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?
For me, it never stopped sucking. I ran for years because I had a good group to run with, but I always hated the running part. Still do. So I don’t run anymore. But I absolutely love to ride a bike! Rowing and xc skiing are really enjoyable for me too. Try finding something you like more!
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.
I find running on streets generally sucks, but running in nature is fun.
Running never stops sucking. If you train at it, you can go faster, but the actual running pretty much always feels the same.
What does happen is that is that you may find your aerobic base pace some time after starting. Many novice runners have trouble hitting a maintainable aerobic pace because for them it falls into a mechanical dead zone between running and walking. So they end up making every run into a tempo run
So if you want to feel better while running, slow down. Make it a contest to see how slow you can run. Don’t be afraid to run-walk if you have to.
I’ve heard that the best thing to do is increase your aerobic capacity before you start running, so that you’re able to run in an aerobic zone, rather than an anaerobic zone.
I’m still working on it. I had been doing intervals, and was up to about 45 minutes of actual running a day, in five minute intervals, with about 1 minute between, but fuck me, my heart rate would go up to 160, and that’s waaaaaaay outside of my aerobic zone. So I’ve backed off to try and build aerobic capacity first.
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
