I hate running - any advice ? : I’m not enjoying... - Couch to 5K

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I hate running - any advice ?

Wrenage profile image
WrenageGraduate
14 Replies

I’m not enjoying running at all - any words of wisdom ? Am I likely to start enjoying it as it gets easier for me or am I simply not a runner?

I’m on week 4 run 3 next. Before I go for my run, I’m enthusiastic and when I’m finished I’m glad I did it, but while running I hate it lol.

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Wrenage profile image
Wrenage
Graduate
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14 Replies
HeavyFoot profile image
HeavyFootGraduate

I can only give personal experience: I cursed and struggled all the way through C25K. After every run my wife asked “how was it?” I’d reply “....ing awful “

Friends would ask why I’m doing it. I would say “I’m going to keep on until I stop hating it”

After 6 months I started to enjoy running. 18 months on I’m miserable if I have to miss a run.

Wrenage profile image
WrenageGraduate in reply to HeavyFoot

That’s what I was hoping someone was going to say! Hopefully one day I’ll love it. Thanks

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate

You have at least got to run 2 of week 4, well done for that, during the running parts run a little slower than you have been recently, drink plenty of water the day before you run and just before you run as well, do other exercises the day you don't run. 🏃🏾 👍 C25K is to be enjoyed, it's not a training course for the SAS. 😊

Wrenage profile image
WrenageGraduate in reply to AlMorr

I love to dance, but my classes are cancelled. I’m still doing yoga. So I decided while my gym is shut I’ll do ct5k and once I’ve started something I don’t want to stop - getting out of my comfort zone.

‘Not a training course for the SAS! ‘ that made me laugh - if you see how slowly I run, you’d wonder why I bothered!

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate in reply to Wrenage

Ha, regarding the SAS, to train for them one of the things you would have to do is run a TEN. K with a 20Kg weight on your back, in comparison C25K is a run in the park with your dog and no weight on your back.

Curnie1 profile image
Curnie1

Maybe if you try and “buddy up” with someone who’s on the same week as you to offer each other support and make it more fun. Hope it helps. Best of luck.

Oldgirlruns profile image
OldgirlrunsGraduate

I run painfully slowly Wrenage, don’t worry about being slow - embrace that snail! Like you I often look forward to a run and I love it when it’s over. There are times in the middle when it’s not quite so good, usually the first 10 minutes! Try and think of something nice or how much you’ll enjoy it when you’ve finished, or listen to some good music, that might help! Good luck!

Speedy60 profile image
Speedy60Graduate

Personally, I think you'd have to give it 6 months before you can decide whether running is for you - and it's not for everyone. I found c25k hard, and it was only one of a number of things I was doing at the time. It must be worse when you know there are very few other exercise options.

I graduated in November and it really only started to feel natural towards the end of January. Even now, not every run is a good one!

Now I don't think I could give it up, even though I'm getting a bit bored of doing the same route every run.

Just keep putting one foot in front of the other for now. You have already come such a long way. 👏

Granspeed profile image
GranspeedGraduate

Hi, Wrenage. I began to enjoy the actual running more when I got to stretches of more than 15 minutes. I still don’t much like the first 10 minutes, even a year on. Lots of people find some version of this, I think. So don’t give up yet if you are enjoying the pre- and post-run bits. I think you will get there! 😄

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

Welcome to the forum and well done on your progress.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

You can make this hard on yourself by pushing hard or slow down to the recommended easy conversational pace, at which you can appreciate your environment, achieve much more easily and possibly, like so many before you, actually enjoy it.

Not many people like really hard work, so be kind to yourself and make it easier.

Enjoy your journey.

John_W profile image
John_WGraduateAmbassador

If running makes you unhappy, don't do it.

Find something else that you actually enjoy - that's far more important.

BUT.... I'd give C25K at least a chance.

By the way, how do physically feel when you're finished? Are you out of breath?

Wrenage profile image
WrenageGraduate in reply to John_W

I feel great when I’m finished! Quite chuffed that I’ve managed 16 mins of running! But when I’m actually running I can’t wait for it to finish!

I’m huffing and puffing less too, which is good.

I’ll keep going - I was just wondering if I was supposed to love it at this stage?

John_W profile image
John_WGraduateAmbassador in reply to Wrenage

There's no rule to say you should 'love' it at any stage.

If you huff and puff less, i.e. find it less hard work, then perhaps you'd enjoy more. So... give this a try:

youtube.com/watch?v=9L2b2kh...

youtube.com/watch?v=-4lCJGC...

Sazzles9 profile image
Sazzles9Graduate

Some days I love it, when it’s cool and there’s a frost and I’m running early mornings and there’s only me, or when I’m running and I can feel the sun starting to warm it’s lovely. And other days my body whinges like a two year old, everything feels uncomfortable, I can’t get into a pace and I hate every god dam step. But... it does me good, and my friend and I laugh about our bad runs and we go again. I’m not fit enough to run perfectly or quickly, I just run x

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