Do you LIKE running?

Or do you run to keep fit?  I'm not sure if I really like it....I do it because it's something I've always wanted to do...but I'm slow and a lot of the time I find it had to get motivated to get out the door! 

How do you keep motivated (having a lack of motivation at the minute which is bad timing as I have a marathon in two weeks!!)

I enjoy it more than I ever thought I would and actually gave up playing football to pursue it more.

It is now however my main source of fitness so I do it for both fitness and enjoyment

I see where you're coming from Ginger. Yet even with injuries and when times get tough out there, I still love running. Couldn't ever distance (boom boom) myself from it. I feel it makes me a better person having to endure things and push through when the tough gets going to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Of course it can be hard when the weather's rubbish, when you're tired, apathetic or injured. But it's knowing that you possess that determination inside to want to run on top of all those things that makes all the difference

Here here D2D.... See you at the Northants Ultra!!

I've only just started running more consistently (previously I did the odd run now and again but mainly went to the gym for fitness) but find that I don't actually enjoy the running itself (although it has its moments) but the feeling afterwards of achievement.

I think that will change and I will start to enjoy the running more, especially if I do more varied routes and improve my distances and times.

Ninja....thats exactly how I feel....I really am pleased with myself when I've finished...usually love being out in the elements....it's the getting up and going where I'm lacking at the minute (probably just Taper madness!!)

I think if I was thinner and fitter I'd enjoy it more and running would hurt less....

I agree with your sentiments ginger...especially the thinner and fitter part for me too!!

 i hate running - because my style is awful and i run like an elephant,

 i love running - because for an hour after my bum and legs look great, the exercize keeps the blues at bay, it gives me chance to indulge in glossy magazines (zest/runners world etc), clothes shopping  and hours in waterstones without people telling me i waste money, it makes the people around me proud of me, i get to indulge in geeky training schedules and excel nerdiness, it keeps me away from the marlboro lights, i can eat big amounts of food the harder i train ,  i love the natural high of a good training session, alot of the women in my family have heart related illness's so it helps keep that in check, the bf runs so we have a huge part of our life in common, i can listen to my ipod as loud as i like without people telling me to turn it down, i get a bath and a lush sunday roast after my lsr on a sunday, i can book half m's and full m's in advance so i can plan my months around training and events rather than benders. 

Jj wrote (see)

hubby said on Saturday as I was procrastinating: 'but you enjoy running, don't you?' I replied: 'I enjoy having run. There's a subtle difference.' ;o)

I have a sort of love/hate relationship with it....

about 5 years ago I realised that alot of my running was pointless force of habit, and it was taking up to much of my time. So I made a concerted effort to ban myself from running all  year around.

I think I have the balance right now as I take big breaks away from it...so I train heavy for about 5 months of the year and aim for an event....do a light bit now and then for about two months (with no set goals other than just getting out for a run when the weathers nice and I fancy seeing a bit of country side - never wear a stopwatch when I do this )and then I take a break where I completely avoid it for about 5  months. Dont run a single step.

There are much more important things in life to be busying yourself with other than running and personally I think the best way to keep it interesting is to step away from it for decent periods.

Id like to be able to stop completely for a year or two but I have been running since I was fairly decent  at cross country running at school  - so as much as I sometimes kid myself and say this is definately the last year....I think im stuck with it....oh well there are worse habits you could be stuck with.

this thread has just made me decide to go for a run when i was trying to find reasons (excuses!) not to..thanks gingerfurball! 

I want to enjoy running but have been plagued with too much injury to enjoy it for too long without all my progress going to waste!  It is a means to get fit for me but i hope that once i have mastered it i will start to see the benefits and enjoy it..i hope!