Lack of Motivation

[marie-20]

I graduated from the C25K plan last week and I ran 6K last Thursday in 42m and then did the park run in 37m on the Saturday but this week has just been impossible (Oddly enough I find that my pace is 'slower' on a park run then when I'm by myself?!)

I have struggled to run more than 3K without walking and it's got me down so I'm really not looking forward to my park run tomorrow - if fact I'm making every excuse going so I don't have to go which isn't like me as I enjoy going to the park run even though I run towards the back (and happily by myself)

The struggling is totally my own fault though! After being able to run 6K I decided it was time to do a more 'difficult' route with actual real inclines rather than just gentle inclines so I guess it's no surprise that I've found it hard.

I'm thinking that after my park run tomorrow I will go back to just running 5 - 6K on a relatively steady course for 2 of my 3 runs and then do some hill training on my 3rd run with a view to increasing my distance by 0.75K a week - is this a sensible suggestion because as my runs get longer I have no choice other than to run hills?

I'm going to have to get over this 'hill' block as I live in Halifax so every decent route has some form of hills!

[AndyD Graduate10]

Sorry to hear that you've lost your MoJo a bit. Perhaps you need to stop worrying about speed and pace and remember why you started in the first place. If you started running to win races then perhaps its a different matter!

Personally, I would of course like to run faster or further on any given run, but I have resigned myself to the fact that I am getting exercise whatever speed i'm going and if the speed improves over time, then that's great.

Take it easy and try to enjoy each and every run

[JonesEvansA]

Sorry to hear that you've hit a bit of a dip. I've had loads of ups and downs which don't seem to have any logic applied to them! If I'm not feeling too positive when I'm running I try to ask myself two questions: 'Am I still breathing?' and 'Are my legs working OK'? If the answer is 'yes' to both then I figure there's no need to stop and walk. It (usually) works! I think you're finding your run time faster when you are on your own because you are running at your own pace and aren't influenced by those around you. I also feel there's a bit of 'pressure' at the Park Run because some people regard it as a 'race' and are aiming for PBs whereas the rest of us are just trying to get around without stopping! Try not to think of those around you and focus on yourself and the enjoyment of the run tomorrow morning and hopefully you won't be influenced by those around you. Keep going - your MoJo will return!

[Bazza1234 Graduate10]

Sounds to me like you are trying too hard!! Loss of running mojo, I find to be associated with pressuring yourself too much. I have a female friend who just loves working out really hard at the gym ( a real gym junkie , she loves to be beaten up at the gym ) - but she was struggling during her parkruns ( she only actually runs once per week) and was starting to "hate" it. I told her to stop thinking about her activity at parkrun as "running" - and to regard it simply as a "cardio workout" which she just happens to be doing by the act of running (Cardio workouts can be done in many ways) . She stopped worrying about pace/times for her parkruns and just ran to get her breathing going and enjoy the company of her fellows. She basically went to the back of the pack and has enjoyed parkrun ever since.

[marie-20]

Thank you all for replying to me!

You know JonesEvansA I think that you may be right. I think I unconciously slow slightly due to the speed that a lot of people go at and as I'm no where near fit or fast enough to compete I don't.

AndyD - the thought of racing . . . . . mehhh(!) That said I stupidly booked a 10K race for the end of May so that may be where my issue is however I don't care whether I walk during that or not - just finishing will be an achievement I think ATM.

Bazza1234 - pressuring myself sounds about right. I'd figured that as I could run 6K I'd run a harder 6K and I've no problems which was totally wrong and that's where my issue is as I don't like 'failing' but I will go out again and take it easier either on the harder route or amend it slightly to a hardish one.

All this said today is my 'rest' day but when I finished work the sun was shining and I was itching to go out and forced myself not to so I guess I must enjoy running and not totally lost interest - that would have come 20 mins in once my legs were hurting lol.

[davelinks Graduate10]

You've not long graduated, those times are perfectly​ respectable, times can vary, give it some time to build and enjoy the Parkruns...😊

[Anniemurph Graduate10]

Ooh, I'm from Halifax originally, so I understand about your hills Don't fret about having to improve all the time. You need to consolidate first. Please don't take this the wrong way, but you are still a very new runner! If you push too hard now, in terms of distance or pace, you run the risk of injury. Many of us on the forum have made this mistake and have had to take time off to recover. You're right to mix up your running - can you vary your route? Get the bus somewhere new and run back? Drive somewhere else - another Parkrun, or just a different area for a run - along the canal at Hebden Bridge, for example? If you look at Strava Heatmaps, that will give you an idea of where others run and might inspire you. Have you thought of trail runs? Having something else to think about on your running might take your mind off everything else and allow you to focus on enjoying it. I hope you can feel the love again! Happy running

[Bazza1234 Graduate10]

And IF you are itching to get outside on a day when you are supposed to be "resting" there is nothing wrong with going for a nice long walk!

[marie-20]

Thanks guys. I went for a walk yesterday evening to enjoy the sun and unwind.

I thought I'd had an awful run this morning as last week I ran it all and this week I just couldn't force myself to continue so I walked small sections and my time was only 2 seconds slower than last week which was unexpected however I was exhausted when I got back (thanks to a bad night sleep due to an overactive 2 year old!) and slept for 2 hours.

Early afternoon and my hubby gave me an early Mothers Day pressie of a heart rate monitor so I thought I'd go out for a short run and see how I got on.

It was a great run - I did 5K in 35m which is my fastest and you know what I actually enjoyed it but I had no expectations of time or distance or even a route really - there was just one particular incline I wanted to get to and up which I did without wanting to die too much lol.

Fingers crossed I'm on my way back to enjoying going out and this week was just a 'blip'

[Joolez]

Hi Marie ... I've struggled too at time since graduating - I have decided to be more chilled out about if I have to walk sometimes. I'm also missing the structure of the programme. At the moment I'm all about increasing my distance but would honestly like to increase my speed too. 5k in 35 mins is awesome!! I don't really have any advice - there is lots of good advice on here anyway but I wanted you to know you weren't alone 😀

[mfamilias Graduate10]

Gremlins love a bit of self-doubt - it usually kicks in when we sign up for something longer or more difficult. Gary (my gremlin) may have been in touch with yours to stir up trouble - sorry. I know how you feel about hills - I've started putting hills into my runs too, and they slow me down and make me feel like I'm not progressing, or even regressing- I've learned to take it on the chin, not look at the time, and concentrate on getting the run done. It's a gradual process, and the most important thing is to enjoy your run (which we tend to forget when we're too focussed on chasing goals). Your plan sounds sensible - go for it, and don't forget that the most important thing is getting out there and running, which most of us couldn't do before we started this programme