I didn't have a very good run tonight. I hated every second of it.
When is it supposed to get fun? Or at least, when is it supposed to suck less?
I am in my 5th week of the c25k program and I DON'T LIKE it yet. I don't enjoy the jogging/ running parts at all. I cannot wait for the walking intervals. I get a sharp pain in my side. I get über thirsty. I want to quit the second I start running.
This was the plan for today:
- 5 minute warm up walk
- 5 minute run
- 3 minute walk
- 5 minute run
- 3 minute walk
- 5 minute run (I only did about 2.5 minutes here because I was SICK of it).
Doesn't sound too tough does it? Well for me it is BRUTAL. My legs don't hurt at all, but I get a pain and I get thirsty and I am out of breath and I just don't enjoy myself.
I hate that I feel this way. I want so bad to enjoy running. When people talk about how they are going for a run, or doing a marathon, I always wish it was me saying that.
What might I be doing wrong? Any ideas about the sharp pain on my left side?
I don't want to quit. I want to do the 5k at the end of May. Help!!
Today was a really CRAP running day :-(
But breakfast was good!
I had a bowl of mocha oatmeal (made with 1/2 cup coffee, 1/2 cup chocolate milk, 1/2 cup quick oats, 1 tsp coconut, and some blackberries):
Lunch was more of the Mexican bake from The BIG Cook, along with an orange, and some cheese and crackers:
Dinner was quick and easy canned mushroom soup with grilled cheese:
We have been so busy running back and forth to Saskatoon to see my Mom, that I haven't had time to plan any interesting meals.
I snacked on some sesame snaps today, as well as 1/2 cup of coconut bliss coconut milk ice cream. I am going to grab a little snack this evening and join my hubby on the couch to watch Glee!!!!
How long should "a person" (me) keep running if they are not enjoying it? Is there a magic distance at which it starts to become fun, or are some people just not meant to be runners?
24 comments:
I just started the Couch to 5k program for the second time. Last time I got to the end of Week 5 before I had to quit because we had a massive heat wave and I didn't have a gym membership. I'm kind of in the same boat as you where I WANT to enjoy running... I'm just waiting for that moment to present itself. I actually thought of you today when I was on the treadmill because I knew you were suffering with me. :) I hope people comment here and encourage you.
I hear running is NOT enjoyed by everyone that it in fact is just tolerated by many.
I wish I knew what to tell you to get you through this but not sure what to say. I know for me I'm competitive so I'm always trying to improve each run. I am almost always trying to run faster or farther.
Although you are run/walking you could still try to be competitive each time by tracking how far you get each time.
The sore side I'm guessing is a "side stitch". I've been lucky enough to avoid getting these while running. Not even sure what exactly it is.....going to google now as this comment is long enough to be a post now,eh? :-)
sorry about the running stitch in the side. could just be lack of oxygen/blood to that side. i used to get that and i massaged it out!
I REMEMBER using the c25k program. i HATED the long run intervals. but i stuck it out. and ended up loving it. i think it was teh treadmill that made it worse for me.
i have a lot of friends that dislike running.
i don't think you should try to force yourself to like it. if it don't fit, don't force it. do soemthing you love.
for me any pains came from either eating too soon before a run or drinking coffee. bananas are the only food ive found to stop stitches..
i ahted running for a good 6 months before i actually loved it.. i'd say grin and bear it for a bit and if after awhile u dont start enjoying it more or hating it less..then forego and switch to something else. its so hard to say but i think it could just be a transition period because its new.
xoxo <3
I'm totally not a runner so I guess I'm the wrong person to respond to this! But i don't think runner is for everyone. I hate it! And it makes me not want to exercise. I found activities like dancing and yoga I really enjoy! And loook forward to!
Good luck though
xo
Jocelyn
Hmm, running outside is never fun for me because it's usually painful. I'm not sure how long you should do it, but it gets better over time!
Hope you and your family are well!
Oh no! Sorry to hear about the run :( Did you like running last year when you were doing it more? Hey, I can run but I have no clue what to do when it comes to yoga or pilates - I think everyone's different and that's a good thing :)
first of all don't run AFTER work. After work i wanna DIE. Okay, that was dramatic but if I'm on my feet all the day the last thing I wanna do is pound them on pavement/road. Maybe you should change it to the morning? OH and music helps...TONS. download the cheesiest pop/dance songs: lady gaga, kesha, beyonce...
If it makes you feel better, today is day 2 that I slept through my usual morning cardio session :(
Bad Sam.
I've tried to get into running but with no success. For some reason, I've tried to make it work for me, but I think I'm more of a kickboxing gal.
im sorry you arent enjoying your running.
You are NOT alone. I have forever wanted to be one of those girls who can just go outside and bust out 6-8 miles like it was nothing. But i cant. Give me a soccer ball and I can run for hours. I think some poeple are programed differently. Even though I tell myself there is a REASON for running, I dont really believe it. My body needs some sort of motivation and goal to keep moving. Tackling some chick with a ball, for instance ;)
I say keep going and do your 5k. If you still hate it, then try something else!! There are a million things to do to get fit. Buy a bike and ride around with your hubby, or go hiking, or do yoga!!
Theres tons of options :)
My opinion... don't run if you don't enjoy it. If you haven't had one of those "wow... this running thing is amazing" moment, then running probably isn't your thing. And that's totally ok!! Try something different!!
As for the stitch, I used to get them all the time, and then my running leader told me it has to do with too much food in my stomach or not enough water!!! IT worked like a charm!! :)
good luck girl!! and don't feel bad if you aren't enjoying it!! :)
I know exactly how you feel! I always want to like running because it is so good for you. But, I hate it. I hate the way everything jiggles. I hate the way I get tired and sore. I would much rather walk or do yoga or go for a hike or do a workout dvd. Anything else. Kudos to you for keeping with it for five weeks. However, if it brings you no joy, why not try something else?
I personally love running but really, it took me a LONG time to get to that point. I felt like you at first, I thought I was going to DIE. But one day, something just clicked. I don't think it was a specific mileage or time but I just eventually loved it. But you have to WANT to love it, I think. Some people are runners and some are not. Don't force yourself and torture yourself if you TRULY don't like it! There are so many other forms of exercise out there!
I'm sorry the run sucked! It's so mental though, so maybe your next run will be great. I know it helped me to run SUPER slow when I was first starting out. Running too fast is hard when you're just starting out.
And remember, everyone starts somewhere! I does get easier!
Hmmmmm not sure about that sharp pain. How fast are you trying to run? I HATED running until I stopped trying to go so darn fast. When I was first starting I basically just shuffled, so it was pretty much pain free. The only way I learned to enjoy it was by refusing to push myself to the point of discomfort.
Your mocha oatmeal looks AMAZING!! I can't wait til breakfast to try it myself - maybe this weekend!!
I am not very active, but I'm trying to get there. I don't mind going for a run, but ONLY if I have my iPod with me. Do you run with music? I find it pure utter hell without.
That's a very good question. It's not like healthy eating - with food you have to keep persisting until you reach the point at which you do like the food. With exercise, it's different: you can mix it up and do what you enjoy most. So how long should you try until you decide that it's not for you? I think it's probably a personal decision.
I love running as you know but you have to listen to your body when you run. Take it slow if you need to. Your body will get used to it and you will end up loving it more and more. We all have our good and bad running days but hopefully the good outweigh the bad. Just keep on pushing yourself! You're doing awesome!!!
YUMM-O for that grilled cheese!
I´m so sorry about your bad run, girl.
But don´t push yourself!
If you don´t feel like running, don´t. You can always do something else :D
Have a great night, love!
Brazilian XOXO´s,
Gabriela
Hmm I was thinking about doing C25K... but you seem to not be a fan. And we seem to have not liked running for similar reasons... aka because it's horrible!
Guess I'll be sticking to elliptical.
Your post spoke to me BIG TIME! I remember feeling EXACTLY like you describe. Thirsty, out of breath, side pains etcetcetc. I was CONVINCED I would never ever in a zillion years be a runner.
So when I started exercising, I started pretty slow (like using the wii ea sports active 3 times a week) Eventually that led up to getting some videos for the house. (Turbo Jam, P90x and Shaun T's Insanity) I started doing loads of them and starting to crave cardio gradually.
Enter spin class. Holy hell what an awesome rush! Anyway I started going every week then two or three times a week. I was also keeping up with the videos in between and probably was working out around 5-6 days a week.....
I really started to notice my endurance improving and thought that would try a 6k with some friends of mine. Anyway, I DID IT! I walked twice maybe but finished in around 40 minutes. SHOCKED does not even begin to describe how I felt.
I started chatting with some of my more fitnessy friends and they said that it is quite possible that since I had built up my fitness levels working out the way I wanted to, the run was just a test of my endurance instead of a entire body challenge. Makes sense! I was told before my first real run to keep my ankles and feet straight as arrows and to breathe in through my nose and out through my kisser. Those two tips made that run a breeze and I completed my first 8k in 44:21 last Saturday.
So if you are not enjoying running I am thinking that maybe you need to add some intense, fun cardio workouts to your schedule and then see how far you can run. Like maybe see how far you can go every couple of weeks!! Sorry for the novel but your post totally spoke to me!!!
I think you will enjoy it when you will start to amaze yourself - like "woah, I just ran a 5k!!" or "woah - I just ran for more than 5 minutes at a time for the first time!~". That's when it really started being fun for me :)
Also, when you start to run just to run - not necessarily because it's time to run or whatever - that's when I find it really enjoyable :) Maybe one day go for a run without following a specific plan and just walk when you want and run when you want :)
Your mocha oatmeal sounds like a great idea.
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