I've lost it.

[Ddmm2068]

Don't know what's gone wrong with me. After graduation I was doing fine, gradually building up from my 3.7K graduation run to a goal of 5K. I had got to 4.3K and was happy, feeling fulfilled and with my goal in sight. I have been on holiday in Orlando for 2 weeks over half term and didn't run at all. Since I've been back I've totally lost it. The first run I managed 3.6K and then stopped. No problem, I thought, just need time to get back into it. The next run I managed 2.5K and then today 2.1K. It's getting worse. I have lost all belief in myself and just can't seem to find the will to keep going. What's gone wrong with me?

[Ddmm2068 Graduate]

Oh and the other thing to say is I felt like crying after I stopped today rather than the elation I usually feel after a run. Just felt such a failure.

[tortoisegirl Graduate]

Sounds like the gremlins are having a good go at you! I had a two week break too, and I found it difficult to know how to restart! The main thing is that you are getting out there - just be gentle on yourself. Maybe try setting a goal of twenty minutes, and then build up from there? I'm no expert, but I am cheering you on!

[Hidden]

Since graduating it is hard to keep motivation. I found having set runs for me to do was a huge motivator with results being seen. Now we are our own leader and motivator which feels hard. To me it's like swimming in the dark without really knowing the best way to progress. That said you are getting out which is great. Why are you stopping, is it because of leg aches or breathing? Both of those would suggest stepping back and building up slowly again. If neither then you have gremlins....I have suffered these recently. I find that I set a route of ideal distance with an exit route half way. So today was 3.8 miles with an exit making a shorter 2.5mile route. If I felt comfortable then I would carry on the longer route or I could do a shorter practice run. Psychologically it works for me and I often do the longer route. It takes the pressure off me to achieve distance. Do keep going out for however short a distance and it will get easier. Another thought, are you tired/jetlagged or coming down with a bug?

[Meintheuniverse Graduate]

I am no expert as I have only just graduated, but if it was me, I'd go back to basics and give myself at a couple of weeks of not looking at the distance I was covering, and just focus on the amount of running time I wanted to achieve, and run slow, really slow, just to get back into the swing of a regular running program. It sounds as though you're being hard on yourself (easily done for many of us!) so try and give yourself a break and do your best to be kind to yourself and rediscover the joy of running for runnings sake. You can do it, and I'm sure in no time at all you'll be back on form and smashing your PB. (I'm sure that I've read that you do loose fitness after ten days of not running, if that's true, it's only natural that you'd be a step or two back after a two week holiday.) I read an article yesterday which said that 80% of runs should be slow runs and we should only be pushing ourselves for 20% of runs, again, whether or not it's true I don't know, but it certainly helped me on my first post Graduation run today, where I ran really really slow and really really enjoyed it (My natural instinct is to push push push!!!) Enjoy some slow runs and let us know how you get on. We'll be with you in spirit!!!

[Midspur Graduate]

A friend of a friend is in the 100 club (over 100 marathons) and she says she always has a walk during the races to get some energy back. It's all about just doing it. You know you can!

[SexyBexy Graduate]

Hello, why not use the podcasts to get back into the swing of things, a couple of shorter runs with a walk in between might help and having Laura's encouraging voice might help (however, the music might not!). Good luck and you'll get your running mojo back!

[useitorloseit Graduate in reply to SexyBexy]

I concur. After a break i find it helpful to be bossed by Laura again, which prevents the gremlins from getting into my head, and stops me from slacking off. I'd go back to Week 5 and work up from there. You'll soon get back in the swing again.

[loisamelia Graduate]

I'm feeling the same at the moment. The cold weather isn't helping me get out there either!

[jt24 Graduate]

Classic post-grad gremlin attack I'd say

I've found it hard to keep motivated at times- school holidays are my nemesis- but with a strong pep-talk to yourself and taking your pace back down a notch you CAN get back into it

I think going back and using week 5 to get to the 20 minutes might be a way, then plod along from there

The main thing is that you want to do it...

[Hidden]

Have you got a parkrun near you you can go to on Saturdays ? You don't need to be able to run the whole 5k, you can walk, but I find it very motivating to have a time to try and better each week. Even when I was injured earlier this year I kept going and trying to do less walking and more running each time. It's what keeps ME going anyway....

[skysue16 Graduate]

All good advice by other folk.....best of luck to you, you can do it!

[Ddmm2068 Graduate]

Wow thank you everyone for taking the time to reply. So much good advice. I think I will indeed go back to week 5. It just feels odd having graduated to go backwards but I need to remember I'm not trying to impress anyone. I can do whatever I need to keep going. Nobody knows apart from me so why should it matter if I go backwards? (Still feel a failure though).....

[tortoisegirl Graduate in reply to Ddmm2068]

You are NOT a failure! Repeat until that particular gremlin turns tail!

[ScottishHoosier Graduate in reply to Ddmm2068]

You are still out there exercising. This is not a failure. I did C25K at least three times over the years, and then just stopped at the end of the nine weeks. I simply didn't know how was best to continue. This year for the first time I am keeping going. I am now on my personal week 21, just doing what suits me to keep me exercising. Now with the dark mornings up here in Aberdeenshire, increased rain, wet leaves on the ground, and the cold, I've not neglected exercising. I've actually gone back to the gym which we've been paying for years, but hardly ever use. I've used the crosstrainer and the stationary bike (the treadmill is dangerous for me, because I get bored and my feet wander). It isn't running, but it is exercise. That, for me, is a true win. Keep up with it the best you can, and you and your health win! Good luck!!

[Ellymeg Graduate in reply to Ddmm2068]

I think of the podcasts as my running 'blanket' although I love 'free running' sometimes the familiar sounds and music are just what is needed - whether to encourage or reassure or even challenge (stepping stones -1234)😱 For me!

using the tools you need - a good plan! Happy running😅

[Von99 Graduate]

I'm struggling with motivation too! I graduated last month and finally managed 5k (although a very slow time) on the day before I went away at half term. Now we are back I'm making all sorts of excuses, I've only managed one run of 20 minutes in a week. I'm scared I can't do it any more and it's only going to get worse I know the longer I leave it. Ugh! 😩

[ScottishHoosier Graduate in reply to Von99]

I completed C25K a number of times over the last five years or so, but always stopped after the nine weeks, because I couldn't decide the best way for me to continue. This year for the first time, I've continued beyond the nine weeks. We, too, recently were away for two weeks, and in that time I only managed to use the hotel gym three times. But still, I did it. The last few years I took my running shoes and some kit, but didn't use them. This time I did, even if it was only three times. The day after we got home, I went out for a run before the kids went to school. Instead of the 45 minutes I had been running, I cut back to 30 minutes. And boy, was it a slow run, but at least I was running. I still haven't bumped it up beyond 30 minutes, but I have pushed up my distance in the 30 minutes, and on days when the weather was really rotten, I have actually gone to the gym. Keep working at it. Every workout is a win for good health!

[SexyBexy Graduate in reply to Von99]

Don't delay just pick up one of the C25K podcasts again. There is nothing in the instructions that says you can't go back and use them again just to get the kick up the bum you might need. Good luck