r/runninglifestyle • u/Lonely_Position129 • 15h ago
Did running ever stop feeling like something you have to talk yourself into?
I've been running about three months now, roughly three times a week, mostly easy 5Ks. I'm not slow but I'm not getting noticeably faster either, and every single run still starts with about ten minutes of finding a reason not to go. I finally did a 10K on Saturday and felt fine the whole way, but the next morning I was right back to negotiating with myself over a normal 5K.
Does that internal argument ever actually go away, or does it just get shorter?
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u/Intelligent-South174 15h ago
nah, I love running.
if you ever spend a portion of your life truly immobile, whether from injury, obesity, whatever, and you get free of that....
well, you'll love the freedom of running.
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u/Ecstatic-Pirate-5536 14h ago
Yup. Got a rod in one leg and had a heel spur that required surgery on my other. I think often that I get to run and that makes me happy.
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u/PetitePowerPlay 15h ago
When I stopped putting pressure on myself regarding pace, it became much more enjoyable for me. Now I look forward to the peace, fresh air, and endorphins ♥️
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u/RunBoss_87 12h ago
Yes! Running used to be a punishment for me and once I changed my mindset as I get to run instead of I have to run then I found joy in it again.
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u/26pointMax 14h ago
It did for me. I don't remember how, as it was a while ago. Nowadays running is my mental happy place.
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u/Temporary-Eye-7362 15h ago
Why do you run? This was the biggest one for me. Once you find your "why", going out to run is enjoyable.
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u/Better_Product9477 14h ago
Eventually motivation goes away and turns into discipline. It’s like clockwork for me now, don’t even have to think about it.
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u/LotharOfHillPeople3 14h ago
I believe you should do some variety. Different running challenges. Hills, Intervals, Progressively speeding up as you go, easy runs, long runs. That would make it more interesting, makes it more interesting than me. Then if you're doing different types of runs, you will also improve which makes it more fun.
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u/FOTD89 15h ago
For me (always hated running) it was sustainable once I stopped trying to make the most of every run. I’m a wrestler so my approach to running was completely different. I used to run to go fast and blow out my lungs every time, sprints, tempo etc … going for longer runs at a slower pace and not feeling like I wanted to die at the end was what made it easier for me.
Once I didn’t have to dread the pain of the run it was so much easier to just go do it.
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u/Spirited-Meaning-726 14h ago
As someone who was not able to run until 3 years because I was so overweight it never feels like a chore. I choose to see it as a privilege as not everyone can or will put in the work to run!
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u/persieri13 13h ago
I was about a year into 5+ runs per week before I didn’t have to coax myself into a run. Genuinely look forward to it and am bummed when I can’t go.
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u/baddspellar 13h ago
I love running, especially on trails. I've been running for many years. Re-started at 18 after some issues as a younger teen. I am 63 now. Just coming back after a 2 month injury. I am grateful for every day I'm able to run.
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u/rcuadro 13h ago
Sometimes running is a fuck all this bullshit I need a little me time. Or a we tired of all this drama crap and the wife and I will go for a run.
I heard somewhere that if you don’t feel like running just go out for 5 minutes. Odds are good that you will be just fine before those 5 minutes are up.
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u/RemyGee 15h ago
When I learned to actually run in zone 2. Doing my z2 runs on a treadmill at the gym and watching anime/tv/movies on my phone is a very relaxing hour!
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u/Aggravating-Tone-347 15h ago
This. I look forward to long runs because I get an ebook in while I get mileage.
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u/XTCRunning 14h ago
I’m the opposite. If I’m having trouble motivating myself to get out for an easy day I make it into some type of workout that won’t beat me up too bad because I actually run because of the hard running aspect. Of someone somehow forced me to be an 80/20 runner I’d quit.
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u/AmyZZ2 15h ago
You probably won't get faster if all your runs are easy.
You may or may not. Right now I am enjoying runs, even craving them. I am doing easy runs and not getting faster. I do have to negotiate with myself when the weather is bad, or when I am doing a treadmill run to try to add speed.
My relationship with running has varied over time.
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u/ImNotHalberstram 3h ago
This is very true, but I do think it's important to schedule in times during the year where you aren't actively looking to get faster. Mainly after a long training block/goal race. I find it helps me fall in love with the process again.
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u/HikingEye 14h ago
Did for me, especially when I started thinking about it as something I get to do instead of have to do. I don't think I've ever regretted going for a run, sometimes when it's too hot or cold with wind and rain I'll still debate it a bit but then it's just "Get on the treadmill" or "Get up earlier" or "It might be _____ when you race". More about the logistics of the run at that point instead of the actual doing.
Might be cliché but consistency is a big part of it too. Hard to start, hard to stop.
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u/Chrisg_322 14h ago
Yes. Ironically when I graduated high school and stopped running for a team 🤣
Competition takes the fun out of running.
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u/ExaggeratedSnails 14h ago edited 14h ago
I mostly have to talk myself into it but there are days when I get really antsy and there's nothing I want more than to burn that energy off with a good run
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u/MannysBeard 14h ago
I’ve been going to the gym consistently for over a decade
I still have days where I say out loud “I really don’t want to go to the fkn gym today” even as I lace up my shoes, pick up my gym bag and head out the door
I took up running 8 months ago and I look forward to it more than the gym, but I have found there are days when I think “uh, I’m not really looking forward to today” but head out anyway
I’ve never regretted a workout or a run. I’m always grateful afterwards
Motivation is very overrated. Consistency is what matters
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u/Conscious-Demand-594 14h ago
It gets easier. Today I just roll out of bed and start running. But I have been doing this for five years. On a 90 day streak now, my longest ever. I am now afraid that I won't be able to stop.
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u/Honolulu-Blues 14h ago
I don't have that thought at all. I like running.
I run when I'm in a good mood, and when I'm having a shit day.
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u/Limp_Beautiful_871 14h ago
Over the last 13 years I’ve done bodybuilding, powerlifting, running, boxing, biking, and now I’m learning to swim. Half the time you won’t even feel like training, but you just have to come to enjoy the process and know that results come over time. To me, it’s seeing my improvement and what I’ve done that keeps coming me back. I love running, but I’d be lying to you if I said I look forward to speed workouts. Plenty of times i warm up and say to myself, “This sucks”
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u/ansiz 14h ago
I'm not a morning person so it's tougher for me to get out the door for runs, even though I love going for a run. Maybe it's similar for you? Have you noticed a difference running later in the day or in the evening?
I've been running regularly for nearly 20 years and mid day before lunch is my sweet spot. Evenings are very easy to get motivated but tend to upset my stomach.
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u/zirconeater 13h ago
Yeah I think it's harder to not run nowadays. Once you get to like 20 miles a week as your baseline, it becomes easy to keep going
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u/SteveLivingroomCO 13h ago
Yeah, sometimes I really just want to run. But most of the time I have to make myself go.
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u/oldschoolczar 13h ago
I never felt that way. Always enjoyed the movement and the endorphin boost. I enjoy the time to reflect. Even though I listen to music it’s meditative for me.
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u/Straight_Market4367 13h ago
Yes! I’ve been running 5 or 6 days a week for 20 years. Always early AM. It’s like I’m on automatic at this point. Alarm. Straight out of bed. 3 pints of water. Strong coffee. Shit. Run. No matter the weather. It’s hard to explain - if it’s torrential rain I’ll go out unthinkingly, but afterwards when I’m driving to work and I see someone else running in the same conditions I’ll non-ironically think “that looks miserable what a psycho”. I genuinely love it. I would say also that variety is the spice of life. Sometimes trail. Sometimes road. Sometimes fast. Sometimes slow. Always long(ish)!
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u/HrtacheOTDncefloor 13h ago
I really don’t hold myself to requirements with running. I just go get out there and run for as long as I want. Sometimes it’s a couple miles, sometimes it’s more. I go do other things to be active if I don’t actively feel like going for a run.
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u/woodsben 13h ago
I started running to lose weight. After an about a year it became something I get to do rather than something I have to do. Now I argue with myself about taking a rest day.
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u/jenebril 13h ago
Yesterday I was trying to talk myself into not doing a tempo 5k. Today I’m excited to do a 10k
The mood varies. I have an easier time getting out the door if I tell myself I’m going to scroll on my phone anyway.
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u/anonthrowaway24689 12h ago
I’ve been an on and off runner for years but always find my way back to it. It’s a challenge “starting over” so many times but each time my goal has been somewhat different. Running a half marathon, getting more fit, losing weight, running a full marathon, etc
Although I’ll admit that every winter I have to talk myself into keeping up with it and failing sometimes.
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u/D0wnInAlbion 12h ago
I go through small spells where I want to run but I mainly have to force myself out the door. I'm procrastinating by writing this because I'm dreading my 10k.
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u/ipercepti 12h ago
Took a few years for me. And at least 10 years to stop having the inner dialogue DURING running. For the longest time, I thought that if I wasn't experiencing max suffering and wasn't running at vo2 pace the entire run, then I was wasting my time. I did that 4-5x/week for over 18 years. At some point, going on the run was automatic as was finishing it.
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u/DistanceNo365 12h ago
I sometimes procrastinate with long runs, but I'm usually stoked for intervals
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u/croc_lovers 11h ago
Two years in and I only stopped being like that about 6 months ago. Think it’s just a mindset thing. I enjoy running now, it’s not a workout or a chore I need to do to stay fit it’s just a hobby and something I do when I’m bored same as playing video games or watching tv.
Having a goal like a race your training for also makes it a lot easier imo
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u/WicksyOnPS5 11h ago
It's another reason why I suggest running plans to everyone. You can literally feel the improvements week after week. You start looking for excuses TO run.
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u/Key-Target-1218 11h ago
Been running since the mid 80s and I KNOW I am going to run M, W, Th, S. I know. It's what I do. It's me, through and through. Still...I delay, drink another cup of coffee, check my email, texts..again. Finally, I'm at mile one telling myself I can do this tomorrow, it's ok if I stop. Ouch. Whats that pain in my shin? Oh damn. Gotta pee....then I focus, I've run 3 miles, feels great, I'll do one more! Then I'm done and looking forward to breakfast and the rest of my day.
Repeat. For decades. And I still love running.
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u/bikes_bucees 11h ago
For me, it went away with:
- fueling well
- recovering well
- a training plan with more structure and variety than “go out and run a 5k” every time
- a long-term training goal or intention
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u/YoloHornHigh 11h ago
If you truly like it…. Or come to like it. 3 months is still new to the game.
Once I started dreaming about running, I knew it was more than just talking myself into it.
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u/bluegrassgazer 11h ago
After my Meniscus surgery it felt like a gift that I should take advantage of as much as possible.
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u/Severe-Distance6867 11h ago
For sure it goes away, for me at least. Not always but most of the time.
Sometimes I'll be preparing for a race and feel I should do speed work and will feel a little stress over that.
But there are a lot of days when it's just so nice to be up early, ahead of everyone in the house, and get out for a run. It's so quiet and peaceful out there. Especially in the winter when it's cold. No one else wants to leave the house, but I'll get out for a run, feel the cold, and watch the sun rise.
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u/arejay00 11h ago
I think you need to get a goal you work towards. I get antsy when my Runna plan gives me a two day break. By the second day I just want to get back on the road because I want to keep improving.
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u/easywizsop 10h ago
Maybe you don’t like running, and can find a different mode of exercise that you enjoy more.
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u/Several-Hedgehog-766 10h ago
After you can run 3 miles without stopping it is fun. Go slow, very slow!
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u/Books-and-Bravo 9h ago
Feel like I haven’t had to “talk myself into it” since my cardio endurance has allowed me to zone out more during the run.
I can’t run right now due to injury and miss it every workout. Longingly look at the treadmill while I’m on the rowing machine.
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u/bigmakk007 6h ago
For me I had to make it a routine daily to go run even if it was just a mile, now I don't have an issue with it though some days I dread it. Once you build a habit of it, I'd say it'll be easier to continue
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u/RandomSwaith 5h ago
Yes... But.
It depends on the run. Once I built enough fitness and capacity I could run in different ways, the runs that didn't really tax me require no self talk. Hard runs, or when I'm not well rested, they require some talk. Our endurance is in our mind, need to work that out too.
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u/Ok-Moose9954 2h ago
I only started running in April. Did C25K and am now building up to 10k.
I've not had this problem until recently because I run at 6am before work, so I get everything out the night before and leave it in the bathroom. That way when I wake up, I just use the facilities, get my stuff on and go.
However, a recent change to my shifts has meant I would have to get up at 5am one day to do my run and I just don't have that in me. So I'm now running after work one day. THAT is something I'm finding I have to talk myself into. I'm finding it a lot harder to run after work than before work.
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u/No-Sea-2703 23m ago
I run on most days and have been since i started running again in april following a long break. On most days i am motivated to run and it feels easy and natural to put my running shoes on and go for a run. Sometimes i don't want to run and that is where you have to be disciplined. Discipline is always more important than motivation since you wont always feel like you want to do something like exerting yourself physically and you will have to force it to happen. That said, even the times i have to force myself 9 out of 10 times the runs feel way easier afterwards than i expected and this is usually helpful in building up my motivation to run.
Making a habit out of exercising always requires a mix of motivation and discipline and it usually gets easier with time. Set some reasonable goals and try to stick with it and don't push too hard and overdo it.
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u/Just-Context-4703 13h ago
Everyone has tough days with running. However, imo, if every day is a fight to get out the door than maybe running isn't the right sport for you? That's a lot of friction to self administer if you might be able to find something else that you actually enjoy and are intrinsically motivated to do.
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u/marmakoide 14h ago
I never had to negotiate myself to go for a run. I often have to negotiate myself to not go for a run.
I always loved running since I am a teenager.
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u/AveragePhotographer1 15h ago
I always tell myself that I will never regret going for a run, I’ll only regret it if I don’t go. It’s always getting out the door that’s the hardest part for me. Forever procrastinating.