I love the concept of running. Listening to my favorite music gets me so pumped and picturing myself running to the music gives me such joy. Then...I actually run. I want to nap...not run! I alllllmost completed a C25K app but I kept getting sick (yay winter) or having other random things come up and I got so discouraged. It's been a month and a half and I want to get back into it. At what point does running *actually* become enjoyable? I've had the "runner's high" briefly I think but it's a struggle to get to that point. If I'm looking for joy like that, I'll rather take a shot of scotch, not struggle through a run! I want to WANT to run. I'm not doing it specifically for weight loss. People just rant and rave about how great they feel and I just want to get to that point where I'm mad if I have to miss a run. Heeeelp? Thanks!!!
Love/Hate Relationship: I love the concept of... - Couch to 5K
Love/Hate Relationship
Are you going too fast ? Which week are you on ? Go slow and steady , maybe listen to music on the app with Laura ; it is good for keeping your pace . Just keeping doing the runs ! It just clicks and you start to enjoy it . Not every run is good some are really long and hard.
I was on the final week, doing a 13-14 minute mile. I just *want* to want to get out there. My brain says why run when I can...do anything that's not running?
You got to final week !!! Do not give up now . Can you run a different route ? A 13 -14 min mile is fine ...as app says not about speed just keeping going for 30 mins . I graduated last August but let the running slip. So redoing ...only now am i speeding up a bit and really enjoying it . Maybe it takes 6 + months for some of us to get the nack ! I have had to try W8R2 three times !
Tricky!
That part of the run where you forget that are running.... hardly ever happens to me!.😊
The longer runs are easier I think because percentage wise less of it is effortful, so if we talk "toxic ten" minutes and only run for 15 minutes that's not great, but if we talk again "toxic ten ", but run for 40 or 50 minutes......, well you can see my point.
What I will say is that for me, even if I don't feel that "high" during every run, I invariably feel great after every run. So yes, I do enjoy running, even when I don't enjoy the run, we all have bad ones, recently I have had some great ones, ( but again I'm going further, so there's that percentage again)
I hope that helps 🤩🤩
Welcome to the forum and well done on getting started.
This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5... and explains the recommended easy conversational pace at which you should run.
This gentle pace is far more enjoyable than pushing your body to the limit and, counterintuitively, is the pace which builds stamina, which is the main aim of C25K.
Don't go searching desperately, just get used to being at one with your body doing exercise..........the joy will come..........at least it does for most.
Enjoy your journey.
It takes time. When I graduated, I was running for around 40 minutes for the 5k, always doing the same route, same playlist... I got bored. Switching things about helps with enjoyment, but I found the main thing that helped was realising it was me time, where no one would interrupt, no one could ask me to be quick, it was solid me time. Time away from everyone as I plod gracelessly up and down country lanes and through woodland. Solid peace and quiet!
What activity do you actually enjoy? Have you done it for long? Would running be to replace it or complement it? I started C25K to see if I could do it, but mostly because I needed something I could do entirely on my own that would replace fair weather cycling during winter. Behold, it turns out I like it! Lucky for me. But the other things remain important and that carries me on when the run is less than amazing. At W6, I think my body is beginning to depend on the running boost but not established yet and the duration-and-stamina target of being on a programme helps. Good luck finding your own way! 😊
I enjoy weight lifting (beginner stuff...not bodybuilding) and weirdly enough, I enjoy P90X. I can put tons of effort while staying stationary. As soon as I propel forward and it turns into *running*....ugh! haha! Music really makes me love running, but it's getting into my clothes and onto that treadmill that feels sooooo hard! I live in a rural area and I don't like to run outside because A) pavement and steep hills and B) too many things in the news about murdered/kidnapped joggers.
I don't think I would have found the joy without being outside. I'll use a treadmill on holiday but that's it. Can you not drive to somewhere you feel safe to at least get some outdoor time?
That's why I don't read newspapers... it would put me off living and having fun! 🤣
I could probably find a place to drive, but driving = effort and the more effort, the less likely to do 
Do you think they have people I could hire to come bang on my door and demand I get my workout clothes on and go :-D??
Frankly, if you are running on a treadmill then I am not surprised that it is not enjoyable.
Get outdoors, even if it is only for some of your running, in an inspiring environment and it is a different animal.
If running could only be done on a treadmill then I would not run.
Well I just looked up P90X and reckon you have plenty of energy and determination! I’ve never tried treadmill running (except for a slightly scary moment during gait analysis for new trainers), but I wonder if a short wait for better weather and then trying outdoor running might be worth trying. It’s not actually a moral obligation to learn to love running, of course. 😂 But outdoors really is a different beast. I am rural, but can avoid the steep hills which helps. I run in daylight on a route across fields and have a few regular dog walkers I now recognise which helps that isolation feel. If you don’t want to run with a buddy (I wouldn’t), could you text a friend as you leave and as you return? Might help the feeling .... Good luck. 😊
Took me a while to start loving it... it will come... I think it tough in this cold indoors or outdoors too
I just ran w9r1 and I think I experienced every human emotion over the course of 30 minutes. Mostly I wanted to die, it was so tough at times and nearly had a panic attack because I couldn't breathe. But the last 5 minutes were incredible! I could have carried on running and felt so elated at the end I started dancing and singing! I never knew running would make me so crazy!
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