Nerves

[Agelesslass]

Does anyone else on here feel nervous before any run, whether just going for a run yourself or any other run at all. I know it’s natural to be nervous running in any race, but why do I feel nervous when just going out for a gentle jog ?

[Auntiedave]

Every time. For me it is an irrational “what if I cannot do this”. Never having been a runner it is still amazing I can do this at all. Less than 30 seconds it is all fine. Suspect I may never lose that feeling but also know the feeling when I have finished which outweighs any pre-run nerves.

[Agelesslass Graduate10 in reply to Auntiedave]

Yes it’s the same with me, loverhe feeling after all my running, Im on a high then, so stupid to be nervous beforehand.

[Sadie-runs Graduate10]

I do. But am starting to think it is more excitement these days, rather than nerves. I get butterflies before my long run, but in a good way. 😊 Tell yourself that the nervous feeling is actually excitement. So much of running is in the head, so retrain your brain in what this feeling actually means. You’ll be surprised...👍 xx

[Agelesslass Graduate10 in reply to Sadie-runs]

I hope I can do this Sadie-runs. Especially before my 10 mile race on the 23rd. Thanks for the tips.

[ju-ju- Graduate10]

I do, its always that fear of it going wrong and failing!!! I think loads of us do

[Agelesslass Graduate10 in reply to ju-ju-]

Who said “There’s nothing to fear except fear itself” need to heed these words I think.

[roseabi]

I often do. I worry about falling over, running out of steam, getting lost on a new route - all sorts! None of these things happen, well maybe I have got lost from time to time 😄

I like to think that a part of the nervousness is excitement though - maybe it would help you if you saw it that way too?

[Agelesslass Graduate10 in reply to roseabi]

Maybe that’s a good way to look at it roseabi, my stomach ties up in knots and my heart rate goes up, then I’m ok when I start running. Excitement sounds better than nervousness, thanks.

[happysouls Graduate10]

Yes absolutely and terribly! It has never really gone away! At first it made sense as I struggled with couch to 5k but even now it is almost like my brain resets in between runs and I can't possibly imagine being able to run! As soon as I start running I'm fine!

[Deals1 Graduate10 in reply to happysouls]

And the longer gap I have between runs.... It's worse when I go back out again!!! 😥😂

[Agelesslass Graduate10]

I know what you mean, it’s a big build up, even getting my kit together I’m shaking, it’s so stupid happysouls, like you I’m fine once I start to run.

[happysouls Graduate10 in reply to Agelesslass]

One of the advantages is that I end up having to go to the loo several times which means I'm never troubled once I set out hahahahahaha (always looking on the bright side!)

[Agelesslass Graduate10 in reply to happysouls]

Yes me too happysouls. In and out of the loo like a yoyo. Not easy with compression tights on, ha ha

[Deals1 Graduate10]

yes totally. Everytime I go out!! faffage..... loo..... faffage.... Its worse before parkruns ( the only official run thing I'm doing at the moment) But even if just going for a little run myself I get nervous/anxious. As everyone else says tho, once I get going I'm usually OK, and once i've finished I feel better!

Yes, I think its because I don't think I'm a runner and a bit of a fraud, so the gremlins start chipping away at me!!

[Agelesslass Graduate10 in reply to Deals1]

Exactly like me Deals1. People tell me I shouldn’t be running at my age, then I start doubting myself. I shouldn’t listen to them, think they add to my nervousness

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate10 in reply to Agelesslass]

Cheeky buggers!! Tell anyone who says that "at my age I've earned the right to do whatever the hell I want!!"👍😁

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate10 in reply to Agelesslass]

Oh and it's not like you're 95!!! And even then we'd encourage you to do what you can, and want! 🤣👍

[Agelesslass Graduate10 in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Thanks for that confidence booster GoGo Jojo. Not many of them can run 9 miles like I did on Sunday.

[Deals1 Graduate10 in reply to Agelesslass]

How dare they!!

Yep don't listen to them... Or the pesky Gremlins!!

You RAN NINE MILES!! How fabulous is that. It's amazing.

Sometime when I'm driving and see a sign stating how many miles to somewhere.. as I drive that distance I realise how far it is... And how far I can actually run. Mmm .. that maybe doesn't make sense on paper (well on screen even!) 😂

Happy running 🏃

[Agelesslass Graduate10 in reply to Deals1]

Thanks Deal1. It’s amazing how we can push ourselves to achieve such distances

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

Like Sadie-runs , I feel a sense of excitement. I was nervous before my C25K graduation run and also my first 10k - oh and my recent gait analysis! - but now I look forward to my runs so much that’s it’s more excited anticipation. 😀🏃‍♀️👍

[Agelesslass Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

It is always great afterwards, it’s so stupid to get nervous.

[Bridget007]

I get nervous before every run in case this is the day I can’t do it or if I fall and hurt myself and then have a long walk home! I was really nervous before the Santa run as there were people there that knew me so what if I had failed that one?!?! It’s probably why I haven’t done a park run yet 😊

[Agelesslass Graduate10 in reply to Bridget007]

Why do we get like this? it’s so beyond me. It’s just like taking exams again. Hope you can manage a park run soon Bridget007.

[JonathanP Graduate10]

Definitely, particularly on a long run. I think it's your brain harking back to when you couldn't run and saying 'why on earth do you think you can do this?!' Once I'm out there it all fades away 😀

[Agelesslass Graduate10 in reply to JonathanP]

Yes, I agree, it’s totally senseless, but I know I’m running tomorrow and I can feel my butterflies in my tummy already. Aaaarrrggghhhh HELP!!!!!!

[Deals1 Graduate10 in reply to Agelesslass]

Ah noooooo fight them!! Tell them not to bother u as once u start running they loose their strength! So they may as well give up now.

Maybe a few "excited" butterflies " will be ok tho

Enjoy your run tomorrow 😁

[Agelesslass Graduate10 in reply to Deals1]

Thankyou Deals1. Thank goodness fir this forum, where would we be without this support

[Deals1 Graduate10 in reply to Agelesslass]

I know. Without the forum... I wouldn't be where I am now!! ,😁

[Crikey47]

Totally. And now I'm getting more and more nervous as time goes by while I nurse a knee injury, thinking I'll just lose everything I've gained and have to start at week 1 run 1 of C25K again! I'm worried my knee will play up again and I want it right for taking the kids skiing in April, we've never been as a family and it was 13years since I last took my son, I really want to be fit! But yes, totally familiar with the nerves before each run! Not sure what to do about it other than just keep going!!

[nhs2015 Graduate10]

I do if I go for a public run, I do a little when I go to Parkrun as I prefer not to be the last one, and I don’t when I go for a 5k run on my own early in the morning. The only problem I have is that now and again I may trip over something and go flat on my nose and then my first worry is “oh no, is there anyone around?” “ did someone see me?”

[Agelesslass Graduate10 in reply to nhs2015]

You are lucky in one respect as I still get nervous going out on my own. I know what you mean by tripping up in public. It’s only happened to me once, fortunately on a lane when there was nobody around.

[JoP61 Graduate10]

And I thought it was just me that felt nervous before a run! (Sometimes it does feel like excitement though - especially when I'm going for a new distance). It's those pesky gremlins, I think. You can beat them! 👍😀

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10]

I feel the same,particularly if I have had a lay off....three days is sufficient to flip the self doubt switch! I feel like a beginner again! Have you noticed the people who tell you that you are too old to run, you'll get arthritis or your leg will fall off tend to be less energetic people of a similar age to you or a bit younger? Enough said! Good thing is, get into your stride and all is well again as reality pushes out the doubts 😊😊 The doubts will never stop you running; you are far too strong for that💪💪

[Lezlie]

That's funny, I was asking myself the same question last Sunday before my long run. But already during my warm up walk everything was fine again. Good to know that I'm not the only one you gets nervous because of a jog! I think I don't need to tell about what's going on with me before a race!! 😂

[Rubinstar Graduate10]

I get very nervous before a race, even a park run. So the10k I’m doing in June will be tricky!

Going for a run can make me anxious a bit if I’m stepping the distance up, I have too much self doubt and worry about not being fit enough, feeling ill or worse!

I’m working on it with a bit of meditation using the calm app, it’s great!

Good luck, we can do it without so many nerves 💪

[dynamodi Graduate10]

I too get very nervous. Just think "what if I can't Do it ". Went out over Xmas when feeling unwell and really struggled with a run. Since then I have lost a lot of confidence. sometimes my legs just feel like jelly and soooo heavy! Running with a running club helps. Keep going and I'm sure things will improve

[Jay66UK Graduate10]

I did for a long time. It’s only been over winter where that’s changed.

I had a week where I couldn’t run but went and just ran a 10k at the weekend. It wasn’t fast or pretty but it was comfortable. That made me realise I can just run, especially “shorter” runs like 5k. (Who is this person?!) So I don’t worry now.

Hope you get to a place where you don’t worry either x