I’ve been running for about a year. I have a bulging disc in my back so running isn’t really the best thing for me, but I really enjoy it so I deal. I think if you hate what you’re doing, you need to find something else. I tried just about EVERYTHING to get in shape before I was able to get past the torture part of running and really start enjoying it. Not everyone can get past the torture part, though.
Things that helped me get over the “runners are psycho” mentality were:
Joining a running group. Having people to chat with while running makes it astronomically better. I still get bored as hell if I have to run by myself. I need running buddies.
Training for events: I’m just better at exercise if I’m working towards something. Right now I’m training for a half marathon in May. Having that goal to work towards changed my outlook on running. It’s actually to the point where, unless I’m training for a certain event, I won’t really run regularly.
My typical runs usually go like this:
“oooh, I get to go for a run tonight, fun!”
first mile on the trail… “why the hell do I do this? This sucks! I’m totally giving this up”
warmed up… “ah, running is nice…”
almost done… “f this, man. Running is stupid.”
finished with the run, now stretching… “running totally rocks my socks! I’m so glad I’m a runner!”
Rinse and repeat. Running is a weird psychological thing. If you can’t push past the “I hate running” part of it, just find something else. Nothing is worth continually torturing yourself over. Especially when there are alternatives out there you enjoy.
First, if biking was entirely equivalent cardio exercise to running, elite bicyclists would have the same cardio numbers as runners. They don’t, because it isn’t. I was told it is because in biking you are closer to horizontal, which means your heart does less work at the same effort. You also use different muscles, so you can push your heart differently.
I suspect you hate running because you hate running. I love running, but I run mostly on trails in beautiful CO, and for the last several years, with friends. (I would never run with an iPod - too dangerous, and sometimes I hear things before I see them.) I’m not all that fond of biking, because I’m always dodging cars, the price of failure is higher, it less social etc.
As for how I got started, I had an officemate who ran the Pikes Peak Marathon. I thought I’d give it a shot. The excitement of the race, the beauty of the mountain, and the the social aspects all combined to hook me.
I’d second the idea of running in races if you aren’t already. Having a goal makes a big difference, doing specific training is better than just pounding the pavement, and the races themselves are great fun.
I’m 59, currently coming back from arthroscopic surgery on what used to be my ‘good’ knee and I’d be lost without running.
There’s no need to run.
Just leave the house a little earlier.
IMO running is bad for you. The constant jolting damages your back, hips, knees and ankles. Fast walking is where it’s at, for me.
Life’s too short to stick with an exercise regimen that you loathe.
If you like cross-country skiing, maybe try roller-skis. Any sidewalk / bike path can be your warm-weather oyster 
There’s plenty of room here on the couch. Grab some Pringles and join me. I think there’s some reality TV on.
I have been running for my fiance.
I hate it. She does not know this. She’s stunning, hot, and the love of my life. Ergo, it’s worth it. Without her, I would do anything but run.
I hate running. It’s pretty much the only sport/physical fitness thing that I hate. I thought maybe I could learn to love it if I ever ran consistently. The only way I was ever going to run consistently is if I did it with a team, so I joined the cross country team in high school, and I ran cross country for 2 seasons. Hated every minute, but proved to myself that 1) I could and 2) I still hated running.
Frankly, running is awful on your joints, so I don’t see why you should continue. Bike or spin or use the elliptical or arc trainers if you’re at a gym, otherwise, keep doing what you’re doing. There are far better ways to get cardio these days.
Since this misinformation has shown up a couple of times so far in this thread:
Thank you, I was just about to mention this.
I used to run on the beach 3-4 times a week when I lived in San Diego. Running on the beach was one of the joys of my life. I simply loved the sound of the surf, the smell of the salt air, and the whole people-watching aspect of of it all.
When I moved to San Jose I only kept up my running for a year – running on sidewalks and bike trails is so completely boring in comparison. I switched over to walking 10-15 miles a week; I think the slower pace allows me to appreciate my surroundings better than if I was running.
So we have the solemn word of **Runner’s World **that running is not bad for you? All that article really seems to be saying is that being obese is worse your your knees than running is. Well derr, but running and obesity are not the only two alternatives. Given the forces involved it’s simply impossible for running to be no harder on your knees than walking is.
So they no-true-scotsman their way out of it, and don’t miss the chance to promote their advertisers products, despite the growing indications that running shoes render you more liable to injury than flat shoes or none at all.
Cite?
I ran for 28 years and would still be running if I hadn’t been hit on my bicycle. No joint problems here and not in the dozens of runners I’ve known.
Athena, why do you give running so many chances? If you had hated cross country skiing after several attempts, would you be asking if you should stick with it? It sounds like it just isn’t your thing. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. If you’ve found something you like, go with it.
I think the real story is “it depends”. I used to run regularly, but always had issues with my ankles. I finally decided that bicycling and swimming were better for me - no ankle problems ever.
The most serious runner I know (many sub-2:45 marathons) finally gave it up and feels he left this several years too late. Through most of his long running career he would have been an excellent example of someone with much gain and very little pain.
But as others have noted, if you have forms of exercise you find appealing, why persist with one you don’t?
Sorry you didn’t like the cite. The RW article references legitimate research studies, which I assume were not funded by or affiliated with Runner’s World magazine.
These were not obese nonrunners. They were just nonrunners. And yes, running impacts your knees, but the exercise also strengthens your ligaments.
Anyway, I’d never say that for any one particular person, running will or will not be good/bad for their joints. I’m sure it’s a very individual thing. But you can make a broad statement that in general, running is not bad for the joints. This is supported by research. Statements such as “running is terrible for your joints” or “running will destroy your back, hips, knees, ankles,” etc., are not accurate. (Again, this is in general; I am sure that there are plenty of individual exceptions to the overall trend.)
Certainly the OP should not run, though, if she doesn’t like to! Which I actually already said in a previous post. I only posted the link I posted in an effort to clear up misinformation.
Cite posted; cite defended; I shall now cease and desist from hijacking the thread.
I gave it so many tries because:
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I kept thinking I just wasn’t in shape for it, and once I got in shape it would be fun.
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I have a husband who used to run marathons and keeps telling me that “running is fun!”
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It’s a fast workout for the days I can’t get away for a 90-minute bike ride or it’s too nice to sit inside on the spin bike.
The cross country skiing thing is actually what prompted this thread. It was a new sport, an intense sport, and one that within the first few times I went out I was enjoying, even the hills! A totally different experience than running!
Thanks for everyone’s replies. I’m still not sure I can find something that is a good workout on the days I only have 30-45 minutes - I’m going to try on the bike, but it just doesn’t seem the same to me.
I run a couple days a week during lunchtime at work. I don’t particularly like doing it. The only reason I do it is because it’s so damn convenient. And it’s an *excellent *cardiovascular workout.
As for the affect on joints, IMO running *improves *the health of the joints. Lots of people my age (40s) have knee problems. I have none. My knees are in excellent shape despite all the running.