Running Help Anyone??

 Whenever I ask somebody what the best lower body workout is, they all say running. It's so easy to run, they all said. But it's easier said than done. I need a way to motivate myself to run longer. I go on a treadmill, so I can stop whenever I want, which is the problem. I want to want to go on longer. How do I get motivated?!

i guess you could have someone drive you five miles down the highway and drop you off without a phone ;-)

i have a begin-to-run program that's really good, if you're interested.  it's very systematic and you can choose a starting point that suits your fitness level.  but i recommend skipping the treadmill and going outside; treadmills are boring.  besides, if you go ten minutes out, you have to do at least another ten to get home!

pm me if you want the program.

Best lower body work out? Get a bicycle or spin bicycle.  Compare the burn numbers for the same time for running and bicycling.  Sometime it is lower, but you will usually be able to go longer.

Easier on the body and easier to keep going with less boredom. At least when not on a spin bike.

Good luck and keep the faith.

What has always worked for me is setting a distance I want to achieve in a time I want to achieve it in.  I feel super guilty if I don't achieve those 2 things, and so I'll stay on as long as it takes to get to the distance or I'll up my pace so I don't have to stay on as long and still get the distance.  It's something different every day, so just play around with that.  Runner's World always has some good training plans, and even if your not training for a specific race or distance, those help too.

Everyone so far has provided some great suggestions (training plans, biking, setting goals), and while I have become an incredibly avid runner over the past couple of years (and therefore biased in favor of running), I suggest that any running or cardio program that you take on is part of an overall program for your lower body that includes some sort of resistance training.

Something that you enjoy doing is always the best workout. If you have to force yourself, weeping and gnashing your teeth, onto the treadmill every day, it won't be effective and you will eventually give up. I agree with several pp that running outside is much better than on a treadmill.

I tried a 10 week plan that is alternating running and walking (with more and more running and less and less walking as times goes by) to work your way up to be able to run 3 miles. It didn't really work for me though. I found the best way (for me anyway) is to just run as much as I can and increase it each day. The 10 wk program didn't push me enough I guess.

When and if you get good at running, a way to get and stay motivated is to enter races such as 3k or 5K and work your way up.  It gives you a goal and once done with one you can't wait for the next!

"Whenever I ask somebody what the best lower body workout is, they all say running."

-Best lower body workout for what? People with different goals will give you differant answers.

I can run with friends forever, but can only run alone for a few miles before I give up.  I've coordinated a few different groups of running friends so I meet people at least 4 days a week to run with.  Do you have friends who would want to run with you on a regular schedule?  Most cities have running groups too - maybe you could find a running group in your area.  Sometimes local running stores sponsor running groups too.

I have always found that picking a race and training for that distance is my movitation. My first race was a 5k and my longest race was 10 miles. The pride I get from that out weighs the pain on getting there. I hate running but love what I get out of it. Not just the distances; my body feels incredible whenever I run. Good Luck. Do what works for you.

For me personally, if the only running I did was on a treadmill, I would have given up a long time ago.  I'll take running out on the road any day.  It's a big help for me to have the fresh air and changing scenery all around me.  I'm fortunate that I live in an area where it's safe to run on the roads.  So if you can, maybe try running outside instead of inside. :)

Cycling is also an awesome all-around workout.  As soon as it gets warm enough, I'll be doing plenty of that, too.

I have also had good luck with my lower body doing resistance/body sculpting workouts.  I usually do the "Total Body Sculpt with Gilad" workouts because they're on FitTV, which we get as part of our satellite package.  Lunges/squats and other exercises that target the butt and thighs really do a good job if you use the correct form and do them regularly.

No matter what you find, good luck!

Running out doors definitely seems to be a lot easier for me than running on a treadmill...

I've been a runner for over a decade and even I get bored after 5-10 minutes on a treadmill and can't keep going; however, once outside, I can run for hours and love every minute of it. XD 

I agree with running outdoors - try it.  Running on the road is so much more interesting, and the time/distance just flies by.  I can't run as fast or as long on a treadmill.  Road running is definitely worth a try.

I do a program were I run for a certain amount of time and walk for a certain amount. For example I'll run 10 min, and walk 5 min. It gives me inspiration!

Ill tell you what worked for me cause i had a big time motivation issue. 

Nike Plus!!  I am sure you have heard of the sensor that you can buy and slip in your Nikes and hook it up to your ipod and it tracks your running for you but what you probably haven't heard of is there is a way to use it with out buying the expensive Nike shoes.

If you go to Amazon and look up Nike+ you will find many products including the transmitter and receiver kit for about 28 bucks.  You will also find these little pouches that you strap on to the shoe laces of ANY shoe.  they sell for about 4 bucks.  so for under 40 bucks you can use this system (as long as you have an ipod nano or bigger as it will not work on the shuffle).

I cant stop running since i got this!!!

Ill give you a brief rundown of the neat features that i love about it.

You can calibrate it to you walking and running and it is almost dead on.

When you get home all you do is sync your ipod and it automatically sends the info to the Nike site.

It will tell you how far you ran, how long you ran, how fast you ran, and how many calories you burned based on weight and height.

It will audio prompt you while your running as to how far you have gone or how far you have left to go.

You can set a power song that you can play anytime you need an extra boost. (Eye of the Tiger is a popular choice :))

You can view your runs by day week or month.

You can set up personal goals and it will let you know when you have reached them.

You can enter in to challenges Like "First to 25 miles in March" with other users.

There is tons more that you can do but those are my favorite.

Talk about motivation!!!!