I have on day 5 of week one...yes I have repeated a couple of days. My problem is that although I don't like what I am doing while I am doing it, I love how I feel AFTER I am done, while I am doing my 'run' my legs hurt, my breathing is horrible, and because I am bad gagger with asthma (dont' worry, I have my doc's permission to be doing this) there are times I have to stop and dry heave and throw up while I am doing it. How do I retrain my mind to enjoy the workout, not just the feeling after? Does that come when I am in better shape?
And just as an fyi, I am a 43 year old woman who has NEVER been active and am very overweight. I can finish week one, but barely. but I DO finish.
Written by
PeggyMc
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
I found a running partner. We both were unfit and not built like runners! We don't run fast but we do chat as we run, with the coach on loudspeaker in the background. Chatting when running may not be the easiest option if you are asthmatic, but it does make the time go quicker and motivates us both. If not this, then could you listen to an audiobook whilst running, instead of music? This might take your mind off things. Good luck! Kaz
I think some of it does come with time. I still find that I hate running sometimes, but then there are other days that I find enjoyable bits! I am injured at the moment and haven't run for 7 weeks and am actually missing it! I think you'll find that very gradually you are enjoying small bits of your run. It does take a long time though. Keep going and you will get there- good luck!😊😊
I'm currently in week 4, like you I feel great when I have finished and surprised myself that I could keep going and I even look forward to my next run and I'm a bit gutted that I need to have a day off. But then the next run comes and I really can't be bothered going. The only reason I do is that I have a target to see how many laps I can run in 12 minutes at the gym which is quickly coming round and I need to make sure I am running for that length of time.
I still cringe when I go to my group training and see the word lap on our board, so i don't like running especially in the gym but when I'm doing outside I do find that I am starting to like it, I like how I can talk to myself to motivate myself (If you have ever had a go at insanity Shaun T keeps saying 'Dig Deeper and i keep repeating that to myself when I'm really tired and just want to stop)
I think you have to make space for enjoyment rather than training for it and how people do that varies - for me it would involve never ever using the word "workout" for starters!
It does seem to be about letting your mind go free, of accepting the (perfectly normal) negative feelings which come up during a run, whilst not thinking they mean anything in particular (any more than the "I could run forever" elated feeling 'means' anything in the sense of it you actually being able to run forever and that "This is horrible, why am I doing this" won't be in your head 15 seconds later)
You may find later weeks easier, much easier. I certainly did... it is so easy to 'sprint' in those 60 seconds whereas once you take up a pace you can sustain for 30 minutes it is a different experience.
I would say that as you get fitter, and slimmer as you eat healthily, it should get easier and you should feel better As you do more slow runs you will get fitter and have more lung power.
Run nice and steady, no need to push at all
Have fun 🙂
The programme is a funny thing, you gradually build up your running and stamina and I think it gives you the same chance to build up the love! For me I found I loathed actually doing the first run, but afterwards like you - wow the sense of achievement.
I was fast becoming not so much a couch potato as a couch! And I think what sneaks up on you is the sudden realisation that last week you felt god awful at point a and this week you don't feel quite so bad.
Unless you're really lucky I don't know that you can suddenly 'love' the running. I think it takes its time to win you over. Just see if there's one moment in a run when you think - oh that's not so bad, or I did well then - the little positive milestones mentally make a big difference.
Good luck with it and you have fortitude having to cope with the heaving and allsorts. That alone should make you smile - that despite all that you keep going - sounds like a teeny love affair is beginning, maybe you should keep dating....
To be honest, I dont know when the change over happened for me, I think about that often. Somewhere along the line my confidence changed about what I was doing. I will never be an amazing runner, I go out there and do it my own way and throughly enjoy what I do. I think, when I allowed myself to accept what a run was for me and forget about what everybody else was taking about then I learnt to accept my personal accomplishments, then it became more fun as I could see how I was progressing and what and where I wanted to go with my running, over time the fact that my body can do this brings a sense of pride eveytime I go out and that adds to the enjoyment. While I'm running it is variable as to how hard it is depending in so many different variables, tiredness, stress, hydration etc,etc but a bad run doesn't upset me anymore and that makes it more enjoyable. Over time you will find what makes you happy about a run and then you will be happy while running, it is not about being the best, the fastest or any of that it is about everything that is important just for you and embracing that.
Thanks everyone. I think if I can get over the dry heaving that would help too. I really hate that part! Going to walk a 5k today to get a feel for the actual distance. Some days a mile seems more like 10
A bit of company helps and as it gets easier it is more enjoyable. You're early days so be kind to yourself. You're off the couch and you've mad a positive life changing decision.🐢👣🏃🏿😊
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
This forum is great because being able to post 'I did it' is what is keeping me going at the moment. 
Slow in the snow but I finished week 6!
The Not So Elusive 5K in 30min!
The difficult second Parkrun
W1R3 in the bag
