To ask if running ever becomes easy?

[Chem17]

Just curious - I’ve been running quite a bit over the past few weeks, getting fitter and am definitely going to keep going with it, but I wondered if once I’ve done it for a year or however long, does it become ‘easy’ - I.e. will I not be very out of breath/feeling tired? Or is this just not how it works?

It does get easier. I hated it at the start and now I've just signed up for my first marathon.

My tip is to take the pressure off. If I'm having a bad run/not in the right headspace I'll make it shorter. If I'm enjoying it, I'll just carry on. Did 16miles that way once much to my surprise! But I'd never have done it if I thought I have to do 16miles today.

A lot of it is mind over matter.

It never did for me. I gave it 18 months and never broke the 10k barrier. I never experienced that rush of endorphins, never got close to leaving the 'this is just awful' feeling behind. When I stopped running completely it was a good feeling. Perhaps there's something wrong with me??

Someone mentioned podcasts above. Just leaving this here for anyone like me who found motivating themselves to get out and run. I love the Zombies Run app. It’s like a radio play with missions and I found it really made the run seem quick. You can turn the chases on and off for interval training. I also did their couch to 5k.

You achieve more with the same percieved effort.

Some runs are a euphoric joy. Far more runs aren't

Go somewhere that makes you feel good. My body loathed 10k the other day, it's still grudging me from a really good HM a few weeks ago. My muscles are still tight as sin and the run was more of a walk...but the sun was shining, the scenery was beautiful and other than my legs whinging like a sullen pair of toddlers I absolutely loved it.

I did parkrun yesterday in the park where I completed C25k 5 years ago. W9R3 was tough, I underestimated the hills. Yesterday my child was with me and it was hot, so we took it gently, but even the running bits and jogging gently uphil barely registered the effort on my watch.

It doesn't necessarily feel easier, but sometimes you get these epiphanies where you realise it actually has

@SallyOMalley - depends what you like to listen to. Shagged married annoyed, or my dad wrote a porno are good for a giggle all the way round. I quite like Off Menu which is about food, or Teenage Mixtape which is about music. I listen to quite a lot - I have a very bouncy dog that needs walking - and the more you listen to, the more you link to other ones you might like too

Blimey I must be going wrong somewhere. I’ve been running for approx 6 years and I still dislike running, I’ve never got to the stage where I could just run for miles and miles, perhaps I’m just not a natural runner, but I do it to keep fit and it does keep the weight off so I can drink wine and eat chocolate

I run 3 times a week 5/6k sometimes longer distance. Although I don’t enjoy the actual running as it’s such hard work, I do enjoy the feeling after which is why I guess I’ve been doing it for so long.

Not for me.

I still feel every minute and don't get any sort of rush when I finish. It's a chore.

It does get easier as you get fitter until you overdo it and fuck your knees

I'm not sure I'd say it gets easier, but you will get better and be able to go faster and further.
When I started I couldn't even run for 30sec, now I run marathons, but I still find some runs really hard. Today's hilly, trail 10k, was seriously hard, but it's the hard runs that give me a buzz.

It gets easier it never gets easy, your distance will take less time to cover and you can run further,

Well done OP it's in of best exercises you can do.

Ultra marathon runner here, can't say it's ever got easy, some runs are easier than others or more enjoyable than others. I've never ever got into that zone where you just feel like you can keep going and going though - it appears to be a magical place I can't reach! 🤣

I do love it though despite the crazy distances I seem to sign myself up to - the feeling of achievement is worth it - just doesn't necessarily feel it at the time!

In my experience yes it does. I've been a regular runner for around 12 years now (was out at 7am this morning). I now HAVE to run on my days off, not for my love of it but force of habit. Although it gets easier I never find it really easy as I think you push yourself that little bit more the easier it gets.