During lockdown I completed Couch to 5k. Then I ran three times a week reducing my 5k time to 32:30. Not bad for a 73 year old.
However did I feel good running? No it was always very hard word work. Did I feel healthier as a result? No just the same as before. I am sure there are internal medical benefits but I will now look for some exercise I can enjoy!
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coverhill
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In sorry that you feel like that, especially as you have been so successful! I’m sure that there were health benefits if you were running 3 times a week.
Before you decide completely against running, why not try running really slowly? When I first started doing this, it was a revelation. It wasn’t hard, didn’t take much effort at all and the first time I ran for 60 minutes, I stopped (because my time was up!) and I wasn’t even out of breath! Running slowly gave me time to enjoy it, to look around while I was running, to enjoy the scenery, without any pressure on what distance I was going to achieve, or what my pace would be. Might be worth a try.
‘Really slowly’ is running at an ‘easy conversational’ pace. Sometimes it’s hard to do that at first, but it’s so worth it.
I'd say that's a brilliant time for any aged runner. I'm 60 and that time is within a few seconds of my personal best. However, I don't run for speed. I go out to get my heart pumping, clear my head and enjoy the outdoors. Chasing speed kills the enjoyment for me, maybe it has for you too. 🤷♀️
As John says, exercise should be fun. If it's not, try something else. Like many other people, I dusted off my bike in lockdown - absolutely hated it. I doubt I'll ever get on it again, and I'm deciding whether to sell it. There are no prizes for doing something you don't like. I hope you find a new groove soon. 👍
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