Will this ever get easier?!

[Morethanconquerors]

Hello folks, I’ve never posted on here before but have enjoyed reading your posts. I started running over a year ago and have completed the c25k a couple of times and am now working up to 10k, my longest run so far being 8k and I run regularly 3 times a week. So far so good but the thing is this - I still hate it! I would love to relax into it and enjoy it but I still find it such hard work. I have put on weight since starting running which is frustrating and although fairly active generally - I have dogs and horses- I don’t do any other structured exercise. Has anyone else got there in the end or will it always just be something that is good when it’s over?!

[Irishprincess Graduate10]

The first thing I’d say to you is really well done for continuing to run for over a year when you don’t enjoy it! That’s some sheer determination right there. Your body is still adjusting and building strength and stamina, even after a year, but every run will benefit you and will pay huge dividends for your future running. I found the first year hard too but as time goes on you realise that it becomes a little easier because your body grows stronger.

Not everyone enjoys running and there have been others here who have completed the programme and then realised they didn’t like it. You are not alone.

Running is hard which is why the majority of people don’t do it. You should be very proud of what you’ve achieved, it’s not easy. But the rewards are huge. As you probably know.

But, despite your feelings, it sounds as if you are determined to keep running. Have you tried mixing things up a bit? Maybe do one shorter faster run or hills or intervals? I know it’s more difficult atm but can you find a different route? Anything for a bit of variety? Do you need to run more slowly on your longer runs?

The fact you’re working up to 10K sounds like you are still committed. You’re just a whisker away from that big milestone and then you’ll get a shiny badge here!

Perhaps you could also consider virtual runs? Many people are doing those now in the current world. Just google “virtual runs” and you’ll find the websites.

Finally, I know that a big reason I’ve kept running for so long is this community. Sometimes I read a post and just want to go out for a run! Perhaps you could post more often and you’ll get loads of support from others which in itself is very inspiring.

I do hope you find the joy. I am lucky and adore my running but I still find some runs hard. In fact I had a really tough one last week. Every step was ugh but then yesterday it was magic 🙂

I hope you find the magic. Keep going and keep posting 🏃‍♀️🏃🙂

[Morethanconquerors Graduate10 in reply to Irishprincess]

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply and for being so encouraging! I think I am going to try to go a bit slower and mix it up a bit!

[Irishprincess Graduate10 in reply to Morethanconquerors]

Let us know how you get on and keep posting!

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

Well done for getting this far. Sorry you aren't loving it. Maybe take the pressure off for a bit and just go for a run. Any distance, nice and slow, no music etc - just look around and enjoy nature. Especially during lockdown I feel a total sense of freedom on all my runs. This can be fun. Happy running 🤗

[Morethanconquerors Graduate10 in reply to Grannyhugs]

Thank you yes I think you’re right - I maybe need to take the pressure off and try and just enjoy!

[damienair Administrator]

Your not alone. I’m running 3 years now. I run 3-4 times per week. Most of the time I don’t enjoy it but I’m always happy afterwards. As a result of running my resting heart rate and blood pressure are excellent. So the health benefits alone keep me going.

Last year like you I had gained a little weight even though I was consistently running. I had also been over weight by about 2 stone for a good few years. So I really made a very good effort with my food intake. 90% of weight loss is food related. I managed to lose just over 30 lbs and the difference it made to my running was huge. As I was lighter running became so much easier and so much more enjoyable. I also became faster.

Over the past few weeks with staying at home I have gained a little weight again and I’m not going to allow it to creep back on. So i am back on a healthy eating plan and I’ll be doing a 7K run this evening.

Well done for keeping it up. Remember it’s a personal journey. Everyone is different and everyone is doing this for different reasons. Just do it your way. But the health benefits are amazing.

Damien

[Morethanconquerors Graduate10 in reply to damienair]

This is so helpful thank you and what I probably needed to hear! If I know weight loss will make running easier it may just be the motivation I need!

[damienair Administrator in reply to Morethanconquerors]

Yes. The secret for me was to be realistic. I set myself a weight loss goal which was 6 months out. Stay away from fad diets etc. we always make good healthy home cooked dinners. So I continued to eat them as normal but gave myself smaller portions. I gave up eating bread. I stopped snacking in between meals. And I was very conscious of what I put in my mouth. Breakfast was 1 Weetabix, a home made omelette or fruit and a low fat yogurt. Lunch was Salad, Tuna mix in a Pita Pocket or an omelette etc. After my dinner at 6 or 7 in the evening I ate no more. No biscuits or sweet treats. After a few weeks it was normal. I also weighed myself at the same time on the same day each week. I’d pick Friday morning first thing to weigh myself. And I tracked my weight on an App on my phone.

It’s fine once you get into it. I don’t really weigh myself anymore as I’m trying to maintain my weight. But when I feel my belt getting tight I refuse to let it out and I go back on a healthy eating plan again for a week or two which brings me back. Bread is my downfall.

Damien

[Morethanconquerors Graduate10 in reply to damienair]

Really helpful Damien thank you.

[Jell6 Graduate10]

I understand what you are feeling.

Personally I made a decision to stick around the 5 _6 km mark, as doing longer runs seemed to just feel like pressure.

You don't have to go fast, it's not a competition.

What really helps me is, I just go for a minimum time, I know I will probably go for longer, but there's the psychological element at play.

Since I started doing that I found it much better. 🤩

[Kat332zz Graduate10]

I know the feeling. I too don’t really like running and am trying for the 10k, mainly in the hope that future 5ks will seem easier. I did the C25k twice as I was injured and had to take several weeks off. The early weeks of the second C25k were then quite enjoyable, so I guess taking the pressure off helped me, and that’s my aim now. Get to 10k then relax and try to run for fun rather than for a goal, allowing myself to stop and appreciate the scenery once in a while etc.

Hope you find that happy place.

[UpTheStanley Graduate10]

If you have really been running 3 times a week for 2 years, and are not yet finding excuses not to more often than not, I don’t reckon you hate it that much !🙄

[Tasha99 Graduate10]

I’m doing heart rate zones training to get my miles and aerobic base up. I’m enjoying running so much more! I’m going slower, but it’s supposed to increase your pace significantly within as few months. Love it. So much more pleasurable. 😄

[Morethanconquerors Graduate10 in reply to Tasha99]

That's really interesting - are you following a particular program and are you using something like a Garmin to help you track it?

[Tasha99 Graduate10 in reply to Morethanconquerors]

podiumrunner.com/training/b...

runnersworld.com/training/a...

I use the zones in my garmin. I have to try and stay in zone 3 which for me is about 144 max. It’s really hard at first but then it only takes a couple of runs and I’ve got used to it and my pace has already gone up. It’s hard to go so slow at first.

I’ve made a plan for 12 weeks. Gradually increase the mileage each week and every 4th week I drop back by 25%. I do 5 runs a week. Usually about 3x 4 miles, 1x 6/7 miles and a long run on a Sunday between 8 and 14 at the end.

Apparently you need to run for at least 30 minutes to start to get the aerobics benefit. My VO2 max has gone up by 4 points in 2 weeks and I’m going slow. I do a faster run on Thursday, but not too stressful as that’s counter productive.

[Meepmum Graduate10]

Hi, I know what you mean, I hate the first 20 minutes with a passion and say it's going to be a short one but.. sometimes.. not as often as I'd like, it seems to settle. Last week was a case in point and I did my first 10k🤔. I'm now running for how I feel, in my case depending on the podcasts I listen to, usually from BBC Sounds. Occasionally I get a "glimpse" of the magic runs, hope keeps me going. 🤣

Think I will try Jell's idea, mind gaming with the gremlins 🤫👿

[Tomas Graduate10]

I hate running, three to four times a week if I have time. I hated it yesterday for a little over an hour.

I have three different pairs of shoes I hate running in. Every time I run, I pick one pair, and I go out and run in them, and I enjoy it about as much as I enjoy brushing my teeth in the morning, except running lasts way longer.

I hate running until I run for 50 minutes. There is some magical thing that happens right around the 50-minute mark, where I start feeling like smiling at people I see and/or petting their dogs, and I absentmindedly forget that I am not having fun.

Running is tiring. A couple times last year I did it for eleven hours straight, and man, was I tired afterward. Most days I do it for about 11 minutes before I’m like Fuck This. But I just keep going.

-- more, much more, at the source here: semi-rad.com/2017/01/i-hate...

(and no, I didn't write it, but it's great for a laugh)

[Morethanconquerors Graduate10 in reply to Tomas]

That's brilliant! Thank you - "I'm in that category of people who hate running but not enough to stop doing it!"

[ju-ju- Graduate10]

Blimey, mega well done for carrying on when you don't even like it. I usually say to people to try something different, but since you have persevered for so long, there must be a tiny little bead of love for it somewhere?

The only thing I can think of is that you might want to slow down a bit? If you are consistently pushing with a high HR that is going to feel pretty yucky. My suggestion is to mix up your runs... a long v v slow one, a moderate 5k, and perhaps one shorter interval session each week to improve your fitness... whatever works for you really. If after all that you still don't like it, then it may be time to explore a different sport or activity?

[Morethanconquerors Graduate10 in reply to ju-ju-]

Thank you so much for replying! I think I can just see how great it would be to be able to run and enjoy it or even just switch off to it and that’s what keeps me going! I love being outside and I love that running is so great for your health, I also have a stressful job (secondary school teacher!) so it would be great to have a bit of time to switch off and get fit at the same time. All these replies have been so encouraging and helpful. I do think I have been trying to go too fast and so as you say am working at ‘peak’ all the time. I tried 8k yesterday going as slowly as I could and it was fine! I ran for over an hour, kept going and could have gone on for longer. My Fitbit said I was still working at peak but I dropped my pace from 10.15 to 12.30! I am going to try and drop it even further and try and get into ‘fat burn’ and then get some distance under my belt. Great advice about mixing up the speed/distances - am going to try what you’ve suggested for the next few weeks and will let you know how I get on!

[ju-ju- Graduate10 in reply to Morethanconquerors]

Great, I am so pleased, and I think you will really benefit from these changes. I run everyday, as I adore being outdoors and exploring. I do many of my runs on a low HR as that seems to benefit a niggly injury, and feeds my enjoyment. These are often at 12.5 and higher minute miles. Its very rare that my pace ever goes below 10 minute miles. Thats partly through choice ( I am asthmatic and I panic if I push too much), and partly to fuel my enjoyment, as I dont feel good running at a consistent push. However I do really enjoy the blast of an interval workout which is just fun. I think a new approach will kindle your love again.