Since people know I'm a "runner", they are often excited to share if they have started running. Sometimes they will ask questions, but most of the time they will just be excited to talk about their new endeavor with me. I love that! Especially if they have found that they really enjoy running. I know running is a very positive thing in my life. It helps me relax, it keeps me sane, it makes me happy... What I think I'm saying is that running is cheaper than drugs! So if someone else has found that running enhances their life in a positive way, I am extremely happy for them. There is room on the road for everyone!
However, sometimes someone shares with me, "I just HATE running." They don't say it to be rude. In fact, they usually say it as if they are ashamed of their feelings. Like it's a bad thing to hate running. They may even be looking for me to give them tips on how to enjoy it more. Maybe there is something they are doing wrong, or there is some sort of tidbit of information that if I shared it with them, they would love running too.
Guess what?
Some people simply don't like it. That's okay. Just because I love it doesn't mean you have to! It doesn't make me any more healthy or any more of an athlete than someone who doesn't run. There are 1,000 other things one can do besides running if they want to lose weight, get fit, be healthy, get strong, have endorphins, etc, etc, etc! Running is not the MAGIC way to get healthy. It is an avenue, and that is all. If a runner tells you otherwise, they are ignorant and wrong.
Just because someone runs does not mean they are healthy. Especially if all they do is run. If all they do is run, they are missing out on some important components of physical fitness and health. Strength training, cross training, flexibility training, and rest are all important aspects of fitness that should not be ignored.
Running is just cardio. There are many other cardio activities one might enjoy more than running.
So if you hate running, never fear! Exercise should be enjoyable. Do something you LOVE. Hiking, swimming, biking, Zumba, kick boxing... whatever floats your boat!
Runners, if you had to do another form of cardio, what would you pick?
Great post! I think so many people are in the mind set that running is the gold standard for working out. And, I do love it, but when you look at the cost/benefit of running with maybe another sport like cycling or swimming, it's not superior. In fact, I would argue that one of the biggest challenges of running are the injuries. Such a high impact sport and if anything is off with alignment or muscle activation, it will bring that to the surface quickly.
ReplyDeleteI have and probably will always love running. Realizing that my body doesn't love it quite so much as I get older, has forced me into other areas of working out. And I gotta say, the cycling, swimming, weights + occasional yoga have all moved high up on my list of "loves".
If I could no longer run and had to pick another sport it would be swimming.
Water is very healing for my body and my mind.
Hope all is well on your end.
I have been forced to branch out as I have gotten older as well! Besides weight training, I think I would go with spinning for cardio if I could not run. Spinning and Zumba!
DeleteI tried Zumba last summer (my new year's goal last year was to try one new fitness class/month). I was a complete disaster! But there was a guy in there who was (in the words of my husband) "throwing his junk around" so that alone made it worth it for me to go and try it. He was SO entertaining. LOL.
DeleteExcellent post Meg! And also so well written. :) I have been guilty of 'just running' in the past but have learned the value of strength training and cross training. I get that same sense that the person expressing their dislike for running is ashamed of their feelings sometimes. It's as if they're feeling guilty for not loving it and talking about it all day long like I do, lol.
ReplyDeleteOh me, too, all I ever did was run. Nothing else. Not even rest days! I thought I was the perfect little runner. Buhahaha!
DeleteIf I couldn't run I would want to get into swimming or surfing. I don't think I would be very good at either of those though so thank goodness I love running!
ReplyDeleteInjuries and other circumstances have forced me to spread out and incorporate other types of exercises into my training. If I couldn't run, I am pretty sure I'd go to Zumba every day and bike. :) Maybe bike to Zumba haha.
DeleteIf I didn't love running I think I would take a bunch of group fitness classes at the gym -- especially spin. I've never taken spin because I don't belong to a gym that has classes, but I think I would really like it!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE spin. When I belonged to the Y I often took spin classes. It was harder than running!
DeleteWhen people tell me that I used to try to give them tips to enjoy it more because that's what they seemed to want...but I've concluded that there is really no secret to loving it and some people find it really boring! So now I basically say what you said in the post - that there's nothing special about running and there are a million other ways to get exercise and feel great.
ReplyDeleteI think one of the things is that sometimes it takes awhile for running to feel "easy" for some people. Like if I were out of shape and started running, I would probably hate it too!
DeleteI love the mountains :)
ReplyDeleteWhen people tell me they hate running, I usually tell them that I used to, too. But I never push it. If you hate running, find a different sport!! It drives me nuts when people who hate running still do it, and they're negative all the time about it.
ReplyDeleteI would not like someone being that negative either!
DeleteI felt like this post was written for me hahah I meannnnnn you know I'm not a runner. I wouldn't say I hate it but... I much prefer other types of cardio over it. Thanks for this!!
ReplyDeleteHaha no prob ;)
DeleteI used to be a runner to the exclusion of all else. I had the weakest ankles and knees in the world, as I did no strength training whatsoever. Nowadays I do sprints once a week and will very, very occasionally (say, 3-4 times per YEAR) go for a longer run if the weather is calling me. I still enjoy it but the difference is I never feel forced to do it - in the past, I assumed that running every day was the only way you could be fit!
ReplyDeleteI do hate running.
ReplyDeleteInstead I fast walk.
I think we all get that line! I have had people say, "I wish I liked running." I always tell them that if they don't like it they shouldn't do it - like you said the key is to find something you like!! (and running is hard on the body!!)
ReplyDeleteI read this post and forgot to comment! I love this post. This is a great message because running is not for everybody. Just like other fitness activities are not for everybody. My husband lifts and I don't like to. I run and my husband doesn't like to. Everyone is different! :)
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