It is a common thread in Singapore's running community: someone who once dreaded running finds their way to genuinely loving it. Fitness personality Carla Dunareanu is one name associated with that kind of turnaround, and her story is a useful reminder that a rocky start with running does not have to be the end of it.
Key points
- Disliking running at first is extremely common, not a sign you are not built for it.
- A slow, patient build usually matters more than raw willpower.
- The turning point for many runners is finding a pace or format that feels good.
- This piece is a reflection on that theme, not a verified account of any one person's exact journey.
Why so many people start out hating running
Running has a reputation problem, mostly because so many people are introduced to it the hard way: forced sprints in school, a punishing first attempt that leaves you gasping within minutes, or a pace that is simply too fast for where your fitness sits. That kind of introduction can sour someone on running for years, even if the sport itself was never really the problem.
This turnaround, from dreading a run to genuinely looking forward to one, is a theme that shows up again and again among Singapore's fitness personalities, including names like Carla Dunareanu who have been associated publicly with a shift from reluctant runner to enthusiastic one. Rather than presenting invented details of any specific journey, it is worth reflecting on why this shift happens for so many people in the first place.
It also helps to separate the sport from the way it was first taught. A lot of people's early running memories come from being timed, ranked, or compared against classmates, which turns an activity that could be calm and personal into something that feels like a test you can fail. Unlearning that association often takes longer than building the actual fitness does.
What usually changes between hating running and loving it
- Slowing down enough that a run feels sustainable instead of punishing from the first minute.
- Finding a format that suits your personality, whether that is solo quiet runs, group runs, or structured intervals.
- Building up distance and pace gradually rather than comparing yourself to where you think you should already be.
- Running in conditions that work for your body, including time of day and route.
- Letting go of any single event or race as the only measure of whether running is "worth it."
None of these changes happen overnight, and for many people the shift takes months rather than one lucky breakthrough run. That gradual build is normal, not a sign of doing it wrong. It is also common for the shift to happen unevenly, with a few good weeks followed by a rough one, rather than as one smooth upward line.
Use this as a starting point, then adjust for your body, conditions and professional advice. A plan is useful only when it responds to you.
How to make that shift yourself
If your own relationship with running feels closer to dread than enjoyment, the fix is rarely to push harder. It is usually to slow down. Running at an easy, conversational pace for longer stretches tends to build the kind of aerobic base that eventually makes faster running feel possible and less miserable. Our guide to easy-pace cardio explains why slower running is not a lesser version of the sport but often the foundation that makes the rest of it click.
Singapore's heat and humidity add their own layer of difficulty on top of a shaky relationship with running. If heat has been part of what makes running feel unbearable for you, our guide to running in Singapore's heat covers practical adjustments, from timing to pacing, that can make a real difference. The Running Pace Calculator is also a useful way to find a genuinely sustainable pace rather than guessing and burning out early.
What this turnaround from hating running to loving it really shows
Stories like the one associated with Carla Dunareanu resonate because they push back against the idea that some people are simply "runners" and others are not. More often, the difference is pace, patience, and finding a version of running that fits your body and your life. A rough first year with running does not predict how you will feel about it five years later.
If you are somewhere in the middle of that shift yourself, right now, the most useful thing you can do is stop treating an early bad experience as proof of anything permanent. For more on building sustainable movement habits, the lifestyle hub has further reading on turning reluctant starts into routines that stick.
What usually helps someone start enjoying running?
Slowing down to a sustainable pace and finding a format that suits your personality tend to matter more than sheer willpower.
How long does it typically take to start enjoying running?
It varies widely, but for many people it takes months of gradual, patient practice rather than one single turning point.
This article provides general education and is not a diagnosis or a substitute for personalised medical care. Stop exercise and seek appropriate help for severe, sudden or concerning symptoms.
From Hating Running to Loving It: A Familiar Turnaround: questions answered
Is it normal to hate running at first?
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Yes, it is extremely common, and it often has more to do with pace and format than with the sport itself.
