A graduate in need of running help please......

[jojohove]

Well the last time I wrote I had got out of bed at 5.35am on Friday to go for a run as normal, put my top on and gone back to bed! I did manage to draw a line and go for a run on Monday. Then this wednesday I went out again early and could only do 15 minutes before walking the rest. Today I lay in bed for an eternity, finally got up and went out all motivated and heading your suggestions so put stepping stones and Laura back on. However I only did 10 minutes of running before stopping. I was absoulutely sweating buckets and couldn't get my breathing right. I had every intention of starting again after a rest, even tried telling myself only slow down don't stop but that didn't work. I don't know what to do or how to keep going. Anyone else gone through a bad patch? Any words of wisdom that you all kindly give so wisely. Thanks.......

[crox Graduate]

Have you thought about parkrun? Running with someone else might motivate you.

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I agree with crox. Maybe you need something to work towards? That may just boost your motivation enough, because if you are having trouble getting up for the runs and then they go badly, maybe that's connected and both got to do with lack of motivation?

Other than that, could you maybe plan one run for the weekend when you don't have to get up so super early?

Hope your next runs will be better again, maybe it's just the warm weather and a bad phase, so hope it'll blow over and you can enjoy your runs again!

[lizfish]

I found stepping stones surprisingly challenging. Plus I don't know where you are, buts it's quite muggy down here under london and that seems to make running so much harder for me.

Try parkrun as suggested. Can you team up with a friend? Motivation is really difficult to hang onto. I lost mine around week 7/8 and started leaving 2 days between each run. Kept going though, even though I wasn't into it that much. Mind you, I wasn't getting up at 5.30 am to do it. Blimey.

Also, do you know much about your pace? Are you running too fast perhaps, and that's what's making it hard for your breathing to catch up? Try using week 9 again instead of SS. Do you eat before you run? Have you changed anything about your routine? Starting after stopping, especially for a while, is tricky (did it myself today) the first 5-10 are always naff, and to go through it twice in one run is enough to make anyone give up!

Hope you find the answer. The greatest achievement is getting out the door. Even if you have a bad run, just getting out there is something to be proud of on its own.

[poweron Graduate]

Yes. Running can be hard. I found using a nice park helped me. Running with someone can have pros and cons. They can encourage or make you give up so lookout who you choose. The music helped me and now I play my own for 30mins but still do the 5mins walks at each end. Make sure to get your headphones and setup right and wear the gear you like to be seen in. If you can use a park, set yourself a running course/track and then change this around each podcast as an idea. Don't give up and go for it!

Regards, Poweron.

[nomorejellybelly Graduate]

I can sympathise with you. Just come back from running the Speed podcast. I sort of completed it but really struggled & walked part of it where I should have jogged. My previous run earlier in the week was also a real effort. I managed to run my 5k as planned but for the first time ever I stopped about halfway for a walking break. My problem is this warmer, muggy weather as I have to run at lunchtime to fit in with kids being at school. It's a real killer though. I'm telling myself that it's good that I'm out there running rather than doing nothing at all. The whole reason I'm running is for fitness & enjoyment. I'm not training for any specific challenge so I'm trying not to get too hung up about it but it's a bit disappointing. Running just seemed much easier when it was colder!! Sorry I haven't really offered you any useful suggestions but I do know exactly how you're feeling. Good luck. Claire. X

[Oldgirl Graduate]

This warmer weather can really play havock with your stamina, dehydration can be a problem too. If you are getting up and going for a run in the morning have a cup of tea and a glass of water with a small banana or cereal bar. You need some form of energy to stoke the boiler!!

Start off really slowly and build up to your comfortable stride, make sure your beathing is good before you speed up too. Because you have had a couple of unsettled runs just go out there and run because you can, no pressures, no times set, no distances to be met, just run and enjoy it. You will be more relaxed and the chances are you will do much better. All the best you can do it your a graduate after all

[jojohove Graduate]

Thanks everyone. I'm drawing a line and not thinking too much. I did forget to eat this morning so must remember to do that on Monday and just go out there and see how it goes.

[parkbirdy Graduate]

I'm just in awe of anyone getting up that early to run. Heroic!

I think everyone goes through bad patches - you're not on your own it that. I still regularly find the first 10 minutes tough so hope some of this might be useful.

I can now run for 45/50 mins on a good long weekend run but have had some really ropey weeks when I thought i couldn't keep running at all.

- before i go out I do some warm up exercises for a few minutes. If you look for dynamic warm ups online you'll find stuff from running magazines etc. it's basically just loosening up your muscles a bit - then i always do the 5 min warm up walk

- I tell myself I can go as slowly as I like, barely above a walk, if I'm finding it really hard that day. It's better to run for 10 mins, walk a minute, then do another 10 mins than nothing at all. It might help you go out and run for 30 mins another day that week when you've got more energy.

- I watch this clip which helped me get running in the first place - if this guy could do it I had no excuse! c25k.com/ben_video.html

- try a different route or run the other way round your usual route to mix it up a bit

- Sign up for a 5k charity run. If you've done the programme you will be able to do it, and you'll find that some people just walk them so there's no pressure.

- mix up doing the podcasts with a playlist of songs that just get you up and dancing.

- and when it gets really bad and i feel like i'm going to keel over I imagine running towards a finishing line with my best mates really cheering me on on the sidelines.

[jojohove Graduate in reply to parkbirdy]

That's fab! Thanks