How to enjoy running?

I’m planning to run more regularly this winter to keep fit and possibly do an off-road race in the spring as a bit of a challenge.

The thing is, I’ve never really enjoyed running as much as I’d like to. I struggle to find a flow and much as I try to convince myself it’s fun, it can be a bit of a chore.

What do you like about running? Can I do anything to make it more fun? I’m sure there must be something exciting about it, but I haven’t found it yet!

Choons?

Run with somebody?

fell running is great. The thing with running is that it becomes fun when you become better at it and fitter, it can be awful until then.

I found the same true of cycling after a lay off of a year I’m back up to over 100 miles a week and only just starting to enjoy it now I’m cycling fit…

Read up about gait. It used to feel terrible for me until I learned about forefoot striking and started stretching my hip flexors. Night and day.

Can you get a nice girl to run ahead of you in figure hugging lycra?

Run off road – kick through leaves, stop to look at the view, don’t take a watch for a while.

Running in winter is ace – the worse the weather, the better!

The thing with running is that it becomes fun when you become better at it and fitter

Can remember when, about 12 yrs ago, i started to run i thought 10 mins was my limit.

Then i persevered and did 15 then 20, and the first time i did an hr i was amazed!

you need to find flow. Sounds gay I know, but really you need to find the pace that will let you run almost effortlessly, then you can find a route that has some views, and away you go.

yes, music makes a big diference. Also, running the same route of a known distance each time so that you can motivate yourself to go quicker. I tend to run with Jog Log on my iphone so I can see all my stats as I run, but that’s because I am a very sad man (according to my wife).

Do it naked. Adds a certain frisson.

Careful dude it can become very addictive, I got it bad once, chasing personal bests, running every other day, entering stupid races.. Heart rate monitors, special shoes, wimmen, sex after the run..

Don’t do it, go to a fish shop, buy a cold wet cod and hit yourself in the face with it instead.

You’ll be sorry if you don’t, it’s worse than buying a road bike and becoming effeminate.

steal things from peoples gardens, give you a reason to keep running

Do it in the woods on the same trails you ride, much more interesting then. Better still do it somewhere where you think there are/should be trails and follow every little random track – great way of finding stuff. Do it at night with your bike lights strapped to your head for extra blair witch factor.

That said if it’s been raining loads I just go with the wife, get her to go in front and enjoy the view 8)

Watch people running rather than doing it yourself. Tis the only way to enjoy it.

“The thing with running is that it becomes fun when you become better at it and fitter, it can be awful until then.”

Actually I think this could be my problem, I’ve never really been running regularly, it all a bit hit and miss, and it hurts every time.

Off road / more scenery does sound like a plan as does the girl in front thing, if I can find an amenable one.

Sorry to say this but you’re on a hiding to nothing.

An honest question: Has anyone ever seen a runner smile? Ever? Or give off the slightest whiff of enjoyment? Be honest?

I rest my case. Runners make a serious roadie club ride look like a vintage episode of Its a Knockout

Get that app for the iPhone that makes you think you are in a post-apocalyptic wasteland being chased by zombies.

Zombies. Run! I think it is called. It may not be out yet though.

Most of the above. Run off-road, run unusual places, run where you feel like. Don’t be scared to go “ooh, that path looks interesting, I wonder where it goes”. Run how you feel, whether that’s a short fast sprint or a long slow bimble round the hills. Don’t kill yourself in the name of “must do more running”, there’s no point driving yourself into the ground and hating it even more.

For a good motivation, try doing Janathon (google it) – run every day in January and blog about each one. Have a look at my blog posts (http://pyrosyard.blogspot.com) on Janathon and Juneathon this year. Those two months were the big pushes in getting me from intermittent 5km runs to an 80 km Ultramarathon.

Run off-road and in shit weather.

You still won’t enjoy it, but it’ll be slightly more interesting.

Oh, and binners – I smile when I’m running. That’s because if follow my own advice and don’t take it too seriously 🙂

For a good motivation, try doing Janathon (google it) – run every day in January and blog about each one

Alternatively, just sit in a corner rocking back and too, staring at the open bottle of paracetamol placed just out of reach, and thinking to yourself…. medically it’d only take twenty six…… 😉

Running in winter is ace – the worse the weather, the better!

This^

There is a certain perverted enjoyment in running in minus stupid weather…ideally at night in the woods with a headtorch.

An honest question: Has anyone ever seen a runner smile? Ever? Or give off the slightest whiff of enjoyment? Be honest?

I do. I think it scares people.

Alternatively, just sit in a corner rocking back and too, staring at the open bottle of paracetamol placed just out of reach, and thinking to yourself…. medically it’d only take twenty six……

How are you finding the time to be so helpful binners, when I am sure there some Seabrooks awaiting your attention?

Sorry Jamie. I’ve got Monster Munch today. They make me go a bit funny. I think its the colouring in the Flaming Hot ones

Binners, are you a complete wuss? 😉

Binners, are you a complete wuss?

Nah. He just limits his exertions to opening crisps and lighting ciggies 😉

Erm… its a fair cop guv 😀

I never ever see runners smile though. And most of the fell runners you see out in the hills look like serial killers. Older guys who look like they live in caves and could, if required, dismember you and live off your remains for six weeks. And probably enjoy it. They scare the bejeesus out of me

Do it naked. Adds a certain frisson.

It’s spelt “friction.”

Surely running naked would reduce friction?

Having a reason to run and going regularly so it starts to feel a bit more effortless is good. Basically, you want to feel like when you were a kid running about because it’s fun. A bit like riding a bike, except you don’t need a fleet of expensive metal in the shed and a good few hours of spare time.

Failing that, real Zombies would help, I reckon.

http://runforyourlives.com/

I smile when I’m running (not constantly because that would be weird..) – usually because I’m am enjoying the sunshine/wind/driving rain. That and I have bangin’ tunes 😀

+1 for flow. Also running can be pretty grim until you get good running fitness. When you get good flow, form and fitness it feels brilliant. Definitely read up on good form and watch how good distance runners glide along (worth doing a little barefoot training as that really encourages good form.)

Try mixing up routes, doing lots of off road. Try fartleck and interval work, just mix it up a bit instead of lots of even pace running.

you need to find the pace that will let you run almost effortlessly

Problem is, for many of us that pace does not exist, at least not without a lot of practice (not training) and work. This is something that natural runners don’t understand – how frigging difficult it can be for some people, even those who are pretty fit for other sports.

I should add that sometimes it just will not flow. You will have bad runs, usually for no apparent reason. This happened to me this week, Monday was awesome, but today’s run just didn’t gel.

Oh, and on the topic of chafing, a lycra undershort is a good investment.

I remember watching one of the big fell races when I was a kid, sitting on a wall as the runners came past. The legendary Joss Naylor trotted by, a good couple of minutes ahead of the pack, and one of the old farmers next to me turns to his mate and says “Joss looks knackered”. His mate’s only response was “Joss always looks knackered…” Kinda true, but I still wouldn’t fancy my chances of beating him round Borrowdale…

What time of day do you run ?? I like going out early early, there is nobody around and for some reason I have more energy, and it’s cooler so you don’t get so hot. And you can feel sanctimonious all day.

Offroad much better than road.

MP3 player is essential.

P.S and don’t run two days in a row, not yet anyway you need to recover.

Barefoot is where its at, however you’ll need some barefoot shoes to do it properly

I should say, I’m not a very good runner, and most runs are a complete slog with hurty knees and a stitch. But there’s usually a point when a cool track comes on that you haven’t heard for ages and the light changes and a pretty lady walks past where it makes it all worth while and for 10 seconds or so you feel like Rocky.

Then you go back to being a sweaty bulgy eyed wreck.

Barefoot is where its at, however you’ll need some barefoot shoes to do it properly

*chortle*