OK - disclosure: I've never been and still am not interested in running for running's sake. When Jo Whiley (bless her) said on a recent intro "I bet you're wishing the five minutes brisk walk was over so you can get on with the running" I almost wet myself laughing. I started this thing because I got fed up with struggling on mountain walks (my actual real passion) and knew I needed to do something about my general fitness. My knees aren't currently up to cycling. But I'm here in the penultimate week of Ct5K and I still hate running as much as I ever did.
So I'm up to 28 minutes and covering about 3.4km and happy enough with that fitness gain. The question is what do I turn to now to keep it? I can't cycle much because knees, I can't be in the mountains walking every other day (if I could I wouldn't have lost fitness in the first place) and my co-ordination is so terrible that most sports are out (can't kick a ball in a straight line, catch one or hit one with a bat of any kind - I ruined my love of cricket by actually trying to play it).
I'm open therefore to suggestions.
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OnTheQuiet
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What a great reason to run. What now? When you finish week 9 then consolidate for a few weeks at 30 minutes then it's entirely up to you, mix the runs up to keep it interesting, there's loads of guided runs in Nike Run Club app that lots of us use, or just run to music or nothing. Longer runs, short runs, fast runs, slow runs, just keep running as it's the best gift you can give yourself ,😁
Well, it's just over four years since I completed C25K and I'm still not interested in running for running's sake eitherOnTheQuiet . Never have been, never will be.
Events, parkrun, running clubs, audio-coached runs, training plans, achieving personal bests etc just don't interest or motivate me. Basically I run for enjoyment, personal challenge, and because it's the closest I get to being a kid again.
I'm fortunate to live in rural France, so I run country roads, tracks, and hilly forest trails as much as I can, solo. If you have access to the countryside would that be an option for you? (I do realise that you say you can't be in the mountains walking every other day, but I don't know whether that's because of location or other reasons.)
If you want to drop running because you've given it a decent try and decided you don't enjoy it, then why not? No point in making yourself miserable. As to alternative activities, my personal preference is for dance, as I enjoy music and have reasonable balance, just no hand-eye co-ordination.
Hope you find something that suits you, whether running-related or not.
If its general cardio fitness there are lots of classes to join that you may enjoy more than running if that's not what you want to keep up with. Or try the gym! Or swimming in fact although I'm not sure how much cardio you'd get!
You could stick with a bit of running but just do shorter runs and supplement with another fitness class?
What do you think you don't enjoy about it? I do feel like the pressure to run for a certain time etc to tick off the next run may add pressure for a lot of people which isnt always fun and I hear some people say they enjoyed running more after graduation where they just set the rules for how long and how far they ran.
What I don't enjoy about running? It's uncomfortable gives me no pleasure.
Edit - thinking about this, I think essentially my problem is and always has been I really don’t like the feeling of physical exertion itself. So I need sufficient diversion during the activity so my entire focus isn't on the unpleasant sensations from muscles and lungs. Perhaps I should try fell running?
Pushing myself to run at a pace where my breathing is constantly on the verge of discomfort or I can only gasp out the odd word isn't for me. I find it panic-inducing, not rewarding, and consequently only do it if I absolutely have to. (Before anyone tells me I shouldn't be running like that during C25K, I agree, I'm talking about the tempo runs and speedwork I had to do during trail marathon training.)
As for fell running, I've never done that, just trail running. Personally I find hills and off-road running much easier on the joints - though not necessarily on the muscles - than flatter road running. Similarly I find varied terrain much more rewarding, fun and easier to cope with than even surfaces such as tarmac. Probably because hills and trails are what I'm used to!
Also, if my calves (or whatever) are uncomfortable, it helps me to tell myself that I'll just run to the next bend, or for another minute, or similar. Focusing on that micro-target rather than the discomfort distracts me and helps me continue.
All that said, it might be that you're inadvertently running at a pace that's faster than is comfortable for you, and if you slowed down you might find things more enjoyable. It's perfectly possible for your brisk walk pace to be faster than your running pace.
Only one answer...stop running, if you really dislike it that much ...and take up.T'ai Chi...and if anyone thinks that is nothing to do with fitness.. think again.Can be fitted into the busiest schedule.. anywhere..more or less...any time..
The benefits are endless, the support gained in strength, stamina, physical and mental well being and balance.
I think I wrote a post on it on the S and F Forum..I'll find the link.
Not sure if fell running is the way to go...or were you joking in that reply.. because if your knees dislike cycling, I can well see them loathing the lumps, bumps,tracks and trails of the fells.
Me...I love running.....but , great that we're all different and a huge, well done to you for staying with it!
Wasn't joking about fell running - I don't get knee pain from running - shins and calves a different matter - only from cycling. It's about putting force through a knee at particular flexion angles which doesn't really occur when running.
"... I really don’t like the feeling of physical exertion itself."
Interesting , very interesting. What age & gender are you?
Running doesn't have to be physically exerting ... when you run, how is that exertion presenting itself? For example, are you out of breath when you finish?
I ran a half-marathon, 13mi/21km on Monday evening, as a training run, taking it very easy for 2 hours, and finished feeling more or less fine, but definitely not of out of breath. It was just my legs that felt a bit tired. Yesterday lunchtime, 18 hours later, I did 10mi/16k and it felt great. Again, I took it easy, all the while making sure my breathing was nice and relaxed - little exertion at all.
I'm male, late 50s. But I've always found running involves a lot of exertion. I have to make an effort to pull each leg forward every step. There is a pace where this is no longer the case but it's walking - I've got a foot on the ground at all times. The moment I break jnto the slowest trot it's a constant physical effort. Always has been.
That's not to say I haven't been surprised by what I've achieved - I had to spend a month gradually working up from 14 minutes walk/1 minute run x 2 to get to a place where I could even start C25K. But I'm looking back over the past four months and thinking "there's no way I'm keeping this up".
The problem is this came after already trying gyms, swimming, cycling (damn those knees). It was a sort of last option.
Interesting, I suppose it's just about why we're doing it in the first place isn't it. I don't think enjoyment is a factor in getting me out the door!😄... I started for my fitness, personal goal setting and initially, fundraising. Might you be like me and enjoy it AFTER? Whilst occasionally with some good tunes on and my going SLOW enough to keep the 'body machine' in balance, I have thought, aaah, I think I'm enjoying this, I tend to enjoy it more afterwards ...in the knowledge that I am helping my health and a feeling of being grateful for my body working.
If not, ...swimming? You mentioned your knees and isn't swimming meant to be kinder on the joints? I can't do it because I kept getting ear infections. Good luck with your final week!
When I started running I hated it. I'm really surprised I even considered doing C25K because like you I didn't like physical exertion. I disliked the idea of running and people who liked it. Mrs Negativity all round.
The first few weeks of C25K were a total ordeal. Hard work, achy next day, just couldn't get into it but persisted because, again, like you, I knew I needed to improve my fitness.
Then one day, as I huffed and puffed and told myself this was hell I had a thought. Lots of people love to run, why? I challenged myself to find something about it that I liked. And, surprise surprise there were quite a few of those things.
Being outside. Being able to move more freely. Improving health. Time to think... the list goes on. You'd have your own things, it's a matter of finding them.
It's like when I was given free tickets to see Motorhead many years ago. I 'didn't like Motorhead', whinged and made everyone late. Then I saw them - one of the best gigs ever. That taught me a lesson about enjoying what you enjoy, not what you think you're going to enjoy and not closing off any possibilities for enjoyment.
If the dislike of running comes from the physical discomfort just go as slow as it takes to be comfortable, as has already been suggested. Go slower than you think you need to. Then go a bit slower.
And if all else fails then walk (don't run ) away. You've given it your best shot but you don't have to prove anything to anyone but yourself. Maybe join a gym or incorporate more walking into your every day routine. You are most likely to stick to any new hobby or pastime if you enjoy it so don't waste your precious life doing something you hate.
Well, as you know this forum and those linked to it are all linked to running. There is the ‘Bridge to10k’ but all that will do is expand your suffering and dislike of running.
Why continue to do something you don’t like?
Why not walk? You can walk a parkrun - many do, and that will give you a regular weekly 5k outing.
You’ve done really well in getting through to the latter stages of C25K despite your clear hate of running, that’s determination!
Other than that, I don’t think there’s much else people from this forum can advise, it is focused on running after all….
If you specifically want a physical activity - although from what you’ve said that’s not what you are seeking……you could look into your local sports centre and a personal trainer and see what they can advise?
There is the ‘Bridge to10k’ but all that will do is expand your suffering and dislike of running.
Well, currently the “Bridge to 10k” description is…”A community for runners looking to crack a 10k or build their running beyond 30 minutes.” but maybe we need to change it to what you’ve suggested here! 🤣🤣🤣
Seriously, though. I started enjoying my running more when I began running longer. Partly because that opened up nicer routes through more countryside. Partly because I got more experienced and I could go out to listen to a podcast with the running as a secondary reason to be out.
OnTheQuiet its a totally valid choice to say you don’t enjoy running and would rather exercise in another way. Wishing you luck with finding something you can enjoy, whether that’s running or something else.
You're right about the longer runs being better. With short ones you don't get beyond the first 'Toxic 10' minutes. After 10 or so minutes of running it all gets a lot easier as your body settles into the rhythm.I think this was one of the reasons I didn't understand how people could like running.
Was this more a post in the way of having a bit of a moan "I just don't wanna" than actually wanting suggestions? It's absolutely fine if it was, a bit of a moan can be tremendously therapeutic and shift mental blockages... the number of times on here someone has posted a negative sort of post and then shortly afterwards gone out and done... something positive anyway! But posting on a running forum if you really don't want anyone to offer running related suggestions....
Hating is an active thing and takes energy and I am wondering why hate rather than just 'don't particularly like' ? Lots of people struggle with the 'being told what to do' element of C25K, even though they don't know they have a contrarian streak! The general 'music' of your post is that you wish you could be out mountain walking every other day and nothing is quite going to match up to that. The trick is to work out whether that's just the 'feeling du jour' or whether that's how you are about life choices in general, either in a way that could be changed or hard wired.
There are lots of things about running I don't like (or are downright inaccessible to me)... few of them are essential to running... or to my running anyway, so I don't do them. As regular readers will know, poncy stretching before and after a run is right out, repeatedly running the same route, running on hard surfaces, even getting changed to run... but there have been some surprises. I went years reading here about medal winning with no desire to join in but in recent years signing up to monthly challenges for a medal has been really helpful in ensuring I get out and run. What I think has always been a motivation for me is getting outside in nature, seeing seasonal change, a curiosity ("I wonder what the view is like from *there*")
I hear your dislike of the sensation of exertion (although I'd've thought you get that mountain walking - or does something in that distract you from those sensations?) I don't think I do either - apart from a wee push for speed at the end sometimes.
As others have said, if you really don't like running, don't run. The C25K programme is designed to create a sustainable habit of running continuously for 30 minutes - but there is also a good deal of satisfaction from completing the full programme (or extending it enough to run 5k) and then walking away, tick. The running motion has benefits in terms of bone strength and cardio workout but not if you dislike it and don't do it.
I wouldn't be so convinced that's you though. Firstly, you are raising this issue during the infamous doldrums of the later weeks of the programme - even those full of the joys of running encounter less than positive feelings at some point in this phase. When you've completed the programme, you can move away from being 'told what to do' (which I suspect is part of your issue), you can choose an audio accompaniment that suits you better (spoken word quite likely as it will engage you cognitively and distract from the exertion), you can plan interesting routes (and walk bits if and when you feel like it... after all, if you are doing a 30 minute run, at a minimum you're bookending that with walking, which you like) It may also be worth consulting a health professional - to see if you are running in an unnecessarily effortful style that can be tweaked, to see what's what with the knee issues for cycling (which you do fancy doing)
"can't cycle much because knees" sounds odd to me. Cycling is an impact-free form of exercise, like swimming. In theory it's ideal for you. I agree with GoogleMe, you need to see what's what with the knee issues for cycling. I have cycled for 60 years, most days, and what I've learned is that seat height is all important. If your seat is too high, your knees come under stress from working at a stretch, if the seat is too low, the knees are stressed by having to work in a cramped formation. I've seen many people in pain while cycling because of this. Visit a bike shop and seek some advice. The knee should be just slightly bent at the lowest point on the cycle revolution.
My husband was advised to cycle, for the reasons you state... he has an old climbing related knee issue and the cycling... because you knee can only work ( move), in one way... is so low impact that it is ideal.
I have had a full bike fit; the saddle height is fine. My knee problems aren't impact related; rather I have a bit of osteoarthritis under the patella which causes pain at particular flexion angles under load - specifically at the point where I'm pushing on a pedal. I think it was caused by riding the local hills with too tall gears, and that's exactly the sort of thing that aggravates it now.
I'm easing back into cycling and I've addressed the situation by replacing the cassette with one which actually has a large cog bigger than the small ring up front - a sin against the Road Cycling gods but stuff 'em.
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) away. You've given it your best shot but you don't have to prove anything to anyone but yourself. Maybe join a gym or incorporate more walking into your every day routine. You are most likely to stick to any new hobby or pastime if you enjoy it so don't waste your precious life doing something you hate.
Not sure I can do this now
W6R3 - 'I'd say you are now a runner' :D
I just did c25k! (Now what?) 
What is it that you don't do, now that you do run?
What on earth do I do now??!🥺
