Running can be wonderful: The fresh air, PRs, health benefits, friends, endorphins…I could go on. But this week our Tuesdays on the Run Linkup wants to know what your LEAST favorite things about running are. Because sometimes it’s not all unicorns and rainbows.
Before I get into that, a little housekeeping is in order. The objective of a linkup is to create community, find new blogs you like and of course grow your own blog as well. You do this by interchange. You visit and comment on other people’s blogs and (hopefully) they reciprocate. I noticed over the past several weeks that a growing number of you are dropping a link here and not commenting on anyone else’s blog, hostesses included. If this does not describe you, your loyalty and awesomeness is much appreciated. For the rest of you, please make an effort to exercise proper linkup etiquette, including tagging the hostesses. Like anything else in life, what you put in is what you get out. Thank you!
Upcoming topics:
- Feb 27 – grade your month
- Mar 6 – treadmill tell-all, love? hate? tolerate?
- Mar 13 – luck of the runner – how does running make you feel lucky?
- Mar 20 – spring break running/racing plans
- Mar 27 – DNS? DNF? Have you had one/some?
Slowing Down. Running is wonderful but there comes a time when it takes more effort to do it well and by well I mean fast. Father Time has a way of pulling the rug out from under us and race times we once enjoyed gradually (or not so gradually) slip away. Making peace with this can be challenging.
Injury. Face it, running is hard on the body. It’s easy to overdo. Any imbalances in the body are quickly brought to light when we run. From crosstraining to foam rolling to yoga to plyometrics, there’s so much more we “should” be doing to help keep us strong and injury free. As much as running may suck sometimes, not running sucks even more.
Race Lotteries. While overall participation in running is declining, the popularity of some races is still off the charts. The fact that you can run a Boston Qualifiying time yet still not be able to get in to run Boston is just wrong. The lotteries for other races (NYC, London, Tokyo) are pretty far-fetched as well.
What are your least favorite parts of running?
Be sure to join me right here this Friday for the Runfession Friday linkup!
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Yeah, the whole slowing down and potential for injury are my “hates” too. So frustrating to work hard and as soon as you slack, you are back to as slow as you were before…
Not running definitely sucks! I’d much rather run slower than not at all!
I would definitely have to say that injury is my least favorite part of running! Its so frustrating that its something most of us need to worry about all the time.
Running cane be so wonderful and I do love it. But I still struggle and hate those first 2 km of a run – my body feels heavy and sluggish. So sometimes I am put off just at the thought of those first 2 km! I also don’t like all the stretching that goes with it. I wish I could just get up and run, no warm up and no cool down. I find I spend so much time stretching… maybe I am just lazy! But those are the things that make me roll my eyes at running, LOL.
Running can be so wonderful and I do love it. But I still struggle and hate those first 2 km of a run – my body feels heavy and sluggish. So sometimes I am put off just at the thought of those first 2 km! I also don’t like all the stretching that goes with it. I wish I could just get up and run, no warm up and no cool down. I find I spend so much time stretching… maybe I am just lazy! But those are the things that make me roll my eyes at running, LOL.
Slowing down is killing me. Although I have to say that taking my time lets me enjoy the ride–so it looks like I may be signing up for more destination type races in the future!
We have a similar issue on the Weekly Wrap. I comment on it on my blog, but since those link and leavers don’t read my post, I’m sure they aren’t getting it! Rude.
Ah, running. It’s not all rainbows and lollipops, but it keeps me active and I seriously cannot imagine my life without it 😉 I’m thankful I had my “speed” revelation awhile ago…I’m quite content to simply run and the “racing” thing happens when it happens 😉
Oh I forgot about lotteries. I have been trying for years to get into the NYC half.
I know I will not like slowing down but I will be grateful to be out there still running.
I was hopeful that I was going to be able togetmy speed back since my injury and although I’m no longer injured, I am now 2 years older andnow have age to deal with! It’s always something!
Thanks for the link up!
Cold weather running. Wearing two of everything just to avoid the dreadmill is getting old 😩 Although, the weather today is nice. And obviously running in the cold is better than not running at all!
Slowing down is definitely a challenge for me. It started early for me because of a knee injury, then age made it even worse. I’m still living on my formally somewhat fast laurels. 😃
I like all these keeping it real running posts. It’s nice to see I’m not alone! And injury is the worst- i agree. And all that comes with it!
I’ve had injury, and I’ve slowed down. I also seem to tweak muscles more easily than before. I’ve started thinking “that didn’t used to happen!”
Hmmm least favorite…ya I agree the fact that it’s not getting any easier to get faster, especially coming back from an injury that I couldn’t prevent!
Oh man, I am there with you on injuries. Those seriously are the worst! And I hadn’t thought about the lotteries but you’re right – I’d really be upset if I earned a BQ and never actually got to run Boston. Ugh.
I agree with all of these! I do feel like I’m slowing down (although I’m not sure if it’s due to getting older or lack of motivation). I’m not technically injured but I do feel like I am always anxious that various niggles are going to get worse. And currently waiting to hear back on the NYC lottery… Long shot I know but we’ll see!
Injuries just suck. Whether they creep up on you, come on suddenly, or are caused by a second party. 🙁
I’ve never entered a race lottery. Not yet, anyway.
My least favorite part of running — and I’ve said it again & again today — the time involved! But it’s worth it, of course.
I am kind of accepting the slowing down thing as inevitable. It’s not like I was setting any records before ha ha. I guess we all love it much more than we hate it or we would not keep going back for more!
I also find slowing down to be hard for me. It must be a good day or I am just feeling great and I run faster than I am supposed to. However, there are times that I am so tired that I am glad to be running at a slower pace. Oh and I am sure people are devastated to run a BQ time and still don’t get to run. Yes, that is wrong.
Slowing down is hard but its harder not being able to run because of an injury. These are all so true! Glad I’m not just the ones experiencing these dreads 🙂