Ultra runner Stian Angermund said in an interview "Running isn't fun until it's easy, so get fit." I find that so true, but it really depends on the running you do. If you're into track workouts, or running the same route faster and faster, that's a chore that is never allowed to be easy. Not easy like zone 1/2, but easy like enjoyable and with minimal discomfort. Fun, easy running to me is going out for a zone 3 trail run. Running based on feel, rolling smoothly up the hills and flying down, never checking HR, just adjusting based on what feels good... a route you enjoy, and enough time set aside to do it without having to keep an eye on the time. So for me, the formula for easy running is: solid foundation + nice route + running by PE = fun and "easy" 🌙
You comment has been pinned because I think you're the only one who has recognized the link between easy and fun. I certainly didn't think about it that way! Yes, there is clearly a link between fitness (and practice) and finding the activity easy, but if we're not having fun, what's the point? Thanks, Kelly!
When I ran sporadically or needed to be motivated to run -- because I was feeling unfit and worried about it -- running was usually unpleasant. Sometimes it made me feel sick. But when I changed to running as a hobby, and particularly when I started to train for races, I not only got the benefits, but I also started to get the "high". I would say running gets easier (regardless of the difficulty of the workout) when you do it more than four or five hours a week (unless you do some other kind of aerobic activity as well) 🌙
It's good to see you're able to put a time frame to making running easier! It makes sense that 4-5 hours a week would get you enough practice where eventually, when our fitness catches up, we do find it easier. This seems like a good place to emphasize we're saying "easier" and not "easy."
Gret video. It's exatly as you have said. Sometimes a run is easy, but the next day the same run feels heavy. A lot is in the head that day. Important thing is that every day you make a progress. And running gets easyer but never easy. 🌙
I started running 2 years ago the last 10 months I pretty much run 10k everyday and its still never easy, I find though when I've had a really good sleep, my running is easier.
Running was easy for me when I was 16 and just getting started. I had no expectations, no way to over-think it, and I got faster every time out. These days the middle part of a tempo run feels the easiest, past the shaky first mile or two but not into it enough to be fatigued, running like I know how to and not having to hold back. Although to be honest I don't mind the last part so much either, when I actually get to work at it and it feels like real running. Grinding out 40 or 50 minutes, shuffling along in the "easy" zone, is when it feels like like a chore to me.🌙
This is a good observation, which I know we've discussed before, and I certainly notice feeling better after a run that involves "work" over an apparently easy run. So it seems to make a run feel good, it can't be easy. Now I realize it's a good thing a run feeling easy is so hard to come by!
Good to hear. Remember this feeling for your next one. If you know what's coming you'll know how to deal with it. Speaking of that, do you have a plan for what your next marathon will be?
@@its_Matt_B_ Matt B my next runs are in March and April, two half marathons one is Inverness and other is Plymouth in England my training consists of trails and roads usually over thirty miles a week , ideally I should be starting that as soon as possible 🏴
🌙 OMG I could write all sorts of questions and comments on this topic! I’ll stick to one 😅. Regarding mental distractions, in my experience there are two kinds. The first is when mental chatter detracts from my jump rope sessions and decrease my performance and enjoyment. The other kind of mental chatter skims on the surface of my jumps and does NOT hurt my performance but can even help me get into more of a flow. This second type usually happens when I get in tune with my muscle memory and let my body go on autopilot. I compare it to walking a dog when you’re struggling to control him vs. letting him off-leash. 🐕
You had the choice of so many comments and you chose a gem! I think most of the time (for me at least) an easy run or jump rope session, is made less easy when our mind isn't right! As you said, the right mindset can contribute to flow, and no one has a bad time when they're in flow. Cheers to that flow state!
Interesting. My easy runs had been feeling less easy. I figured it was because it was my peak week before my marathon and I had tired legs but I wonder if it wasn’t my mindset. Gives me something to check for in the future. Thanks!
It’s difficult to say, and peak week probably isn’t the best week to judge by as you’ve clearly been putting in a lot of work for your race! Which marathon are you running?
🌙 Since I work in a 9am to 7pm job it honestly never feels easy. except on the days I have free. Also: I'm absolutely not a winter person... everything below 15°C (and we get here -10 degrees sometimes in Germany) sucks ... I need sommer, I need warm... I need the sun and I need my fricking 20-30°C Ah, now I feel better being able to spread my negative vibes in your comments /s :°)
🌙 it always takes time for me to find these emojis Matt 😂, great video, I find running hard I think I have more hard days that easy but I have only been running for less than 5 years (there is a lot of trial and error until you get it and your body when it comes to running) so maybe when I get to your stage of 15+ years it will be easier, it’s what I tell myself otherwise I would have stopped running a long time ago.
Thanks for taking the time to look for the emojis! 🙌🏽 Great job maintaining your running for 5 years! This is huge! As far as it becoming easy, it’s important not to think it will ever be as easy as….eating ice cream. You will get stronger and fitter and because you’ve developed the habit it won’t be like in the beginning! Keep it up! 💪🏽
True, running never seems to feel easier but that is ignoring the fact that the goal post is moving forward as we gain fitness. Looking from the older goals perspective, they now feel easier to repeat, or not as challenging as before, they become "fun" runs. 🌜🌛🌙
Good point about the moving goal posts. This part is conveniently ignored as we runners try to flex that we're doing something that is always a challenge. 🤣 Good point about looking at it from the perspective of an older goal.
Interesting, I have been running for 18 months consistently, and I have noticed this on my runs. On my third or fourth mile, sometimes I feel crappy but my body is doing fine. I have a genuine question, how do you condition yourself to wake up so early for runs (4 am and earlier)? This is very difficult for me to do. I am going to have to start doing this as I am starting a new job and do not want to give up running.
Hey! As far as running early, it just takes planning and discipline. Planning so you can consistently go to bed early enough to get the sleep needed. Discipline to wake up when you don’t want to and get out the door while feeling tired. You won’t always feel tired, but you can’t let it stop you when you do. Also, it is a necessity for me to run so early; it won’t get done if I don’t go before work at 6am. The necessity of it is no small part of how I do it. I wouldn’t go so early unless I had to. 👊🏽
Thanks for the advice! I will be doing it out of necessity as well. In general, how many hours of sleep do you find enough to get out there and do the most intense of your workouts?
@@donTataf I’d say 6-6.5 hours is about the minimum, but I find it gets more difficult after a few days of that little sleep. I usually try to be asleep by 8pm.
Been struggling getting back into the groove, did loch Ness marathon on the second of October I'm 58 so finishing was my goal just not getting the spark ,any motivation would be appreciated 🌙🌘😎🏴
First of all, big congrats on running Loch Ness! Your goal was to finish and you finished. What an achievement! I hope you've been recovering well and treating yourself for all the hard work you put into it. As far as your "spark" goes, it hasn't been nearly enough time to worry about not getting it back! Don't worry about a thing. Not feeling like running after you've done a big event is 100% normal! If you're feeling down and not feeling like your old running self, do a quick search for the marathon blues. It's almost expected to feel a little down after a big race! Keep you head up and just like in your training, trust the process. You'll be back! 💪🏽
🤣 Yes, it's a new moon, but that's not what I was referring to. Because I couldn't find a button emoji, I used a moon....It's a Button Moon (kids TV show in the 80s).
Ultra runner Stian Angermund said in an interview "Running isn't fun until it's easy, so get fit." I find that so true, but it really depends on the running you do. If you're into track workouts, or running the same route faster and faster, that's a chore that is never allowed to be easy. Not easy like zone 1/2, but easy like enjoyable and with minimal discomfort. Fun, easy running to me is going out for a zone 3 trail run. Running based on feel, rolling smoothly up the hills and flying down, never checking HR, just adjusting based on what feels good... a route you enjoy, and enough time set aside to do it without having to keep an eye on the time. So for me, the formula for easy running is: solid foundation + nice route + running by PE = fun and "easy" 🌙
You comment has been pinned because I think you're the only one who has recognized the link between easy and fun. I certainly didn't think about it that way!
Yes, there is clearly a link between fitness (and practice) and finding the activity easy, but if we're not having fun, what's the point? Thanks, Kelly!
When I ran sporadically or needed to be motivated to run -- because I was feeling unfit and worried about it -- running was usually unpleasant. Sometimes it made me feel sick. But when I changed to running as a hobby, and particularly when I started to train for races, I not only got the benefits, but I also started to get the "high". I would say running gets easier (regardless of the difficulty of the workout) when you do it more than four or five hours a week (unless you do some other kind of aerobic activity as well) 🌙
It's good to see you're able to put a time frame to making running easier! It makes sense that 4-5 hours a week would get you enough practice where eventually, when our fitness catches up, we do find it easier.
This seems like a good place to emphasize we're saying "easier" and not "easy."
I like that you coined it, it doesn’t get easier, your body just gets more used to it 🌙
Saying we get used to it is a good way to encourage new runners without telling them it doesn't get easy. 🤣
Gret video. It's exatly as you have said. Sometimes a run is easy, but the next day the same run feels heavy. A lot is in the head that day. Important thing is that every day you make a progress. And running gets easyer but never easy. 🌙
“Running gets easier but never easy” is brilliant! 🤩
I started running 2 years ago the last 10 months I pretty much run 10k everyday and its still never easy, I find though when I've had a really good sleep, my running is easier.
Great job sticking with running for 2 years even though it hasn't got easier! One thing is sure, you've definitely got stronger! 💪🏽
Running was easy for me when I was 16 and just getting started. I had no expectations, no way to over-think it, and I got faster every time out. These days the middle part of a tempo run feels the easiest, past the shaky first mile or two but not into it enough to be fatigued, running like I know how to and not having to hold back. Although to be honest I don't mind the last part so much either, when I actually get to work at it and it feels like real running. Grinding out 40 or 50 minutes, shuffling along in the "easy" zone, is when it feels like like a chore to me.🌙
This is a good observation, which I know we've discussed before, and I certainly notice feeling better after a run that involves "work" over an apparently easy run. So it seems to make a run feel good, it can't be easy. Now I realize it's a good thing a run feeling easy is so hard to come by!
Great video! A positive mindset while running is so critical!
Cheers, mate! Yep! Our mindset makes all the difference! 🧠 💪🏽
What is definitely easier is other things like taking the stairs at work or playing basketball with the kids. 🌙
Oh yes!! Nice job nailing that one! You're 100% right! While running itself may not feel easier, the other physical aspects of life sure do! 👊🏽
Thanks Matt B you've perked me up a wee bit thanks
Good to hear. Remember this feeling for your next one. If you know what's coming you'll know how to deal with it. Speaking of that, do you have a plan for what your next marathon will be?
@@its_Matt_B_ Matt B my next runs are in March and April, two half marathons one is Inverness and other is Plymouth in England my training consists of trails and roads usually over thirty miles a week , ideally I should be starting that as soon as possible 🏴
🌙 OMG I could write all sorts of questions and comments on this topic! I’ll stick to one 😅. Regarding mental distractions, in my experience there are two kinds. The first is when mental chatter detracts from my jump rope sessions and decrease my performance and enjoyment. The other kind of mental chatter skims on the surface of my jumps and does NOT hurt my performance but can even help me get into more of a flow. This second type usually happens when I get in tune with my muscle memory and let my body go on autopilot. I compare it to walking a dog when you’re struggling to control him vs. letting him off-leash. 🐕
You had the choice of so many comments and you chose a gem! I think most of the time (for me at least) an easy run or jump rope session, is made less easy when our mind isn't right! As you said, the right mindset can contribute to flow, and no one has a bad time when they're in flow. Cheers to that flow state!
Interesting. My easy runs had been feeling less easy. I figured it was because it was my peak week before my marathon and I had tired legs but I wonder if it wasn’t my mindset. Gives me something to check for in the future. Thanks!
It’s difficult to say, and peak week probably isn’t the best week to judge by as you’ve clearly been putting in a lot of work for your race!
Which marathon are you running?
@@its_Matt_B_ CIM. Less than two weeks to go! 😬
@@joanneh232 Fantastic! Enjoy the taper (as much as you can)!
@@its_Matt_B_ thank you!
🌙
Since I work in a 9am to 7pm job it honestly never feels easy. except on the days I have free.
Also: I'm absolutely not a winter person... everything below 15°C (and we get here -10 degrees sometimes in Germany) sucks ... I need sommer, I need warm... I need the sun and I need my fricking 20-30°C
Ah, now I feel better being able to spread my negative vibes in your comments /s :°)
🤣 Negative vibes are always welcome!
I can see how your work hours make it difficult, and I 100% see how cold weather makes it more difficult!
🌙 it always takes time for me to find these emojis Matt 😂, great video, I find running hard I think I have more hard days that easy but I have only been running for less than 5 years (there is a lot of trial and error until you get it and your body when it comes to running) so maybe when I get to your stage of 15+ years it will be easier, it’s what I tell myself otherwise I would have stopped running a long time ago.
Thanks for taking the time to look for the emojis! 🙌🏽
Great job maintaining your running for 5 years! This is huge!
As far as it becoming easy, it’s important not to think it will ever be as easy as….eating ice cream. You will get stronger and fitter and because you’ve developed the habit it won’t be like in the beginning! Keep it up! 💪🏽
True, running never seems to feel easier but that is ignoring the fact that the goal post is moving forward as we gain fitness. Looking from the older goals perspective, they now feel easier to repeat, or not as challenging as before, they become "fun" runs.
🌜🌛🌙
Good point about the moving goal posts. This part is conveniently ignored as we runners try to flex that we're doing something that is always a challenge. 🤣
Good point about looking at it from the perspective of an older goal.
Interesting, I have been running for 18 months consistently, and I have noticed this on my runs. On my third or fourth mile, sometimes I feel crappy but my body is doing fine.
I have a genuine question, how do you condition yourself to wake up so early for runs (4 am and earlier)? This is very difficult for me to do. I am going to have to start doing this as I am starting a new job and do not want to give up running.
Hey! As far as running early, it just takes planning and discipline. Planning so you can consistently go to bed early enough to get the sleep needed. Discipline to wake up when you don’t want to and get out the door while feeling tired. You won’t always feel tired, but you can’t let it stop you when you do.
Also, it is a necessity for me to run so early; it won’t get done if I don’t go before work at 6am. The necessity of it is no small part of how I do it. I wouldn’t go so early unless I had to. 👊🏽
Thanks for the advice! I will be doing it out of necessity as well. In general, how many hours of sleep do you find enough to get out there and do the most intense of your workouts?
Sorry for the confusion, I have two RUclips accounts which are linked. This is the same person 😂
@@donTataf 🤣 I figured as much!
@@donTataf I’d say 6-6.5 hours is about the minimum, but I find it gets more difficult after a few days of that little sleep. I usually try to be asleep by 8pm.
Been struggling getting back into the groove, did loch Ness marathon on the second of October I'm 58 so finishing was my goal just not getting the spark ,any motivation would be appreciated 🌙🌘😎🏴
First of all, big congrats on running Loch Ness! Your goal was to finish and you finished. What an achievement! I hope you've been recovering well and treating yourself for all the hard work you put into it.
As far as your "spark" goes, it hasn't been nearly enough time to worry about not getting it back! Don't worry about a thing. Not feeling like running after you've done a big event is 100% normal!
If you're feeling down and not feeling like your old running self, do a quick search for the marathon blues. It's almost expected to feel a little down after a big race!
Keep you head up and just like in your training, trust the process. You'll be back! 💪🏽
🌙 I think that's a new moon 😂
🤣 Yes, it's a new moon, but that's not what I was referring to. Because I couldn't find a button emoji, I used a moon....It's a Button Moon (kids TV show in the 80s).
@@its_Matt_B_ a great TV show I also remember fondly growing up 😊
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How does the saying go? It doesn’t get easier, you just get faster.
Exactly! 👊🏽
First❤
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🌛🌛🌛
Always so generous with the emojis! 😍
Wait...running is supposed to get easier? I thought running is the other sports' punishment. 🌙
Oh yes, of course! We’ve got to maintain that image of extreme difficulty!
@@its_Matt_B_ Exactly. How else would we get street cred?
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Cheers, Paul! 👊🏽
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Cheers, Danielle! 🙌🏽
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Cheers, Aurelio! 🙌🏽
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Thanks, Christine! 😁
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Cheers, Didier! 👊🏽