4 Reasons Why You Hate Running and What to Do About It

Running is definitely not for the faint-hearted. Although running is one of the simplest of all types of exercises, not a lot of people are enthusiastic about doing it. Why? It’s not for everyone. The impact of your foot hitting the pavement reverberates to the knees, which will lead to joint pain in the long run. Most people will not do something that is associated with pain.

The fact is, running isn’t just about going from point A to point B on foot. You have to observe the proper form or risk injuries. When done right, running helps boost lung capacity, endurance, and burn calories. It helps tone the calves, thighs, and legs. In today’s post, we are listing down the most common reasons why you hate running and what you can do about it:

1. You are not Wearing the Right Gears

Running long distances requires the best footwear. You simply cannot wear sneakers when off to a run. You want to wear comfortable running shoes designed to minimize impact. The shoes should fit your feet perfectly to reduce the risk of injuries and provide ample support.

You also need to wear the right clothes. You do not have to go shopping for new running gears, use your existing workout clothes. But make sure to choose clothing that fit well and are aerodynamic. Sleek, fitted clothing helps reduce drag, so you are able to run faster without your clothes weighing you down.

2. You Get Bored

Running is not exactly conducive to conversations so even if you have an exercise buddy, you won’t be able to talk for long while running. All that running will leave you breathless in no time at all. If you do not like the idea of running alone because you get bored, we recommend exercising while listening to your favorite tunes. Music does wonders to the brain. It staves off boredom while allowing you to train harder! Changing your route also helps reduce boredom as you run.

If you are using a treadmill to run, place the machine just a few feet from the TV. Turn the TV to nature channel or special videos designed specifically to motivate runners.

If you have a running buddy, engage in friendly competition to keep things interesting when running. Adding more speed also helps liven up the vibe as you exercise with a friend.

3. Your Feet Hurts

It is natural for the feet to hurt when running long distances. But to reduce pain, check if you are observing the right form as you work out.

Check how the pads of your feet lands with every step. Do you land on your heel, mid-foot or your toes? If you are landing heel first, then the impact of every step is loaded to the knees and leg. This leaves the legs sore after running.

To ensure that the impact is distributed properly, avoid landing heel first when you run. Striking the heels is the quickest way to sore feet.

4. Low Stride

An efficient runner typically has a stride of about 90 to 100 every minute. If you have a stride of 70 or lower, then your stride rate is too low. When your stride rate is low, your foot is forced to remain on the ground longer, which stresses the rest of your body. To increase your stride rate, take more steps per minute. This way, the impact of your workout is reduced.