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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask how you enjoy running?

60 replies

thewinehasgonetomyhead · 29/04/2019 10:00

I have tried running several times in the past, but every run just feels like an effort and so I give up. I’ve done couch 2 5k, completed it, ran a charity 5k then stopped as I simply didn’t enjoy it.

I’m feeling inspired after watching the marathon yesterday and would love to give it another try. I’m going to do couch 3 5k again, but all you runners out there, how can I enjoy running??

OP posts:

AsleepAllDay · 29/04/2019 19:05

I've never enjoyed running, so following this with interest

lljkk · 29/04/2019 19:21

The buzz I feel afterwards is great. The first 5 minutes I feel successful as long as I keep moving. The rest I enjoy b/c I enjoy challenges & running is very challenging to me. I Love how it's a good quick workout.

Pinkvici22 · 29/04/2019 22:27

I only started running 2 years ago. I’ve dove park runs and a 10k race. Some days I love it (when it’s nice weather, I have time and can switch off - it helps my stress levels), some days I just don’t enjoy it at all (I struggle to breathe, feel heavy and tired), but the good days make me feel so amazing afterwards it’s worth it and pushes me to keep it up.

Strokethefurrywall · 29/04/2019 22:40

I always tell myself to go and "get my happy", which for me is a run.

I love most forms of exercise and do a lot of F45 and whilst that keeps me in great shape, it doesn't give me the "happy" that running does.

I tend to go as the sun rises here (hot country) so watching the sky change color and the sun breaking the water is a joy and peace like no other.
Feeling a steady breath and footfalls, listening to excellent music, a riveting podcast or nothing at all means it becomes almost meditative.

Like I said, I do other forms of exercise for fitness and shape, I run for the "happy" I get when I do it.

itchykneessan · 29/04/2019 22:50

I have been a runner (a slow one, but a runner nonetheless) for 14 years now. I love running, but I don't enjoy every run. Sometimes my body feels all wrong and I have heavy legs and it's just difficult. But other times, I feel great, as if I could go on forever. It makes me feel happy, powerful, strong and free. If I push myself and run further or faster than usual, I enjoy the ache I get afterwards - it's satisfying somehow.

I used to run with music, then I just ran with nothing for a good few years. I don't listen to anything when I take part in races, but now when I run, I listen to podcasts. I really enjoy that.

I agree with others who have said that the first few miles are tough as you're warming up. Actually I think it's sometimes easier to run longer distances for this reason. I've run 2 marathons and 10 or 11 half marathons and I sometimes think a 5k is harder!

I hope you find something that works for you, as running has given me a great deal, I think.

panticus · 29/04/2019 23:16

Slow down, up the distance and get out on some trails. It was a complete game changer to me to discover trail running. Unless you’re very light, road running is horrible! Hills and rugged terrain are where it’s at!

I completely agree with @Thatsnotmyotter

Trail running is so much more enjoyable - the scenery, terrain and elevation (I love hills too) keeps it interesting. I think a lot of beginner runners try run at a pace that makes it really unenjoyable - you should be able to easily hold a conversation on a long run. Slow down and up the distance - it almost feels like meditation to me once you get the right rhythm.

Hearhere · 04/05/2019 00:32

I love runningtoo

SrSteveOskowski · 04/05/2019 00:59

I don't enjoy it but a friend of mine said this to be lately and I thought it was funny.

"Run like there's a hot guy in front of you and a creepy guy behind you"

MrsBAF · 04/05/2019 01:09

Even with music I find running boring (aside from competing against yourself). I can't shut my mind up.

But I do like competitive sports or activities with speed, like skiing

goldenchicken · 04/05/2019 01:13

Could you not go for walks instead (like sturdy, speedwalking IYSWIM.)

I walk 10 to 12 miles a week, and it keeps me relatively fit. (Also cycle maybe 10 miles a week too.)

Thinkinghappythoughts · 04/05/2019 01:22

I read somewhere that if you could get the effects of exercise as a pill everyone would be taking it. Also I believe that over the age of 40 exercise is like a preventative medicine. Instead of that wonder pill I try to do some form of fast-paced exercise 3 times a week. That is what motivates me to put on my runners at least once a week. I do park run every couple of weeks, sometimes meet up with a friend to a local 7km beautiful running track and am going to join a running climb.

For me it is a mixture of the right motivation and conditions to make it bearable. I don't actually really enjoy it though. I do it as a means to an end, which I value.

Thinkinghappythoughts · 04/05/2019 01:29

Another thing - it took me months to get to the stage where I could "run" over 5 km. I walked and ran for ages and now I jog slowly with many water breaks!

Going too fast too soon will make you hate it. Also like others have said podcasts and music really help with the boredom and pain.

Hearhere · 04/05/2019 10:31

I think in many ways fast walking can be as good as running, there are fewer risks of injuries, you do have to do quite a lot of walking and that is time-consuming!
I currently run about 15 miles a week but I walk about 35 miles a week

Siameasy · 04/05/2019 10:39

I don’t enjoy it at all and never have. You could do other sports. I love hill walking or a good hike as I love the fresh air and it’s invigorating but running, ugh. Find something you love

Notageek · 04/05/2019 10:46

There’s a running meme that says something like ‘I’m a runner....I love wearing comfy clothes, eating carbs, getting medals ...the running not so much’ . This pretty much sums me up 😀

I run with a great social running club ..I go along have a chat and a catch up with buddies. We do intensive hill, interval, tempo and paced sessions. Once a week we do trail runs on various routes around the local countryside finishing up in a pub! Its all this that I love ..not the actual plodding the pavements.

Runssometimes · 04/05/2019 11:04

I disliked running as a child and always said I wasn’t a runner. It took me three attempts to complete couch 2 5K but then I started running a bit more regularly. When I do it I feel amazing afterwards, never regret going for a run. I run with my dog at night or do Parkruns. Because I hated it so much as a kid I’ve started encouraging my 7 year old to do junior parkruns. I’ve signed up for the royal parks half marathon in October to give myself a target. The furthest I’ve run before is 6k and I’ve not run at all in 2 months. This weekend I’m going to go out again and see how I feel.

PhannyMcNee · 04/05/2019 11:07

I’m on my 3rd C25K. The last 2 times I did it on my own. This time a friend asked me to do it with her so I am and it is so much better! We chat for the entire time, slow down if we can’t talk and set the world to rights. Last night we even celebrated with a post run G&T

Thekitten · 04/05/2019 11:10

I don't enjoy running. But I enjoy finishing a 5k run, and seeing if I did better than last time, and I get "runners high" which does wonders for my mental health. I just force myself to do it

TheStoic · 04/05/2019 11:12

I love it and look forward to it.

But it’s essential for me to be running at a pace just below my anaerobic threshold (google can give you a better explanation of that than I could!), and that my music matches my cadence.

Hearhere · 04/05/2019 11:33

I think running reaches the parts that other forms of exercise don't reach, but it's very easy to get too into it and end up injured, partly because you neglect strength training and flexibility training and you just want to run all the time!

suzuki650 · 04/05/2019 16:09

I love the smug feeling afterwards, I tend to start running for a few months then get bored & stop again. When I'm doing it I aim for 5 k but the first 10mins of each run is just pain & tears 😂 after that not so bad. I was bought a garmin for my birthday & trying to get all of my "active minutes" on that a week is encouraging me to do more. Dodgy 90's tunes are you're friend!

dontforgettofloss · 04/05/2019 16:31

Try "jeffing", it's a run- walk thing invented by a man called Jeff Galloway, basically you run a bit, then briskly walk a bit, I'm part of a group of Jeffers on Facebook, most of them use a ratio eg 30/90, or 2 minutes of running, 30 seconds of walking. I just listen to my body, when I feel I need to walk, I will, there's no point carrying on if my legs are hurting and I can't breathe!
I find it helps me run faster when I do run, and as pp's have said, once you've done about 5k, you get into more of a rhythm, and the walking (for me) reduces a bit.
I also really enjoy making playlists on Spotify (think I enjoy doing that more than the running itself ) and the "runners high", after is really good.

Runssometimes · 04/05/2019 17:54

What are everyone’s top running tubes? I need to refresh my playlist. I love Immigrant Song by Led Zeppelin- always gets my legs pumping.

Runssometimes · 04/05/2019 17:54

Tunes not tubes, BTW

AliceAbsolum · 04/05/2019 18:05

I did couch to 100k and 0-5k was by far the hardest. The more you do it the easier it gets!

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