How to Start Running When You Hate It?

It is no secret that running is one of the most popular physical activities worldwide. Many people are running, be it long distances or short sprints, once a week or every day, as a form of exercise or leisure; running is fun, most of the time at least. It has many health benefits too.

However, some people, mostly beginners, do not share the same enthusiasm for running. Just 10 minutes into their run, and they are already looking down at their wristwatch, wishing that time would go by faster so their misery would end, limping back to the comfort of their homes, swearing never to hit the tracks again.

They see running as a boring, stressful, and relentlessly tiring activity, and you feel that there is some truth to this.

Unlike hitting the gym with other gym folks, there are no distractions when it comes to running. It is just you, the pavement, and the burns in your lungs. That is why most people feel like they hate running.

The truth is that most of these inhibitions associated with running are mental instead of physical. Therefore, to love running, you must train your mind as much as you train your body since your body will naturally get comfortable after running for a while.

If you take a deep look, you will see that nothing stops you from making progress as a runner. Going on a run becomes as easy as breathing with the right habit, motivation, and form.

Why Do People Hate Running?

The big picture painted by most new runners is that running is tough and lacks content, so they do not follow up with this exercise. However, a deep examination shows that a lot goes into why they hate running.

To enjoy going on a run, you first have to understand why you feel like you hate running and then develop habits that trigger you to run.

Are you ready to take a quick look at why some people hate going on a run? Then, follow closely while we explore this content.

#1 Lack of stamina

This is understandable for those new to running. The majority of the people who claim to hate running actually lack stamina in the beginning stages because they are not used to exercises that span extended periods. 

You need the stamina to push through and be consistent like any physical activity. A lack of stamina means you will get exhausted easily.

#2 They are accustomed to power exercises

If you go about asking people what sort of exercises they prefer, you will find out that most of them prefer power exercises, as they are more accustomed to them.

They spend more time in the gym, logging in several hours of barbell curls, dumbbell curls, bench presses, and other mostly weighted exercises. 

Save yourself the stress of overworking, as these exercises focus mostly on explosive power rather than stamina. That is the exact opposite of what running demands.

#3 It might be boring

With running, there are little to no distractions. It is just you and the pavement, focusing on each step as you run at an even pace. Most people find this lack of content boring.

Running is not like hitting the gym, where you meet different people vying for similar aesthetics. There is no constant interaction, and this pushes people away from running. 

However, this is a case of mind over matter, since many people find running fun.

5 Tips That Will Make You Fall in Love With Running

If you decide to go on a run, a few tricks will make you enjoy the task. However, the plan is not to get you into running but falling in love with running.

Here are five tips that will make you or anybody else turn running into an enjoyable experience.

#1 Set a long-term goal

Nobody woke up one morning and just decided that they would go on a run. But, like every other athlete, you have something you wish to achieve through running.

Setting a long-term goal will help you capitalize on this, regardless of whether you plan to run once a week or on a day-to-day basis. Set your goal, write it down, and cross it off once you have achieved it.

A trick to employ is to break that goal into smaller portions that you can conquer effortlessly.

#2 Start with a run/walk strategy

You do not need to go that fast when you are new to running. The goal is not about how quickly you can run; therefore, taking quick, long strides is unnecessary.

A run/walk running strategy where you alternate from running to walking will help you run longer since you can catch during your walking phase. 

#3 Take a friend for a run

Taking friends with you on your run is a great way to pass the time. By engaging in a conversation, you can complete your runs with less hassle as opposed to running solo. Not only that, a running friend is a great source of motivation and accountability.

If you have a partner, you can go on routine runs as a couple. Otherwise, search for someone who has similar goals as you and get to running.

#4 Listen to your favorite music

Running while listening to your favorite music, podcast, or audiobook works well in tandem. 

Overall, selecting something upbeat and energetic will certainly remind you to push further each time you hit the pavement.

#5 Throw a challenge

The deal with a good challenge is that it inspires development, which applies to all aspects of life, not just running. So if you feel like you are not improving, throw in a couple of challenges to spice things up.

Sticking to realistic challenges is the key to succeeding, as more demanding challenges make you reluctant to continue your runs.

Conclusion

Running might seem hard at first, and you might even hate running. However, with the right diet, training regimen, and hard work, you should be able to excel as a runner in no time.

There are tons of health benefits to going on routine runs, which you can only get when you prepare yourself. Nonetheless, it is okay to be flexible with your running schedule. Doing what is best for your body comes first, and the results are sure to follow.

With that, we come to the end of today’s article. Do well not to give up on your running dreams. You can only run by going out there and hitting the track, city pavement, or forest trail. Get running!