Good.morning,
Just finished a great early morning 5 k.... I must have been running down hill on the return home.... 27.45!!!!!! wow..... I have noticed that the early morning runs before 6 am are more enjoyable....maybe the lack of people and cars on the road....Lovely... 
Wow! That's an impressive time!
Thanks Potty only a few seconds off my PB but I am happy with that!!!! Have you been running this grey rainy morning? or is it sunny where you are?
No, I got sodden last night - W9R1- I would like to run in the mornings and may do as the days get longer but My early work start makes it a bit of a juggling act
I know what you mean... when I am on days I start at 7.00am so I try to get a run in on the way to work...dependant on what type of work you do it is possible... and there are less people blocking you...only 2 more runs to go...well done!!!!
At what stage does running become enjoyable? I graduated 3 weeks ago, had one week off, and have run 4 times since - every run, really since wk 6, has been tough. I do 5k in 37 / 39 mins but its never enjoyable - I just end up a sweaty, exhausted, broken down wreck. I like running to be enjoyable one day, not a horrendous battle every time. 
I think that if you have a tendency to almost push yourself as hard as you can, then running is pretty much always a struggle (because you are always taking yourself to your current limit). I always push myself that way, even if I set out saying "this is going to be an easy gentle run", I just find myself wanting to go as quickly as I can manage, searching for that next PB.
I find that for me there are two limiting factors in my run, the first is being out of breath, and the second is tired muscles. It seems that those two take turns every few days. Probably aerobic fitness improves and that means you run faster, so then your muscles get more work than they are used to, then as your muscles strengthen, they put more demand on your breathing. Just a theory.
I actually quite like it when my muscles are tired, because that means I have to run slower, and so my breathing is easy. Muscle fatigue forces an easy run
In fact, in a way it does get kind of easier I think, because you get kind of used to being almost out of breath and it no longer bothers you. Also, you recover more quickly from short periods of exhaustion for hills and such like. So you feel knackered as you push yourself up the hill, but shortly after cresting the hill you feel recovered and ok again.
I graduated C25K in Nov, and gradually increased my runs 5% per week up to 10km during the week and 14km at the weekend. The weird thing is that I still feel exhausted during the first 5 minutes, then I seem to settle down.
I must admit I like pushing myself - but honestly its not a question of pushing myself at the moment, just surviving. I can see the logic in what you say about always being exhausted because one is always pushing oneself (I learn music and in a way its so dissatisfying as the minute you've cracked one piece, you're on to the next to learn - ie at the beginning again) - I think my problem is just getting one leg in front of the other - they just don't seem to want to move. I think perhaps I should try the 5k+ podcasts to vary my runs - at the moment I just want to keep being able to run 5k. I suppose (flip, I've been interrupted so many times by my family, I've forgotten what I was going to say). Anyway, thank you for your post. 5% increase every week and now 10 - 14k, gosh. Can't even imagine it - but then I couldn't run a minute 3 months ago. Thanks again
hi buffy 007 the reason its enjoyable for me is that I allowed myself to get so unfit that if Iran for a bus...if I caught it!!!.. when I sat down my breathing was laboured!!! my heart felt like it would pop out of my chest & my throat would burn!!!! since graduation I have been able to play football and keep up with guys half my age....when I go for a run in the park it is a run....not a fast walk...I am just happy that I can get up at 5.00-6.00am and go for a run....it affects people in different ways...I played foorball at a high level & although I smoked I was quite fit & quick....I stopped smoking 9 months ago & I happily say that this has been a lifechanger!!! keep it up one day you will say....Hey I feel like going for a run....with smile on your face..... xx
Absolutely adidas1961. I used to feel knackered walking up hills, now I can run up them that is excellent
I used to cycle quite a bit (VTT) but I dont think that it boosted my fitness in the way that running has. I love the way that you dont need much stuff to go running (especially in the spring and summer), a pairof shorts ans running shoes and off you go I still like cycling but all thestuff that goes with it can be a drag. Running is just so wonderfully minimalist Do it when you want, where you want, just go
I agree with all of the above....
I road cycle and agree it is a lot easier to get out running than cycling - takes at least 30 mins to get bike gear organised. But I love cycling - will be out once the weather's perked up - that's the other thing - you can't throw a bike in a washing machine can you!
No you cant throw a bike in a washing machine, they dont even like the jetwash unfortunately as it risks blasting the grease out of the bearings That was the first thing Decathlon asked when I took my Rockrider 5.4 back with its headset shot. But no I hadnt, and thankfully they fixed it under warranty.
Sadly the warranty on my knees and ankles has run out long ago, so I will have to try to take special care of them.
Thanks - I really am looking forward to that unbelievable day.
Buffy it sounds like you are running too fast. Slow it right down!!!!! If you go really slowly you give yourself time and the session becomes suddenly less frenetic. You can then start to enjoy your runs instead of them being a horrible job to get out the way as quick as possible
We can't emphasise this point enough. Slow, slow, slow!
That's my huge advice to everyone always, but I honestly feel that if I slow down then I'll be walking - I've never 'run' - 39 / 37 for 5k isn't fast is it. I'm just hoping that with more miles under my belt it might improve - I suppose if I analyse it, then I've only done 4 5k runs, so perhaps am expecting a bit much too soon. I just find it frustrating to read about people have 'great runs' when, tbh, apart from the euphoria of succeeding at every stage along the way with Laura, I can't honestly say I've ever enjoyed it. Oh well, no gain without pain. Thanks for the encouragement - I'll keep going a bit more
As you get stronger, with each run, you'll find it easier and then you might begin to enjoy it. I hope so!
Early mornings - so beautiful!
The joy of early morning running
Early morning run convert
Early morning runners...
