Suggestions?

[Ohdearodell]

I graduated (took 11 weeks) and though I’m proud of that achievement I haven’t got the ‘running bug’ yet. I want to say I enjoy running but I don’t. Will this change? Do you have to keep going to break through that barrier. Any suggestions to help keep me motivated?

[Hidden]

I have Jo Whiley’s voice in my headphones for the C25K app and she says change your mantra so as I’m running I’m telling myself how much I love it (I have always disliking running years ago but am actually enjoying it now). And how about setting yourself an achievable goal for your runs? Is that the sort of thing that might keep you motivated? Something like running 50kms a month to earn a treat maybe?

[Ohdearodell]

Good ideas - thank you! I’m with Sarah Millican, warm and friendly- she’s proud of me! 50k initially sounds a lot but thinking about it only 10 runs a month. Thanks food for thought.

[Hidden in reply to Ohdearodell]

You’re welcome 😊

[Trying2run Graduate]

I smile - sounds daft - but if I pretend to enjoy it - I feel I eventually actually do. I must say that I don't think I did start to enjoy it until week 6 when I was doing longer runs. Now starting week 8 once I get over the first 10 minutes I feel good. The smile disappears on hills mind as I'm not a sadist ha ha!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to Trying2run]

Smiling is compulsory!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Where you run can make all the difference to your experience. I am lucky to live in glorious Mid Devon, with fields at the end of a five minute warm up walk. I have loved my runs right from the start, being amazed that what started almost grudgingly, to prevent further decline in stamina, became an addiction in such a short time.

I love to run in fields and woods, beaches and clifftops, moorland and ridgeways......... anywhere that is naturally beautiful. Running through these sorts of places is life affirming.

You have put in the groundwork and now you have graduated, the pressure is off and you can just run for fun, so slow down and enjoy it. Look for somewhere new to run and I am sure you will have experiences that make you fall utterly in love with running.

You might be one of the unfortunate few who never feels the love, but if you just run nice and slow an appreciate your environment, you are giving yourself the best chance

[Razouski]

I completely agree with IannodaTruffe , having somewhere nice to run really does help. I'm not as fortunate as him, as I live in Luton (which really can't be compared with Devon), but I manage to run through the nearby park sometimes. I do however get bored running the same route overtime, so have found a couple of routes which take me out to the nearby villages, and at other times I jump in the car for 5 or 10 minutes to find a more scenic spot.

The other thing to think about is what you like to listen to. I have three or four different playlists, and am always on the look out for new tracks to add to create a new playlist (as I have a really low boredom threshold LOL).

I hope the running starts to grow on you soon.

[AnneDroid Graduate]

I have the running bug, in the sense that I am addicted to the endorphins that follow a run. And I enjoy the other benefits - like the changes in my body. But I certainly don't love every minute of every run. In fact I hate quite a lot of those minutes! I don't know if that will ever change, although I hope it does because I envy those that love the whole thing.

However, I do have bits of each run which I love; I don't think I ever hate all of a run, just some of it. I look for the joyous moments as I run. Those include beautiful scenery, smiley people who say good morning, good songs on my playlist, and of course the great feeling when you're properly warmed up, running well, feeling strong and not too tired yet. Also, of course, I enjoy the smug feeling that lasts all day after a run...

[Susieq174 Graduate in reply to AnneDroid]

I’m with you on this but I’m hoping it will change. I have loved some runs so it is possible I think! 😊

[Ohdearodell]

Thanks for all the great suggestions. Did anyone have a lightbulb moment when it all came together? And if so at what stage of the training or was it after graduation? Interested to hear personal experiences.