Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Exercise

Chat to other fitness enthusiasts on our Exercise forum.

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

How do I get to ‘love’ running

73 replies

MagpiePi · 09/05/2025 08:30

I’ve done running on and off for nearly 30 years, but have never loved it the way some people do.
I do it because it is a cheap and convenient way of staying fit and I’ve mostly done it alongside other sports (rugby, swimming, rowing, weightlifting) with other people doing the sport, but have also entered and trained for events by myself - 5 and 10ks, a couple of half marathons. I know that I either need to run with team mates or have a goal race in order to give me the motivation to go out. I’ve tried running clubs but could never find a group that was the right pace and distance for me.

I get satisfaction from completing a run, and I appreciate being out in the fresh air, I don’t run too fast and all that, but I don’t love it while I’m doing it.

How do I get to be someone who can’t wait to pull on their trainers and head out? I’m not going to stop doing it, I just wish I could be a bit more enthusiastic about it!

Does anyone else feel like this?

OP posts:

passmeaglass · 09/05/2025 08:37

This is similar to me. I enjoy running with friends and the feeling of achievement once I’ve done it, and being competitive with myself in terms of bettering my times etc. Not what you want to hear but I don’t look forward to running per se it’s more seeing my friends and knowing I’ll have done it. Are there any more clubs you could try as I have found one that has people at my pace having tried a few and it does make such a difference feeling that sense of belonging.

WhyamIinahandcartandwherearewegoing · 09/05/2025 09:09

I feel like this so much! Hate running with people as it stresses me out in case I can’t keep up, so reluctant to try a park run….

only can do if plugged into music - and whilst I feel satisfied afterwards, I never look forward to it. Wish I felt different!

SilverButton · 09/05/2025 09:12

Honestly OP I think that if you've been doing it for 30 years and you still don't love it, it's never going to happen! Either accept that you don't love it (but do it for other reasons) or stop running. It sounds like you have lots of other sports that you do enjoy.

Ceska · 09/05/2025 09:13

I'd like to love it as well

Posting if anyone has any good ideas!!

Original poster

MagpiePi · 09/05/2025 09:32

I’m not alone!

@passmeaglass I am also very competitive, mostly with myself too, but it is probably more a fear of failure that spurs me on rather than some kind of positive, striving for goals feeling. (Let’s not delve into my psyche here! 😱)

I have tried a few running clubs but they are either ‘let’s have a gentle 5 mile jog, it’ll only take us 45 minutes’ or ‘we’re going to push ourselves and go 2km with a drinks break half way’, or they’re at times that aren’t convenient.

@SilverButton i don’t play rugby or row anymore (wouldn’t have the time or energy to do both!) but running helped me to be better at those sports, which is why I did it.

I’m not going to stop doing it and I’ve accepted that it is a bit like housework, a chore that needs to be done. Although I’d probably rather go for a run than clean the skirting boards!

OP posts:

olderbutwiser · 09/05/2025 09:42

I am in your running club @MagpiePi . I'm sitting here on Mumsnet in my running kit, saying to myself "fgs you'll be back in half an hour and you know how you enjoy the smugness of having exercised and the relief of not having to do it again for a few days, step away from the keyboard".

Yet here I am.

kirinm · 09/05/2025 10:25

I’ve never enjoyed the actual running part. Actually sometimes I finish a run and realise I didn’t hate every minute of it. But it’s mainly how I feel afterwards that makes it worth it.

Brefugee · 09/05/2025 10:27

IME (have been "running" for over 40 years) you don't. You get better at it, you get faster and can go longer but if you don't like it, you don't like it.

I make it more interesting by listening to podcasts when using a treadmill inside, or playing a running playlist when outside.

but i don't enjoy it, I don't hate it but i never look forward to it. It is tedious and boring, but when it's over? i love that high.

kirinm · 09/05/2025 10:27

I’d also be scared to join a running club because their ‘slow’ runners are faster than I’ve ever been able to run. I’m signed up for a half which is giving me some motivation / immense pressure.

DUsername · 09/05/2025 10:34

I have had a love hate relationship with running for the last 10 years. When I stop I miss it but I still find the thought of it and the actual running not very enjoyable. For me, nothing else gives me endorphins and energy like running. That's what keeps me coming back to it. I don't think I'll ever properly love it though!

Ygfrhj · 09/05/2025 10:38

I've been a runner for 15 years and also don't enjoy it. It's a bit like washing my hair or housework - I feel much better when I do it regularly, but I don't look forward to it.

Some days I enjoy it when the sun is out, I've got a good podcast or some songs going, exploring a new area or something and I've done a few races in the past that had a good atmosphere. But mostly it's just maintenance.

Aliceisagooddog · 09/05/2025 10:40

I'm just getting back into running after a few years stopping. What I think helps for me is planning my favourite route in my head and getting excited about it ( that sounds weird now I type it...!!) I just love the feeling of freedom.

BogRollBOGOF · 09/05/2025 10:49

I vary my routes a lot.
I try to get off road into scenic routes.
Different runs have different purposes. Some are structured workouts (hard but satisfying) some are strategically "easy" some are "soul runs" to just enjoy getting out there and enjoying the moment. That can include photos, benches, exploring things, paddling in a stream to cool down...
I like having an event on the horizon to give purpose.
Listening to different music/ podcasts
Parkrun

Riverswims · 09/05/2025 11:02

I’m very nosy, I think “oh that’s a cute street” or “where does that path go?” or “can I get to such and such off road?” and off I go, no phone or music, I pet cats and dogs along the way and say hello to small children who wave to me I am actually an introvert also I’ve got such much running gear and pay for strava that I want to get some wear out of it, also midweek runs will make Parkrun/events easier. enjoy

Enrichetta · 09/05/2025 11:10

I’ve never got on with running and, as I’m getting older, I’m worried about tripping and spraining or breaking an ankle or buggering up my knees - which I need for skiing…

So I’m using a mix of cardio/HIIT and weight training to keep fit. Growingannanas and Caroline Girvan on YouTube, 45-75 minutes most days……. in the comfort of my living room.

Seeing that I’m over 70 and very fit it is clearly working, and I would highly recommend it.

Vipersgonnavipe · 09/05/2025 11:14

A really good audiobook that I only allow myself to listen to when running!
I need to be distracted and rewarded for the effort. So I still don’t love the running bit, but I do enjoy it and almost always end up carrying on longer than I would have done otherwise.

I don’t like group stuff at all so can’t say if that would be good for you, but I can see how being out with others would give the same reward vibes.

Love51 · 09/05/2025 11:31

Are there shorter races near you? I am very slow but joined a club because the cameraderie helps. I'm almost the slowest in my club but I entered my first race as a club runner recently. It was a week night and well marshalled through woods and fields, over water, you had to pay proper attention to your feet, and I enjoyed it way more than track running or road running. I came last from my club but by no means last overall. There were a variety of ages and abilities, and several people whose physique suggests they mainly do strength sports with running on the side.
And afterwards you get a chip butty in a club house!
I get bored running alone and also prefer challenging runs to fast ones. I didn't really appreciate the difference before.

Original poster

MagpiePi · 09/05/2025 14:57

So many kindred spirits!

@olderbutwiser -you’ve been reading my thoughts, haven’t you?

I sometimes have to do a lot of bargaining with myself, eg I’ll just go for 10 minutes and have a peanut butter sandwich after, or sometimes I can kind of not think about it and just do it. I also don’t want Coach Greg on Garmin to be think badly of me if I miss a session. 😁

I don’t get you @Riverswims but I wish I could! I know where all the roads go round here (mainly bloody uphill!) and driving somewhere defeats the object of it being convenient. Plus I’d have to work out a route otherwise you end up miles from the start having done the allotted 45 minutes or whatever.

I know I am lucky I can run (up a bloody hill) and be on country footpaths within about 15 minutes and listen to the birds and that. And as I don’t listen to anything I do seem to sort stuff out in my head in a way I don’t do at other times.

Running while you’re on holiday though, that’s a whole other level I don’t get!

OP posts:

Frontroomroomjungle · 09/05/2025 15:02

I loathe every minute of it but feel amazing afterwards - if only I could remember that feeling when bargaining with myself to go and do it! It's (relatively) cheap, convenient and a time efficient way for me to exercise so I keep going.

Original poster

MagpiePi · 09/05/2025 15:06

While I’m out I do occasionally get a few minutes, if it’s flat and it’s not freezing, when I think ‘this is ok actually’, but it soon passes!

OP posts:

herbaceous · 09/05/2025 15:06

I have tried to love running a few times, but always found it utter hell during it and felt no high afterwards. The thought of doing it in public with other people is torture.

I kept thinking 'well, just do it as it may stave off dementia for a while longer' or 'at least you're not dead', but these inducements weren't enough.

So I stopped. Now I'm fat and unfit, but don't hate myself. Swings and roundabouts!

HumerousHumous · 09/05/2025 15:10

Op, the thing that got me loving running was parkrun. We did four parkruns then the pandemic hit. We (DH and I) rang during the lockdowns but it just wasn’t the same. When parkruns reopened it was an amazing experience to run with over one thousand others again. We run at Bushy parkrun so there are regularly 1500+ runners of elite, club, casual, plodder standard plus park walkers. I wouldn’t actually make the times I make if I was not running with this group of runners. I’m not fast, 34/35 minutes but found a group was the key. Maybe I’ve sold it to you, maybe not but well done for running.

Original poster

MagpiePi · 09/05/2025 15:37

I’ve done parkrun in the past with friends but don’t particularly like it. I always set out thinking, I’m just going to go at a nice steady pace, but always end up caning it to beat a random person ahead and even then I don’t do well in the age category. Also, the two that are nearest to me have pinch points near the start so you either have to sprint ahead or else you get stuck standing in a queue.

OP posts:

herbaceous · 09/05/2025 15:41

Park run sounds the worst form of torment. Being incompetent in full view of competents, being 'encouraged' along by well-meaning competents as if senile or a three-year-old.

I suspect they're not aimed at me!

kirinm · 09/05/2025 16:06

herbaceous · 09/05/2025 15:41

Park run sounds the worst form of torment. Being incompetent in full view of competents, being 'encouraged' along by well-meaning competents as if senile or a three-year-old.

I suspect they're not aimed at me!

I always found it quite humiliating to be overtaken by children,

Flip

1 2 3