a run I sometimes dread it....and Ive completed a half Marathon and 15 5K's....on days I find my motivation or energy down ...i start with a 5 minute walk at a brisk pace....if i walk the whole route Great....but more times than not after 5 minutes I start running and go anywhere from 4 to 6 miles...

    On the treadmill.....I have to do HIIT or swallowing thumb tacks would be more fun...

    keep your head up....it's not easy some days and you are NOT alone!
  • legnarevocrednu
    legnarevocrednu Posts: 467 Member
    When I started jogging (as a sophomore in high school) I hated it and only did it because my friends were doing it. 15 years later as a 29 year old mom of 2, I LOVE jogging! Somewhere along the way, it grew on me and now it provides me with stress relief, time to think, time to spend with my friends. Most people I know who became runners did not enjoy it at first. I wouldn't give up on it just yet.

    When I started I was running outside, running with friends, running with music occasionally, and I still didn't like the running part of it. Now I have completed two marathons and run half marathons routinely, but more importantly, it is FUN. It might take more time than you expected to grow to love it, but I wouldn't be surprised if it eventually happens. Something about running, it's addictive after a while :)
    That makes me feel better! I WANT to love it because of how beneficial it's been. Hopefully I'll get there! You guys have inspired me to keep going! There is a park right down the street from where I work and it's on the way home, so it's perfect! :)
  • Flab2fitfi
    Flab2fitfi Posts: 1,349 Member
    again try outside - I have a treadmill at home but never use unless I'm stuck inside due to poorly kids or even the weather gets really bad. I like jogging outside as each time I get a new target to reach and once I get better I can change my route.
  • JMJohnson1005
    JMJohnson1005 Posts: 209 Member
    I feel the same way when I run on the treadmill. I have recently switched to running outside. Even though it is a lot harder, I love it! I get to see all the different people out and about and the beautiful scenery of the park. I switch up my route each day just to mix it up a bit. I would suggest trying that. If that doesn’t work, then you may want to give it up, at least for a bit. I don’t think your body will regress unless you stop working out completely.
  • scottb81
    scottb81 Posts: 2,538 Member
    If I do decide to take up jogging again in the future, will I have to start back at square one, even if I've been keeping myself fit other ways?
    Maybe not all the way back to square one but probably no better than square two. Fitness for running is muscle specific
  • FatCopThinCop
    FatCopThinCop Posts: 40 Member
    For me, I wish I could run. My knees are shot and from other things than running. For you, I would not stop running. Just don't do it as often. I do believe you would be going backwards in the running department but if you keep the other things going and use Running as one of those things you have to do, once or twice a week and fit other things you like in for your other workouts. Only stop runnng if you hurt I say. Go to the gym. Don't stop that. As life goes on, you will find many reasons not to go workout. You have to be true to yourself. I know you don't want to be overweight or unable to keep up with people twice your age, so keep going. If you don't, you will not be able to keep up with your own kids one day. If you need to take a break, then do so but do something else instead of running but get back to running soon. Take a week off if you need.

    I know I am kinda all over the place, but don't give up.. Keep wanting more and the rest will fall into place.

    Good luck and you can do it!
  • Chagama
    Chagama Posts: 543 Member
    Try outside, it makes a huge difference. I can run for hours outside, up to 20 miles in a workout, and I've done several marathons. But in the winter on the treadmill, it's a struggle to get through 4 or 5 miles. The boredom and tedium just wear me down.

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