Almost there, but beginning to struggle. - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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Almost there, but beginning to struggle.

Poppylops profile image
PoppylopsGraduate
13 Replies

So I've just completed R2W9 and you would really think I'd be buzzing, with just one more run to complete the programme. Oh no, it was my worst run thus far. I know I shouldn't have gone out at 11.45am, when all my other runs have been around 9am, and it's quite hot today. I know I shouldn't have left 4 days to lapse since my last run, and I know I wasn't feeling it even before I stepped out of the house. Anyway, I got through it, but I'm dreading the next one.

Why have I lost my mojo? I've come so far and dream of becoming a 'runner' but wonder how I will motivate myself once I've completed the programme.

Is this normal at such a late stage? I guess I may have been lucky up until now.

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Poppylops profile image
Poppylops
Graduate
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13 Replies
damienair profile image
damienairGraduate

Totally normal. I am a new graduate of just over 1 week. Week 9 was fine for me, but my first 3 runs after graduating were really tough. It's going to take weeks of running 3 times a week for 30 minutes until you will feel comfortable. It will take time for our legs to build up for this.

Well done for getting through it. Just one run left. You've done great, you mojo is still there.

Damien

Poppylops profile image
PoppylopsGraduate in reply todamienair

Thanks Damien, encouraging words 😉.

Poppylops profile image
PoppylopsGraduate in reply toPoppylops

Well done on graduating Damien. Onwards and upwards ☺.

SueKen profile image
SueKenGraduate

Good runs, not so good runs, they happen, even in week9. I found the excitement of becoming a graduate got me through w9r3 though!

Poppylops profile image
PoppylopsGraduate in reply toSueKen

Thank you 😉.

davelinks profile image
davelinksGraduate

Have you lost your mojo? Looks fine to me, you did it! A lot of shouldn't haves there! Be more positive and get out there! Your doing great! Think of where you've come from and how much fitter you've become and how you feel now, isn't that motivation for you!?😊

Irish-John profile image
Irish-JohnGraduate

A funny thing happens to a lot of us around Graduation. We start faltering. It's like we are suddenly hit and bemused with the thought "What do I now next?" We are so wedded to the C25K programme it's difficult to envision being without it :)

A lot of Running is a mental game - that is a given. :) Right now you are nearing a goal you probably thought 'impossible' when you started so that is kind of a flabbergasting thought for your subconscious - if not your conscious - brain to take in. Then there is the Gremlin of 'Can I do it' - then the thought 'What WILL I do without the programme?" singly or cumulatively they will make you 'wobble'

Just do it all- before and for ever after Graduation - the same way you did it up to now. Slow, steady, at your own pace, remember its only doing it for YOU that is important so don't let the 'speed merchants' or 'Looooong Run peddlers' make you feel like you are not doing 'well'.

YOU ABSOLUTELY ARE A RUNNER. Never ever ever EVER query that fact! :)

Poppylops profile image
PoppylopsGraduate in reply toIrish-John

Thank you Irish-John; encouraging and kind words. I'm off to do my graduation run now and I'm feeling good. Will post back later 😉.

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

Mojos hide out with gremlins... the gremlins try to tell you you cannot run! Ha! What do they know!!!

Just slow it down, relax into the run... go at your normal time and cruise through to the Graduation podium... you can do this..Look how far you have come... I have got my party frock out ready!!!

Poppylops profile image
PoppylopsGraduate in reply toOldfloss

Thanks Oldfloss, I'm off to do it now. It's the thought of you in your party frock which spurs me on.. lol 😂. I'll let you know how I get on 😉.

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

You are about to graduate, but if you add up the hours of the C25K plan to date, you will realise you are still a very new runner and you obviously have not yet learned that some runs are better than others. Try to work out what was different from other runs and learn from it......but, hey, you did it, so move on up!

One tip, set up the circumstances for your graduation run as carefully as possible so that it is memorable for all the right reasons. Mine, because of my impatience, was a hard slog on a Friday evening after a hard week at work........oh how I wished I had waited for the Saturday.

You will be fine. Enjoy it.

McFitty profile image
McFittyGraduate

Week 9 run 2 was a killer for me too. I imagined cleaning cupboards, doing housework, packing away Christmas stuff - anything to get me through a few more minutes. The mental gremlins are out in force for that run...half of you is excited at getting to finish the programme and the subconscious is whispering 'but what are you going to do when it's over'. Except it's not over, it's just the beginning of the next incredible chapter. Looking forward to your graduation post😊😊😊

Poppylops profile image
PoppylopsGraduate in reply toMcFitty

Thank you. Feeling a lot more positive today so I am just about to do my graduation run (yippee). Will post back later 😉.

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