Finding Joy In Running
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Running is one of the easiest exercises to get into from an equipment perspective, but it is one of the most demanding as well. Also, finding enjoyment in running is not always easy for everyone.
I never considered running long distances something that I would do for physical activity when I was younger. In high school, I played football which obviously involved sprinting, and shorter bursts of running, but running consistently for more than a couple of minutes just was not fun.
Of course, after leaving high school, and ultimately getting married and having kids, I no longer was as active as I was in my younger years. Football, basketball, ultimate frisbee, and other activities that occurred on a regular basis no longer occurred or presented themselves on a regular basis as options.
Before I got back into weightlifting, running was the first activity I turned to. Not because I wanted to run, but rather because of the low bar of getting into it - you don’t need anything more than a simple pair of running shoes, and other athletic equipment. Once you have those things, you can run.
However, I found that running was not something that I really enjoyed. Over time, I figured out why, but I wish I had known from the start why. Below are several tips for you on how to begin your running journey.
Start slowly; Build up over time
More than anything, do not try to push yourself too hard from the start. You’re very likely to get injured if you’ve never run before, or haven’t for a long time, and you go out on multi-mile runs to start.
For many people, this won’t necessarily be an issue. The first time I ran, I could only run for about 2 minutes before having to stop. You’ll build up as you continue practicing. If you can only run 2 minutes to start, try running for two minutes, taking a walking break, and then running for 2 more minutes. You’ll quickly find that your 2 minutes will turn into 4, and soon into much longer than that.
Don’t run every day when you start. Take rests days in between, and then come back to it. Once again, you’re a lot more prone to injury early on as you start to stress muscles that you’ve not stressed before. Over time, you can transition to run more often if you want.
Try different times of day
Some people love to run at night, some people love to run in the morning, and others like to run in the heat of the day (don’t ask me why). If you’re finding that you’re struggling with motivation, try different times of day for your running.
You may find that you run better first thing in the morning. You may find just the opposite: running later in the evening is your thing. Try to find a time that makes the most sense for you and how you feel.
I’ve also found that people are completely different on how they like to run in relation to meals. For me, I have to run on a completely empty stomach. For others, a simple banana or similar type snack before running is needed. And for others, a full meal (I'd not recommend this though unless you find you can't run otherwise). If you find your stomach is telling you something while running, try different tactics.
First thing after waking up with no food of any kind (just a cup of water) is my sweet spot for running.
Run on a treadmill; Run outside
There are people on both sides of this debate. For me, it’s not a debate: do what works for you. Some people find running outside boring, or not easily possible (depending on your location). Others find a treadmill too boring - not enough to see. I’ve run on both, and use both for running. Each has their benefits.
If I am running on a treadmill, I have to have something to watch. I can’t just run on a treadmill with headphones and nothing to actually watch. However, if I have a movie or sports to watch, then I can run for a long time on a treadmill.
A treadmill is also nice because you can control the environment, and the pace and incline easily that you’re running at. It may feel a little uncomfortable at first, but you should be able to get the hang of it if you keep at it.
On the other hand, running outside can be a lot of fun as well. Running on roads, or trails, allows you to see some interesting places, and smell the fresh air. You won’t be constrained to a 2 foot wide belt either.
Running outside also doesn’t require any special equipment. You don’t need a treadmill or to find a gym. This means that even if you’re not at home, you can still get out for a run, wherever you are. I’ve run on beaches, mountains, and through big cities before while travelling - it’s really beautiful and a great way to explore wherever you are.
Change your distance and pace
After some time, if you’re finding that running is just not holding your interest, it may be time to switch up how far, and how fast you’re running. Just because you’re getting into running doesn’t mean you have to run a marathon or long distance.
For me, this was my biggest problem as I worked into running. I thought that I needed to run really far. 8 miles, 3 days a week, was a very common workout for me. I found that I dreaded running, and dreaded those days. I nearly quit running.
Instead of running the same distance nearly every time I ran, I decided to switch up what I was doing. I found that rather than running longer distances, I preferred to increase my pace and run less. For me, I was running too slow for enjoyment. Once I increased my pace, I found that running was more fun for me. It significantly decreased my mileage, but that wasn’t really a big deal as I wasn’t training for anything specific.
On the other hand, you may find that you don’t like running because it’s too hard. You may need to slow your pace, or decrease your distance. If that’s the case, slow it down on your runs and see if you find them more enjoyable.
Additionally, I should add that when running outside, I found that running up hills really gave me a high. It’s hard as can be, but getting to the top of a big hill really gives me a runner’s high unlike anything else. Running on flat ground is not really interesting to me unless I’m in a new place I’ve never been before.
Conclusion
Running can be fun, but it may take some work to find out what you enjoy. You don’t have to just run long distances on flat ground in the morning. Mix it up and find out what you enjoy.
