Trying to get back on track ....

[Nobbywatts]

I'm a C25K graduate 3 years past and I'm struggling to get motivated this winter. At the end of December I had this awful cough/cold virus that so many people have had this year and I've only managed (been bothered!) to do 2 small 1-mile runs since then. I feel lethargic, fat and unhealthy. I know EXACTLY what I've got to do but struggle to get out there again! I've put some good new music on my iPod and that's all well and good, but what do others do when they hit a "wall" like this? I wonder .....?

[McFitty Graduate]

I'll be watching for the advice! I dropped to 2 runs a week in January and am now down to one! I think as the lighter mornings arrive I'll pick up again but I know exactly what you mean. Motivation finds some seriously good hiding places sometimes! 😊

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to McFitty]

You will ferret it out McFitty ... you are one determined gal!!!

And if you don't... well, I am right here to help you look.. Big hug sweetie xxx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

They just take a huge breath, ( when the coughing allows) and smash it right down, brick by brick with every single slow and steady step!

So many of us have had the dreadful lurgy you speak of and it is hard to get back onto the running path...

So.... plan a good route, something not too arduous, one you know you have enjoyed previously maybe,... walking and exercise to make sure you are up for it...and then, a slow relaxed, let's see how this goes , exploratory run.

I had my first post IC run last Tuesday, another one on Friday, I had two rest days in between, just to make sure everything is as it should be... Was going this morning, but fog put paid to that. ( recovering from the dreaded chest lurgy.. not a good idea). The runs weer short and slow, but it was good to be out there again, and once out there, it makes you hungry for more !

Lots of us in the same boat.. so, lots of support for you here.. you have the music, plan that route and go for it ?

[Nobbywatts Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Good advice Oldfloss and nice to know I'm not alone in feeling like this. Sorry to sound stupid, but what does IC stand for?!

[RainbowC Graduate in reply to Nobbywatts]

IC - injury couch

When I get out of the habit of running, I use the podcasts to get me back into it. If you can run a mile, you shouldn't need to go back to the very start - maybe try going in at week 4 and take it from there?

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Nobbywatts]

Injury Couch.. so many of us on there.. or just got off at the moment!

[Irish-John Graduate]

Any time I feel like not going out the door for my run I look down. then I remember when, before I started this running lark, I could see far less of my feet when I did so.....

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Irish-John]

... and such neat feet x

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

I played the Triangle with this lot youtube.com/watch?v=XSuA_km...(Not working as expected?)

[Nobbywatts Graduate in reply to Irish-John]

Really? I mean .... really?! Is that one of your running songs? I do have Can the Can by Suzi Quattro from the same era on my ipod!!

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Nobbywatts]

They don't make 'em like that anymore

[Irishprincess Graduate in reply to Irish-John]

Did you John? Les Gray was my second cousin! I loved Mud 😘😘😘

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Irishprincess]

It were an Electric Triangle too! Had a WaWa pedal and all

Just teasing IP

But I did like Mud - there was a lot of joy in that music Is your cousin still in the scene?

[Irishprincess Graduate in reply to Irish-John]

Haha! You lucky man 😊 Sadly Les died aged only 58. He had a great talent.

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Irishprincess]

Oh man sorry to hear that

[Irishprincess Graduate]

Put your running shoes on and go out for a nice walk. I guarantee you'll be breaking into a little jogette in no time. Walk some, run some, walk some, run some. When you get home that glow in your cheeks will remind you how epic running makes you feel 🤗🏃🏃🤗

[Nobbywatts Graduate in reply to Irishprincess]

Actually I did that just this very evening with my husband but no breaking into a little jogette, sadly, as HE'S now in the recovery phase of a cold. God, what a pair of old crocks! Still, onward and upward ...

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Irishprincess]

Loving your jogettes, your Majesty xxx they are getting me through at the moment x

[Irishprincess Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

🏃🏃🏃xxx

[Millsie-J Graduate]

I always think to myself there are people who would love to do this, but cant for one reason or other. That leads me to then thinking 'I can so I will!'

It never fails. I also plan time and route and then just go!

[Hidden]

I need to get back out off the ic and see if my jarred back will cope. I am hoping to run this week. I love the feel of getting home on a buzz and I also see many patients at work who have little chance of running so I should run because for them. I hope this thread will help motivate me out of the door!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Hidden]

It will.. it will.. we are all here, helping each other along!

[runswithdogs Graduate]

I return to some early week C25k podcasts. I get Laura's inspiration, the runs are manageable and I feel it's a place I can progress from. Seems I usually land week 3 or 4. After a couple of those runs usually I'm back in the groove.

[Millsie-J Graduate in reply to runswithdogs]

You are right RWD, you need to plan the runs for a return, it definitely helped me off the IC. I did one run of week 3, one of week 4, one of week 5 (run 2 is good) and onwards from there. I also do a week 1 as intervals occasionally running/jogging or power walking.

[runswithdogs Graduate in reply to Millsie-J]

I love week 1. That's one of my mood-picker-upper runs.

[melly4012 Graduate]

Putting your running gear on can sometimes help. I always feel, once it's on I might as well go out and then when I'm out I might as well have a run. Perhaps take it back a bit and build up again using the programme? Having the structure can sometimes help. I also try to remember how I feel after a run which is almost always fabulous. If only we could harness that feeling at the end of a run and recall it we'd be running all the time. My final thought is always that even if we're out doing a short run it's better than staying in on the sofa.