Feeling so old and fed up ... Graduated two weeks ago

[chappamaddog]

Last week I ran 6k in 45 mins. I was so pleased with myself and felt on top of the world but since then I've had two awful runs and feel so awful whilst running. I'm also eating really badly telling myself it's ok cos I'm running!!!! Motivation needed PLEASE

[shivashinn Graduate]

Come on chin up. Why don't you try the B210k program. I'm doing it I started 2 weeks after graduation because I need the motivation of new goals. Since starting I feel much more motivated going for a run. It will alos help get my 5k time down well I hope it will.

[Rockette in reply to shivashinn]

Hi shivashin is that the Sam murphy podcast ?

[shivashinn Graduate in reply to Rockette]

Yes Rockette but I have programmed the run into my garmin as I don't like her music either. Laura and Sam don't have my taste in music lol.

[Laurae Graduate]

I think it must be a post graduation thing. The week of graduation and the week after I was so excited and buzzing with excitement. This week for me has been like yours, a bit lack luster and go slow. I had three days off and not just one. My eating has been poor too. I have kept with it though and working on my play list has kept me going. I feel like I'm getting my mojo back and so will you. Hang in there, your a runner!!!!

[chappamaddog Graduate]

I had three says off too rather than one. I really hope I get back into it but I feel so tired for the rest of the day after my runs and hungry

[Rockette]

Do you know I've been the same , got back from turkey where I graduated , was really into all the healthy food on the buffet at hotel , felt like a saint . Was swimming everyday having great runs , then it all went to pot . I've been eating unhealthy , still going running and doing 5ks but not enjoyed last two . Don't know if it's because they have been running to work lol , but I haven't enjoyed them one bit . I do the race for life in 8 wks so as from today I'm getting my act together . Hope you start feeling better soon , I'm sure you will .

[Jaqs99 Graduate]

Well done for posting here to get help rather than quietly slipping away. Big cheer from all of us! You CAN get through this slump! Shivashin and KittyKat's ideas are worth a shot. Take the pressure off yourself and find some fun in it again. Have you looked at Jeff Galloway's method. It sounds like a backward step but he uses it with elite long distance runners.. It's running/walking intervals again: apparently it lets the endorphins kick in faster,and prevents injury and lowers fatigue.. I do it a couple of runs per week and those runs are my favourite and amazingly my furthest and fastest too. Have a look and enjoy playing around with all the options to keep it fresh for you. You ARE A RUNNER. You can keep it up. Good luck.. Keep posting x

[chappamaddog Graduate in reply to Jaqs99]

Thank you for the advice. Really helps. Is the jeff Galloway suggestion like c25k as in a podcast or an app?

[Jaqs99 Graduate in reply to chappamaddog]

I just googled him and got the info from his web-site. He had a formula for what intervals you should do, based on how fast you run a mile. I just guesstimated and I do 1 min run: 1min walking... Sounds too easy but you do it a lot of times for 5k or whatever distance you choose.. Or you can choose time to be out for.. Like 45 mins or something. You still get puffed and it is still hard but the intervals add variety and fun .. For me anyway. Let me know if you give it a try. X

[Bazza1234 Graduate in reply to chappamaddog]

Whenever I feel "down" just a little, I go back to the ratios of W1R1, or something similar. Instead of doing 60seconds running and 90 seconds walking for 8 repeats -- do it for 20 repeats -- so you will be doing it for 50 minutes. That will blow any cobwebs out of your mind.

I have had a bit of an "off" week myself - a long walk last weekend hurt my calves , so - now feeling better- my run today will be 30 repeats of 60 seconds running and 45 seconds walking - that should get me out for about an hour on my feet including 2x5 minute walks at each end.

[Hidden]

I can SO empathise. I was thrilled to graduate and then had a couple of really difficult weeks with a hard, hilly parkrun and just stopping because of the 'I've finished' mentality. I treid the Sam Murphy podcasts but didn't really enjoy them, I prefer my own music. I have now found an easier but still local parkrun which my daughter and I are focussing on at the moment and that seems to help. Good luck !

[carole01 Graduate]

Hello! Remember that top of the world feeling? Good! You did it and wasn't it fantastic? So you have had a couple bad runs - probably got more on your plate and its gripping you while running - hence the food thing ( I'm guessing only) too. May I suggest you rest until you miss running... not too long though as guilt takes over and duty replaces desire.You are capable of the brilliant level you doing and can feel it again. Time to re stock and jiggle - fresh music, fresh route and a new goal. Combine this and you will feel it all come back. You have worked so hard to get to this point and people who have seen you will have wanted secretly (or openly) to be like you. Pick yourself up, dust it off and enjoy what those legs are for!! Making you happy Good luck! xx

[chappamaddog Graduate in reply to carole01]

Wow you lot are amazing and so inspiring. Thing is Carole01 I do look forward to going but I shall take all the advice and go for it

[Miles_Yonder Graduate]

Sign-up for a race! Having that on the horizon gives you a sense of running purpose. Once your name's down, there's no backing out and you have to train and prepare. It's great motivation! I'm doing a 10K plan; I like the routine of having a training programme and working towards it. Good luck!

[Bazza1234 Graduate in reply to Miles_Yonder]

I agree with Miles Yonder. Sign up for a race. I signed up for a 14 K race when I was in week 4 of C25K - Now, I have to keep at the training - paid my money for the race, booked the hotel, etc.

[Miles_Yonder Graduate in reply to Bazza1234]

That's what I did, Bazza! In week three of C25k I signed-up for a 5K fun run in August. The following week I signed-up for a 10Ker, in September. I'm now signed-up to three 10Ks and eyeing up my first HM! It's ideal motivation having a race to work towards.

[Hidden in reply to Miles_Yonder]

Spot on! My 10K is July 26th... and I've let family, friends and work colleagues know to come along and cheer me on... no backing down!

[Bazza1234 Graduate]

Hmm - "unhealthy eating". All eating is unhealthy -- IF we eat too much.

Eating can be as much an addiction as drinking can be. There is only one way a food addict can come to grips with their addiction - is to admit their addiction, just as an alcoholic must admit their addiction

[Rob_and_his_westie Graduate]

Old, fed up, tired and hungry. Just about describes me too!

Mix things up a bit. Try some route planning and set yourself some short term, achievable goals. Perhaps slightly further. Perhaps a 5k slightly faster. Perhaps over a different surface. Do that for a while and then set yourself a longer term goal with some intermediate points along the way.

I went through a similar phase.... Ended up running a half marathon 6 months later, just through a very long series of gently increasing improvements. It wasn't easy, but I got there by focusing and not being too ambitious.

Little steps.... It's just a light jog, remember?

[misswobble Graduate]

Come on guys and gals! Old, fed up, tired and hungry! Really? I mean are you really?

Negativity is energy sapping and the devil on your shoulder. Knock it off!

If you eat good food you will feel better and your runs will be welcome rather than dreaded. Get some good eats in so you have healthy meals and snacks lined up ready rather than reaching for the biscuit tin, or worse.

Cleaning up your act food and drink wise is not difficult. Just a few tweaks make all the difference. Happy running

[chappamaddog Graduate]

Miss wobble. Yes really that's how I felt yesterday. Feel better today. Think I might have a virus or something because paracetamol helped a lot last night. However thank you everyone for you positive remarks. Really appreciate all the comments

[Hidden]

I'm with shiva on this - post graduation you might feel you've met your objectives and find it hard to keep going. Two weeks post-graduation I started B210K to get myself out the door and onto a new challenge...

GO FOR IT!