Week 8 - Still do not see myself as a runner

Today should be my second run of week 8. I still do not see myself as a runner and I'm coming up with all sorts of excuses not to go out. How do I motivate myself?

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

You are a runner... sorry, you are...

Motivation is weird.. you can be motivated by bribery, guilt, cajoling, pleading, or just plain, get yourself out there and run tactics.

Look how far you have come, and the very short distance to go... It is getting darker, and cooler, the temptation to stay in and hunker down gets stronger... but think.. why did you start this, have your feelings changed... are you feeling physically unable to do it?

Only you know the answers, we are here to be with you every step of the way. So, if you want to finish this, big breath and carry on. Slow and steady is the way!

Remember, " The moment that you feel like stopping, is usually the moment just before the miracle happens! "

Go on... go for it ? Keep posting too!

[Hidden in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you. I can be my own worst enemy. I went out there and started a bit too fast but pushed the last 60 seconds to beat my PB so made it to 5K in 28 minutes! A day's rest and then let's see if we can improve on that

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Hidden]

You will...you will....but not sure why you want to run so fast at this stage..many folk never do the 5K...they just complete the 30 minute runs. They move on then, the way they want to...🙂

The programme is about stamina not distance or speed..maybe the lack of motivation is,that,as you say,you are a bit tired and pushing too hard. Your choice, but maybe take it slower and just enjoy the last few runs..🙂

[Hidden in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks for the advice. I certainly do not want this be the last few runs. I want this to become a routine where I run 2 - 3 times a week and I want it to be enjoyable

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Hidden]

No sorry, I meant, enjoy the last few runs up to Graduation.. then... the world is yours... and you can run in anyway you wish

Then three times a week, any way you like...

[Hidden in reply to Oldfloss]

No need to apologise! I can see you're a graduate. What did you do once you graduated? Did you follow another programme? Or did you just run several times a week for a certain time / distance?

[orchards Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Anyone who can do 5k in 28 minutes is definitely a runner - must be because I am a runner and the one time I've run 5k it took me nearly 40 minutes (and I was very pleased with it). Would it help to think of the things that you like about going for a run before the excuses have a chance to rear their heads and to recreate some of your best running moments in your head? re you able to run through surroundings you can enjoy? Maybe take Oldfloss with you on your next run, with her lovely post about listening.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to orchards]

Thanks you x

[AndyD Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Sorry... but if you can do 5k in 28mins and not call yourself a runner then I might as well give up!!! I've been running for 2 years and still dream of running 5k in that time.

Take a few days off and i'm sure the motivation will return.

[Millsie-J Graduate]

Put you kit on, put your shoes on. Then get out of that door, perfect weather today for a run😃🏃🏼‍♀️Enjoy!

[Hidden in reply to Millsie-J]

Agree weather is lovely today. Overdressed slightly so got a bit overheated. Someone told me once that you should dress for the actual temperature plus 10C - a bit chilly though when you power walk for the first 5 minutes! Felt very tired - pushed myself a bit too hard at the beginning of the run - but very satisfied after the run

[Joy57 Graduate]

I feel, like others, the secret is just to go out and start the warm up walk. Tell yourself that if you really don't want to run, it can be a long walk. However so far, for me, it has always turned into a run and I've ended up being happy with it!

[Hidden]

As others have said remember the reasons you started this journey and how far you've come ! Now I'm regularly running about 6K. Recently had not run for 2 weeks due to house move.

I just knew I had to start up again because I did not want to lose the "new me" full of vitality physically and mentally. Now my running is like food and drink to me a now one of my good habits.

Also don't think too far ahead or compare yourself to others. Work to your own goals and personal bests. Let us all know how you get on.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. I want this to be a permanent change not just a 9 week programme. And the only person I compare myself with is me and that means I keep pushing myself every time I go out. Competitive? Me? You better believe it. But maybe it is better to enjoy the run for what it is and not always wanting to go faster. Ultimately I will have to get to 10K since I have signed up to do a run next Summer but there is plenty of time to get ready for that

[Returning2Run Graduate]

Are you worried about failing, whatever that means to you personally? Or that if you don't push hard enough that you'll stop and never improve? First time round for this programme I pushed all the time, too hard and despite being 5 stone overweight completed 5k in 35 minutes. I ended up causing an injury and I also didn't enjoy the runs either, I felt relief that I hadn't failed, but that's not the same thing as relishing being able to move and taking in the atmosphere and being kind to your body when you're having a bad run.

What do you think of as a runner and how are they different to you? Maybe that'll give a good starting point for accepting this new identity of not just you are someone who runs, but you are a runner.

Maybe a bitmumbo-jumbo, I hope I've made sense!

[Hidden in reply to Returning2Run]

For me a runner is someone who really enjoys running. At the moment I am just someone who runs (and is feels happy when it's over) but that doesn't necessarily make me a runner.

All of our running journeys are personal and when I read some of the comments on here I think 'well done', 'good for you', 'keep on going, you can do this', etc. I know I will persevere and hope there will come a moment where I actually will go out for a run because I want to, I need to and I actually love it