I want to start running but I hate it. What can I do and buy to give me motivation?

[Homeiswherethedogsare]

Always hated running but I am realising it is one of the easiest way to incorporate some regular exercise into my busy life as a FT working mum as I can easily squeeze a 30 min jog on my lunch breaks when WFH. I do dance classes in the evenings sometimes so I guess that's my "fun" exercise, the running is mainly a chore I need to do to be in a better shape and improve longer term health.

I don't have any running gear, my trainers are 7 years old and possible not suited for running so as a start I am going to invest in a decent pair of shoes. What else do I need? I have normal gym clothes, nothing running specific, do I need to think about buying anything that will help me be more comfortable?

I cannot move without music so usually take my phone with me, a pair of headphones would be nice but don't feel ready to spend money on them yet as my motivation might not last.

Any tips you can share would be very helpful. Goal is not to run a marathon but to simply incorporate a 30-45 min jog into my daily life 2-3 times a week for many years to come. Is it realistic?

Use the couch to 5k app, and I love having a running belt, really makes phone/car keys whatever easier.

i also find running somewhere green and pleasant much nicer than pavement running.

Decent running shoes make a huge difference. I love going to my local running shop to buy trainers, they give great advice and never sneer despite me being short, fat and awful at running.

Decent running shoes are a must or injury will be around the corner.

I love my open ear headphones, can listen to music without losing awareness of surroundings. I’ve got the Shokz Open Fit but other brands are available. Also useful for dog walking!

A running belt is much more comfortable than an armband for carrying your phone.

I’m not a natural runner, but haven’t been able to run for over two years due to injury and I really miss it (never thought I would say that!).

Definitely get yourself some headphones. And download a podcast or two to listen to - I found them to be more involving (i.e. distracting from the pain/boredom of running!) than music.

Good shoes are a definite. Also sports/running sunglasses, which are lighter. Other than that, run in what you're comfortable in wearing. Normal gym stuff should be fine - possibly consider a lightweight zip-up top for colder weather, along with some gloves. Definitely a running belt to store your phone and keys and a tissue or two - I always found that my nose would run when I was running.

I'd definitely recommend that you start with the C25K app, just to get you back into it. If you haven't run for a while, trying to do 30-45 minutes from the get go could well lead to injury, and also might just put you off even more. And make sure that you warm-up/stretch before and cool down/stretch after your run.

I'm in the same boat as you - really don't like running, but recognising that it's probably going to be the best way to enhance my health and fitness. Just trying to gird my loins to get going again.

A decent high impact sports bra is a must. I have a front zip Under Armor one which has been great. Also high rise leggings that don’t fall down when you run!

I'm with you OP, I don’t really enjoy running. But I always feel better when I do it. Keep your runs short, and make a good playlist to keep you going.

Running is a means to cake eating for me. Absolutely make sure your feet and boobs are sorted, the rest you can take as you go.

Good bra & high viz.

join a running club if there’s a local one that fits in with your schedule.

Same as everyone else. You must have proper running shoes (not fashion trainers - go to a proper store where you run on a treadmill and they tell you what to buy), a decent sports bra, and earbuds so you can listen to music or podcasts. Also, if you hate it, you are almost certainly starting by running too fast too early in the run. I recommend Running Like a Girl by Alexandra Hemmingsly for encouragement.

follow the c25k plan. It will teach you how to run.

half decent trainers are a must. They don’t need to be top of the range when you’re just starting out but they do need to be designed for running. Comfortable clothes and a decent sports bra are a must. Shorts or leggings with pockets so you can carry your phone and keys without them jiggling around are also very useful.

you can get bone conduction open ear headphone for quite cheap. Just generic ones form china that you can buy on amazon are fine and you don’t need to spend £££ on shokz when just starting out. I think mine were about £15 on amazon. I’ve had them nearly a year and they’re going strong. Enough battery life to see me through a marathon! I wouldn’t spend more on much until you’re sure you’re going to stick at it but the basics are essential.

I love running, but if you want to incorporate some regular exercise then maybe look at sprinting. Do a brief run to warm up and then find a flat bit of road (or hill if you're feeling up to it) and sprint for around 10 seconds. Recover for a minute or two and then repeat.
If you look up Stacy Sims she is an expert on women's exercise. Evidence suggests that we - women - don't need to work on our endurance training as we have good slow twitch muscle fibres already. Instead, we need to develop our fast twitch fibres. This will help with aging as well in terms of balance and quick reactions.

I probably haven't explained this well, so do your own research. But it means you'd run less, wouldn't get a bored and will be doing more for your actual health.

Trainers, bra and headphones. I cannot run without music.

These are very good for the price. I’ve had mine for a year after much messing about with AirPods that kept falling out.

https://amzn.eu/d/06UqDF4c

What they all said.

My tip, when you don't want to go and have basically decided not to, you still have to put your running gear on. 9/10 once it's on you'll think 'fuck it might as well' and go.

If you can, start going to parkrun. You'll soon get "addicted" to training to bring your times down.

I don't think you need to compete exactly, but having a goal definitely keeps you engaged.

All of the above. Decent trainers that feel bouncy I revisit music that I loved in my younger years (90’s at the moment ). Wear an underwired and a non wired sports bra (everything is strapped right down) and go first thing before you have a chance to even think and procrastinate (seems less painful and get to see the sunrise sometimes and just for the having a shower instead of having to faff in the middle of the day-there’s no way I’d go out at lunchtime or in the evening as there are loads of people and dogs out and I just wouldn’t be motivated) good luck!

Yes to C25K & Running Like A Girl but be careful with that book. The first time I read it I signed up for a 10k, the second for a half marathon.

Definitely Couch 2 5K, go slow, slower than you think you should, you will thank me for it later! Decent trainers, good sports bra and make yourself a running playlist.

Why do you feel you need to run if you don’t enjoy it? I do a bit of intermittent sprinting, which is very effective, but my main focus is on weight training with dumbbells, which I love.

Very easy to do for half an hour at home. Check out Heather Robertson, Caroline Girvan, Growingannanas.

Headphones are a bit of a danger? You can't hear someone coming from behind you....

I think if you don’t like it you won’t keep it up. Especially when the weather turns or it’s raining.

id find something you do like, even something like a Caroline girvan work out at home, but enjoying it is key to the success.

if you don’t like it, you will go as slow as possible, grit your teeth through it and find reasons not to go.

Yes to couch to 5K, also it gets easier as you go along. Getting so I could run 5K was way, way harder than going from 5K to 10k.

Have something interesting to listen to, otherwise you might get a bit bored.

I agree with other posters, if you don't enjoy running why do it as you won't keep it going? What about a you tube workout video or a bike (indoor/outdoor)?

If you hate running then why do it? It doesn't make sense to me to force yourself to do something that you hate doing when you don't have to.

There are loads of other workouts or ways of exercising in 30 minutes rather than force yourself out on a run.

The key to lasting physical fitness is finding something you actually enjoy doing. Running when you hate it means you are unlikely to stick to it.

Open ear headphones are best as you can still hear what’s going on around you, traffic etc. I usually more concerned about being run over than attacked but I guess it depends on the area you live in.

Everyone hates running until they can do it without it being painful, surely? 😂.

I wanted to be better at it but there was a long period of me doing it as a means to an end but not enjoying it.
now I love it and it’s my main hobby. I run miles and miles every week and enter lots of races. But this is what has happened because of the process. I didn’t like it at first.

I don't think it ever stops hurting, you just start to need enjoy the pain 🤣

@Homeiswherethedogsare why have you chosen running in particular?

If you already know you hate it, I'm not sure it makes that sense

I won't hijack your thread but just will say that I restarted weight training and I had a lot of issues with it and felt very tired and I have decided not to give up but to cut back

I did really enjoy in the past though
So I'm now reviewing and looking at other forms of exercise

But I don't understand why your starting point will be something that you hate

Is it just because it's free to do? And what would the benefits be? For you specifically?

One of my friends in her 50s decided to train for a half marathon because she needed a challenge she absolutely hated it and when she'd finished, she said I'm never doing that again

So after all that training, I don't think she's ever gonna run again

It just doesn't seem like a great way to handle things

If you feel that it would be good for resilience and so on, I understand that and I think that's probably true but surely the value of exercise is something that you'll stick with?