Description
This article is from the running
Beginners' FAQ, by Ozzie Gontang with numerous contributions
by others.
21 Satisfaction, enjoyment, fun and no fun
You should be getting some satisfaction out of your running. A run may be
hard work, but most of the time you should feel good afterwards and feel
some satisfaction at having gone out into the rain/heat/delightful summer
evening and "Just Done It". Some people say every run is fun, others think
racing is fun, and some people wonder if everyone's definition of fun is
the same.
Sometimes running itself will feel easy and smooth and enjoyable. An easy
day between harder days will sometimes be like this. If you are lucky, some
days you will overflow with energy, zip up the hills for the hell of it and
generally bounce around and have fun. Not very often though.
Finding like minded people to train and hang out with always helps make
things enjoyable and helps you achieve your goals, if only because "Well,
if Fred can run X miles, then surely I can !". I feel that having the
company of like-minded runners helps - providing encouragement, advice and
mutual support plus the opportunity to take part in team events.
The Dead Runners Society (DRS) is an listserv (mailing) list which
discusses all aspects of running, ranging from training tips to wildlife to
M&Ms to favourite novels to anything. It forms a supportive virtual
community of runners and friends. Very friendly and on the cuddly side. Not
necessarily to everyone's taste, and produces a high volume of mail. To
subscribe, send mail to <listserv@listserv.dartmouth.edu> with the
following line in the main body of the message: SUBSCRIBE DRS
If you are a beer drinking party animal, search out the local Hash House
Harriers for an introduction to a world wide brotherhood (and sisterhood)
of degenerates who describe themselves as "A drinking club with a running
problem".
Running related sports such as orienteering can provide an interesting way
of getting a few miles in. Orienteering is particularily good since it
occupies your mind and limits your speed - if you run too hard you can't
think, get lost and have to stop.
Most of us go through bad patches where running is a chore and we don't get
any enjoyment out of it. The best plan here is often to reduce the training
and maybe try something else for a couple of weeks. Sometimes I go for long
bike rides, or try to improve my swimming. If you really are burnt out,
rest is important - exhaustion can put you out for months.
If running is always a struggle and a chore, with no satisfaction, even
after months at sticking with it, I would say it's time to try something
else - cycling, swimming, rollerblading, aerobics, .... Find something you
enjoy, get satisfaction from - you'll have a better chance of sticking with
it in the long run, which is what counts.
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