Rubbish consolidation running 🏃🏻‍♀️

So I am really struggling to complete my consolidation runs and I am not managing the 30 mins... My ultimate goal is to run 10K but at present not even managing 5! Think I need to mix up my route as at present run one direction and then turn around halfway and run back which is where the danger zone is as I know what is ahead 😂 I think next time I am going to keep running along the seafront and see where I get to.... Feel a bit frustrated with myself particularly as I treated myself to some proper 👟!

[Bloomsbury22]

Ugh. Feel for you! I am so there with you. My poor old asthma lungs have all but packed up since I graduated. Been struggling with my runs. Going to my Dr's for a proper MOT, which haven't been able to do during all this due to COVID, and hoping that might help. Do feel a change up of route might help, as much so for the distraction. x

[Hidden in reply to Bloomsbury22]

Hope you feel better after MOT 😊 and are able to enjoy your runs . I am definitely going to have a change up x

[RunRabbitRun40]

Keep going ! I've been consolidating on 5k since early July and and hit a real stinker of a week last week! I struggled to even do a 2.5k, and a few other runs in the week just felt incredibly hard. I can't put my finger on why, and I can't say I've changed things drastically this week but it's suddenly clicked back in and the last 3 runs have been the best! Not my quickest by any means, but I've felt comfortable and enjoyed them.

I'd agree with changing your route, but also perhaps just try not putting any pressure on yourself. Tell yourself you're just going to run for as long as comfortable, and just see how you feel without setting a challenge like 30mins or 5k.

You'll get back to enjoying it soon enough, I promise!

[Hidden in reply to RunRabbitRun40]

Thank you 😊 yes I think I’m putting too much pressure on myself and do need a change. Glad it has clicked back in for you 😁

[Workingathome]

I feel for you Peggy I’m struggling too! I’m struggling to even motivate myself to get out of the door atm! I did a very long and hard walk on Sunday so have been too tired from that to run so far this week but intend to go tomorrow. I’m also finishing work next Wednesday for just over 2 weeks so I’m hoping I’ll get my mojo back then.

Keep trying and keep posting, we are all in this together and we can do it!!

[Tasha99 Graduate10]

You need to mix up your routes for sure.

You could drive or cycle somewhere new if you don’t have other options on your doorstep. Go to some different parks and areas. Try cycle routes.

Also, slow down and slow down again; pace doesn’t matter.

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

I agree with Tasha99 mix up the routes and distances. There is nothing wrong with throwing in some shorter runs. Those of us who have graduated 10k don't do 10k on every run. Find somewhere nice, no pressure and enjoy a happy run 🤗

[Catwise Graduate10 60minGraduate]

I am right there with you! I graduated C25K on June 25 and FINALLY did 5K two days ago. It took me 39 minutes. And just the regular 30 minutes that I’ve been doing is still really hard for me, I argue with myself every single run about stopping early, sometimes I win, sometimes I don’t.

Some things that have helped me lately, esp to finally get that 5K the other day was to start exploring a new nearby walking trail. I have to drive a few miles to it, and I always said that I wanted to run because I could just step out of my door and run.....but I needed a change of scenery and it helps. Esp because there are multiple turnoffs and loops, it will take me awhile before I’ve tried all of the different sections.

Second I have used (not every time) Nike Run Club app. I use their guided runs, but you can play your own music with it. I tried their “First xyz” runs (First Run, First Long Run, First Speed Run etc) and they’re really good. The First Speed Run was esp an eye opener for me because I’m super slow and don’t really want to work on speed yet, that just makes me more exhausted and want to quit sooner! But he described the “speed” portions of the run (& they were only 60 second intervals) as running “strong”, not hard, not fast, but “strong” and I could do that! It really helped me pick up my pace a little without killing myself. Speed is important to me NOT for the sake of speed itself but because I really wanted to get to 5K and eventually 10K but I don’t want to have to run for hours to get that distance!

Finally, the last thing I’m doing that I really like is an app called Zombies, Run! which is a story acted out with you as a character (Runner 5) in the story. A zombie story obviously. 😊. It’s fun, has lots of “missions” to run, you set your own pace and distance, and it keeps me entertained and wanting to run the next time to see what happens next.

Sorry so long! Just want you to know you’re not alone! It’s still hard for me too!

[Hidden]

Thank you for all your lovely replies, support and encouragement 😁 I shall take note 👍🏻 happy running everyone 🏃🏻‍♀️🌟☀️

[Catwise Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Hidden]

After my full page of sage advice to you, I went running. And quit after 20 minutes! 😂. Sometimes you just don’t have it in you, but next time.....

[Hidden in reply to Catwise]

Ahh fingers crossed 🤞 for you next time .. It is definitely good advice though 😃

[Daffodil19]

I felt exactly the same when I graduated! I have done all the of the advice on the replies and it does work. Different routes is a massive game changer as like you I followed the same route for all of C25k. I have also stopped worrying about how long i am out for as I was finding that was making me feel i couldn't do it. If some are less than 30 mins and some are longer then it evens itself up!

[Hidden in reply to Daffodil19]

I’ve been repeating the run in week 9 so have been listening to how much time I have left . Going to stop doing that and just run and see how far I get on different routes 😄thank you for your encouragement

[Daffodil19]

Hope it goes ok! I am sure it will as you can see you are not alone with how you felt!! Good luck !

[NickiCS]

I was struggling with consolidation runs, then a friend suggested Race at your pace. You pay £10 and choose how many miles you want (think) you can achieve that month. Then at the end of the month they send you a certificate and medal. My first one was this July but I completed the miles on the 25th, and yesterday I received my package. The medal is lovely - better than the picture and has been a real motivator. I have run further than I would have otherwise.

[Hidden in reply to NickiCS]

Ooh I shall have a 👀 at that thank you 😊

[TotalNewbie1 Graduate10]

We are all so different. I have two runs I do, when I tried to change them I didn’t have my signposts that I use to mark distance and time. It made me feel all out of place and I couldn’t seem to run. I add an extra lamp post, house, or something I have to get to before I turn around and head for home.

The last part I run faster as I am going home, and the first 1k as I run away from home is always my slowest.

I found myself all over the place with consolidation runs, and the distance varied hugely each time. Still no idea why. I now alternate between 30 minutes and 5k.

Good luck and you will do this.

[Sybilw Graduate10]

I found it hard after graduating too and often found I walked - because I could! Like you it was because I was on routes I’d run so often and I had expectations. There’s one slope I still treat as a hill 2 years on as I found it a struggle early on. Try different routes and maybe listen to music or a podcast to distract yourself. For me it just lasted a few weeks and I got over it (and got to 10k) so you can too! Good luck

[Couchphoenix Graduate10]

I had the same problem Peggythecat If I turn around half way and head back the way I’ve just run it’s hard as hell, but if I keep running in the direction I’m going it’s much better, it’s all psychological, longer walk / run back but works for me....try it 👍

[WeavingWonk Graduate10]

I graduated in June. And all of a sudden 30 minute runs seemed impossible. Of course it partly coincided with a rise in temp here in the US. After 9 runs where I only managed 30 minutes on 5 of them I was feeling pretty useless. And then I realized that the problem was not having a goal, as I am very goal directed.

So...I decided that I could not move on to increasing my distance until I had done 9 consecutive 30 minute runs - resetting to zero if I decided to cut a run short. That has really helped me keep going. Since then I have run 8 times. And managed the full 30 minutes all eight times. I also am running several different routes at home, and three runs were away from home. Depending on the route I manage 3.5 (hilly) -3.8k (flat) - I am slow. So I know getting to 5k will take a little longer.

I will run 30 again on Saturday and then on Monday I will start Juju's magic plan so I can get to 5k. And then I'll figure out what the next goal is.

Good luck!

[Diamondshoes]

That's interesting. I run to the halfway mark then return. I find I'm more motivated on the home stretch though!