I am definitely not a runner. At 6’4" and bouncing between 190 and 200 lbs, I don’t really have a distance runner’s physique. This latest season, I surprised myself by running well (for me) at the short course tri’s that I did. However, my season culminated with a Half Iron distance in which I ran a dismal 9:45/mile. I know it’s because I didn’t train my running well.
Now, I’ve decided to focus on running over the winter to help me prepare for IMMoo 2007. The problem I face is that I dread my workouts . . . even the shorter 3-6 mile runs. I find myself trying to convince myself to ride instead of running, or worse, talking myself out of a workout. I know I’m not burned out because I look forward to my ride and swim workouts. I guess I just don’t like running. It’s not a pain issue, but more of a boredom issue.
So, how do I make it more enjoyable? My schedule makes it so that more often than not I will have to run alone. I have earphones, but I don’t want to be too dependent on those since I can’t use them in races. Any tips on things to do to make it more interesting for someone who is not a natural?
I was in the same spot as you a couple of years ago, and to some extent I’m still there. I’m a pretty poor runner still but much better than I used to be. I found that doing a lot of stride work to make sure that I was running efficiently made the biggest difference. Once I knew I had a solid stride my runs became muh more enjoyable because there was a lot less pain.
Unfortuneatley to make running better you need to run more, not less. Good luck.
I have been there and still do not consider myself a “runner”…
Things that I noticed over the past 5 years… When I stopped looking at my watch and or HR and started to look at the trees, the fields, wildlife… When I’d take the time to smell the air which I’m breathing… watch the sun rise or set … and did’nt approach each scheduled training run with this “have to do this during this workout” mentatlity, I seemed to start enjoying my runs much more and I have continually improved over the past 5 years… but I am not and probably will never feel like a “runner”.
Thanks for the words. It’s what I dread to hear (but know to be true). I guess Paulo would say “More is more.” I guess we’ll see how much I’m able to motivate myself now.
Yup. I was afraid these were the words of advice I’d get. (I say “afraid” only because it’s not what I want to hear!!) Sounds like I just need to muddle through the early part and not give up. This’ll be an interesting winter.
Only way to enjoy running is to do it more. Running is only boring the first thousand or so times you do it. After that it is great as it becomes something that you feel you need to do and it is easy to run and hard not to. Good luck.
You find running boring, but enjoy your swims? To me, it’s the exact opposite. Different perspectives…
I don’t have THE answer, but a couple thoughts. Have some 5k’s or short term goal races to aim for, and sometims just running for time vs. a given distance/pace can help take pressure off of yourself. Just run for a half hour/ 40 minutes whatever…Also, I listen to books on tape (mp3)and other stuff from audible.com to pass time. Listening to the same songs over and over seems like such a waste of time…
I wouldn’t worry about becoming too dependant on the headphones. I use mine almost every run, but I couldn’t IMAGINE racing with them! Leave them at home once in a while, just in case…It can be really freeing to just take in the scenery, and enjoy the outdoors.
Lastly, really try to improve our form/efficiency over the winter. This will give you something to work on as you run.
just read what TGL said. to piggy off of that, i agree. it is more enjoyable without freaking out over heart rate, etc. i try to run in places that have good scenery, because it can become quite tranquil, etc, as well as inspiring.
trails do that for me, nothing rejuvenates me more than hiking or trail running.
if i approach a run in an open frame of mind, as opposed to rigid, it is always more enjoyable. (ie, i’m just going to run to see how it goes. look at the trees, enjoy clean air, etc. instead of: must run this pace for this time, with this HR and have this many strides, etc.>this approaches kills any enjoyment for me)
I’m in the same boat, but what Kittycat says seems to be right. I’ve been dreading my runs but find that I like them more when i am fit for the runs, and the only way to be fit for them is to work up to them.
I also found that learning the correct technique helps (I was a long-stride heel-striker and have now been learning to run short strides, with ball of the foot) and not doing too much each run. This makes each session better and allows me to recover faster, which then gives me a better next run.
My goal is to run trails and/or trail races, just because the people seem fun. Some widely exciting race like ‘Dances with Dirt’ or something like that.
I used to be where you are. HATED running. If tris quit after the bike, I’d have been very, very happy. This past Saturday, I ran 28.6 miles. Didn’t love every minute of it, but overall, had a good time. What changed?
I ran ever single day of January this year (plus about 5 days at the end of December). Even 20-25 minutes counted, so that was a big jumpstart to my training.
I’ve hit +100 miles for 5 out of 10 months this year and hit +90 in two others. For me, that’s huge.
Losing weight has made running easier (and I’ve gotten faster). Still working on this angle and hope to get even faster.
Run for time, not miles (though I do record distance of all my runs).
Trails are good. So are hills. Even if you have to walk some of it.
In those times when I am bored with running I go out and just walk / run for a while. I walk for a but and usually feel like running for a bit, then walk , run etc. With no schedule just doing what I feel like when I feel like.
Guilt is powerful, use it. Eat too much ice cream/cookies/grapes, what ever turns you on, the night before, then go to bed saying “dude, you ate like a pregnant stinky possum, better run tomorrow”! This should help get you over the hump to where you start to look forward to your runs. Then you can eat like a stinky pregnant possum without guilt!
Danno! I have been there, I’m 6’4 and was 250lbs. I hated to run, but I run! The more I ran the more I liked it. Today, I’m love it, it’s soo much funnier than use the bike, it’s so simple and pure. Raceweight in Kona 169 lbs Keep running!
A few things that might help:
Find a running group or a running buddy: company and conversation really help to make it go by.
Get into the habit of going for nice walks, in which you can occasionally jog or not - don’t bring a watch - just go by how you feel. The scenery is the game here.
Train really slowly - I use an HRM to keep it very easy (under 70% of HRmax) - but only go out for maybe 40-50 minutes at a time. The game becomes keeping that number low.
Do errands on foot, if you have the time.
Mix it up, with fast efforts (ease into these!) between lamp posts or other landmarks; go exploring.
I don’t use music when I’m running, but I actually like running, most of the time. I feel music would distract from getting whatever enjoyment there is to be got out of running. That’s just me.
Don’t run too hard, except occasionally, or it’s not fun.
j.
Thanks for the hints. I’m getting more excited about getting out there just by reading these. I’m wondering if it’s more about the suggestions or the enthusiasm some (most?) of you seem to have for improving your running abilities.
According to my training schedule, I’m supposed to do about 3-4 miles today, but I think I’ll just run for about 35-40 minutes instead. That should get me close to the recommended distance without the pressure of having to make it.
This brings up another question, though . . . how do you measure distance when you run for a set time? I don’t have a GPS (though that’d be nice – are these really expensive?). Most places I can get to don’t have distance markers.
MANY years ago, I really dreaded (ok almost hated) running, and I used think of it as the event that I had to do to get to the finish line. When asked by co-workers if I was a “runner”, I would say NO- despite doing 1/2 IM’s at that point. Here’s what I did- I played music, watched tv on the gym treadmill, ran outside ONLY on my favorite trails… and told myself that I really wanted to learn to enjoy running. My swim coach taught me something very valuable. He said, “when you are in the pool- you are a swimmer!” I took that as…when I am running, I am a runner as well. I used the think of myself as a cyclist regardless of the sport I was doing. Shift in thinking. NOW, I listen to podcasts, music, or just enjoy the view, I don’t wear a watch OR heart rate monitor OFTEN… and I run on my favorite trails and STILL refuse the do pavement runs except to prepare for a pavement race. I LOVE RUNNING so much, I will do it over riding my bike when given a choice. I think that my run workouts had to change from being about time/HR/pace, and more about enjoyment more than anything… now I am able to do some focused efforts without all the inner termoil! (I am faster too)
ps… I NEVER measure mileage on the run…all by time.
in my years of running i believe you need to frame it anyway necessary to get the job done. so, if you feel better about thinking “it’s a 40 minute run”, as opposed to “a 4 mile run” then go ahead and think in terms of time. and switch it up when you need to.
sometimes i hate the thought of running outside in the elements. sometimes i hate the thought of staying inside on the tread. it’s all about doing what you want that day, in the framework that you’ve got to do it in.
so, if you go for time, just go for time. don’t think about miles…because you’re going for time. i hope this makes sense…
Keep running!