Running not going well

[Phoneboxrock]

After graduating some weeks ago now, I was able to run for 30 minutes no problem. This carried on for a few weeks, but then I had to stop running for a couple of weeks.

Now I've been getting back into it for roughly 3 weeks but I can only run for about 10 minutes consecutively, and that's on a good day.

Has anyone else had this problem? Taking a couple of weeks off and then finding their ability to run has fallen rapidly? It's a bit annoying as I was planning to start doing parkrun, but that's out of the question now.

[Rignold]

That is a bit odd, if you were running 30 mnutes several times a week to drop so much fitness in a fortnight, but its not the end of the world. Drop back in to W6 and build it back up again. 3 weeks tops you'll be rocking the full 30 mins.

[Steve_L Graduate in reply to Rignold]

I bet it's not fitness, it'll be a mental thing, the willpower and confidence to run through difficult phases. Ten minutes is about that difficult time most of us experience at the start of a run.

[useitorloseit Graduate]

It sounds as if it's a mental rather than a physical thing. I've been through similar periods when it just doesn't seem to be working. There's been talk this morning about the stepping stone podcasts. I tried the stamina one shortly after a period of consolidation post graduation, and I found it impossible to run as slowly as 160 bpm. However, after having problems with flaking out after 15 mins or so of running, it really helped to slow it right down until I could run for longer times (distance irrelevant at this point) to get my confidence back. Now I just mix it up and either do long slow runs or shorter faster runs with the odd walk break.

I think the trick is to get the joy back into your running, otherwise the telly and the cake tin will have much more appeal.

Good luck.

[hilbean Graduate in reply to useitorloseit]

I'm with you on this useit. Just had a week of running where I seemed to have to keep having walking breaks. My legs weren't tired and I wasn't out of breath. It was purely mental (on all levels!) Like useit says get the joy back into your running. Try just going out without any goal in mind so you won't be disappointed or maybe even just try going somewhere nice so you can take your mind off running with the scenery. Or do what Rignold says and go back to some of the earlier podcasts with Laura if you think she can offer you a good bit of motivation.

Either way, good luck and happy running

[Phoneboxrock Graduate]

Thanks all for the replies! It likely is a mental thing, will go back to an earlier point in the podcast and try again

[Hidden]

...or...just go to park run anyway. You can walk if you want to but it might give you the motivation you need to keep your feet moving....