Practical Advice Advice on making running feel enjoyable

So - stumbling into a dormant thread, but for anyone reading, I have found that it’s only a good idea to listen to headphones when running indoors. The exception being open design forms like the bone conduction ones or the open clip on the ear ones.

You Need to Hear What Is Happening Around You!!! Even if you are on a trail in the wilderness. The absence of gas engines is a plus, but that won’t stop a bike from overtaking you, so you still need situational awareness.

Additionally, if you’re out in nature, it’s an opportunity to hear the natural world around us, which is healing in itself. Use all your senses on the trail. It will feel better. Unless you’re running the same exact trail all the time and it has gotten boring. At that point I would go find another trail, but that’s just me.

I don't know how people can run outdoors with headphones on, it freaks me out, I really need to know what's going on around me. Besides, I don't want anything to distract me from the run, for me it's a form of meditation, I like to immerse myself in every sensation, even when it hurts!

I managed to achieve one my new year resolutions last year of going running once a week.
However my distance remains miserable and I'm finding increasing it extremely difficult due to the fact
that I really dislike the activity.
I've never been the most active person and though I've managed to be consistent about
going once a week it feels like an absolute ordeal.

Does anybody know how to make it less so, I'd really want to up
the frequency and distance this year?

It's good practice not to make promises you can't keep.
But once you've kept your promise, that's great
You didn't promise to run a lot and for a long time, did you?
In my opinion, running puts a lot of strain on the body. And if you're uncomfortable, there's no need to push yourself. Some coachers say that if you've never run before, you shouldn't start because it can lead to injury. But a short jog, brisk walk, or bike ride can be beneficial.