What’s going on 😔

[Tasha99]

Just not feeling it. After awful 10k on Monday I gave this week a rest, except for climbing Roseberry Topping (local landmark in North York Moors) for a risk assessment for school. That was a 7+k walk. Also a tiny 2k stop/start run around the park with the class. So I hoped a good ParkRun would be what I needed to get back on track. Nice bit of drizzle. Perfect running weather. But I was 15 seconds off last week’s PB. Now I feel worse. Just can’t get my head into anything. Feeling really down in general. Yes I do different routes and lengths. Feel like I’ve hit a wall. Sub 30 5k seems impossible. Need a running partner I think. Anyone near Middlesbrough? 😔

[pianoteacher Graduate10]

Oh Tash I'm so sorry you feel down in the dumps. If I could come and run with you I would but I'm the other end of the country!

Every run is not going to result in a PB - I've got my head around this now and am running for the sake of running rather than pushing for faster and faster times. It can be difficult especially if you are a goal driven person - which I certainly am!

A couple of years ago I was doing an online yoga course and there was a meditation session in which we were asked to ask a question of the "universe". I am not a spiritual person at all even though one of my jobs is as a Church of England organist but I asked the question "why am I not a better musician when I try SO hard?". The answer that immediately popped into my head was "of course - it is trying so hard that is the problem!". It was a real moment of enlightenment.

I can't say I'll ever get completely away from putting myself under pressure to achieve but I'm now very aware of it's counter-productiveness x

[Tasha99 Graduate10 in reply to pianoteacher]

I know. I think you could be right. But trying to run without pushing myself would be hard too 😂 thank you.

[pianoteacher Graduate10 in reply to Tasha99]

Yep know that feeling! It takes me a lot of effort not to put in a ridiculous amount of effort 😂

I think sometimes the technology doesn't help either - we can track absolutely everything to do with pace and distance. Running with my son has really helped me because his asthma means we have to take it easy. Hope you find someone to run with x

[Guesty26 Graduate10]

Tash i am exactly the same fed up. Did my 10k last week in just over an hour loved it, thought i would rest this week and just do two 4m runs which ive done but not enjoyed at all. Im going to go back to 3 runs again next week, mon fast 3m, weds slow 3m, sat or sun 4+ miles to see if i can fall back in love again!

[Tasha99 Graduate10 in reply to Guesty26]

I might try and scrap the long run too. Sorry to hear you’re out of sorts too. I so want to love running but I don’t think I do 😔

[Guesty26 Graduate10 in reply to Tasha99]

Hang in thru the summer thats what im doing, just remember why we are doing this maybe. I just eanted to get my fitness back, done that, done really well too, back to a good weight etc, youve done the same too i imagine so hang in there. Keep it slow n fun eh. 😀

[ClareO65 in reply to Tasha99]

Oh don’t give up. But do take that pressure off yourself to keep beating times & distance. When I started I wanted to just run 3x week for 30 minutes. I keep reminding myself this. Now I go out and run however I feel at the time. Yesterday I thought I’ll run a bit faster but just for 3k. Ended up doing the 5K anyway. Sometimes I start really slowly and think I’ll run as far as I want and I surprise myself. Not too bothered about time (but do always time myself 🧐) but just so pleased I’m exercising. That goal you have is a really challenging one for a newborn runner you know...

[Tasha99 Graduate10 in reply to ClareO65]

Thank you. Well it seems challenging now! But I get disheartened seeing others get the same target so easily. I’m obviously not a born runner 😂

[ClareO65 in reply to Tasha99]

But so many variables... previous exercise history; body build; gender; work/life balance;

[Hidden]

Why are you so hard on yourself? Why are you ignoring all of the amazing progress that you have made? What is 'a natural runner'? (obviously not me, because you are much faster and more driven than me - oh but I am not comparing ). Why are you so negative in your self assessment? Why does a couple of less than perfect runs cast you in to despondency? Why is nothing less than continuous improvement good enough?

Now, it is often said that running is as much a mental as a physical challenge, and you are at the point in your running progression where you (imho) need to start working on this aspect of the game. If you do not make some significant shifts in your mental attitude, you are at risk of dropping out (again imho).

I am sorry if I am being blunt, but I really want to see you succeed. Stop beating yourself up. You need to consolidate the progress that you have made, by gaining experience and miles on your legs. This cannot happen overnight, but only with time and perseverance. I suggest that you have a look at some mindfulness techniques and enjoy some leisurely, no pressure running. Also practice positive self talk, concentrating on what's going well rather than what's going wrong!

Good luck

[Tasha99 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. You’re totally right. I’m driving myself mad. I’m going to try and not beat myself up about everything. Or, I know, like you say, I’ll end up dropping running. I’ll do some research on positive thinking. Thank you again 🙂

[Hidden in reply to Tasha99]

You are welcome

It occurred to me since I responded, have you thought about getting a coach?

[Tasha99 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

You’ve really helped actually! I’m reading positive thinking articles on the net now. It’s good to read that most people go through these phases. I actually bought a book called Chi Running a couple of weeks back so I’m going to focus on reading through that now I’ve finished my other book.

I did join a running group but I haven’t thought of a coach. I think I’d like that. Do you know how I’d go about finding one? I bet they’re pricey!

I might join a gym too and integrate other fitness regimes so I’m not just running all the time.

[Hidden in reply to Tasha99]

That’s a very good book. I am sure it will help

No idea about how to find a coach(I’m not that sort of runner😂) but maybe someone at the running group or gym will have contacts. It’s just my niece who does Iron (wo)man has one and she has found it invaluable

[Tasha99 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Wow that’s amazing! I love watching triathlon. I might do a mini go-tri next year 😂 Good idea again. Thank you 👌🏽

[Tasha99 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

I have just joined a gym 💪🏽

[Lorijay Graduate10]

Tash you are a great runner and I have always looked at your posts and runs with envy at your achievement and determination. Don't give up and I can only endorse everything that Helen has said. So pleased you have joined the gym too. Keep at it hun and run for your pleasure. I know what it is like to be "driven", sadly this has put me on the IC, but only in the interim. Keep running so I can get my vicarious running hit Big hug.

[Tasha99 Graduate10 in reply to Lorijay]

Thank you! Hope you are fighting fit again very soon 🙂

[Lorijay Graduate10 in reply to Tasha99]

Thanks Tash. Me too!!

[GoogleMe Graduate10]

I had to laugh at your idea of a rest!

I also wanted to say that in line with the whole not trying so hard thing, you don't have to *love* running, just do it (you don't even have to do it if you don't want to... it just happens to be such a good way to be active... my mantra is 'You don't have to do this if you don't want to', works for me!)

[Tasha99 Graduate10 in reply to GoogleMe]

Thank you. I want to enjoy exercise so hopefully changing it up will help.

Yes, that climb didn’t feel like a rest 😂

[Elfe5 60minGraduate]

Hi Tasha, I’m only about 12 miles from you, ( also a teacher) but you are at a much more advanced stage than me & much faster. I always watch out for you to cheer you on because I know you are not far away. 😀

[Tasha99 Graduate10 in reply to Elfe5]

Awe! Where are you? You’ll soon catch up! I’m plateauing 😂

[TedG Graduate10]

It’ll happen when you least expect it Tasha, I set my last PB at the NHS 70 Parkrun a couple of weeks ago....wearing scrubs over my running kit 😂

You can try too hard!!

[Tasha99 Graduate10 in reply to TedG]

I put less effort in last week and beat my previous week (just) but felt a zillion times better at the end. It’s odd isn’t it?!

[TedG Graduate10 in reply to Tasha99]

This running lark is 20% physical and 80% mental......getting around the mental ‘demons’ is the hardest bit imho 😊

[Hidden]

Oh bless you - don’t feel down! You’ve come so far (I wondered why you’d disappeared from the C25K forum) you have gone over to the dark side! Well I’ve kinda snuck on over here too! Naughty me! I do wonder if it’s something to do with the weather - I know we always say that in England but I’ve just graduated & I’m really struggling. Even considered giving it up completely the other day. Hopefully it’s just a glitch - for both of us & we’ll be back on track soon. Good luck.

[Tasha99 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

I’m feeling better this week. Resigned myself to the fact that I can’t PB it every week 😂 relaxed at last ParkRun but hoping to push this week as it’s pacers’ week 😳