Who likes to run?
 

Yeah, my second post probably shouldn't be a new thread. If someone has to troll because of that, so be it. Anyways, is anyone here a runner? I do cross country and track, and absolutely love it. I'm on a two week break now between seasons, :hmm: and I'm about to lose my mind. So, basically, here's a thread to talk about distance running- training, racing, PR's, etc. Who likes to run?

I'm slowly learning to love running. I hated it in high school, because I was starting to get overweight. Running + fat = pain and anguish. Now that I've lost some fat and gained back some muscle tone, running is less of a chore. I find that I have to be at a good location to really enjoy a run.

I hate running. It's not that i'm bad at it, it's just that I find it so boring. I don't mind running when playing sports, but I could never run a marathon. However, because I wish to remain competitive in my sport, I once in a while have to get on the 'ol treadmill or bike.

yep. running is like meditation in some way. some of my fonded memories involve a live phish show or some marley box set or some whip ass bluegrass on my walkman and running in the hot sun. i've had some injuries that have kept me from being able to do it as much as i would like, plus a little spat of deciding to smoke icky icky foo cigarettes, but thankfully that's all behind me. i ran earlier tonight, and it was everything i thought it could be. welcome to the boards.

Love running, kind of an oxymoron. heh. Well I run 3 miles around 3 times a week to lose weight, it works for me, so that's why I keep at it.

Blegh, I hate running, but the Marine Corps makes me do it :|

I myself love to run but i never seem to be able to make myself do it, kinda like going to the gym :(

In HS and college i was doing 6 min miles but now i am at like 8 min miles cause i never do it much anymore.

Does running help depression for real?

Regular exercise in general helps depression. Doesn't matter if it's running, sports, weight lifting, whatever.

Yep. But for some reason, runners seem most prone to get "hooked" on the endorphins (natural heroin) produced by running (and yes, by other forms of exercise). Perhaps this is because you can put yourself into condition to run longer and longer, while something like weight training can only be done for a moderately short period.

My neighbor is a huge runner, and she loves running so much that she continued running on an injured foot and finally messed it up seriously. She couldn't bear to cut back; though in the end she had to give up running for months, and was seriously pissed about it. She would go to the gym and ride an exercycle for hours, but "it's just not the same."

Me -- when I lift weights and a joint or muscle protests, I just stop. I know there's trouble around the bend if I don't. But I think that running puts some people into a meditative/slightly high state of mind that makes them want to go and go no matter what.

*hand in the air* - yep. you nailed it. I've hurt myself by not listening to body parts that doth protest too much...but damn, it just feels too good... :D

I'm starting to love running. I haven't been doing it that long, and it kicks my ass every time, but I still keep at it. I couldn't run for a long while due to a serious sprained ankle, but it's not bothering me anymore, and I think the running has helped to strengthen it actually. I find it a good time to think about things and enjoy the outdoors.

Sheesh, I wish I liked running, but I don't. It makes me feel like shit. I always have a great feeling after getting out of the shower after a run, but I never feel good while I am running.

Love it. Running is like meditation (like pigglet said). Totally relaxes me mentally, eases away the stresses of the day, puts me in my happy zone. It's good stuff, Manerd.

I love running, however I very rearely do it on the treadmill. Bad knees are no fun. But using the cross ramp or eliptical is a good soloution. I love pushing myself beyond the point where I don't think I'll survive... and yet I survive every time!

Be careful though, one time I pushed myself beyond my limit and I didn't survive!

I love running, but I don't get to run as much as I used to. I have a stationary
bike, but it is not the same as running. I used to run marathons and I miss the
competitive nature of running.

I love running. I pretty much can't see myself ever quitting. I started about 3 years ago just going 3 times a week. The after I graduated college I started going 5 days a week cause I wasn't walking around campus as much and I wanted to stay in shape. Added some long runs on the weekend after a while and the rest is history. I'm running my first marathon Thanksgiving day. I do feel depressed now and then and I'm sure that it would be 100x worse if I didn't run. The thing I like about running is that pretty much everyone can do it. Just get some shoes and run.

I also like the comraderie that runners share. It's kinda hard to explain to non-runners (at least the ones I've talked to about it). They just don't understand the love for such a "monotonous activity".

I love passing people on the trails :cool:

i absolutely love running..although ive been out of action for a few months now. after my snow trip i twinged a calf muscle, and hurt my knee, then i had a few work related accidents, two weeks ago i got hit by an excavator, and to top that off, on weeks end i fell 2m into a pit at work and hurt/cut my back. no bone damage, just muscle damage.

so yeah..if it wasnt for that id be running, but ill be out of action for a few more weeks.. i can wait to get back into it. it totally psyches me up.. i do bike once a week but its not the same..running is in a league of its own.

i used to do athletics as a kid and have just grown up with middle distance and long distance running. my goal was to become a marathon runner and win olympic gold for australia, but i had a few long lasting injuries as a teenager which set me back and extinguished my marathon dream....sigh

I've been running since 1990. Back in school I alcoholized & smoked my way up to 225, up 40 pounds from my high school weight of 185. Took some friends advice & started running 1 1/2 miles a day. Did that the whole summer, back to 185.

Fast forward to 2005: back to the middle, 205 give or take a little by the day. Still like to run, but only get out 2-3 times a week at best for a 2-3 mile run. My wife got me an iPod and it's the greatest accessory ever! Winter has kicked in so it's more hockey than running, but I'll still get out on nicer days to put my time in.

And some cyclists do the same thing...the getting hooked part and the feeling of doing it longer and longer, along with the meditative benefits. I think the issue is more doing serious cardio than just running specifically. Anything rythmic. And I can bike inside on a spin bike and feel almost the same whereas a treadmill is no substitute for running! I do admit that I also love a Cybex Arc (eliptical) trainer - but again, no knee concerns.

As for your friend - she likes running over a bike while I am the opposite; running doesn't do it the same way for me. I also like the low impact of a bike. I think my knees will last longer and I don't hear them protest.

By the way, I also lift weights and have seriously cut back on the amount I lift but not the amount of time I lift.

I hate running but I love fighting and it is nearly impossible to get in kickboxing shape without a running routine so I stick with it. I can find it enjoyable in spring after being stuck inside so long as fall when the leaves change color, but even then I MUST have music or I will be dragging the whole time.

That's the way I feel - I hate running just for the sake of running, especially alone. I love playing soccer for 2 hrs plus and running continually - I probably run 10-20 miles in that 2 hrs, but can't stand running with nothing to do!

I doubt that you run 10-20 miles in 2 hours of soccer...
in any case, running is a great high (thus far...swimming, ultra-long-distance, and triathlons are on another level, supposedly). it's a body and mind thing, though, which is why I don't think it meshes well with so many people; have to have the right body-based rhythm along with the right psyche

I got into running about a year ago and have been doing it kinda regularly (3 times a week) for a few months now. I totally love it, when I had just started I hated it cause it made me realize how much out of shape I was (I used to smoke). I couldnt do half a mile without getting out of breath. Now I look forward to it :D Tomorrows my running day and I am already excited. I do about 5 miles without any walk breaks. Running rocks! btw do any of you runners actually like to run on the treadmill? Its starting to get cold now and I have to use the one in the office gym. I totally hate it.

maul: for treadmills, see mp3 player + phase out. They can be nice once you get into it, but you can also cover everyone around you in a bath of sweat.

re: soccer. i seem to remember that top-form midfielders do about 5-8 miles in a 90 min match, full time on the pitch. it's just that you never stop and you're changing speed and direction so much. best sport in the world, bar none.

ok - just looked it up, and yes the average appears to be in the 5-8 miles range for a 90 minute game. I always play 2 hours, and was assuming 5-10 mph (my typical running rate) - thus, the 10-20. I would agree, the 20 is probably high, and would revise my guestimate to 8-12 in a 2 hr game. I'd agree, it is a great sport to keep me in shape! And tons of fun also! :)

I love running, when I am outdoors. It is a really great way to just experience the neighborhood and is very relaxing to me also. Usually, running is almost a sort of meditation for me, where I might think about stuff for a while, but as I run I tend to concentrate more on my breathing and the surroundings. When I get back from running I always feel quite excellent too...

I love running. I was never much for competitive sports, but I find that despite the cliche I truly have no greater rival besides myself. Especially since I got my iPod, running has been a fantastic release for me.

One half of it is physical, the striving to achieve a better time and just for general self improvement. The more important aspect for me is mental, allowing me to blow off some steam and keeping me sane in situations where I might otherwise lose it :) Its a hands-on challenge that keeps me looking forward to my next run.

Running is ok, i suppose.
 

I, personally, have a love-hate relationship with running. One, because i don't have the stamina i would like to have. And two, because i find it boring a lot of the time. I've taken to cross training lately...incorporating biking and jumping rope in my aerobic routines. I find that i need variety, and that makes me appreciate what i'm doing more because i don't get too bored with the whole thing. So you hardcore runners can run all you want...i'll just continue to be a 'part-time runner' for the time being.

I dont really like it, and for the last 2 years i've been more into weight lifting. I do play squash and do run a bit there but its not "running just for the sake of running".

But i really would love to like it, i envied the guy in my room in the army who was a run'oholic.

The thing is that for example in weight lifting your only experiencing pain for a few secs, while when you run its constant pain for +-10 minutes. (nomatter how good you are its still just as much pain). Its really all about the mind, you need to shut everything out and (as expressed above) go into a form of meditation.

I sometimes take a round on the treadmill when im in the studio but i push myself so hard that i get nauchus (spelling? not native english :)), so the experience doesn't really make me want to run the next time.

But i guess it could be my new years resolution (i work out daily in other forms already so i dont see myself as a quitter in that area)

I love to run as well!

I used to do longer distance runs (10-15 km), but have changed over to doing HIIT on a treadmill 3-5 times a week - 3 minute warmup at 6mph, then 60 seconds at 11mph, 60 seconds at 6... back and forth for 15 minutes.

Much more intense and done alot faster than jogging for 45 minutes.

I used to run a whole lot (100+ mpw), but I've cut back considerably in the last few years. It wasn't an issue of injuries (although there were a few), it was more of having excised those particular demons. I'm learning how to fence, so maybe I'll finally make it to the Olympics in the Modern Pentathlon since I can still do a 3k a lot faster than those guys!

Yep, I love running too. Its very carthartic when you are fit. My optimum range is between 5 and 10km. I try to get 2-3 runs in a week. Good luck to all you runners.