How to give running another chance, a mini-FAQ for the running idiots

***Cassius*** · Posted On: 12/25/2007 4:16pm

How to give running another chance, a mini-FAQ for the running idiots:

This is sort of a threadjack, but here's some advice for people who hate running: Look at how and where you run. If you run around a track, you're always going to hate running. Why? Because it's fucking boring. It's worse than running on a treadmill, in my opinion. Instead, run on the street or on sidewalks. Vary your route as much as possible, as well as the type of terrain you run on. Run flat distances for awhile, then try something a little hilly. The entire time, try to think positively. If you spend the whole run thinking about how much you fucking hate every single goddamned stride you're taking, you're never going to enjoy it. Try zoning out and staring at the sights. If that doesn't work, go for ego. Think how much better you're going to look after 6 months of doing this, or about how good for your heart this is, or hell, about how much better you are than all the people sitting on their asses right now. If that's what keeps you going, do it.

Next: Make sure you buy comfortable shoes for YOU. Find a Fleet Feet or other running store that can tell what kind of shoe you should be wearing. If the people that work there seem like dicks, make sure you get the exact information they took so you never have to go back there again. Maybe focus on how annoying the running culture in general is for motivation. People that love running are usually really annoying, and the racing subculture is even worse. Most of the people on this forum probably suck pretty bad at life, but there's no way you suck as bad as the stereotypical runner. Except for maybe Dr. Tzun Tzu. I think he sucks pretty badly.

Next: Buy a small mp3 player. Buy something cheap that uses FLASH memory, not a hard drive. The last generation of iPod nanos is pretty inexpensive, and you would probably do just as well buyinig a shuffle if you're on a really tight budget. Or you can just do without, but trust me, it makes a big difference.

Next: Make sure you are actually hydrated before you run. If you are not hydrated, you will feel like ass. If your pee is dark yellow, drink some fucking water.

Next: Learn how to stretch. Everyone ignores their abs when they run. If you do this, you will probably cramp up. So stretch your abs. Stretch your IT bands, because if you don't, you will probably end up with IT band syndrome and it sucks. Stretch your back. You can probably figure out what else to stretch.

Finally: Build a positive mental impression of running. If that means starting off running like an old man with an artificial hip (Phrost), that's fine. Don't immediately worry about how far and how fast you run. Just try to get to a baseline level of "running fitness," and build from there. If you set yourself up for success, you will actually begin to enjoy running, and you'll learn how to challenge yourself and have fun instead of crying about it all the time. And then you'll be in good shape. Which is fun.

PS - Vary your routine. I try to do a couple miles of sprints one day a week, a medium (2-4 mile) run one day a week, and a long run (6+ miles) one day a week. Sometimes I run slow like Phrost, other times I am pretty motivated. Because of all these things, I set myself up for success and have tricked my brain into thinking running is fun, which is probably not true.

But the important thing is, I actually enjoy it. Which makes me better than everyone else. Especially since I don't exactly possess the prototypical runner's build.

PPS - I'm not sure why I just spent 20 minutes writing this. I hope someone finds it to be useful. Macho, if you want to move it somewhere else (I wouldn't blame you, because it's completely off topic), feel free.

**E-Van** · Posted On: 12/25/2007 4:34pm

Originally Posted by Cassius

How to give running another chance, a mini-FAQ for the running idiots:

Next: Make sure you buy comfortable shoes for YOU. Find a Fleet Feet or other running store that can tell what kind of shoe you should be wearing. If the people that work there seem like dicks, make sure you get the exact information they took so you never have to go back there again. Maybe focus on how annoying the running culture in general is for motivation. People that love running are usually really annoying, and the racing subculture is even worse. Most of the people on this forum probably suck pretty bad at life, but there's no way you suck as bad as the stereotypical runner. Except for maybe Dr. Tzun Tzu. I think he sucks pretty badly.

.

I work at Fleet Feet Sacramento. Its a awsoome place to get started running. Come in and they will custom fit your feet with the perfect running shoe.

**Teh El Macho** · Posted On: 12/25/2007 4:35pm

Originally Posted by Cassius

PPS - I'm not sure why I just spent 20 minutes writing this. I hope someone finds it to be useful. Macho, if you want to move it somewhere else (I wouldn't blame you, because it's completely off topic), feel free.

What the hell were you doing typing all that on Xmas? Anyways, that was pretty good, in particular about the abdominal/IT band stretching part. Most people don't even consider that piece of the game.

Anyways, I'm making it a thread of its own, among the hallowed stickies.

Funny thing about this is that I actually find running on a threadmill more entertaining than running outdoors. :icon_scra

As you said it, it's all mental or something.

**Cuchulain** · Posted On: 12/25/2007 4:36pm

I would suggest entering yourself into a charity fun run. I did the 10k cancer research one a couple on months back and it was a great insentive to train.

***Cassius*** · Posted On: 12/25/2007 7:22pm

Entering into races can be fun as long as they're for charity, but I've found (using myself and my friends as test subjects) that it can completely destroy your motivation to run. I entered in 4 races over the summer, and after they were done, I completely hated running for the next two months.

The down side of entering into running events is that people often try to run them competitively, and that sucks. I ran a half marathon this summer at a 7:30 pace, and I'm 6'1" with short legs, and I weigh between 205-215 depending on how badly I've been eating. After that, I felt like I never wanted to run again. And I definitely quit running for two weeks after I did it.

From that, I learned that being competitive with yourself while running can be fun. Being competitive with other people often seems to backfire.

**SunTzu** · Posted On: 12/25/2007 7:28pm

It's still boring as hell.

***Cassius*** · Posted On: 12/25/2007 7:30pm

Originally Posted by E-Van

I work at Fleet Feet Sacramento. Its a awsoome place to get started running. Come in and they will custom fit your feet with the perfect running shoe.

The Fleet Feet in Monterey is amazing. The Husband and Wife that own it are incredibly nice. The one in Louisville used to be pretty good, too. I know people that have had really bad experiences at other branches of the chain, though.

***Cassius*** · Posted On: 12/25/2007 7:33pm

Originally Posted by Teh El Macho

Funny thing about this is that I actually find running on a threadmill more entertaining than running outdoors. :icon_scra

I actually prefer running on a treadmill to running on a track, but I prefer running outside to either of those options. If you live in a congested city, that may be an issue.

**Teh El Macho** · Posted On: 12/25/2007 8:49pm

SoFla has some of the worst drivers, and its very congested, and the humidity sucks. When I was in LA, I didn't mind the heat since it was very dry, but here, man. It's not even as hot as LA but the humidity sucks.

Another thing you mention, which is important, is the shoes. Incidentally, I need to get new shoes. I over-pronate to the outside a lot, and I need to get new shoes.

I'd like to add also that when pple suffer from shin splins, one of the best and fastest ways to get them out is with a foam roller. That works wonders.