I hate running!!

[Nicko67]

Just finished my first 28 minute run. It was really tough and I’ve never felt less like going out running. I felt every one of my 54 years, the wind and rain were horrible and there was a Roast dinner under way. The tv and couch were very appealing! But out I went grumbling all the way and did it. I hated every minute of it but so pleased I did it and on to the next step!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

If you hate it then why on Earth are you doing it!

It is highly unlikely that you will persist if you don't enjoy it and surely life is too short to spend time doing something you hate.

Many people do not like hard physical exertion but many have an epiphany when they follow the official C25k advice to jog at an easy conversational pace.

Slowing down to the recommended easy conversational pace makes it more achievable and for most, more enjoyable.

Counterintuitively, it is an easy conversational pace running that builds your stamina and endurance, not fast running.

Say this sentence out loud to yourself "Am I going slow enough to enable me to speak this sentence in one out breath?" If you cannot, you are going too fast.

Try slowing down.

Or perhaps try cycling.

[Nicko67 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Just one of those nights. I’m not a runner and hated this run in particular but I am keeping to it and will persist. I’ve been doing this for 10 weeks now (2 repeated) and on week 8 do not doing too bad and determined to finish. I was being a bit tongue in cheek

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to Nicko67]

This FAQ Post about run preparation may help you understand why healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

[John_W Graduate Ambassador]

You hate running but so pleased you did it.

Excellent but so confusing.

[Hidden]

You are probably describing one of those "tough" runs that everyone experiences through one of many reasons. Hydration, nutrition, restedness, or even life events. On a positive note though, you battled through it and felt pleased with your success 👏.

If you could evaluate why it was tough during the run you could make adjustments eg slowing down.

Not every run can be a good run, but there is good in every run. There is always something new to learn about yourself.

[Nicko67 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

You’re right but in this case the best part of the run was the end! Then I felt pleased!

[Roxdog Graduate]

Some runs are just like that. Some of those later runs in the programme can feel quite tough. Do you hate all the runs though, or just reacting like this to that run? If you hate it, then would cycling or something else be best?Good luck whatever you decide.

[Nicko67 Graduate in reply to Roxdog]

I find them all quite tough and don’t enjoy them when I’m doing them but feel very satisfied when I finish. It’sa strange relationship but I’m going to keep going!

[Roxdog Graduate in reply to Nicko67]

That's good to hear. I found changing my routes helped, as well as slowing down. I hope you start to enjoy the runs a little more as you progress.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Huge well done! Its may not feel easy, but gosh, it will be worth it.. and if you fancy a sit down, head to the Catch up Corner...plenty of room by the fire therehealthunlocked.com/couchto5...

[Cmoi Graduate]

Hmm, am I the only person who read this post, particularly the title, as somewhat tongue-in-cheek?

I interpreted it as "Go me, I managed it despite the lousy conditions and not enjoying those 28 minutes" rather than a genuine dislike of running. I hope it's that, anyway. Maybe Nicko67 could let us know?

In any case I'm not going to attempt to advise, given what happened last time I responded to a post where someone expressed a dislike of running.

[Nicko67 Graduate]

You were right! Thanks for the reply!

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Oh I remember that feeling so well, and then one day I was running along very slowly, not puffing or aching and realized I was smiling and enjoying myself. That will happen to you so very well done for going out

[Hidden in reply to SueAppleRun]

Just so, Sola. Perfect.

[MrBassmanjazz Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

If I could get my swimming breathing as comfortable as my running breathing - now that would be a thing!

[SueAppleRun Graduate in reply to MrBassmanjazz]

Swimming breathing is fine but probably because i don’t really push myself swimming, we were supposed to swim this morning but they closed the pool so we ran instead, short and sweaty but a run

[MrBassmanjazz Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

I can breast stroke just fine - but front crawl I run out of breath after about 1.5 lengths. I think it's to do with the discipline of not breathing in with your face in the water. Take too much in or don't expel enough.

[SueAppleRun Graduate in reply to MrBassmanjazz]

Actually i’m with you on crawl, I over breathe it just takes practise

[MrBassmanjazz Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

I used to be the same with running. Now I rarely think about it. If I could just transfer that... It's the "no margin for error"

[Roxdog Graduate in reply to MrBassmanjazz]

The best tip is to breathe out very slowly when your head is under the water, very gently. Then it all feels very calm!

[MrBassmanjazz Graduate in reply to Roxdog]

Thanks, Roxdog. I'm resting a hip injury and think I should go swimming in the meantime. (I do like swimming). I'm finding the Couch to Car to Leisure Centre much more difficult.

[Roxdog Graduate in reply to MrBassmanjazz]

Swimming crawl sorted out a chronic hip injury for me many years ago.

[MrBassmanjazz Graduate in reply to Roxdog]

Thanks. Good to hear. Running fixed my sore knee!

[Nicko67 Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

Well I’m looking forward to that time!

[Pinkfairy1]

Ahhh you’re me!! Also on week 8 and finding 28 mins tough.

Like you, I enjoy being finished. Not especially when I’m running. Because each run is hard! But it’s probably because I’m going too fast.

I am now at the point where I’m trying to change my routes because I get to the end and hate running around streets because it feels like a hard slog whereas if I had a proper route then I think it would be better. I also need frequent changes of direction as well because otherwise I find it hard to keep going. Even just round a corner is enough to help.

I had been doing flat runs because I found my original route, which had a big hill, was going for my knees. However I found the flat runs very hard and was losing motivation for running very much. So I tried my evil hill again and found it so much better!! Ups and downs help me because although the up is hard, the down gives you a breather whereas flat you are constant. However I can’t do that all the time for my joints - know downhill is the worst for knees etc. So I try to alternate between a flat route and my hill.

People have been saying to me about running with someone. At the moment that terrifies me because I don’t think I could chat and run because I feel all my effort is in breathing (I know that means I’m going too fast!). However maybe it’s what I need to do to slow down!!

I’ve done week 8 but not moving on yet as it’s still very hard. The last few minutes are tough and yesterday I stopped at 26.33 because I felt a twinge in my ankle and my chest hurt (didn’t time food well!). I did 5K tho! So still feel it was a decent workout!

Anyway, it’s nice to know I’m not the only one who feels like this. I’m not sure what keeps me running. Maybe the feeling at the end, because that’s definitely nice!!

[Hidden in reply to Pinkfairy1]

Holey Moley. What speed are you going to get 5k in that time. Blimey !!!!!

Are you a rocket 🚀?

[Cmoi Graduate in reply to Pinkfairy1]

Hang on Pinkfairy1 , you did 5k in 26.33? GPS-measured rather than estimated via uncalibrated stride length on a Fitbit or similar?

If so, that is ridiculously fast. Sounds like it's not in a good way either, if you can't breathe, your chest hurts and you have ankle twinges. It's not actually supposed to be so hard or hurt in that way.

You sound like you're a naturally fast runner. Even so, pushing yourself so hard, so early on in C25K is very likely to result in injury. Taking it easier will pay off in the longer term.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to Pinkfairy1]

Please read this FAQ Post about getting faster. healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Pushing hard on every run is not the recognised way to get faster. If you can't speak aloud clear ungasping sentences on at least 80% of your running time, then you are not maximising your development, but you are maximising your injury risk.

Slow down and you might enjoy yourself.

[nowster Graduate in reply to Pinkfairy1]

Um! That's fast!

It took me nearly 18 months of long slow runs before I got fit enough to do 5km in 26 minutes.

There are some of us here who need 45 minutes or more to do that distance.

Slow down! You'll enjoy it more. There is no speed requirement in C25K. The only requirement for graduation is the ability to run continuously for 30 minutes on three separate non-consecutive days.

[Jell6 Graduate in reply to Pinkfairy1]

Did the 5 k include the warm up cool down?

[Roxdog Graduate in reply to Pinkfairy1]

Hmmm. Sounds like you are running very fast!

[Hedgehogs123 Graduate]

Sometimes we all have tough runs, but I'm sure they won't all be like that. The thing to do is to just go at your own pace and maybe find something that will help you feel better. It may a brilliant motivating music list or it may just be you run somewhere that you can enjoy the peace and quiet and scenery,?When I started on the C25K last year I wondered how in earth I would ever run for more than 10 mins, but now I can run for over an hour and love it!

The thing that really got me the running bug was joining Parkrun, best thing I ever did. Everyone is so friendly and the buzz when you finish is brilliant, everyone has a massive grin on their face!

Hope you don't give up, it's a great thing to do. Will be better when the weather is nicer too, a bit more motivating to go out!!🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[MrBassmanjazz Graduate]

Keep on keeping on. Yer nearly there! (You think you hate it - but the "Love" just sneaks up on you). It's worth it just for that smug self-satisfied feeling you get when you complete.

[Cmoi Graduate]

Great advice IannodaTruffe , but I think you meant to reply to Pinkfairy1 , not me! Easily done, I've tagged the OP 😀

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to Cmoi]

Indeed!!

[DrEdFullyunfit]

I understand this completely! I see so many folks out running and appearing to enjoy themselves, but that’s not me. I do enjoy the effects it has on me mentally and physically, so, in a way, running and I have a kind of love hate relationship.

I very rarely get a runners high, but the satisfaction of knowing I’ve achieved a run, it’s done, no one can take it away from me, it was hard, but I persevered and overcame, gives me a faith in myself I often struggle to find in other ways. I still have to drag myself out the door nearly every time though - good music and changing routes helps me stay a bit more motivated as does having a goal to aim for.

Anyway, well done for getting out there, I hope the roast was even more delicious because you ran

[Nicko67 Graduate in reply to DrEdFullyunfit]

It really was good!

[nowster Graduate]

"I'm not a runner."

So what were you doing for 28 minutes, then? 😜

[Nicko67 Graduate in reply to nowster]

Staggering, sweating and cursing!!😅😂

[LateStart Graduate]

Well Nicko - tongue in cheek or not, I think we should make space for a bit of hate (in some cases at least). I am about your age, hated running all my life with a passion, - and now am running every week. Yes slowing down is key so that it is not a chore and it made a huge difference to me. But there are some days where I really really don't want to go out, the old hate resurfaces and I want to veg and eat cookies instead. There is joy in running I discovered but equally running is not always joyful! And one of the things that keep me going is struggling with the hate when it resurfaces and accepting that it may well do so from time to time.

[Nicko67 Graduate in reply to LateStart]

I think if I go any slower I’ll be in reverse!😜