When does the addiction start?

[Raymond16460]

It didn't take 9 weeks for me to become addicted to a drop of claret or a G&T but addicted to running? I wish......

[JoolieB1 Graduate]

I endured running while doing C25K and wondered if I could ever enjoy it. However, just the routine of three runs every week crept into my brain, once a 5k was comfortable (nice and slow) I was thinking about my next run. Not sure when it happened but I love running nowadays, a year after graduation and run 3 x 6 plus a 10k each week. Can't quite believe it, but it is something I really look forward to doing

[Raymond16460 in reply to JoolieB1]

Post 5K is when I think it must kick in

[Bazza1234 Graduate]

I started C25k 3 years ago and now have 3000 klms in my running log. But I wouldn't say that I am addicted to running - nor do I really even like it!! But for some reason mysterious to me - it is the only "physical exercise" activity that I have ever maintained for a long time. have never liked going to the gym either - and couldn't maintain that out of lack of whatever. But running is so easy to do - just shoes on and out the door. What I have attempted to do is to make it a "habit" - so running is just what I do (now). I run! . I AM a liitle "proud" of what I have been doing - and I am not normally who takes pride in things - but I am proud of this. - and I feel good about it , even though I hurt!!

[misswobble Graduate in reply to Bazza1234]

I am addicted and happy to be so. Never ran the length of myself before C25k.

[Bazza1234 Graduate in reply to misswobble]

Before I did C25K, I couldn't run out of sight on a dark night!!

[Raymond16460 in reply to Bazza1234]

Not me. I used to run to the biscuit tin and back to the sofa

[Raymond16460 in reply to Bazza1234]

ou should be proud, well done

[Hidden]

Can't say I enjoy running, but I feel bad if I don't do it at least twice a week. If that's addiction it's good because otherwise I'd probably never get my arse out the door!

[PamJ58 Graduate]

I can't say I love the actual running but I am addicted to how it makes me feel when I have done it ! It is great to be able to celebrate the little successes as we get better and manage new PBs

[Theziggy Graduate]

I also struggle to say that I love running or am addicted to it, but it is the only exercise that I have stuck at (if you ignore the blips) for years.

I do have a totally different running self in my head, who runs effortlessly in gazelle like fashion and can run for hours without breaking sweat.

(A young lady beside me on the treadmill yesterday, face immaculately made up, ended her session with a burst at 18Kph, and stepped off, not even breathing hard, no sign of sweat, whilst I, getting back after a rare cold/flu, could only manage 5 K at 9Kph broken up ever 5 minutes by a one minute break for a coughing fit. Plus at the end my gym towel was soaking.)

But I seem to keep on going and if I don't run for a while, my head steps in and nags me, so I guess it has gotten into being something of a habit. I don't dislike every run, I do remember a few which I actually enjoyed whilst doing them.

[AnneDroid Graduate]

Raymond16460 I think you've done the whole nine weeks now? If I'm right you should swing by here - healthunlocked.com/couchto5... - and ask for your "badge" which means that the word graduate will appear after your name when you post in future. Then bask in the glory.

As for the addiction, it's a funny sort of addiction. You don't always want to go out for a run. Sometimes you positively DON'T want to go out for a run. But when you make yourself do it, you feel so good that you want that feeling again. And again. And again.

And if you have a few days of not running, you feel withdrawal symptoms.

And you think about running, and new routes, when you're not running.

And you can talk to other runners for ages about running, when the old you would have been bored rigid by such conversations.

And you can look at running kit online for hours at a time.

It creeps up on you like that...

It took me a long time to enjoy any actual runs while I was doing them, as I always expected to die at any minute, but I early on came to love the smug feeling of having done them! And now I quite often enjoy (most of) a run while I'm out, especially when it's a beautiful day and a pretty route.

[Curlygurly2 Graduate]

While I'm running I often can't wait for it to be over, then immediately want to go again! Wait until you're sick or injured and CAN'T go, then see if you're addicted!

[misswobble Graduate]

That's so true Curly!

This thread made me laugh out loud this morning 😀😂

[Tomas Graduate]

semi-rad.com/2017/01/i-hate...

[McFitty Graduate]

I'm still waiting😯

[Irish-John Graduate]

TOTALLY ADDICTED.

It's not 'easy' - but it sure makes things better.

This is something I do for me that nobody else can do for me

So much support from the Forumites that really make it even more enjoyable...but in the end it is me and me alone who has to suit up and go out the door..

I am pleased that I am doing something that will help my fitness and health, that gets me out of my killer-comfort mode, that makes me feel totally aware of myself, even when that awareness is of pain and exertion

but best of all?

I really am starting to actually look at myself in the mirror and I like how happy and how 'alive' I look these days...

Best Highs in the world - the running and the results both

[Bazza1234 Graduate]

Hmm - addiction. What exactly is it and how does it manifest itself??? I do not get any "high" from running - I never get back home and feel "good" , usually nothing but exhausted in one form or other. BUT - if I decide to have a few days off - I get decidedly "antsies" in my "pantsies" - and look forward to my next run. I think that if something happened and I couldn't run for some length of time - I would not be very happy. ( I'm grumpy enough at the best of times )

[Wannaberoadrunner Graduate]

It is always a drag to get ready for a run, but once I'm out the door, I never regret it. Also, the start of a run is never exciting, but once I keep going - and especially towards the end - it does get much better.