Struggling with consolidation runs.

[Scruff55]

Tried my second consolidation run today and only managed 25 mins before I stopped. I don’t seem to have the same incentive to run now that I’ve graduated. I still use week nine runs with MJ. As my coach but just could go the full distance.

[Papillon17 Graduate10]

Everyone has an off run I think I am on consolidation run 25 and still use Laura and week 9. Just go again running 25 mins is still brilliant. I use music 🎵 my music and fight the gremlins, be positive and run a little slower. I use same route but try on some runs to do a greater distance, some try and go faster and some try longer. Put it down to experience have a day off and go again. Good luck.

[Scruff55 60minGraduate in reply to Papillon17]

Thanks. I don’t want to give up but find it so hard to keep going. I clock watch too as I run on treadmill.

[Papillon17 Graduate10 in reply to Scruff55]

Try outside never done one inside.

[Scruff55 60minGraduate in reply to Papillon17]

Think I’m too slow to run outside

[Papillon17 Graduate10 in reply to Scruff55]

No one is too slow.

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10]

Maybe try mixing your runs up a bit? A shorter run with some intervals to help you work on speed, and then go for your full run at an easier pace on another day. I felt that it was all getting a bit same as when I graduated, but a bit of variety really helped. Needs to be fun😊

[Scruff55 60minGraduate in reply to Beachcomber66]

Thanks. What are intervals???

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Scruff55]

I started intervals with JogRunSprint, a free download for iPhone. The idea is to do a warm up jog....maybe 10 minutes to start with, and then run to a pattern of 30 seconds jog, 20 seconds run and 10 seconds sprint. Repeat three or four times, then jog for a couple of minutes to recover and repeat. Like everything else, start slowly and don't overdo it, just stay within your comfort zone, but it did help me improve PB times.

[Scruff55 60minGraduate in reply to Beachcomber66]

O I’ll look at that. Thanks.

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Scruff55]

Yes it’s brilliant fun, and adds variety to your running. But I wouldn’t try it on a treadmill.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

Mix them up..not just 30 minutes...short ones..new routes..longer ones..runs just because you can...but..I see you are on a treadmill so...time to head outside maybe?

[Scruff55 60minGraduate]

Thanks for replying. I feel I’ve failed if I don’t run for 30 minutes. And I don’t seem to be able to do short faster runs. So I’m panicking that I’ll lose my fitness level. Such as it is.

[DAMAL in reply to Scruff55]

I totally get where you are coming from as to be honest even now if I have to walk for a few minutes I beat myself up about it, but that's just your competitive side coming out. You know you've done this so you also know you will do it again!

Let's put it into perspective, you ran for 25 minutes. That's quite the achievement! Cast your mind back to the start of your journey, when you thought you wouldn't be able to do 1 or 2!

I have never ran on a treadmill so not sure, but I guess the monotony might not help with your gremlins. If you can, try and get yourself out for a run. Pick a place that is quite flat which might help. The change of scenery might be all you need.

If you can't get out, switch up your playlist, you might need some different tunes to keep you going.

Try a mantra, and repeat it over and over when you feel like giving up. Jo Whiley told me to tell myself 'I love running!' 😂 I laughed when I heard it too but believe me it works.

When I'm out, I'll look ahead and run to a tree and the next tree until I get a hold of my gremlins and try to look around a the beautiful flowers in the ditch to take my mind off clock watching, perhaps you could tell yourself to run to the chorus on the song that you're listening too, then to the end of that song until you get over yours?

Keep going, we all have faith in you, now it's time for you to have it in yourself! Xo

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10]

Ok. One step at a time.....try going as slowly as you possibly can to make sure you can run for 30 minutes...may be easier to choose your own pace, and add interest if you move to running outside? You don't say why you have to stop earlier than you plan. Out of breath means too fast, no energy could be hydration.....you just need a bit of success to build up confidence. You won't lose fitness if you are doing 25 minutes regularly...try to have some relaxed slow jogs....you will get through this patch.💪

[Scruff55 60minGraduate in reply to Beachcomber66]

Thanks. I hope so.

[UpTheStanley Graduate10]

I agree with those suggesting you have a go outside, but the treadmill does offer perfect pace control. So next time set it a bit slower than last time, and do your 30 minutes. The time after that, increase the speed by, say, 0.2 kph and succeed again (you will)👍. Then in a while, drop the speed a bit and run for 35 minutes. And set yourself a realistic speed/time target for the end of each month, and publish it in the “Quest” thread on here, to keep your feet 👣 to the fire 🔥 .

Best of luck 😀

P.S. If you’re running, you aren’t failing 😀

[Scruff55 60minGraduate in reply to UpTheStanley]

Thanks for the advice and encouragement. I’ll keep trying.

[DAMAL in reply to UpTheStanley]

Oooh never thought of that pro for treadmill running, might have to try a run in it to try and work on my pace xo

[Kat332zz Graduate10]

I too struggle with the continuing part. I started doing the parkrun as an incentive to keep up the running. I have also moved my running to outside which also helped as there is more to think about than how slowly the clock moves!

[smeeagain Graduate10]

i only run outside,sometimes it goes good but there are quite a few times that i dont make the 30 minutes.....but always above 25....and my speed varies according to the heat...if i am slow who cares..you have to try ..if you have already graduated thats the big effort done....keep going and open that door to the world outside!!!!!

[Deals1 Graduate10]

Doesn't matter how long or slow..u r doing it!!

Just have fun and try out outside if u can

. My moto is 'slow miles are better than no miles' go for it

[DAMAL in reply to Deals1]

LOVE that moto! Might have to steal 😊

[Deals1 Graduate10 in reply to DAMAL]

Steal ahead ....I stole from someone else!! 😂😂👍

[Daffodil19]

I totally understand where you are coming from. I am on my 3rd week of consolidation runs. Mentally I thought they would become easier but they haven't ! The first week I couldn't even do 15 mins it was a disaster!!! Since then it has got better I have mixed up my routes and I am no longer beating myself up if i don't do my 30 mins as whatever I am running is more than I was! This week I did a 36 mins, a 31 mins and today was an absolute disaster at 5 as I fell over!!!! My advice is to keep going with it but give yourself some variation. I am only running outside and people are walking quicker than i run but I don't care!!!

[Scruff55 60minGraduate in reply to Daffodil19]

Thanks. Today only managed 24 minutes but did 1.6 miles obviously slowly!! But that’s my three runs done for this week so will continue to try harder next week.