Help! When will I love running?!?

[BebeBelge]

So everyone I know who runs loves it and is quite evangelistic about it. They usually say that it is tough but there comes a point where you just wake up one day and you love it and you are a runner.

I want to love it, I really do. It would certainly make it easier to get out the door each time if I did! To make matters worse, I am really struggling to run an actual 5k after working through the couch to 5k. The best I've managed is 4.7km in about 34mins so I guess I am a slow runner too.

Did you love it from the start? Or when did you love it? Please encourage me lovely Mumsnetters, as I don't want give up as I do feel so much fitter now than a few months ago so don't want to lose that. I've also signed up for a 10k in May next year. If I could just crack that 5k maybe I'll love if too??

Ooooh, maybe I'm wrong and no one loves running after all...

Have you looked for a running club in your area? They usually do several sessions a week and can give structure to your training.
I've found it really motivating to keep going and also they are good at helping with tips to improve. For example your time for (nearly) 5k is really good as you've recently started, what can help improve is a mixture of working on speed with interval sessions (bit like C25k) and increasing your distance (you don't have to go fast).

I guess this gives away that I do love running! Only started in March with C25k but really enjoying it!

I finished c25k last month and will do my third park run on Saturday. I have to say I don't love running until I finish. Then I absolutely love it until my next run. I love park run but am so slow. About 40 mins for 5k. I too want to know when it will become more of a pleasure than a chore. I can't give up though as I think I'm addicted.

I have run 3 half marathons since taking up running 2 years ago. I am very slow though. I don't love it, I love it after I've run and I love the idea of it, but I don't particularly enjoy going out.

Auntfini - yes! That's how I feel exactly! I am supposed to be going out in half an hour but I'm sitting here Mumsnetting!

I really like the idea of a running club but I live abroad and there isn't an English language one near here it's also about 30 degrees outside.

Ach well, I'll just have to push on. I'm going to try again for the elusive 5k again tonight! Thanks!

im working on my 5k time.....31.27 is best so far. I want sub 30! i'm doing nothampton 'colour run' on Saturday. then its half marathon training with running club

I like to download new music to listen to,spurrs me on
new route?
incorporate some hills....good for building up speed. try and plan something new or different to keep you motivated

I don't time myself. I only run 3 miles everyday, then I do 6 miles a couple of times a week.

I run off road which requires a bit of concentration, which helps stop it being boring, I also change my music.

If I eat anything in the two hour pre run I don't enjoy it.

I stretch in front of a full length mirror and admire my improved body

Well, I managed 5k last night! Took 36 mins though Would love to get sub-30. That'll be my next goal!

Is interval training when you alternate walking and running, or is it when you alternate running really fast with normal running?

Well done! I didn't love running till I could run for an hour without stopping, then I worked on speed with interval training, running very fast for twenty seconds five times at the end of my run.

Now I can run ten k in fifty minutes and i'm happy with that.

Still don't always love it, find it boring sometimes.

I HATE the first 10 minutes and never think I'll get through them but then I do and I keep going and it is fun.
I always find an opportunity for a shiny medal and a goody bag helps!
Signing up for races is a good plan - I need to have a goal to work towards.

Intervals can be run/jog or run/walk. The length of intervals can vary. As a beginner run/walk is probably more suitable.
I did the running club interval session this week and walked the recovery. As an example it was 800m run, 250m walk x2 then 400m run, 200m walk x4 = one circuit (its a figure of 8 on two fields). The experienced runners did 4 circuits totalling 5 miles. I did two!

Have a look at this which has training tips.

Well done on reaching 5k!

I recommend this book for all reluctant runners- it is funny but very true- Run Fat Bitch Run

I know how you feel OP but today I finally had a break through and enjoyed running! It's taken about 3 and a half weeks plus I went for a run after a body pump class so was already, well, pumped!

For the first time it felt fun and I felt free rather than sore and grumpy. I bloody hope its not a one off.

18 months after taking up running I still sometimes don't enjoy it. But the times I do enjoy it are more now. I find running with friends and chatting helps. I also like to do lone runs with music playing. When you get in the zone and think about other stuff whilst you run is the best. I agree though that the first 10 mins are always the worst.

I like the headspace that running with my musics gives me. I also like seeing my times get faster and my max distance get longer, and having a Garmin watch has really helped me work on the times.

For me, going on my own is part of the attraction, so no clubs or friends, but I've been following the Womens Running mag half marathon training plan, and thats been great for a realistic structure thats not boring

Sometimes I feel like the luckiest person in the world when I'm running, last night a roe doe suddenly appeared on the track and it was such a happy sort of shock. She must have sprinkled some magical running powder for me because my final km (bumpy, uphill) was the fastest of them all. I've been trying to come home faster than I went out for ages.

Sometimes I don't log my runs or wear my garmin watch,just put a mark on my week planner to say I ran or a zero if I didn't. I love looking at how many miles I run a week, a month or more on garmin connect though - they add up so quickly. It's easier to love running when the improvements and gains are immediate and obvious I think, but there are phases where it's not so dramatic or measurable and it's more of a chore. That's probably when it's time for some new kit and or a few days off?

englishteacher78
I HATE the first 10 minutes and never think I'll get through them but then I do and I keep going and it is fun.

I don't like the first few minutes either, but have read that it takes approximately 10 minutes for the body to adjust to running from walking/being stationery, hence the harder perceived effort at the beginning.

To answer the OP, I think running gets easier once you're running a few times a week and have built up distance gradually. Then you can enjoy your surroundings and your mind can wander, without focusing too much on the effort of running.

I'm the same as englishteacher - when I start running, I do think 'Why in God's name am I doing this to myself!?' However I'm fairly new to running - I've only really been doing it for the last two months or so, and haven't ever run for longer than 7k or so.

However I find the biggest motivations for me are:-

1. Parkrun. Knowing that I'll improve my time every week is so encouraging! It's only 5k and it's such a fun thing to do I look forward to waking up early for it!

1. Losing weight. I've lost 3 stone so far and feel amazingly fit (relatively) for the first time in ages. I can also eat for England on days when I've been running which is win-win!

1. Buying new gear! I've invested in some really snazzy bright high tech running clothes and trainers - something I never thought I'd be excited by!

Any sort of club you can join to make it more sociable might be the way forward?

I've tried and still dislike it.
I've done a triathlon, I've done park run, a charity run and I've run alone.
I just don't enjoy it.

I love cycling, I like playing netball, I swim, I do weights Etc.
Running is not my sport!

Yup, lots of research says the first 10 minutes is worst in terms of perceived effort!
But when you hit your stride it's awesome!
And when you get a shiny medal it's even better!

I also tried to love running, I was managing 25 miles a week but just too many injuries niggles aches and pains. I lift weights swim, walk, cycle but I've decided running isn't for me!

or to put it another way...
I'm in my late 40's, I have no desire to run a marathon (way too much potential for damage!) or win any races, I just want to stay lean and maintain a good level of strength and cv fitness, I've realised that I can only do that if I make staying injury free a priority.

I know there are people older than me who clock up 50, 70 miles a week, I dont know how they do it....they must just be built for running
I really wish I could do that kind of mileage but the cost benefit ratio for me just doesnt add up :(