I have been a little lost without the C25K app since graduation. I was using the final run for my CRs, but have been having more 'rest days' in between runs, and have been losing motivation to run at all. Sometimes I cut them short too, and come out with lots of justification as to why.
I haven't run since Saturday, having been away, in a location without easy access to somewhere to run.
I tried to Nike app, but was irritated by the incessant talking🤫
What can I do differently to bring the spark back? Right now, I'm considering starting again from week 1.
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BuilderBoysMum
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Hi BuilderBoysMum ...what you’re saying sounds so familiar...and not just to me, to many, many other people..after a few weeks of graduation it’s so easy to feel a bit lost & suddenly, for some unknown reason, running feels hard again, like it did in those early days...that’s when we have to go back to basics..I’ve heard a phrase this morning that rang so true with me...’analysis paralysis’ ...overthinking things to the point that reaching a goal becomes almost impossible....you have to try and remember that good feeling you got when you’d finished a run, no matter how far or fast it was...& sometimes, taking a breather mid run is required...tweaking a run to make it feel better is allowed you know? Enjoying being outside just because you can is what you should be doing...you’ve done some consolidation runs now so you can take your running wherever you want, if that means making up your own runs to suit you then that’s what you have to do...no pressure on time or distance...if you want to run 10 mins then run 10 mins, if you want to run 40, run 40...these are your runs and this is your running journey and we are all here to cheer you on & help make your mojo stay put, right where it belongs, with you....so next time you’re out, just run because you can, finishing on a high will have you wanting to go out for more, ending a run feeling despondent will definitely make you dread going out again & that’s what’s happening now...good luck x
Very good advice hunni that's exactly what I'm doing nd it works for me, I'm wanting to run every day now but I no you hav to hav that day or two rest..
You def have to have at least one day rest in between runs to let your muscles repair...running everyday is not something I’d recommend to a novice, def not
I too floundered a bit after C25K - I need a goal and a plan or I have a job running for the "fun" of it as most of my enjoyment comes from the effects of running, the actual running bit is something I have to talk myself into most of the time
I do like competing with myself, so a goal and a plan is what I usually need.
It could be increasing distance (I am currently signed up for a half marathon), it could be improving time, it could be conquering hills, or running trails, as long as I have a goal I'm ok.
Don't do exactly the same every day. Find some new routes. Experiment with different types of runs. Go back to run/walk intervals for one, do fartleks for another, etc.
Don't be afraid to do shorter runs occasionally. My usual "blow off the cobwebs" run is only about 18 minutes long.
Things happen in life and some runs aren't our best, the good thing is that you did it and after a day or two of rest you can start again, the main thing is to enjoy the run. The link below has some useful ideas for post C25K.
Mummycav sums it up perfectly. Enjoy doing what you do, don’t stress yourself out about it, and keep running, regardless of time or distance. I kind of follow the programme after C25k and Nike and also nothing at all! I have no desire to run a marathon but every time I go out I feel fantastic and upbeat about my achievements ( good and bad) . Take pride in what you have / are doing.
We were all in that boat at one time. I really struggled too after graduating from the C25K plan and missed the structure of the plan. Then I started to run whilst listening to music, podcasts, and then on my own with just the sounds of nature. As said earlier parkrun is returning in a few weeks. Register for it online. You will love it. It is not a race, just a lovely run every Saturday morning. If you start to do it regularly after a few weeks you will be addicted. The atmosphere and sense of community is magical. Oh and it's free. I have lost my mojo too. I am so bored of running on my own and having nothing to aim for. I have really struggled to stay motivated without parkrun or having anything to train for during the past 16 months since COVID-19 messed everything up. But there is light at the end of the tunnel, I have been fully vaccinated and I can not wait for parkrun to return. Just the news that it is returning soon has me almost fully motivated again and I am starting to train harder. Stick with it, don't give up.
I feel exactly the same! Finished C25K a few weeks ago, managed to keep up 3 runs a week for the first week after graduating, but recently I’ve completely fallen out of any routine. Just tried a short run today and barely made it halfway through! All the comments here seem super useful though - I’m sure we’ll get our mojo back soon 😊
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