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Original poster

How to make running more tolerable

37 replies

Whatwouldscullydo · 27/04/2025 19:47

I try to run 5k twice a week usually on a treadmill. I dont suppose there's any secret to making it less of a chore. I have a play list and 2 podcasts I alternate between and still it's the hardest 35 mins × 2 of the week.

I'm always glad I've done it afterwards but by god it's so mind numbingly boring I really need to know if there's a way to make running easier to get through

OP posts:
Hohofortherobbers · 27/04/2025 19:49

Make 1 of them a park run. Sunshine, fresh air, community spirit. Email congratulating you after and an inspiration to improve your time. Win win

LovelySG · 27/04/2025 19:49

I run outside - in nature - with a friend. I love the fresh air and trees and a catch up.

WingBingo · 27/04/2025 19:53

do it more often, it will get easier then.

Not what you wanted to hear!

sorrynotathome · 27/04/2025 19:54

Go outside - and speed up a bit (then it will go quicker).

Original poster
Whatwouldscullydo · 27/04/2025 19:54

I dont even know.if I have a park run near me. I dont really like running in the day. If I run outside it's usually at night. Cooler , less people to see u sweating like crazy .

I will have a look see if I have a local one though. Would make a change from the treadmill. I'd worry I would slow the.poor bugger who ran with me down though. I'm a bit slow 😳

OP posts:
Disasterclass · 27/04/2025 19:56

Agree running outside is better. Things to look at and you have to engage your brain more. I save up really good podcasts, but also find once you get better at running you stop thinking about it (except for the first 5 minutes which are always awful)

OfDragonsDeep · 27/04/2025 19:56

Run outside, I can’t run on the treadmill, but outside I can do 10k. I go slow and don’t wear myself out too much.

Original poster
Whatwouldscullydo · 27/04/2025 19:57

WingBingo · 27/04/2025 19:53

do it more often, it will get easier then.

Not what you wanted to hear!

🤣🤣 If I tried to fit any more in I'd have to quit my job .

OP posts:
IReallyLoveItHere · 27/04/2025 19:57

Loads of people walk park runs so you'll probably be in the top half.

I do think it is easier to run outside because you you can't just stop any time, you have to run home again.

ginslinger · 27/04/2025 20:03

run outside and join a group - much more fun to have someone to chat to as you run plus you have accountability with a group - you turn up!

Original poster
Whatwouldscullydo · 27/04/2025 20:05

I do think it is easier to run outside because you you can't just stop any time, you have to run home again

There is that. It doesn't help I'm not 100% happy with my route. I have a nice little 3km route i was happy with but the extension i added to make it 5km, it just doesn't feel as nice if that makes sense. I have to run past my house again and that immediately kinda makes me want to not carry on 😳 and I have to.zig zag the last bit to make sure I hit the distance.

But obviously as I do it at night I don't wanna be going through parks 😬

OP posts:
Fizbosshoes · 27/04/2025 20:08

I'm a runner and I find more than 10 seconds minutes on a treadmill unbelievably dull.
I much prefer running outside and/or running with a friend.
I think parkrun is great, but appreciate not everyone does. People will be all different speeds and if you can run 5k already you'll be faster than lots of the people there - not that it matters. Lots of parkruns are laps so you can't always tell where everyone else is in relation to you

Gwenhwyfar · 27/04/2025 20:13

IReallyLoveItHere · 27/04/2025 19:57

Loads of people walk park runs so you'll probably be in the top half.

I do think it is easier to run outside because you you can't just stop any time, you have to run home again.

Of course you can stop at any time! It's actually harder to stop on the treadmill because you'll fall.

BogRollBOGOF · 27/04/2025 20:24

Gwenhwyfar · 27/04/2025 20:13

Of course you can stop at any time! It's actually harder to stop on the treadmill because you'll fall.

Show quote history

You can pause outside, but you've got to get back home or to the car.

I did once quit a run at a chip shop and walk back the rest of the way. Can't do that on a treadmill Grin
To be fair I had gone a substantial distance and CBAed with the last mile or two, and the last of the deep fatigue from my marathon the previous month hadn't quite shifted.

Clearinguptheclutter · 27/04/2025 20:28

Def try running outside. Summer evenings can just be glorious. Ideally find a group (mine are all ladies of a certain age, mostly 40+ and none of us are fast) and/or try a local Parkrun. There are hundreds in the UK
now.’

Gwenhwyfar · 27/04/2025 20:30

BogRollBOGOF · 27/04/2025 20:24

You can pause outside, but you've got to get back home or to the car.

I did once quit a run at a chip shop and walk back the rest of the way. Can't do that on a treadmill Grin
To be fair I had gone a substantial distance and CBAed with the last mile or two, and the last of the deep fatigue from my marathon the previous month hadn't quite shifted.

Show quote history

As you say, you can walk back home, or take the bus. You can also just turn around after 5 minutes.

I do think outside is better, more interesting and cheaper, but you can definitely stop whenever you want to.

Where2GoNext · 27/04/2025 20:36

I've started watching episodes of trashy TV shows while I run, find it slightly better than podcasts as I'm not as tempted to spend 30 mins staring at the clock.

PotteringAlonggotkickedoutandhadtoreregister · 27/04/2025 20:39
  1. run outside
  2. guided runs - I really like Nike Run Club and it’s completely free. For some people coach Bennett is a bit American but I genuinely find it easier when he’s talking to me! And you can pick your distance.
  3. mix it up. Runs don’t have to be 5k long to be valuable. Only got 10 mins? Run for 10 mins! It’s not all or nothing.
Oreosareawful · 27/04/2025 20:47

I watch YouTube while I’m on the treadmill, the time flies.

Im one if the strange ones that hates running outside.

PotteringAlonggotkickedoutandhadtoreregister · 27/04/2025 20:48

In the spirit of honesty, I would also like to make it clear that I was going to go on a run tonight but couldn’t be arsed so had a cream egg and stayed at home instead so I might not be able to provide the words of wisdom you need.

I will say that this month I’ve been a bit rubbish at running. And that makes it harder to get it. The more I do it, even if only really short runs, the easier it is to get out and do it.

Springhassprungxx · 27/04/2025 20:50

Where2GoNext · 27/04/2025 20:36

I've started watching episodes of trashy TV shows while I run, find it slightly better than podcasts as I'm not as tempted to spend 30 mins staring at the clock.

This is what l do too. One treadmill run when l watch a 30 min programme then l do parkrun

Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 27/04/2025 20:51

I listen to really fast beat music or listen to an audiobook or watch some tv. The best thing to (for me) is to have longer runs, that way a 5k seems like a quickie run by comparison. Could you up your distance once per week?

MereNoelle · 27/04/2025 20:53

I’m with you, running is so dull. Inside, outside, in parks, with a friend, alone… it’s always a chore. So I have no advice except to grit your teeth and get on with it, like I reluctantly do 😂

EnjoythemoneyJane · 27/04/2025 20:55

I always found there running on a treadmill really tedious and demotivating, OP - feels twice as long as the distance you’re actually doing, just ploughing away on a static belt, and the time goes soooo slowly.

Moving outside was a real game changer for me. Just being out in nature and the different seasons was so uplifting, even under grey skies and drizzle! I also made quite precise playlists for different lengths of run, anticipating the points where I’d need a bit of a boost to keep going, and a few bangers towards the end to get me over the line. I also find running to a beat easier than listening to chat, as it propels me along.

One thing I’d also say is that pavement pounding can be as depressing as a treadmill (and can fuck your knees up), and I think there’s a big difference if you can get to a park/fields/woodland. So much more interesting, and running cross country is great for your core as well, as you have to concentrate so much more and recalibrate your stride etc, so the time really does go quicker.

Backbag · 27/04/2025 20:56

Don't do it on a treadmill!!

Do it with friends or a club or at a parkrun.