It's not me running...it's my mojo, and it's run away from me. :(

[Honorsmum]

I'm so dejected.

A few weeks ago, there was no stopping me - I was about to graduate and loving my running and the way it made me feel.

After a really nasty sinus infection, that pretty much floored me, I did graduate and have managed half a dozen runs since then but it doesn't feel the same - much more like hard work and a slog and very little satisfaction afterwards.

I've just been to Cornwall on holiday for a week. I packed my running gear, thinking I might fit in a couple of quick runs but my kit stayed in my suitcase.

Now I'm home, I feel like I SHOULD run, otherwise my efforts up to now were for nothing...but I've got no enthusiasm.

Worse still, I'm supposed tobe running a 10k race with friends at the end of September, so the pressure not to let them down is not helping my mood.

Every day that I don't run is another day when the odds against me completing the B210k programme stack a bit higher, so...

...do I give up on the 10K, in the hope that my mojo will come back once the heat is off? Or do I force myself to keep going, in the hope that the challenge will push me over the hump I seem to have hit?

[greenlegs Graduate]

It sounds as though it's the 10k 'threat' that is the real issue, and maybe also expecting to pick up again from where you'd been before you were ill? If so, it could be better to decide to step back from that, and see whether your enthusiasm can come back over shorter distances - maybe even go down to doing 1k or 1 mile at whatever pace seems do-able for a couple of weeks? You might surprise yourself and find you start enjoying it again. I've had a month or so with very little running, and have just started up again in the last week, and today I've just got back from a mile run where I tried going as fast as I could, and I did really enjoy it. More so than the two longer runs earlier in the week.

Ploughing on with trying to run further than you feel happy with might just end up with you stopping altogether, which would be a great pity after all the effort to get this far. If you miss that one 10, but end up enjoying running again, it might be a good bargain - and you might well find you do want to go further anyway, once the pressure is off.

Hope you find that mojo anyway.

[Beads Graduate]

You say a really nasty sinus infection that floored you. Ok it was a while back, but these things, even though they seem over, take ages to recover from properly. As Greeners says it could be the 10k looming; or it could be your body hasn't properly healed. I'd suggest to ease any pressure (mental/10k or physical/body not fully back to normal) to put on a very early week podcast, as early as you want, even if it's week 1, go see how that feels. If it's hard try again after a few days rest, if not then after your rest day move forward a week. But take it easy, don't push too hard, don't try for the 10k, slow and steady. As well as getting your body back up to speed you need to retrain your mind to enjoy the run.

Let us know how you got on.

[Anniemurph Graduate]

I'm with Greenlegs and Beads - It takes a lot to get over illness and get back to where you were. I would try and just enjoy your running again and take the pressure off. Just go for a run - anywhere! I do hope you get your running mojo back again - all the very best with it, and let us know how you get on.

[Jaynew01]

Every runner has that feeling at some stage. How many runs are you doing a week, what distance? Set small goals, go back to the 5k plan. Every 6 weeks you should half your mileage anyway, to reduce the training on your muscles. Plan 2 runs and a power walk a week. Gradually turn that walk into a run. Try different routes, don't run the same ones, take some new music out with you and have a 'power song.'There are 8 weeks ish until the end of Sept so don't panic. Buy a copy of runners world. I am always newly inspired by hints, tips and advice in there. Do you run with anyone? If not see if you can find a running buddy or join a club, there are some friendly ones around, don't be out off by feeling they are elite, research a few in your area. Good luck

[Jaynew01 in reply to Jaynew01]

Illness is hard, just take the time to recover, drink plenty of fluids and take it easy

[JulieQ]

I agree with the others you have been ill and it always takes longer than you expect to get totally well again. Regarding the looming 10k I started C25k in April having already signed up for a 10k in Aug. Due to life etc I graduated a week later than the programme and was frantically counting weeks to the big day. After graduation I just tried to run further every week - slow and steady is so much the way to go- and told myself that this is supposed to be fun. I also read on here that if you can do 6 km then you can do 10 km! I managed a steady 9 km a week before the race and then easily did 10 km on the day and loved it. Just try and get out running again I was having good runs and bad runs right up to the day. Good luck!

[GoogleMe Graduate]

These nasty infections often leave you with a temporary depression so it isn't just about a physical recovery. As everyone else has said, it does sound as though having the various 10k goals hanging over you isn't helping at the moment. They key thing is just to get out and do a bit now without an eye on those - even if you might find in a couple of weeks that you are back on track.

[KateMac Graduate]

Why don't you try a few "no pressure" interval runs like week 6 r1 or r2 just to get your confidence back? I've had issues with lost mojo and injury in the past and stopped running for a several months each time. In June I started again at week 4 and have really enjoyed doing the programme again. I graduated for the 3rd time last week and am currently keen and enthusiastic (hope it lasts)! I'm definitely a 5 K person not a 10K so I don't know how much more training 10K needs but if you try to do some enjoyable, pressure free runs for the rest of August you still have most of Sept to see how you feel about doing the 10K, maybe forget about it 'til then,. Good luck catching up with that mojo!

[Honorsmum]

Thank you all so much for your replies - just knowing that people understand and can offer their own personal experiences as support is a real boost.

I definitely believe that being ill has left me feeling vulnerable about my body's strength and stamina (or lack of). It doesn't help that I have Crohn's disease, which means I have to strike a balance between keeping myself healthy and overdoing things. The sinus thing dragged on for over a month - until last weekend, actually - so I guess I shouldn't be surprised it's taken the wind out of my sails.

Taking on-board all the advice given above, I went out this afternoon with no real route in mind and only the week 9 podcast as a target, not distance or speed...my intention being just to get my shoes and see where they took me.

Although my breathing isn't what it was, my legs felt good and I actually enjoyed being out on my own in the sunshine. I even managed to run last the 30 minute mark for a couple of minutes more, just to get me back to my starting point...and I walked home happy

Maybe I've been making a wrong connection? - perhaps it's not running that's made me feel down, but needing to run and not being able to??

[JulieQ in reply to Honorsmum]

That's great. Now that you have had a good run, more will follow. I suspect you are right too about needing to run and not being able to making you down. You are on the way again!

[Jaynew01]

Hi how did the 10k go?