Boredom

[tizzicat]

I really don't think I'm cut out to be a runner. I've just done W6R3 and find running SO boring. I can swim for ages, and cycle for miles, but running ... nope.

[Dunder2004 Graduate]

Horses for courses, I suppose. I find swimming really boring but love running.

Do you think a challenge or target would help?

[RainbowC Graduate]

Are you on the treadmill or outside? I find treadmill running utterly dull, and find it almost impossible to not focus on the timer counting up (or down) so painfully slowly. Outside is harder work, but so much more interesting, and I can set targets of 'up to the next tree', 'along as far as the corner' etc. to encourage myself to keep going.

Fundamentally, I suppose you need to decide why you're doing this, and whether it's sustainable if you're really not enjoying it. Like Dunder2004 I'm not a keen swimmer at all, and can't see any circumstance in which I'd be able to motivate myself to go to the pool three times a week. For your lifestyle - including exercise - to be sustainable, you have to find some element of enjoyment and reward, I think. If you like swimming and cycling, but hate running, then stick with the other activities which you enjoy

(All that said, there's definitely a limit to the time I want to run. Up to an hour or so, fine. I can see the enjoyment in a 10k. But once you get much beyond that, into the realms of halfs and marathons, I'm lost. No idea why anyone would want to run for that long! )

[GoogleMe Graduate in reply to RainbowC]

The views... and because that's how long it takes to get round the lake or whatever.

[Madge50 Graduate in reply to RainbowC]

Ha ha, I'm wondering that right now......3 weeks to go to my first half marathon.......😬, if I'm honest, I'm not sure the HM distance is for me in the future, this preparation has been and is seriously hard work, and I never started C25K to be a 'runner'.....but I love my 5 and 10k....

Mx

[Sandraj39 Graduate]

Where are you running? Get out on to some beautiful country trails, challenge yourself with different terrain and enjoy the countryside...if you still find it boring then I guess just stick to cycling and swimming! For me, nothing beats running!😀🏃🏽‍♀️

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Sandraj39]

Me neither... Just not getting enough currently! Lurgy and weather grrrr!

[Lauracorin]

I listen to In Our Time, which keeps me occupied.

[tortoisegirl Graduate in reply to Lauracorin]

I was listening to that as I ran this morning! Nothing like a bit of algebra to distract you.

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Lauracorin]

Love that programme

[melly4012 Graduate in reply to Lauracorin]

I love those podcasts - just wish I could listen to it while running but I find I need music. Frustrating as I'm not a huge music person and would much rather be learning something as I run but apparently I need the beat to keep me going.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Okay.. well .. if it does not float your boat..but... this is just the start... Week 3..intervals with 90 seconds runs.. might you feel differently, as the distance and the running time increases?

I swim, cycle, walk, do yoga and scramble up rocks, (when I am on form).. but I love my outdoor running

If and when you graduate, being able to run for thirty minutes comfortably.. then the world is your oyster.. so much to do... intervals, speed runs, sprint runs , strides, running backwards.. loads of things to try!

Half Marathons. marathons, Park runs, charity runs, extreme runs.. ?

If not, then swim and cycle away!

[tortoisegirl Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Scrambling up rocks? Are you sure about the "old" bit of Oldfloss ?

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to tortoisegirl]

Yep, 67 , next birthday, April.. and planning , if all goes well, to revisit a few old routes in the Llanberis Pass in Wales.. reliving my youth!

[Sandraj39 Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

You are my inspiration Oldfloss! Don't ever change!☺x

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Sandraj39]

Tee hee.. husband and I have just been looking at climbing shoes,...what were in our day, either called Masters or sticky boots.... this could get expensive.. x

[tortoisegirl Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

When I grow up I want to be like you!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to tortoisegirl]

Sure ? Well life is never dull! x

[EFox89]

Don't do it then? If it was something boring you were forced to do.. like work, then I get why you were still doing it. But you've got other forms of exercise you prefer, do them?

C25K is great for a lot of people but it's not for everyone...

Get peddling!

[ANewMe2022 Graduate]

Spend your time cycling or swimming if you don't enjoy running. You've given C25K a chance and if it's really not for you, don't 'flog a dead hoss'...xx

[MrsPsycho Graduate]

Music might help?

[GoogleMe Graduate]

Interesting.... you've started C25K twice before but not got this far... and no, you don't seem to have enjoyed it much (maybe already being quite fit - the people who struggle most to complete the programme are the ones who already do something else and don't find the actual act of running hard). But I reckon you need to crack on and complete the programme this time or it is going to niggle at you... even if you never run another step. It's only nine more runs.

Given that you're OK with swimming (which I do but find deathly dull) and cycling... were you thinking of triathlons, or was it the weight bearing bone strengthening aspect of running that attracted you?

Might it simply be that going for a run in the dark first thing in the morning is the problem - and you'd feel the same way about swimming or cycling under the same conditions?

My brother was European champion in his age class in his sport as a young teenager but dropped out because he found the required running training to remain in the squad too boring... 25+ years later, he took it up again and runs regularly... I do think there is something about being comfortable inside your own head, and you clearly have that for swimming and cycling so it is puzzling that you don't have it for running. But if you actually do go swimming and cycling regularly then it's only the high impact you're missing and maybe there are better ways for you to address that.

[skysue16 Graduate]

I agree with GoogleMe finish the programme and then see how you feel. I also agree with others that running outdoors is wonderful but the treadmill can be a bit boring (although I find a short interval session on the treadmill good when the weather prevents other activity). Try varying your routes, trails and hills add challenge and interest. Maybe a park run? Best of luck

[Rickne Graduate]

There is an app on Google play that tracks your running but it's also a fun zombie survival "game". It's called "Zombies, run" and ok it may not be everyone's cup of tea but the story telling via your headphones keep it interesting. Something other than music at least

[Tractorman Graduate]

You're only 6 runs away from finishing the course - if you've managed six weeks I'm sure you can do another two and they're right, it will niggle you if you don't finish it!

As a newly graduated runner, I sympathise with your boredom - I've just posted my thoughts and I'm going to try trail running as I can vary the route far more and it just doesn't seem to be so monotonous as road-running. I guess it does depend on your access to routes however. I'm just lucky....

Good luck with whatever you decide to follow. Anything is better than being a couch potato!

[melly4012 Graduate]

I'd agree with those who say to try to keep going until graduation. If running really isn't your thing after that then it will have been an even bigger achievement to have got to 5k.