Motivation needed!!🏃‍♀️

[Tillybeach]

I consolidated doing 30 min runs which if conditions were all gd I would enjoy. On alternate days. I missed the structure of C25K so doing the magic plan finished wk3 and following it with time but really struggling to make any improvement with distance or pace. In fact, I'm slower! Hence demotivated. Perhaps I could completly focus on the minutes i run and give it more time. Especially as been camping this week so unknown area/hills and very very windy.

I do still have issues with my breathing control and I take around 9 mins to control my breathing so on the longer runs I do better but on the plan only doing 15 mins I feel more pressured so I'm pushing the speed. It just feels uncomfortable and less sense of achievement as only 15 mins. My husband's says why do you want to get faster just do the same as its still exercise which I really had not considered!! 🤔. Do I need to change my mindset perhaps? Just wondered if any thoughts from this wise group of people!

Thank you

[Hidden]

Do you know, you're doing just fine! Relax. The most important thing to me is consistency and you have this. 😃 You will feel the first ten maybe a struggle at times, this is known as 'The Toxic Ten.'

I would actually go slower. This can be really hard as we seem to have a 'go faster and I must do a PB' in our system but with experience comes relaxation with running. So many schools of thought on breathing. I personally breathe in and out through my nose as a preference as much as I can but I'd find what is natural for you. You have 3 runs each week on this plan and if I'm honest, for a few weeks I'd do them all at a slow comfy pace.

Make sure it's a conversational type pace as over time this builds stamina and strength with your running. Believe it or not it'll make you faster too! So every now and then try a speedy one, but for a while slow down. For instance my steady pace is between 10.30 and 11.30 per mile and although it takes longer to get the distance it's so much more comfortable. Every now and then I push for a fast 5k (23.37 is my best) but I'll run 80% of all my weekly miles (I average 20 a week) at a slow, low heart rate zone (Zone2-3) pace. Hope this helps.

There are great people on here with far more experience than me to guide you. Rest assured you are doing fine, just go slower and in a few weeks you won't believe the difference.

[Tillybeach Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Hi GTFC for your reply. I had replied last night But can't find it this morning! I am currently in a limited WiFi camping field!! Anyway I will plough on and hopefully will get better for me. Gd to know about the toxic ten!

[Womangolfer Graduate10]

GTFC always gives great advice so I would try to follow it. Toxic ten is a real pain but usually if you push through it then the minutes get a bit easier.