Damn and blast. Completely lost my mojo. I was going well until week 7 when suddenly I became really really bored of running and the routes. So I changed the route for week 8 but still really struggled to keep running throughout runs 1 and 2. We then went on holiday for 4 days and although I took my kit with me, it was inpossible to run so I was hoping the break would have helped me focus. However my wk8r3 on friday didnt go to plan and I gave in to the gremlins at 15 mins and went home
What can I do? I have races planned throughout the year as motivation. I've changed my route. I've changed my music. I'm so close to finishing but worried I've lost the motivation to continue
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ddmm
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I doubt we can help give you your mojo back, sadly, there are some thing's that have to come from within. You have to want to do it and if you don't want to do it then there is nothing any of us can say to make you. But what else are you going to do with your time? You can always become obese, buy clothes you don't look or feel good in, pig out on junk food and wait for type 2 diabetes to kick, there's some things for you to think about. Now get your head in gear and get out!
I would like to rant and rave at you but it's no good. If you don't want to do it you won't. You have to want it for yourself.
Go back to the reasons you took up the programme in the first place. All those things you wanted for yourself back at week 1. Are they still relevant, do you still want those things? Do you want them badly enough to keep you putting in the miles?
If you began c25k for health, and or to get thinner/toned/healthier then what will you do to achieve these things if you quit? You will have to find something else to get you to where you want to be. That could be swimming/cycling/walking etc. As long as you do something, that's the important thing
I hope you don't quit. I would definitely stick with the programme now you've started it. Just to prove to yourself that you're no quitter. It's only a few weeks and then you're done. By the end of the programme you might feel differently. I deffo wouldn't abandon it now you've come this far
Half an hour. That's all it is. That's 0.89% of a weeks hours....I just did the maths on the calculator for you. That's better than the time it takes to swim, gym, whatever. Just tell yourself less than 1% for many % benefits? Don't stop now
We all have been through the what on earth are we doing this for times, if you can drag yourself through this rough patch, you will be even prouder of yourself, having combatted those gremlins.
How about you ditch the program for a bit, get your running kit on, and go out for 1 hour - run for a bit, walk for a bit, run fast to that lamppost, stop to stroke a cat, walk to that gate, run to overtake that walker - just do random things, but just get out there. You can go back to the program later. Alternatively, look at the medals in the races you have signed up for, and think how good they will look hanging up.
For me, the best motivation is remembering just how much *fun* running can be. The benefits to your health and well-being and the sense of achievement from finishing are all great but nothing beats the sheer joy of getting out there, putting one foot in front of the other and letting go.
How about trying a new playlist with songs that inspire you? Or a podcast instead of music? Alternatively, what if you only ran twice a week but added another session of cross training? Or taking a friend along for the run? Do you have mini-challenges in your area that you can aspire to (run that hill without stopping, run to the store, etc). It's probably a minor blip in the mojo, keep at it, I'm sure it will return.
Putting things on paper or publicly declaring something normally helps me focus. I've been struggling for 2 weeks now but writing that post earlier seems to have helped me work out whats going wrong. Even if I didnt know what the reasons were at the time
I've put my shoes on and done the wk8r3 the change was forgetting about pace and times and just keep moving regardless of how slow. And I moved from music to a comedy podcast which took my mind of the time and how many songs were left in the playlist.
So pleased I've broken my slump. Best run I've had in 2 weeks.
Must remember to take baby steps in this process. And thanks guys for your advice and support
Only just seen this post was going to comment that you are not alone! I had a major slum too! I found repeating one of the interval runs helped me, as well as going back to basics - listening to Laura, taking rest days and taking it slow.
Well done for sticking with it and for having a good run!! On wards and upwards now
Ha. A comedy podcast. Never thought of that - hopefully not too funny that you laugh hard and mess up your breathing. Glad to hear you had a good run to put you back on track.
I sometimes listen to Russell Brand's podcast. I know he's not everyone's cup of tea but sometimes I laugh so much my knees nearly go from under me. It certainly passes the time!
Oh well done! Here's a hug (((((())))) Good for you for getting back out there. Yep, I agree, taking baby steps is the way forward. Slow but sure will get you where you want to go.
Keeping it fun is important to keep you happy and stimulated - as with all things in life. If they're dull you're just not engaged. Some runs are dull let's face it but we do what we can - better music or a new route. Even a new pair of shoes! Whatever it takes to get you out there just do it.
I'm glad you perked up. I'm happy now
One for all and all for one!
As my daughter says, "Winners never quit and quitters never win" Keep at it !
I went through something similar some months back. I totally lost my running mojo, couldn't bear the thought of it, dreaded the idea! But I knew I just had to keep going so I carried on putting on my trainers and just doing it. I told myself even if I went for 5 mins it was better than nothing but often I'd do more because, although it was purgatory, I was determined. And after a while it just came back!
It was very strange. I didn't change routes or music I just kept on keeping on.
There is no magic solution to motivation unfortunately, you just have to do it. So my advice, put on your trainers and go! Good luck. 😊
I think sometimes it isn't loss of motivation deep down, it's fear. Quite a few people seem to have a mental wobble in those later runs when all you are doing is a straight run for a few minutes longer - so how hard can it really be to go from 25 to 30 minutes.... hence my hunch that there's some reason for holding back from succeeding, from graduating from the programme.
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Lost my mojo = frustrated! 
Lost my mojo
Lost my mojo 
Lost my mojo
Lost my mojo........and then found it !
