I want to enjoy

[Florida04]

I have recently started couch to 5k . I have did it before twice and enjoy when I have finished my runs it is the inbetween that gets me .

In my head i can’t wait to run and then when I start I constantly think why am I doing this, I am so slow, will I ever just in enjoy while running instead of thinking when is it finished . Don’t get me wrong when I finish my run I feel so much better and think I am just so hard on myself . I had a miniscus tear years ago and just find it hard sometimes .

I just wonder does anyone else feel this way .

oh and I am a bit weird as I find it hard running with someone .

Some people will say why bother but I hate giving up I just want to enjoy it more and do a park run and a run challenge in June

Sorry for boring u all lol

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Firstly, you aren't boring us so no need to be sorry.Sometimes running is horrible and I wonder why I bother but other times it's just a lovely feeling, running along feeling young and free 😁.

I didn't enjoy the actual running part until a few weeks after finishing C25k so hang in there, you might find the joy of running one day yet

[Annieapple Graduate]

🍏Welcome to the forum & thanks for writing in! Many of us prefer running alone & some are crazy about their park runs or running with friends or in a group. It’s personal preference.

I wonder if your struggle comes from that previous meniscus tear? Perhaps you are worried about another injury ? Slow running is good running & the fact you feel great at the end of the run proves it’s working for you. Have you added any Strength & Flex exercises in between to support your running & help prevent injury?? This may help you to relax, feel more secure on the runs and enjoy them more. I will pop in a link for you to look at!

Please keep posting and let us know how things are going. 🤗😊

healthunlocked.com/strength...

[GoogleMe Graduate]

Hey! It sounds as if the problem is a bit wider than running specific (that's okay, it's affecting your running so good to share here)

"Does anybody else get this?" sort of posts are *really* useful!

There do seem to be some people who don't 'enjoy' running at the time but enjoy the benefits of it and how they feel when they've finished. There might be another way to look it it - yes it is lovely to enjoy running but that can't be forced and sometimes focussing on the 'how you'll feel afterwards' is what is needed. There are lots of things we do, and don't want not to do, that perhaps aren't especially enjoyable every time (or that much at all)... they are just part of our lives and I think that's how regular running often works.

Lots of us aren't that keen on running with others (I am definitely one, but like you, I am a bit 'Parkrun curious' all the same) Being able to run by yourself rather than always needing someone to go with you is a real blessing.

But it sounds to me as though your difficulty is precisely that you are not running alone, you are running with a voice in your head or on your shoulder wittering away unhelpfully and getting between you and enjoyment. So... the question is how to get that voice drowned out or sent on its way? Seriously you could just say "Go away" Do you run with music? Could you try a spoken word audio accompaniment if you are using the app format - if you are engaged with a story or a conversation there might be less room for all these unhelpful thoughts?

[Jell6 Graduate in reply to GoogleMe]

Completely agree, the after run is often the best part. And there's absolutely nothing wrong with that 🙃

[Florida04]

Thanks everyone for your lovely words of wisdom and support . I completed my week 2 run 1 yesterday .

[Xmrkn20 Graduate]

Hi, I posted a very similar message a couple of weeks ago and got absolutely brilliant responses which have really helped me. The main gist was: don’t tell yourself this is going to be horrible (my little voice always did this) and GO SLOW! I thought I was already going at a snail’s pace but found I could actually go down another gear and guess what? For the first time I started to enjoy it, I wasn’t out of breath or thinking about the end of the run.

The most difficult bit for me is to stop worrying about what others might think as I trundle along slowly. I am gradually persuading myself they don’t matter and the main thing is that I am out there getting fitter. It’s not easy, that little voice is quite loud when it gets going! But it is worth it.

Good luck.

[Annieapple Graduate in reply to Xmrkn20]

How are your runs going this week ?Xmrkn20

[Xmrkn20 Graduate in reply to Annieapple]

Not bad! I went yesterday and felt bit breathless but happily got to the end of my 30 mins (am on week 9) and then found I had actually gone faster than before without realising it, hence the puffed-out feeling!! I still have to consciously tell myself "I can do this and it won't be horrible", am hoping that over time I won't have to do this and I will get proper enjoyment! How about you?

[Annieapple Graduate in reply to Xmrkn20]

🍏🙌 Wow closing in on graduation now! I do hope you have a run that you really enjoy soon. I had a lovely sunshiny run today. Made up for all the cold rainy days!! I still mostly run slowly because that’s the way I enjoy it!I love being out in the fresh air! One of these days you will be the same!

[nowster Graduate]

I started running during lockdown so all my runs for the first year or so were solo efforts.

I totally agree with the feeling of not wanting to do it before, the feeling of "What on earth am I doing this for? I'm not worthy." during the run itself and the sense of relief and achievement that follows the run.

If you're putting pressure on yourself to achieve certain goals or match past achievements, don't. That'll sap all the fun out of it.

One of the hardest things to learn is to take the pressure off yourself, go as slow as you need to, and take things easy during a run.

At this time of the year there are new smells, new sounds and new sights as nature comes to life again after sleeping through winter. If you're not noticing these things when out on a run you're missing out on a lot.