Dear Running,
I really wish I liked you more. There is often this prospect of a beautiful autumn run through the Boston scenery, but then you get trumped by the prospect of doing burpees at the park among the same Boston scenery. That is all.
Call me another day,
Alison
That sad love note right there basically sums up my relationship with running. Burpees > running. This article from Livestrong says so. 😉
Something weird happened yesterday though: I had a strong desire to run. Granted, I still did not run yesterday, but that is solely because my whole body was pretty sore from my Monday and Tuesday workouts, so rest day it was!
Nevertheless, a “strong desire to run” is one of the last things that happens in Alison’s world, folks. I mean, occasionally I will say “I wish I could just run right now,” but that’s usually because my legs are numbing as I sit in class for four hours straight. Then the wish goes away as soon as I get up and start walking. However, my desire to run yesterday was quite different in that I was genuinely excited at the prospect of a long run by the Charles River, and I was excited about it all day.
Wut iz dis?
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Let me start by saying that I am truly in awe of runners. I see running as such an unfortunate way of exercising (for myself) that I give them major props in my head whenever I see them running around campus. It doesn’t matter whether they are running with the fast-as-lightning cross country club or if they are running at a 12-minute-mile pace— I literally say in my head: “Oooo kill ’em!” as a cheer for them (NOT because I want to kill them). I think to myself that I’m not dedicated enough to do what they’re doing.
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Hold up. I’m not dedicated enough?
What about other fitness goals I’ve accomplished? Yoga poses, 100 burpees, pistol squats, a pull-up… I never found those to be easy feats, but I worked hard and long at them, and I was able to improve. Most importantly, I came to truly enjoy those things because I gave them a chance. I even know that I’ve been able to cut down my mile time significantly by just practicing running for a couple of weeks, and I’m not too shabby at that phys ed pacer test.
Still, I’ve never truly given running a chance. But why not? Why have I been enthusiastic about so many other forms of fitness except running?
Well, here are some of the reasons:
1) I say “I hate running” to everyone, including myself, when I’m thinking about running or when I’m actually running.
➔ Negativity.
➔ Exhibit A: I would watch these two wonder women do all kinds of plyo pushups and cool squat jumps and think, I can totally work towards that! Then I would watch them sprinting around a track and think, Oof, can’t do that.
2) Long periods of cardio don’t interest me.
➔ Maybe I can make it interesting with intervals.
3) I compare myself to others who are often much farther into their running journeys than I am.
➔ Comparison…that pesky son of a gun.
4) I don’t think going out for a run is worth it if I’m “not going fast enough.”
➔ Fast enough? What?
➔ Fear of failure is holding me back.
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The theme of all these reasons is that I don’t believe that I can run, and I let that interfere with what could possibly be a fondness for running. Now, I’m not saying that I will somehow fall in love with running as soon as I get out of my head, because maybe it really is not for me. I am saying that I’m willing to give it a chance by pushing my pride aside (as always) and just moving “one foot in front of the other.”
Tina’s recent post (which was a major inspiration for my desire to run yesterday) included a part about how she just wanted to run for 70 minutes. She didn’t care if she had to stop and walk, but she just wanted to cover ground and run as best as she could.
After reading that I realized that there are some ways in which I could perhaps make myself enjoy running:
- Run for a set period of time. 20, 30, 60 minutes, whatever. Just run, even if I’m just shuffling along at some points.
- Incorporate intervals. Run at a moderate pace for 10 minutes, then at a challenging pace for 2 minutes. As time goes on, the relative speed of each pace might increase.
- Don’t run on a treadmill. Just…nah. Not when I want to try to enjoy running.
- Put on some good tunes. I don’t have a running playlist, but I should make one!
- Don’t worry about the pace. I usually put too much pressure on myself to hit a certain pace, which results in disappointment if that pace doesn’t happen. If I run as best as I can, that should be all that matters.
You might be thinking, glad you’re finally enlightened on the obvious, Alison! Yeah, I know. I read “How to Start Loving Running” articles all the time, but for some reason I only just had the lightbulb turn on, and now I’m kinda stoked to see how my running journey unfolds. I’ve got plenty of run-lovin’ blog friends out there, so I know who to hit up 😉
(Burpees will always have my heart though. ♥)
I may or may not go for a run today, but I do know that I will go for a run sometime this week! {Edited to add in the morning: I’m up early for a run! I seriously could barely sleep last night because I was so excited. WHO AM I?!}
Linking up with Spoons!
So tell me:
Are you a fan of running?
If yes: have you always loved it?
If no: why not?
Share any thoughts on running!
Daily Moves and Grooves 
You go girl:) Running is such a fun form of exercise. Never feel like you have run ‘fast’ or for a certain distance. Just run! I hope you fall in love with it, I did:) But if it’s not your thing, no biggie, burpees will always be there for you;)
Thanks so much, Vangie! 🙂 I just came back from my run, and I’m feeling pretty amazing. Is this what they call a running high??
Love this post, Alison! I’m not a runner (see that kind of talk?!) so it’s been hard to motivate myself to start again! I did a half marathon a couple of years ago (so I know it’s possible to run… haha) but I haven’t felt motivated since. I think I need to just get out there!
That’s so awesome that you ran a half marathon! Secretly, that’s a goal of mine. Starting up is always the hardest part!
I understand your struggles with running. I have the exact same thoughts. I like to run but when I miss even a week of running I feel like I’ve never run before in my life. This has me really frustrated right now and looking for other ways to get healthy
Feel ya, Julie. I feel like we get too competitive with ourselves when we were at our peak, which is super discouraging. Each day will be different, so it’s important to embrace what our bodies can do no matter what.
That first photo is Just Beautiful! Thanks for sharing it. Have a great day!
I am obsessed with running so I may be a little biased, but I really think it is SO mental! If you want to do it, you CAN do it! Just start slow and short, and gradually increase your distance, while being proud of yourself for every new milestone you reach! I have found with most physical activities that once I truly try to embrace them, that is when I can see the appeal. Also, did you hear about that tennis player who ran the NYC marathon last weekend without really training and ran a super fast time? Other fitness activities can get you in good running shape too, I guess!
Thanks for the awesome encouragement, Lisa! I went on a run this morning with a positive outlook…and I kind of loved it. And it’s true–I’ve run well before even without training, just because I was doing circuit workouts and strength training!
Ha! Running is always tough for me I got through spurts of love and others of pain. I’m not someone who is like yeah I’m going to go run 100 miles today and smile through it. Usually I’m a 3-10 miler and I’m usually swearing by the end of it 🙂
10 miles is still freaking amazing!! I think running is like any other form of exercise. Challenge yourself, but do what feels right.
You are inside my head😳😳😳I feel the exact same way about running!
But I love your new insights and thoughts! Totally makes sense!
Definately going to be coming back to this post when I’m feeling pumped up enough to run!! Don’t hold your breath though🙈😜
Have a great day alison!
I’m not surprised that you think the same way, since we do seem to be twins in practically everything else 😉
But I’m sure you’ll eventually find the right time to get out there. No stress!
I totally get where you’re coming from. I find it much easier to motivate myself to accomplish whatever fitness goals aren’t related to running. I guess I grew up being told I had a “runner’s body”, but I never really felt like that was doing me any good because running feels HARD no matter how much I do it. Still, I run when I really feel like it (beautiful mornings, on the beach, etc.) and just don’t force myself to do it. 🙂
I guess running is more fun for people like you and me if it just happens spontaneously!
Even us runners have a love-hate relationship with it. At times, it can be slow & painful and you start to wonder WHY you ever thought it would be a good idea.
Other times, it’s effortless. That’s the thing though – you learn something new everytime you lace up your running shoes.
So wise. It’s reassuring to hear that even experienced runners struggle with it–as any athlete struggles with their sport!
I absolutely hate running!!! It’s mainly because once you run a far distance outside you have to come back haha and since I’m already tired half way through I choose the treadmill BUT I will say that I also hate the treadmill and what WILL get me to do it, is an amaaaazing playlist!! I swear by it! Love you Alison! Have a great day!!!
So true!! I was a little scared to go too far out on my run this morning just in case I couldn’t make it back haha. iTunes radio also gave me some rockin songs today so that helped! Love you, Liz!! So excited that you commented 🙂
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Eeeeep! YAY! I reeeealllyyy think you should maybe possible consider signing up for a half… you know, anyone can do it if they get a good training plan 😉
Haha! Maybe, maybe!
I love this post Alison. I have to say that I’m in awe of runners too (especially when I see them running in extreme temperatures.) I run from time to time but I don’t have the endurance to run miles upon miles on a daily basis. My goal for the spring is to be running 3 miles/day 3-4x/week. I love the way I feel after a run but it is hard to motivate myself when I know how painful the actual experience can be. I guess some runs are better than others..
That’s an awesome goal, Di! I think runners and non-runners can agree that all runs are different, so it’s best if we just take them all as they are and honor our bodies for carrying us through them no matter what. Even if that means walking!
I’m the same as you in that I don’t like running. Funnily enough, I’m trying to go pro with it next year. I think the major difference for me is that I’m a sprinter, so at most I go 400 meters. I rarely go on long runs over 20 minutes. I think it also helps having goals with it. Since I run in races, I always have the goal of getting a better time or beating someone, so that’s a huge motivation in itself.
Anyway, I love the blog! It’s always interesting for me to read about people who run and stay fit outside of competing on a team. I commend you for it! 🙂
Sprinting is hard core! I had a bunch of friends in high school who were on the track team for short distance. So much respect!
Thanks so much, Gemma! Best of luck with your running career!!
Thanks! A lot of people stop running in college, so it’s always nice for me to see people continue to run even if it’s by themselves 🙂
I followed your blog, so I’ll definitely encourage you
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