I apologize for how negative that sounds! It’s been 3 months. I unfortunately can’t be as consistent as I’d like because of chronic utis. I currently go about 8-10 km/h for 20 mins at a time, 2-3 times a week when I’m healthy. I keep at it because I’ve noticed a boost in my general energy and mood, but I hate pretty much every second of actually running. I read that that’s normal as you start out, especially if you start from zero like I did. But I’ve also read you eventually start to tolerate and then later enjoy it. How long did it take for you to get to that point?
I didn’t enjoy running until I worked myself up to doing longer distances, like 8k+ runs - before then it was a painful chore I felt obligated to do, now I go stir crazy if I don’t get out for a run at least twice a week.
That being said, even now, runs are a slog until I get into my groove, which happens around the ~3k or 15-20 minute mark, but once I get there I’m happy to keep going for another 10-20k
You mention going by time and not distance - I assume you are on a treadmill? Personally I can’t stand treadmills, it’s monotonous, and there isn’t as much air movement around you, so it’s harder to thermoregulate.
Haha that’ll be a long time yet, if ever! But thanks for the input, it’s helpful to make my expectations more realistic.
I do run outside, I’ve just read and heard a lot of people recommend to go by time rather than distance as you start out from zero stamina, which was the case for me. Zero as in gets winded after one flight of stairs.
Going by time when you start out may just be a more realistic way to set goals you can stick to when you don’t know your pace? Once you settle into your pace, you should be able to map out some routes that will give you an X minute workout (give or take)
One thing I learned embarrassingly recently while training for a race way outside of my comfort zone - slow the hell down. If you start off running fast you are just front-loading the lactic acid buildup in your legs, which will make the back half of your run harder - if you are tracking your runs with a Fitbit/Garmin/phone, make a conscious effort to keep a consistent pace - even if it feels like you are running in slow motion at the start, you will find it much easier to run longer, and your overall pace will be faster as well.
I actually went for a run after reading some of the comments and someone inspired me to pay more attention to my pace. And I think you (and the other person) might be right on the money. I did try to start slowly but still went at an average 10 km/h (according to my phone), which is probably just too much for my level. I’ll pay attention to my pace the next few times and learn to be more in control rather than over exerting myself early on. I’ll try to start out in slow motion. Thanks!
What do you hate specifically – e.g. exercising in general, getting hot and sweaty, foot/leg/joint pain, your location or route, having to be alone with your thoughts for a while, etc? I’ve been running for nearly 3 decades now (yikes), and even as a kid I remember the thing that made it “click” with me is the realization that I literally could not be doing anything else at the same time (aside from listening to music, I guess).
I think that unless you are having physical pain (in which case the usual applies - check your shoes, modify your gait, reduce or restructure your runs to be more comfortable), you have to get into the headspace of just mentally doing nothing, which can be hard for some people.
FWIW I don’t know anyone who, in the middle of a 10k run in 90 degree heat with a side stitch says “I feel awesome right now!”, but I do know many, many people who will finish out that run, stop for a moment and then go “ahhhhhhh.”
Thanks for helping me try to pinpoint the issue!
I think it’s exercising in general. I don’t have any pain during runs. I don’t love being hot and sweaty but it’s tolerable if I can shower right after. And I do love walking, even without music, so it’s not the thoughts thing either. I just really hate how it feels to have an elevated heart rate and to be out of breath, even a little. It’s like this with any form of cardio I’ve ever tried, like cycling and swimming. I’ll enjoy the activity itself but hate how it makes my body feel while it’s happening. I wish I could explain it better than that.
I’ve been where you are, for me it changed when I was able to do easy runs (HR in the 135-145 range) at a “reasonable pace”, I.e. still have a feeling that you’re moving at a significantly higher speed than walking.
One thing that made me forget about the bad aspects of running is running on a treadmill while watching action movies. The increased heart rate works great for both of those, and having the treadmill to keep my pace steady allowed me to run farther than I had in other situations like running outside or running while listening to audiobooks.
Also, running in nature is more enjoyable than running around the parking lot or whatever.
Some people never enjoy running though, and just tolerate it for its benefits. Maybe that’s you?
I’ve never been on a treadmill, I might have a look at some gyms! So far I’ve been put off it because it feels like paying for something I could have for free, but if it does the trick, it might be worth it.
That last point currently resonates. I do hope I’ll grow to enjoy it, but accepting that it’s also ok to do it just for the benefits might also help!
I bought a used gym quality treadmill for my home, though they are pretty big and not everybody can reasonably do that. Because it’s always there I also sometimes take meetings on the treadmill at a walking pace. It’s great during the winter where I live because I usually don’t want to go out in the snow, and having the treadmill helps me exercise, even by just walking, when I would otherwise be wasting away.
https://theoatmeal.com/comics/unhappy
I’m a MTBer, not a runner, but this comic has always stuck with me. Is it always fun? Hell no. Do I get an immense amount of satisfaction doing it? Absolutely
I think this thread is suggesting that it’s entirely subjective. Some people are saying it’s only when you reach X amount of fitness, others are saying it never becomes enjoyable…meanwhile I have loved running since I was a young child. It is always difficult if you’re pushing yourself, but that is part of the enjoyment for me. I love the physical suffering and the mental challenge that comes with learning to re-focus and endure it.
I definitely think this is the case, I have the same opinion as you and I hate the fact I’m currently having to have time off running, I’m replacing it with other things I enjoy but have always loved running the most.
For some people they just hate running and others they hate exercise in general but keep at it for the multitude of benefits.
So for OP it may never “stop sucking”
Many of my soccer teammates over the years have despised the running in pre-season despite running being a major part of the sport. It works the other way too, like some loved weightlifting/gym, whereas I always hated doing that as part of fitness work and tried to hog the treadmill as much as possible.
