So I seem to be hitting a wall. I started C25K in January and managed to run my first 10k in mid May but I seem to be getting slower, clunkier and more reluctant to run. I have found running up to this point quite natural but am struggling to move through this distance. I have started a HM program to give me something to follow but am wondering if I am being unrealistic.
On a more positive note, my daughter came with me on her bike and the sight of her free wheeling down the shady hill in our local park, singing Blackbird by The Beatles made the 6M slog worthwhile.
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RunUsagi
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I have them! You’re obviously very passionate about running to increase the goal. Keep going as you concentrate on improving distance your pace will naturally slow down so you can complete the run. It’s a constant battle my 5k pace is approx 40 mins at the mo compared with 35 when I ran 5ks 3 x a week. Now I’m running up to 16k. Remember how far you’ve come (in a remarkably short time) why you started, don’t put run the enjoyment! Even if you have to think about your daughter free wheeling 😂 sounds like great fun!
She offered to swap Fitbits and modes of transport to give me a break - it was very tempting! I will certainly try to channel her joy and cut myself some slack.
Oh dear sounds like you have been pushing and pushing and suddenly your subconscious is saying enough. You e done incredibly well this year, cut yourself a bit of slack. Instead of pushing for faster or further try out some new routes, or just run for the joy of seeing your daughter having fun beside you rather than pushing targets. Rather than increasing my distance per run I set myself monthly total distance targets then I can mix up distances and they all count so that if one day you feel like going a bit further you can offset that by a shorter distance on a day when your body says no. Happy running 🤗
Thanks Grannyhugs - your distances are amazing and very inspiring. Maybe a weekly total to match my plan but being realistic if it just feels pants might be the way to go?!?
I totally understand your feelings as I am at the same stage as you. I can really relate to how you feel. In the first couple of weeks after my first 10K I completely lost motivation. Almost a bit of an anti climax as I had had a goal in mind for so long, first 5K, then 10K, there was some structure and I knew what I was heading out of the door for. Then after 10K, I found it hard work going out and I felt aimless and then it was hard to keep running because running is hard!
The obvious goal is the HM and at the moment I'm trying to push a little further and did 11K today for the first time which was good but I'm still not sure whether I am capable of/want to keep running further all the time. I'm worried I could get injured and anyway it's hard work! I want to keep enjoying it and I think it's just important to keep going out there. I saw that Juju once wrote consistency is key, just keep running 3 times a week. The HM plan is daunting and may be too hard for me. I think I'll take things things very steady for now and see how things go. Grannyhugs idea sounds good of not having to plan exactly how far you're going to run each time but just to get out there and try and enjoy it. It would be a shame to have discovered your love of running only to lose it again.
Also I think from reading other posts and my own experience we all have rubbish runs and slow runs and can't be bothered runs and the feeling that we're not very good at it. Just remember everyone feels the same and you'll get back into it. Just keep running and try not to put pressure on yourself. 👍🙌🏃♀️🏃♀️ Go Twin!
You have summed it up, running twin. I am worried about injury, wasting my effort to date, not progressing, feeling guilty about indulging this new activity, the impact of lockdown, lockdown easing- the list goes on!
Next run is short and slow so will really try to embrace that and enjoy it. I might even run to a friend's house to say a distanced hello and get my husband to pick me up afterwards - make the run worth the effort!
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