Hi guys, I graduated from the C25K with the help of that group.
I've been jogging for about 3-4months in total, but I'm stuck at around 7.2k which I do in just under an hour.
I'm running in the Edinburgh men's health 10K on 5th November. (Running for Charity)
I'm obviously tired physically, jelly legged when I stop but not too bad when I'm moving. It's basically mentally I'm struggling with, I use music, energy gels and I've ordered a water bottle belt.
I get a voice getting louder and louder saying I need to stop.
Can anyone suggest what I can do, I really need to do this.
Have I just reached my limits for the present or is this nonsense.
Desperate for good advice.
Thanks in advance
Written by
Malc73
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
19 Replies
•
First of all, please note that I am a novice, (graduated just before you) so these are only my ignorant musings . I wonder if you are tired and need to take a week 'running holiday'. I did this (it was forced by life/work but I decided to look at it as a needed break) and felt better when I came back. Also, maybe slow down to the 'sustainable pace'. I have never got any quicker but am managing the further distances by having very few expectations of myself I just set off with an open mind, a good book and PLENTY of time (I'm too ashamed to tell you my 10k time)
It is so much in the mind. Maybe try and take some pressure off yourself and 'forget' your race until say October 17th (random!) You can always run 5k walk a k and then run 4k- or whatever. you may find that on the day the atmosphere carries you through
Also are you doing one longer run and two shorter or are you trying to push each run? More experienced runners will be able to comment on training plans and on the wobbliness when you stop.
I think I'm trying to push each time I go out. I'm thinking of doing the park run on Saturday which is 5K and just try to enjoy it (yeah whatever) then I could give it a rest.
Ok, first things first, don't panic. You have loads of time before your race so chill and give yourself a big pat on the back for getting this far. Well done on continuing to run after graduation (so many don't) and for getting to 7.2K. That's brilliant 🙂
It sounds to me that you've now reached a mental barrier and your gremlin is telling you to stop at this distance because you feel you can't go on.
THIS IS A LIE.
Trust us and not the gremlin. In fact, lock the gremlin up and throw away the key.
You can do this.
I believe, and I have given this advice loads of time on this forum, that if you can run 7K before race day then you can run 10K on the day. The atmosphere and excitement will take you round and at the end you'll wonder how you ever let that gremlin doubt you.
You're amazing. You've completed the C25K programme and you can run for about an hour! How fab is that?
So, a big breath, lock up the gremlin and maybe try mixing up your running a bit for the next couple of weeks. Try intervals, hills, somewhere new just for a change. And then try runnng to 8K. Take us with you 🤗
To me it sounds as if you're running too fast. You need to slow down for the longer runs and build up stamina that way. If you can run 7k you can run 10k, but not if you're doing the 7k at full pelt.
You have plenty of time till the event - try going out for a slow run, easy, the pace you feel you could keep going for ever. It does exist!
Between 70-80% of your running should be at an easy pace. Your long run, at this stage, should always be at an easy pace. If you are running hard on every run you are making the new runner's commonest mistake.
Running slow is not easy, but is ultimately rewarding, making runs far more enjoyable. By running hard each time you are making things difficult for yourself. Recovery between runs needs to be longer, for optimum recovery, you also increase your injury risk and you are more likely to burn out, finding yourself jelly legged and exhausted at the end of what should have been a gentle paced, distance stretching run.
To get an idea what your pace should be have a look at this runnersworld.co.uk/rws-trai... It will surprise you how slow you should be running.
If you are well hydrated and fuelled and well rested, prior to your run, then there is no reason why you should run out of go at 7k. How often are you trying to do your long run? Once a week is quite enough for a new runner.
Make sure next time you do your long run, that you ease the pace back. You can't expect to push pace and distance in the same run. Once you have 10k under your belt, you can work on increasing your pace. You have loads of time, so stick with OldFloss's mantra slow and steady progress. Work on one thing at a time.
Wow I've just looked at the speed calculator. I put in 7.2k in an hour and basically I'm running at tempo every run. I should be going about 1:20 min slower per km. No wonder I'm jiggered.
I'm roughly running around 8:20-8:30 pace average and my easy pace should be 9:48.
That's opened up my eyes, I'll try this next long run.
Great advice, especially about running slower and not doing a long run every time. No wonder your legs are getting tired!
Just to add that some people add their extra km near the beginning of their route. Mentally they then find it easier to finish because they have done the last say 3k many times before and know they can get to where they are going from where they have got to. Hope that makes sense!
Great advice! If I need an "extension loop" I always try to get it in early - it fools my brain somehow. I hate having to add extra distance when I'm nearly home, it always seems a real struggle then!
I just penned a long and detailed reply and then decided I should "Follow" you, but I hadn't hit submit before I clicked away... Argh.
Long story short: I'm at a similar place to you. Graduated c25k earlier this year, now training for 10k in October. Also find it hard running past those mental blocks. Scheduled to run 8k today and hit the forums so that I could put it off a bit longer...
Wonderful advice in this thread - thank you all. Thank you Malc for posting - I needed to read this today! See you on the other side.
just want to wish you luck as you progress towards that 10k race in November. I have no doubt you will acheive this with the great advice from our experienced 10k+ runners.
As JaySeeSkinny and runningnearbeirut have mentioned, I too struggled to add any distance on to my 30 min run as I always tried to add extra to the end of my runs. Now I'm putting the 'extra course' in earlier I am running for well over 40 mins without any problem.
Also agree that not every run needs to be full distance or pushing yourself, this is physically tiring and varying the speed or distance is more productive I believe.
I am still working on increasing my running distance, and will be interested to see how you progress, keep posting and Good luck😊x
Another thing - have you got yourself a training plan for your 10K? There are plenty of websites where you can set one up, just plug in your current times and your goal date and distance. And say how many times a week you want to run. Some people find it easier to defeat their demons when they have a structure. I know I do.
Just remembered ju-ju- did a training plan for 10k its on the pinned posts on this site 8 months ago. Pinned posts are found either at the bottom of this page or at the side if you are on a pc.
It gives you three runs to do each week to build you to 10k in 6 weeks.. it starts on the second page of pinned posts.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
. I wonder if you are tired and need to take a week 'running holiday'. I did this (it was forced by life/work but I decided to look at it as a needed break) and felt better when I came back. Also, maybe slow down to the 'sustainable pace'. I have never got any quicker but am managing the further distances by having very few expectations of myself 
I'm back, albeit slow and steady
My first 6K and no gremlins
First run of the year
Getting to 10k when only running twice a week
