Help....I'm going backwards!

[Mrd2001]

Not literally you understand but since graduating a couple of weeks ago running seems to have become harder!

I took a week off, went to Budapest for a break and enjoyed myself but didn't go mad ( honestly! )......since coming home I've tried two runs and couldn't manage more than about 8 mins before having to stop. This morning I did a series of short runs and this seemed a little better.

Is that the answer ? Go back a couple of weeks on the programme and build up from there, or just suck it up , head down and work through ( sorry for the cliches ).

Any comments, tips or advice would be great as this is so frustrating!

[Hidden]

You probably aren't going backwards. Graduating is just the beginning of the rest of the journey. You are still a new runner and your body is adjusting to the demands being put on it. I had some non starter runs at your stage - about which I moaned like stink on here. Just do what you can do, run for the sheer pleasure of running for a little while. If you only manage 8 minutes, you still ran, you are still building muscle and stamina. Try not to get demoralised. Begin a few runs without expectations, see how far you go, stop and take photos, take in the autumn glory around you. Begin each run slowly, within your breathing ability and relax. Some people find it hard to adapt to just running after the structure of c25k, and you may be one of them.

Try not to think in terms of sucking it up etc, because that will put you in a negative frame of mind. In my experience these so called failure runs don't go on for long, and a "bad" run is often followed by a good one as your body adapts and moves forward again.

[Mrd2001 in reply to Hidden]

Hi FlickM3...thanks for your reply and advice. Think you are right, putting too much pressure on myself. Going to spend the next few weeks running for fun and just enjoy whatever happens......long or short it's still more than I was doing just a few months ago. Going to keep positive and build from here. As they say watch this space.

Thanks again and good luck with your own running.

[Hidden in reply to Mrd2001]

Fantastic - and thank you!

[Empem Graduate10]

The buzz of Graduation is wonderful and a fabulous achievement.I remember feeling deflated on several desultory and sometimes abandoned runs afterwards until I found a calm level of just jogging along very slowly with some new music and feeling unpressured with myself.After building on that I felt able to actually do some work towards newer goals...those are wise words from Flick about what your body and your mind might be doing!

Wishing you well.I'm sure you'll find your mojo again soon but take your time.

[Mrd2001 in reply to Empem]

Thanks for your reply....I like your idea of unpressured running. I think that's where I have gone wrong putting too much on myself. I am still running more than I ever have so I'm still winning! Just going to run for fun and build it up gradually...watch this space as they say!

Good luck with your own running

[misswobble Graduate10]

It often happens for no apparent reason🤷‍♀️ It happened to me. Don’t worry about it. Just crack on and you’ll push through. Take your time 💪👍.

Putting slow miles on the legs, carefully and increasing by no more than 10% a week will see you improve. It just takes time. I assume you’re cross training on non-run days 🙂

[Mrd2001 in reply to misswobble]

Thanks for your encouragement. Decided best way is not to worry, run for the pleasure and not to worry about times or distances. Still running more than I was a few months ago !

Not sure about the cross training...any suggestions?

[misswobble Graduate10 in reply to Mrd2001]

anything you enjoy doing that’s not running. Cycling, walking, swimming, gym, or home exercise. Yoga etc. Upper body, core strengthenjng I can’t tupe asmthe dog’s knocking my arm. Gotta go 😁🐕

[ju-ju- Graduate10]

Perhaps aim for some regular shorter runs and build from there with no pressure. The main thing is to keep at it regularly, and well done.

[Mrd2001 in reply to ju-ju-]

Thanks ju-ju been thinking the same thing.....just enjoy the running and keep going with shorter runs to build up again. After all I am still running way more than I was a few months ago!!

Good luck with your own running.

[Snuffy_T Graduate10]

You might be getting a cold ? That happened to me. I was so slow on a couple of runs and then I was ill. I'm gone from snail to very slow snail.

[Mrd2001 in reply to Snuffy_T]

Hi Snuffy...good point could be a cold developing. Decided to keep going and just run for the fun and see how it goes. I know I can do 30 mins + runs as I have done so before it's just a case of not pressurising myself too much and enjoy the run.

Thanks for your comments and good luck with your own running.

[QueD]

I had the same after finishing the programme. My first few runs I really struggled and gave up halfway through my runs. I then decided I would push myself as I knew I could run 30 mins as I had done this without a problem on the last week. I now set myself targets each week and one run of 5k each week. This worked for me and I push through the feelings of ‘can’t do’ as I know I can. Hope this helps and good luck 😉

[Mrd2001 in reply to QueD]

Hi QueD, that's good advice and it mirrors what I've been thinking about today. I KNOW I can run for 30 mins + so I'm not going to stress and as others have said here just enjoy the running....run for fun ! Little targets each week to gradually boost the confidence and before you know it I'll be back on track ! I think I was expecting to much after the programme finished and having to re adjust a little now.

Good luck with your own running , sounds like you have it sorted !