Is twice a week enough..!?!

[AnnaHod]

I had a really good run yesterday morning albeit I found it hard to get myself out the door, it was cool quiet and peaceful and one of my most enjoyable runs. I never set a target before I go out, I’m more a see how it goes when you’re out there kinda gal.

I do find it hard to motivate myself, hadn’t been out since Saturday even though I had all my running gear laid out since Monday morning. I just can’t seem to manage motivating myself to do more..🙈

I’m impressed by the folks on here who get out 3-4 times a week. I wish I could be more regimental in my approach..🙌

[RunRabbitRun40]

I used to be like that, and I'd have my kit there ready to go but I'd wake up and think oh, actually it doesn't matter if I don't run this morning, I can go later. And later never comes, and then another day goes past, and another!

I was then inspired by ju-ju- who said to get around that dithering, she set herself the challenge of running every single day. You wake up, and there's no questioning it, it's just the routine. I'm nowhere near as strong as our iconic Ju-Ju so I do every other day and find it really works for me.

I think you have to make that commitment to yourself, and whether that's running on certain days, or to a frequency, commit to it and it soon becomes natural. I now get itchy feet on my non-running days!

[Instructor57 Graduate10]

The important thing is that your enjoying the runs when you do them !I sometimes have weeks I only get out 2 times , and occasionally just 1

Twice s week is likely enough to maintain your current fitness level.

So just continue to enjoy !

That's the most important unless your training for something specific !

Happy Running !

[Ian5K Graduate10]

In my younger years I managed on just one a week, every Sunday morning. I treated myself to a lavish breakfast afterwards which I looked forward to; a reward! We picked up fresh all butter croissants and cooked up a full English (apologies to anyone doing weight-loss). The point is, I didn’t seem to lose my fitness levels just doing the one run.

Motivation is essential and the front door is probably our biggest hurdle. Next is all the other stuff in life: work, family, chores… As others have said, it pays to build a habit, a routine. Be a runner, life comes second to it.

I now find it helps enormously to vary my route, take in different scenery. Even if you need to drive out a little way. And vary the duration or distance (I try to do a routine of 5k - 5k - 8k plus; the 8k plus, I increase by 5 to 10% when I feel it’s right. This challenge is motivational in itself.)

The other thing is entering the monthly challenges available on Strava. It’s said if you announce to the world your commitment to do a challenge, you’re more likely to fulfil it rather than keeping it to yourself. I think it’s true.

Another thing which helped keeping me keen is getting into the theory which is basically checking out running channels on youtube. It made me feel more of a runner even though I’m sitting in a chair watching other people run or trying out and reviewing new kit.

Anyway, that’s me. I know we’re all different but I hope it helps. 🙂

Btw, to be honest I’m back to three a week just recently - an unusual burst of enthusiasm. But I still reckon once a week is enough, or maybe twice.

[Ian5K Graduate10]

Oh, I forgot to say music and podcasts! This is something I’ve done only since C25k. The beat drives me along and, at other times, it’s soothing and mesmeric - especially the human voice (podcasts). Michael Mosley has been a go to podcast recently - I’ve even started fermenting my own sauerkraut. Ha, ha.

[Magellan Graduate10]

Have you thought about joining a running club? Most towns have one. Some have a beginner’s night, or a night where different groups set off at three or four different paces. It can be a nice way to meet people as well as being good motivation if you’ve paid subs and want your money’s worth.

[Hidden]

I’ve just completed C35K, and the night before a run I would get myself in running mood and go to bed psyching myself being eager to run, and in the morning I would have my run.

On my run I would have short-term objectives such as markers along the route, a particular roundabout, a striking tree, another roundabout a mile away, the Post Office sorting office. These were the objectives I had to get to each in turn, and in no time I had run for 30 minutes and starting my cool down.

I don’t run listening to music or podcasts, though that obviously motivates many people, but I have developed that ‘get up an go’ attitude and a ‘just do it’ attitude in my old age.

Keep at it, keep 🏃‍♀️

[Frizzbomb67 Graduate10]

I can only manage to run twice a week at the moment due to a full on job, caring for my elderly mother and family commitments. Because my life is so full, too full sometimes 🥱😴, I timetable my runs in and stick to it. It’s Monday at 5pm so I run. It’s Thursday at 5pm so I run whether it is hot, cold, rain or shine. Hope you find your motivation soon. Try signing up to a challenge. That helps me get out the door if I know a t shirt or medal is involved 😂

[Cmoi Graduate10]

I'll play devil's advocate. Enough for what? If it suits you and you're happy, then why change? My marathon training plan has me scheduled to run five days a week, but recent work commitments have made that impossible and last week I only ran twice. That doesn't mean I'm not motivated, it means that I'm realistic about what I can do when. That's why I started my training plan very early!

If you do want to do more than you're currently doing, others have suggested plenty of options that might work to motivate you. Personally, I'd rather do two happy runs a week than three or more dutiful ones.

[Stocksy67 Graduate10]

I find 2 or 3 times a week is enough for me at the moment but in that 2 to 3 times a week a try to smash a couple of 10ks nd maybe a 5k, that's enough for me at my age 🤔, my goal is half marathon I will smash that off when the time is right nd my head nd body tell me its right, but I will do it bet your bottom dollar I will..😉😀

[AnnaHod Graduate10]

Thanks everybody, some great feedback 🙌

I’ll check if there are any local running groups I could tag along with, would be nice to run with other people now and again.

My life is busy and I think that’s where my issue is, I’m either too tired to do that earlier morning run before I take the dogs out or I have other stuff to prepare before my working day starts, that been said, the schools have stopped for their summer holidays so that will free up some mornings for the next 8 weeks. 😊

I’ve been running 10-15k on sat/sun and 5-7k weekdays. I would like to squeeze in another run somewhere..x

[Tallowah Graduate10 in reply to AnnaHod]

Have you looked at Canicross - running with your dog(s) as a sport. My dog loves it and she's been with me every step of my running journey since starting C25K May last year to reaching my 10k goal. We do 2 to 3 runs a week and that suits us fine. Happy running!

[AnnaHod Graduate10 in reply to Tallowah]

That sounds lovely, unfortunately my lab is 13 and only manages two leisurely strolls each day. I did get out last night for a run and was out on Sunday. If I can fit in another shorter run this week I’ll be happy 😊

Happy running to you too x