It's now four days since my last run. House/estate agent issues, phone issues, and now uploading my entire photo library (some of them huge files) to Amazon Prime cloud - on the third day of that so far - have kept me housebound. I was going to go for a run this morning, but next door's roofers needed access to our garden, then didn't turn up till just now. Tomorrow I have to spend the entire day cleaning the house as it goes live on the market Friday.
The problem with this is that I'm losing motivation. I find it hard to motivate myself to be active at the best of times, being a couch potato by nature, and perfectly content to doss around all day reading or playing with my apps. Every run is a bit of a gremlin battle field thanks to that, but usually I manage to pitch myself in, like jumping into the swimming pool - a big shock that lasts 10 seconds. However, enthusiasm is a large part of motivation for me and I'm not a person who can focus intensely on more than one thing at a time. I'm scared of sliding back into gluttony and sloth.
So do I take this week off and risk indolence claiming me once more, or do I force myself to fondle my lycra and get out the door Friday (bearing in mind Thursday I have to mega clean)?
Thanks Tasha. I'm afraid i do lose motivation if I dont do something for a while I cant run tomorrow as I will be knackered doing that and the house clean. I will try for tonight x
Oh dear, it sounds like you have a lot on your plate right now! I know how it feels to lose enthusiasm the longer you leave it between runs. I forced myself to run on holiday last week, and I'm glad I did. I got to see things that I'd have missed otherwise.
Maybe you should run around the house with a duster...............
I reckon you need to get out there! Fondle the lycra. Sounds like you’ve been sucked into a technological abyss! Selling a house can be horribly stressful so you’ll need the benefits of running to deal with it all!
I haven't run for several weeks now since my knee collided with my 8.5 stone dog while said dog was travelling at an impressive rate of knots.
The dog won.
Well, it was my own fault for starting the game we were playing at the time: next time I will choose chess, I think I might just have the edge there.
I was very worried at first but am now pretty sure that the healing is going well and that I will be able to recommence running at some point in the near future. In the meantime I am restricted to a bit of crown-green bowling and walking...plus physio of course. Life is exciting on Poverty Bank.
I too asked myself the same question: will I be able to motivate myself to start again, a long way back from the place I was at? The strategy I have adopted -or rather, am trying to adopt-is to put it out of my mind, not compare my current activitity with what was and, above all, not to feel anxious. At the same time I have attempted to parcel up my running related enthusiasm and determination, wrap it in a pretty ribbon and store it in the little birdbox in my head, to be collected when my knee is recovered.
I wonder if there will be enough resolution stored up there among the feathers and bird poo to keep me going when the pain, shortness of breath and doubt kick in after the first few hundred metres?
We shall see.
In the meantime I will play bowls and await a big fleet of Spanish ships.
Ouch! I wondered why we hadn’t heard from you! My partner Mic had his leg broken by a huge German herding dog - actually looked a lot like your dogs - it was playing with our collie x, they were both pups at the time. Mic got between the dogs because he was worried about ours, and the other dog ran into his leg.
Well, you’ve put my problem in perspective - though, curiously, you may find it easier to return after a long break as you will have renewed enthusiasm.
Not sure about the Spanish ships now - I think we did that one in 1500 and something 😂
Am wishing you rapid healing x
Don’t wait for motivation. Just go. No choice. No debate.
Well. I would say that if you find taking a break from running lessens your motivation and enthusiasm, then get out there quick-sharp! However, I have found in the past taking a week out is really good for me. My legs get a good old rest, and I even find myself running better after a week off.
In short, if you are not getting out because of indolence, then just force yourself out there. But if it is genuinely because you have a lot of other stuff going on, don't beat yourself up for just taking a week out…
Hi! If I were you I’d go fondle that lovely lycra and go for a wee run. You’ll probably feel better for it and be able to concentrate on your “dusting” tomorrow 😉
Are you moving far? I know how stressful it is moving house as we’ve done it so many times!!
I went swimming this morning and now I’m ready for my afternoon nap!!!! 😀
My advice is to leave it until you have got all the other stuff out the way, a week is not going to hurt. You will probably also have better and more enjoyable run when you are not stressed thinking about all things you have to do . . . just my two pennies worth
LOL, that will be weeks - I really am torn between the get out there you lazy sloth advice and the doss around and then get out there you lazy sloth advice
Instead of spending the whole day cleaning you could get up early, fondle the Lycra (Austin Powers voice: oh, behave!), run, be back and energised to clean even more productively than without the run.
And frankly you know you won’t get everything cleaned as much as you want, so you’ll need to do some the next day as well.
haha - unfortunately at my age it's a run or cleaning (who was it said that about getting up the stairs or sex but not both? some film or book). Cant do it Friday in case I have thousands of eager purchasers beating a path to my door - I wish!
Concentrate on house cleaning tomorrow. Last thing before you get into bed look at your wonderful collection of Lycra and choose an outfit for Friday morning.
First thing Friday get you gear on and off you go. Don't worry about speed or distance just get those legs running.
Now how to deal with the gremlins ... pack them in a box, tell them they need to be packed for when you move and then hide them in a dark cupboard or put them in the bin!
Seriously though Flick, get out there on Friday and enjoy a bit of 'me time' after your busy day cleaning, you'll deserve it.
HI Tash, sorry to hijack you but I read a post awhile back of yours about inside knee pain. I have this on my left knee the area of pain is only bout an inch alongside the knee, is this similar to what you had. Worse on walking after the run not during it. Just seeking some advice. Thanks
Hi Lorijay! I just iced mine, tried to elevate it (I don’t think either helped), used a knee sleeve (also don’t think it helped) and took ibuprofen an hour before running. After a week or so the pain went. Happened with both knees one week after the other! Apparently it’s just strength needed in the thighs. I have a physio and a running pal at work and both thought it fine to carry on running. Careful though. It’s a risk I took.
Ah, youth - I couldn't run feeling like this. i've had not enough sleep for a week now. I no longer have the resilience to run when knackered. I mean, most people my age are tottering past on a zimmer frame (I know because they overtake me uphill when I'm running ) I will run tomorrow. TedG has been telling me to take more rest at my age, so for once i think it would be sensible. It will be five days then, not the end of the world. If I still haven't run tomorrow, come and beat me round the head and shout rude words at me. and thank you for the support, much appreciated x
PS: no chance of a nap today, house clean from top to bottom. We have two large dogs and two cats, all of whom are shedding hair, and the house will be on the market this weekend.
Make yourself a new playlist and get out there and run. I made a new playlist on Monday, and when I was reluctant to run yesterday my other half reminded me that I was looking forward to some new tracks and I was out of bed and ready to go in no time. I posted in C25K, and it was Shrek who got me running. You're welcome to use my suggested playlist if it might help.
1. Delegate the megaclean to the pros who actually like doing that. £100 well spent! 4 days is too short for the body to have lost the habit/memory of your previous runs. start slowly and within 5 minutes you will be back in the groove. You will also get a "seratonin- dopamine" high, which is a natural feeling of well being. Enjoy! If you are uploading to the cloud you can walk away from the computer to do other things you know!!
Flippin eck, i dont even take taxis let alone pay for cleaning. i know I've been extravagant with lycra, but i have to go without other stuff to afford it. Anyway, no point paying for cleaning when it will need doing again in two days time. you have no idea how much dirt and mess my animals create. They're all moulting, and the cats chuck wood chip cat litter over the bathroom floor. And as for Mr I Dont snore, he makes more mess than the other four animals put together
It's not that simple is it. I'm suffering sleep deprivation and have had a lot on. really what I need to know is if it's wise to push when I'm depleted or risk losing motivation by resting. We're not talking weeks here, it will be less than a week if I run tomorrow
I guess Hidden you've just got to do what works for you. A week or so off running may reinvigorate you, and when you're ready to run it will be so much better.
Apologies. I hadn't appreciated it. A day or two off won't really matter. Then the inner voice will go "I quite fancy a gentle run, just a short one mind" and you will be off again. Good luck with the house sale, these are tough things to get through but getting enough sleep is really important. Take care.
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I cant run tomorrow as I will be knackered doing that and the house clean. I will try for tonight x
One of those days where you just want to quit 
First run for two weeks!! 
Back after a 2 week break 
Starting over! 
Mental battles
