So - I remember running once to an NRC headspace run, where lost motivation was discussed. If you’re looking for motivation, it’s never really lost, they said. It’s like the blue sky on an overcast day. You know it’s there, you just can’t see it right now. That’s how I felt this morning.
When I got dressed, I thought I’ll put my running gear on. That way, I’m much more likely to go out and run. It worked! I selected a bright blue sun visor to match the blue sky. Everything was charged and I set off, without overthinking it. I put my playlist on. There is one track that never fails to get me in the mood for running. ELO Mr Blue Sky! I hit the play button and before the end of my warmup walk I was clapping and singing, ready for my run. Motivation found! I end my warm up walk at the top of an incline and turn round. The first km therefore is mostly downhill and the only way I can keep a slow pace is to start my watch and walk for a couple of minutes, then gradually glide into a slow run. I really need that first km to be slow.
Past the back of my house and onwards towards Tesco. No, don’t think about the Costa in there! You can walk back again later and grab a coffee and cake as your reward! (I did!)
Bypassing the Tesco car park and on I go. 2nd km. There are a few people about, Mums pushing push chairs, dog walkers, people just out walking, some carrying shopping bags.
It’s pretty much a circular route. Heading back down towards my house, there is a cyclist coming towards me. On the path! I have to step into the nettles to avoid him. We don’t speak, but I give him one of my ‘looks’. He looks shocked, I doubt he will ever recover 🤣
I speed up a little for the 3rd km as is my wont. I carry on until just over 3K and then walk home. Another 3K maintenance run done and dusted. Now to try and get my run frequency up!
Next time I’ll try that NRC ‘Dont want to run run!’ 😊👍
Written by
Jools2020
Graduate10
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Oh, that sounds like a fab run Jools2020 (apart from the unthinking cyclist!🙄) - well done! Sometimes, getting out the door is the hardest part but oh, the reward of a run complete!😇😄And Mr Blue Sky by ELO - not run to that but I reckon it could be one to add to my many eclectic play lists! 🙂
I absolutely love them idea of matching your sun visor to the colour of the sky.It sounds like an enjoyable run and so good that your motivation wasn't lost at all 😊
I used that trick of putting my running gear on when I got up on Friday and it worked.
They don’t seem to be branded - I just bought a set of 6 from Amazon. They were really cheap and have a Velcro fastening. I just love them! They shield my eyes from the sun and help with keeping the rain from my glasses - if it’s windy, I just make it fit tighter. Best buy ever! Yes, looking forward to early morning summer runs 🤞☀️🏃♀️😎
Oh you can't beat a nice dose of ELO. I listened to them on my run on Saturday for the first time in ages.I hate inconsiderate cyclists like that. Hopefully your "Paddington" stare freaked them out sufficiently. It's much worse when they approach from behind as you never hear them coming.
Well done on that run though Julia 👏 It's difficult when you're struggling for motivation but you did it 😁👌👍
At the moment motivation is not my problem. The spirit is willing. The legs are still capable. The well of energy isn't as deep as it was two weeks ago and takes longer to top back up.
She generously gave me it! I was out of action for a week, getting over it properly last Friday. My first run after recovering was a (not) parkrun on Saturday.
Oh darn! Sharing is caring (as I often tell my grandchildren 😊. Covid often leaves you fatigued so that would explain your energy levels. I know you are too sensible to push yourself too hard while you are in the recovery phase 🤔
I'm using the watch's stress graph as a guide. It's pretty good for showing up when I'm recovering quickly and when I'm not.
I need to do the runs to maintain muscle tone etc., but I also know I currently need the rest day(s) in between.
Now I've got to this stage it's essential that I maintain my current level of fitness, otherwise I may leave the way open for EDS problems to kick in if I regress.
Good for you with your 'blue sky' thinking!😁The 'Don't want to run' run is well worth a try. I seem to have lost motivation since Christmas but since doing that run I seem to be finding it, bit by bit.🏃♀️
I don’t analyse the motivation part too much as I’m trying to look forward. I’m optimistic I can get to where I was before, it might just take a while! Good luck with finding yours. It’s there above the clouds 😊
Well done, J. NRC runs do a good job of making us aware of how many ‘wins’ it takes just to get running… só celebrating from (even before?) the get-go. Not nice being forced into the nettles, though. Hope your kit spared you from stings.
Sounds like a decent 3k sometimes it doesn't matter on the distance it's the getting out that matters. 😀 I have a baseball cap for the rain but it doesn't work in the wind. I had to turn it round the last time and you can imagine what that must have looked like! 😀
Exactly! I never worry about the distance . I can always change my plans on the fly if I want to. Since I moved, I’ve just done a couple of 3K recovery runs and I’ll keep with that for now. It gets me out there. Baseball caps just don’t fit me. I like that you can adjust the strap with sun visors! If it’s windy enough to blow my sun visor off, I turn back pretty smart-ish 🤣
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Legs, feet, mind: who wants to run?
Don't want to run run! 
