Why? Why? Why?

[WalkingWithLabradors]

I did another 30 min ‘run’ this morning at 6am. I had a banana and a long drink of water and I covered 4km including warm up walk. I am sooooo slow! I don’t seem to have the drive or energy I had before I graduated. 🙁. Any advice? I don’t want to join the local running club as they’d be well ahead and I’d just be put off!!

[Tasha99 Graduate10]

Hello you. Sorry to hear you’re not feeling it at the mo. I felt like that immediately after graduation and still struggle sometimes but force myself to go out. Things I do to stay motivated post graduation:

1. Make myself go out 3 times a week

2. Sign up for local 5k

3. Sign up for local 10k (not til September)

4. Sign up for Ju-Ju-‘s 10k plan. Apparently more distance is the way to increase speed.

5. Do the ParkRun every week

6. Vary my running routes

7. Get new playlists to alternate between

8. I know once I’ve been out I feel fantastic.

I’m trying to lose weight too so that motivates me. I’ve considered a running group, but am unsure if I actually want to be in a group.

Hope you feel it again soon.

[WalkingWithLabradors in reply to Tasha99]

Thanks Tasha99.

[Hidden]

That happened to me, then it picked up, then it slumped a bit again. I managed 10k, then got tired. I'm regularly running over 5k now, but the tiredness hits me like an express train from time to time. We are still new runners. Our bodies are still adjusting. Remember to alternate long and short runs (says she who just did an 8k and a 7k consecutively!) Don't push, let it come to you - quicker in the long run. I've just posted about lack of speed today because i want to do some 7 or 10k charity type of runs, and they have a cutoff speed, and I'm too slow.

[WalkingWithLabradors in reply to Hidden]

Good luck with the bigger runs FlickM3. I’m averaging 10mins per km.

[Hidden in reply to WalkingWithLabradors]

I'm 9.5 on a longer run, as low as 6.5 on short runs, if i can avoid hills. but I finished c25k in January and was a lot slower then.

[IannodaTruffe Graduate10]

Perhaps you just need a rest........a week or so with no running may revitalise you.

[WalkingWithLabradors in reply to IannodaTruffe]

But yet on waking I get these urges in my head to want to feel the breeze...and then I go snails pace!!!

[misswobble Graduate10]

Maybe more breakfast required. I need a good bowl of porridge or my legs won’t work

Speed comes with strength. Strength comes with plenty of slow,leg-building runs 💪. Your slow running is good as you’re still running so getting good exercise 🙂. Speed takes time so patience is required.

Be sure to eat healthily and get plenty of sleep 👍

[Slinkyminky Graduate10]

Maybe you need another plan to follow? How about juju's 10k plan? Building distance apparently builds stamina and will increase speed.

Change your route

Just go out for a run with no concerns about time, pace etc; just enjoy the run. These are when I have my best runs.

Sign up to some local races so you have something to aim towards

Anyone you can run with? Sometimes running with someone else helps occupy your mind so you're not so focused on just your running

Oh and remind yourself how far you've come! How far could you run 12 months ago?

[WalkingWithLabradors in reply to Slinkyminky]

Thanks Slinky. 😊

[Wizziewood Graduate10]

Totally agree with everyone above. I remember on one of my early post grad runs struggling with 1k. I think we assume it's all going to be easy once we've finished C25k but of course it's never easy but you get stronger and faster over time.

Parkrun, change of route, varying what I listen to etc is what keeps me motivated.

If I don't like a particular route for whatever reason I don't force myself to run it ... and if I'm enjoying the scenery I certainly don't worry about what my time will be.

You're doing brilliantly ... you're getting out there, that's the important thing.

Keep smiling, keep running and good luck with your future runs!

[WalkingWithLabradors in reply to Wizziewood]

Wizz thanks. 😊

[Irishprincess Graduate10]

Don't dismiss a running club. It's a brilliant way to take your runnng to a different level and it improves your pace too as you run with others. A good club will have various groups from beginners to marathoners and everything in between and there would usually be a group to suit your pace.

[WalkingWithLabradors in reply to Irishprincess]

OK. Will think on. 👍🏻

[Slinkyminky Graduate10 in reply to Irishprincess]

Definitely agree with this

I joined a running club 6 months ago and glad I did for the level of support and encouragement

There's a good mixture of different paces so everyone feels welcome X

[WalkingWithLabradors in reply to Slinkyminky]

Even

[WalkingWithLabradors in reply to WalkingWithLabradors]

Sorry, pressed too early. Quicker at pressing than running. 😂. I was going to say even someone as slow as me at the moment??

[Slinkyminky Graduate10 in reply to WalkingWithLabradors]

Yes, a good running club will encourage and support all abilities.

I'm really slow and in the 14 min mile group; some weeks if there's not enough leaders we go with the 13 min milers; if they get ahead they loop back and there's always a tail runner 👍

Maybe if a google search in your area and contact the ones you like the look of. Mine is women only and not s competitive club (although there are ladies who do marathons etc)

One of the best things I've ever done X

Good luck and let us know how you get on

Also try to remember you are a runner, a mile is still a mile at any pace 👌

[WalkingWithLabradors in reply to Slinkyminky]

A friend has asked me to join his beginners group. I’m not shy at all but worry it’s going to be like a PE lesson. 🙁😂

[Slinkyminky Graduate10 in reply to WalkingWithLabradors]

😂😂 in my experience it won't be. Give it a try, you have nothing to lose, if you don't like it then you've at least given it a go and know it's not for you 👍 Or you may enjoy it 👌

[APScotland Graduate10]

I'm still reeling at the thought of anyone being able to do anything at 6am other than sleep! Running intervals is a great way to get faster. It's not a linear process though - I find it amazing how much variation there is in my speed / energy on different days for the same route. Presumably after a lot more experience, our speed per effort becomes more consistent ? The main thing us to enjoy it. Find a running buddy if you can, to help egg you on ... or some good podcasts or audiobooks. But keep going

[WalkingWithLabradors in reply to APScotland]

Thanks APS. I’ve not come this far to give up but I’m soooo frustrated!

[Rignold]

If the yearning you get when you awake is to feel the wind on your face and heelo sky hello trees etc, then as long as you are getting out there and doing it, it doesn't really matter what your speed is, surely? You may not be making 'progress' but you are exercising your legs and heart and communing with nature which is a hell of a lot better thn rolling over and going back to sleep.

Don't sweat the small stuff. If speed you crave then it will come. there's no rush.

[WalkingWithLabradors in reply to Rignold]

👍🏻