:( Motivation Flagging HELP!

[VikkiHigg]

I am doing the homework for week 3 at the mo - I have an arthritic hip and it is feeling a tad aggravated but also really struggled with the last 2 runs I've done and feel like I want to give up. I'm seeing posts from people doing marathons etc and wondering if there's anyone else who remembers not being able to run for 3 minutes!!

[Dunder2004 Graduate]

I think the majority of people found the early weeks to be really tough because most of us start from a position of having been doing little regular exercise.

Have your recent struggles been related to your hip or is it breathing, or something else?

[VikkiHigg Graduate in reply to Dunder2004]

Hi thanks for replying - I'm not sure - I knew I'd miss the session for week 3 so did it myself anyway - first go absolutely fine felt elated then proper homework W3R1 awful! Not sure if I might have had a cold brewing but although I finished I felt terrible. Then went walking at the weekend and my hip really played up but had to do W3R2 when I got home and for the first time ran locally in fields instead of playing field or gym and I could barely manage 90 secs never mind 3 mins! Tonight I'm supposed to be doing R3 at the gym and having a mental battle between going and giving up!

[Dunder2004 Graduate in reply to VikkiHigg]

Go for it.

Running outside (especially on longer grass) is tougher than the treadmill in terms of causing fatigue. As long as your hip is not playing up, I am sure you will find it much easier on the treadmill. Just make sure you go nice and slowly so that you can breathe easily.

[harveyemm Graduate]

Hi there,

I'm still doing the program--at week 8---It is really hard work.

Along the way I had to repeat some of the weeks as it takes time to get used to doing new exercise.

You have done really well to get to week 3 so congratulations!

Please don't worry about how well you are doing because each session no matter what the week is a good workout in itself.

I think even if someone stayed at week 1 for evermore they would still be benefiting from the exercise.

You could stick with a week or a particular session until you feel ready to move up as there is no time limit.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

[VikkiHigg Graduate]

Thanks both, I will give it another go. I think I probably will see how I get on with Week4 but may not go up to 5 mins just yet. Trouble is actually doing it as an organised session puts on a bit of pressure because I don't want to get left behind everyone else! Better that than injured though! Thanks again.

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

Hi there. We all started in pretty much the same place. I remember feeling that I didn't enjoy the running but loved the feeling of achievement - but it did seem hard!

It's not until I've settled into my own routine that I've really started to enjoy it.

Just take things really gently- no shame in extra rest days!

[VikkiHigg Graduate in reply to Ullyrunner]

Thanks - I know what you mean. Really wasn't built for speed and hip issues since 14 don't help but I was feeling great at the achievement side! Will concentrate on this tonight

[mfamilias Graduate]

I can remember the three-minute run, swearing out loud at Laura because she hadn't told me to stop running yet! Dunder's right - the first weeks were tough for me because I hadn't done any sport for 28 years. Your body comes round to the new rules quickly. Take it slowly, and don't put pressure on yourself.

Just one question - if you went out walking at the weekend, did you give yourself a day off before you ran? Your body needs a break to get over the emotion, whatever the exercise - particularly if your hip is painful.

[VikkiHigg Graduate]

Hi yes I was away for the weekend and had a day off before running but it was so hard. Thanks for the reply

[Hidden]

Hi, well done for getting this far already and don't worry about going too fast or too quickly - you will build up slowly but surely after each session I've just completed Wk5, but could hardly run for 60 seconds in Wk1 and felt dreadful. I'd also never seen such a sweaty purple face as the one I had in those first few weeks! It does get better after those first few weeks Good luck!

[Coddfish Graduate]

If you are doing it as an organised session, that should help keep you motivated. Stiffness and aches etc are all part of the process, especially for those of us not in the first flush of youth. Be careful though if you are experiencing actual pain, as you don't want to get injured. Surface does make a difference to impact unfortunately - rough surfaces, hard surfaces etc. Make sure you stretch out properly at the end. It might also be worth making sure your shoes are right for your running gait - although changing shoes can just change where you feel discomfort as you correct one problem and discover another.... Good luck.

[VikkiHigg Graduate]

Hi everyone well im sat here sweating A LOT but i did 4 x 3 mins and 1 x actual 5 mins?! Flat surfaces are defo my way fwd in future and just to say thanks so much for all your comments they really made a huge difference!! New shoes after w4 session saturday. Wasnt spending money til i knew i wasnt going to quit!! Now though my soon to be 37 yo bones need extra help esp the crap 90 yo hip!

[RainbowC Graduate]

Well done! Sometimes we can get the most satisfaction from the run that we were most unenthusiastic about doing - just the fact that we conquered our own doubts and fears, as well as managing the physical challenge. Keep going now, but do listen to your body and take extra rest days if you need to at any point...

[VikkiHigg Graduate]

Thank you Did feel like I could do anything after!

[VikkiHigg Graduate]

I love this forum. I haven't run for over a week and before that I was only getting out once a week for about a month. I.e. I was letting myself give it all up and then I re read my first post about not being able to run for 3 minutes!!! What?! Can't believe how far I've come and I AM NOT throwing it all in the bin now!!! Thank you HU peep's!