this post was submitted on 11 Jun 2024
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How long until running stops sucking? (self.running)
submitted 5 months ago* (last edited 1 week ago) by Droggelbecher to c/running
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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?

Edit: 5 month update on case someone stumbles across this. My progress is slow, due to frequent breaks due to my frequent colds and UTIs. I'm at 30min 5k. Running still sucks, in part, but it also feels...powerful? I've learned to pace myself and run slower, so I'm not all spent after 10 mins. It's difficult, but I think running too fast really was the biggest problem. Now what I feel during a run is a mix of 'ughgh I hate cardio' and 'this is amazing, I'm powerful, I can do anything I want'. That's enough to keep motivated. The reason I keep it up is that the former feeling ends soon after the end of the run, but the latter one persists. I try to run twice a week. If I have the time, I go on a hike instead (I live in the mountains). I enjoy those a lot more, but they take up several hours as opposed to 30mins for a run. It's helped me tremendously with my depression, so it's so worth it.

Tldr: I still don't enjoy every second of running, but pacing myself made it more enjoyable than before. And it's SO worth the mood boost and extra energy (even on rest days). I have depression and I've never felt this good in my entire 10 years of being an adult.

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 5 months ago (1 children)

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.

[–] Droggelbecher 3 points 5 months ago (1 children)

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.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 5 months ago (1 children)

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.

[–] Droggelbecher 1 points 5 months ago

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!

[–] [email protected] 9 points 5 months ago (2 children)

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."

[–] friend_of_satan 6 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

I echo this bit about not loving it in the middle of it. This is true for lots of endurance activities. The battle of will is very real.

[–] Droggelbecher 4 points 5 months ago (1 children)

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.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 months ago (1 children)

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.

[–] Droggelbecher 1 points 5 months ago

Out of all the advice this seems like the easiest to immediately follow for me personally. So I think I'll start to try and learn to pace myself better vs push myself on accident. Thank you!

[–] friend_of_satan 7 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (1 children)

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?

[–] Droggelbecher 1 points 5 months ago (1 children)

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!

[–] friend_of_satan 1 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (1 children)

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.

[–] Droggelbecher 2 points 5 months ago

Haha maybe once I have more than 13m^2 of private living space I'll look into that

[–] krelvar 6 points 5 months ago

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

[–] [email protected] 5 points 5 months ago (1 children)

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.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 months ago (1 children)

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"

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 months ago

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.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 5 months ago

I find running on streets generally sucks, but running in nature is fun.

[–] mkwt 4 points 5 months ago (1 children)

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.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 months ago

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.

[–] givesomefucks 4 points 5 months ago (1 children)

You mean during the run?

A "runners high" is when you run so long, that your body just stops fighting it figuring you have a good reason to be running. So it dumps endorphins and suddenly running is a blast.

Not everyone gets that though. And it may not be what you're asking about.

For other people, they never enjoy running, they enjoy the results of running.

20 minutes isn't going to get you a runners high. But it will have noticable health improvements during the rest of the time.

Don't expect running to become an enjoyable hobby, it's maintenance that you're putting in now, and you'll get the results later.

The people who actually do enjoy it, run ridiculous distance, you may get there some day if you want, and what you're doing is productive and worth the effort. But don't expect to start enjoying it unless you keep building up distance till you're talking about marathons. It takes a very long time before a runners high is possible.

[–] Droggelbecher 2 points 5 months ago

Sounds like I had some unrealistic expectations. I didn't really think of a literal runners high, just reasonable enjoyment. But good to know it's worth it either way! Thanks!

[–] KISSmyOSFeddit 4 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (1 children)

As soon as you slow down to a level that doesn't exhaust you. c25k is a great program cause it includes walking and gets you out of the mindset that you have to be running the whole time. (Sports scientists found out that even experienced amateur marathon runners are actually faster when they include walking breaks during competition.) But if it truly isn't fun for you then find a different sport that is.
Also depends a lot on your neighborhood. Running in the city on asphalt sucks, I am lucky enough to live in an area where I can run on trails. The first time you surprise a herd of deer on your morning run is a magical moment.

[–] Droggelbecher 2 points 5 months ago

I've tried to follow that but kind of half abandoned it because it just doesn't really work the same way when you have to take every other week off sometimes. So my following of it is rather loose.

I do enjoy my routes. It's not as awesome as seeing deer but I live in a very green city.

The thing is, I've tried other activities, and it seems that the common denominator of what I hate is cardio. And I don't want to give up on that in general, health, energy, and mood-wise.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 months ago

Slowing down

Establish whether you're more a treadmill + space, treadmill + distraction, or trail runner (I can run twice as much on trails than pavement, and on pavement double what I'd do on a treadmill, because I just get bored with the latter two. I benefit from the challenge of variety of landscape and terrain).

Question whether "you" don't like running or it's your system understandably resisting exertion. This is the will power aspect. Talk to the resistance, be friendly to it, cajole it, but clear that you'll be finishing the run.

I benefit from toggling my awareness around. e.g. from my core to my feet, to my breath and my gaze. Keeping my mind busy with that helps distract that resistance.

Give it at least 20 minutes for the groove to kick in. Running really only starts then. Many people keep themselves always in the less fun part

Switch to HIIT running routines. Less time, generally more benefits. So miserable but brief that you don't have time to process it!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 months ago

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!