Enjoyment?

[Bouncyshoes]

Any comments on when the enjoyment while running kicks in? Just done W4R2 and found myself dwelling on the time - should I change my running playlist maybe? Feel great now I've finished, real sense of accomplishment.

[Buddy34 Graduate]

For me i was like you just wondering when I was going to be told that I can stop running now. This doesn't last forever as you get in to the longer runs I found the enjoyment of running, not saying it was easy but it gets better. Also remember that feeling of completing a run it will get you through to the end of each run. Good luck 😊

[MrFox001 Graduate]

Hiya As Buddy34 says as you run longer it just get's better and amazingly easier. The first 10/15 mins is always the hardest after that everything seems to get in gear. The Music definitely helps. Go for stuff you like and can listen to over again. Just relax and enjoy. It's worth it.

[damienair Graduate]

It will take a few months even after graduating before your running legs with be built up and your lungs are built up for running. For the first few months it is not pleasant. You ache, find it hard to breathe and struggle so much. However the feeling of accomplishment afterwards is amazing and spurs you along. Well that continues, every time you complete a Parkrun or a 5K event, running past 5K, getting to 10K, doing a new PB time, running a new route etc. You will be spurred on to do more. And the more you run the fitter and faster you get and it all becomes a beautiful addictive healthy hobby. You’ll get there, it takes a lot of hard work but it is worth the effort.

Damien

[Bouncyshoes Graduate in reply to damienair]

Thanks Damien, I know it's going to get better, some/most days I have runner self doubt though - I will prove it to myself one of these days.

[damienair Graduate in reply to Bouncyshoes]

It just takes time. Then it clicks into place. You just have to put the time and effort in. I found Parkrun was an amazing motivation for me. I train twice during the week and do Parkrun on Saturday mornings. It’s a great way to gauge your improvement and is something to look forward to every week.

When you graduate try Parkrun as it is amazing and will keep you motivated and interested in improving and training.

Damien

[Bouncyshoes Graduate in reply to damienair]

Park Run is already my motivation. To run 5k (twice round our local lake) with my daughter (half marathon runner) is on my bucket list and I WILL achieve that before I'm 61 in November. Roll on Thursday when I will be 1 run closer to graduation.😁😎

[Jogunlikely Graduate]

Maybe try listening to the spoken word rather than music? I find it keeps me focused on listening rather than oh my god how much longer!

If I'm not able to fixate on the running I find I enjoy it much more. I've used funny podcasts, audio books and currently listening to guided runs on Nike Run Club (It's free). I also like the radio as this breaks things up with chatting and music.

But I have to agree with those above. The longer the runs the more I am enjoying it. Not every run but more often than not.

Stick with it 👍

[Bouncyshoes Graduate in reply to Jogunlikely]

Thanks, good idea - I've got some audio books, radio might be a bit tricky as I live in a bit of a poor area for signal - did try it once but lost it a few times which ended up being more annoying than anything else. So audio books it is. Thanks again.

[MuddledGardener Graduate]

I listen to music with very long tracks, music that I can really get lost in. I don’t think about time, then.

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate]

Hi Bouncyshoes and well done on getting to week 4...those time gremlins 🙄 they get right in there and have you looking at your watch...wondering when the end is coming...so yes, my advice to you is to mix up your running, whether it's a different playlist, different setting or just trying to get out of the zone by thinking about your shopping lost or what's for tea....sometimes it's easy to sell on the time, gosh, I did it all the time and still do some runs...but the fact that you feel great afterwards is a sign that you're really enjoying it so def just make little adjustments and your run will be done before you know it!!

[Nanarunrun Graduate]

Hi, I tried music, then podcasts and now I listen to Liza Tarbuck's radio programme on the iplayer radio app, you can download it so it won't go off if you lose signal. It's a mix of chatter and music, it seems to take my mind off the running, might not be your cup of tea but there may be something else you fancy.... I also count cars, look in people's windows, count backwards, anything to distract myself from thinking about the act of running! 😊