Really struggling, no motivation!

[Heather1981]

Really been struggling with my running and I feel like I walk faster than I run! I got to week 5, run 1 and I just couldn't do it. I haven't run in over a week or so, really struggling to get my self motivated again, any advice?

[SueKen Graduate]

Have you thought about giving yourself a pat on the back for being out there doing something rather than on the couch? Speed not so important right now, you are building up your stamina, speed will come later. Well done for being out there.

[Heather1981 in reply to SueKen]

Thank you for replying to my post. I think I just felt that I was doing okay getting through to week 5 and managing so when I tried week 5 and couldn't I just felt like a failure and I was no good but I can see from everyone response that everyone has been there at some point. I am going to get myself back out running and do it at my own pace and just keep on plodding away at it. Thank you again 😊

[moi_katie]

I find that I always run too fast and have to keep myself in check especially if running outdoors when it's harder to pace yourself. But when I do 'go slow' to pace myself it feels like I'm running the same speed as walking. Have you got an app that tracks you? Like strava or Fitbit? I find it really informative checking out my run afterwards to find out that my run is faster than my walk and that I naturally have a fast walk di have to slow that down too. Everything feels really slow when I'm doing it but it enables me to get through the runs then when I check strava it shows me that actually I'm doing a lot better than I feel I am when doing it. Hope that makes sense!

[Heather1981 in reply to moi_katie]

Thank you for your reply, I think when I looked on Strava and my fitbit it just looked like was going way to slow and I was better walking but I am going to get myself back out there and repeat some of the weeks and get better at my own pace. Thanks again

[Rignold]

Why does the speed matter to you?

If W5 R1 was a problem, go back and do W4 again.

As for motivation, put your trainers on and go out for a little run. Leave your watch and phone and the programme at home and just run a bit. See how far you can run just for fun. Compare that to how far you could run 5 weeks a go. Revel in it. Have a bit of fun.

Action precedes motivation.

[Heather1981 in reply to Rignold]

Thank you for your reply. I just felt that I was quicker walking than running and that I was no good but I am definitely going to try again and do the weeks at my own pace. Thanks again 😊

[Heather1981 in reply to Rignold]

Thank you for reply to my post. I just feel that I walk faster than I run but when I run my heart is working harder which means I am doing something good. I just felt that I had got through weeks 1-4 relatively easily so when I couldn't do it I felt like a failure and running wasn't really for me but the response from everyone has really helped me see that in time I can get better but this time I going to move through the weeks at my pace. Thanks again 😊

[davelinks Graduate]

Don't worry about it! Just do as rig say's and go out and do it!😊

[Heather1981 in reply to davelinks]

Thank you for reply. I am definitely going to try again and do it my own pace and I know I will get better in time. Thanks again 😊

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

I don't know from your post whether the week off has preceded or followed your W5R1........if you have had a week's rest, you will probably find things much easier, so just repeat the run, telling yourself that it is making you stronger.

As for motivation, has your situation changed since starting? If not, remember what got you out of the door in the first place. Don't view it as burdensome process, just look at the positives and how far you have already come. It is not easy, but if you want to become a runner you need to develop the grit and determination that will see you through the tough times.

You can do it.

[Heather1981 in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you for your reply, I just felt that I had completed weeks 1-4 fairly easily so when I got to week 5 I just couldn't do it so I felt like a complete failure and running wasn't for me but I am going to start again and go through the weeks at my own pace and I know I'll get better in time. Thanks again 😊

[Lauracorin]

I definitely walked faster than I ran for most of the programme. That's fine, speed will come with time.

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Lauracorin]

I did too. And even now - well, I measured my pace. I take five steps when I run but only three when I walk over a known distance. I run the compound course in about 45 to 48 minutes, I walk it in about 70. I sure as heck an not 'fast' - but i look like a VERY happy million dollars especially compared to that old fart who used to live on the couch

[Heather1981 in reply to Lauracorin]

Thank you. I'm going to start again and go through the weeks at my own time, I think I just put to much pressure on myself. Thank you again 😊

[Heather1981 in reply to Lauracorin]

Thank you, I'm definitely going to try again but this time I am going to do at my own pace and move through the weeks when I'm ready to. Thank you for reply

[TwistaRuns Graduate]

Just enjoy it. Don't worry bout the speed. I plod along but just keep going! Redo your last week and give yourself a mental break. You're doing well being out there!

[Heather1981 in reply to TwistaRuns]

Thank you for reply, It was because I managed to do week 1-4 relatively easily so week 5 came I thought I would manage it but I really struggled, I totally felt demotivated but I have had a couple of weeks off now and everyone here has really helped me, so tomorrow I am going to dust off my trainers and start again but I'm going to do at my own pace move through the weeks when I'm ready. Thank you again 😊

[TwistaRuns Graduate in reply to Heather1981]

So pleased you're off our again. You'll get that love back for it xxx

[Irish-John Graduate]

I run slow. But I am faster than I was, even if its only a little bit faster. I had to repeat a lot of stages on the way to Graduation, and sometimes still just 'give up' in the middle of a run. That's part of being human, not a machine.

There is NO WAY any one watching me would think 'there goes a good runner'. But, since June 1st of last year I have gone from NEVER running - feet only a couple of degrees from being 'Club foot, Asthma - two types, way overweight, Lungs damaged from a 20 a day weekdays and 40 to 80 a day at the weekends habit from age 16 to 55.

And then one morning at age 56 my life was so damn miserably predictable and horrible in desperation to something - ANYTHING - to put SOME interest and point in it I ran those minutes of Week One, Day one. And somehow, some damn miracle, I did it. I was bent over double and breathing was so problematic that I was told by the lady who I just stopped phoning for the Paramedics in time that I had been turning ever bluer around the eyes and lips.

Last Monday for the first time in my life I got a clean bill of health from my doctor ( well - maybe not the 'mental' part of the bill ) I have the same health percentage results now of someone in their early 40's. I am a graduate of the 5k and 10K programmes, ran a 5k race in the Fall and had an amazing time, made so many great new friends on here and am living life in a way I never dreamed I could. Because not only did the programme free me from the Couch - it freed me from my old unhealthy attitudes and the false perceptions I had about myself and the world.

Forget 'speed' forget ANY measurements. Please - just of out and run. When I say 'please' I mean it - I ate thinking that you are missing out on what it will also do for you if you just run - slowly and surely and in your own time and pace and most importantly for YOU - not some fakey idea of what you 'think' you should be running like.

I wish you many happy miles in your future, sincerely.

[Heather1981 in reply to Irish-John]

Thank you very much. Your story is very inspiring and you have done so well. I'm going to get back out there and keep plodding away at it and repeat some of the runs and just try and get better at my own pace rather than what the app says. Thank you again. Heather 😊

[foreverendeavour in reply to Irish-John]

As someone who's an ex smoker on week 4 and still gasping for breath, you are an inspiration. Thank you! ☺

[Memebaby in reply to Irish-John]

Love your story and your kindness. I too was a big smoker. Gave up some years ago now but such a sloth. This programme has given me so much even if I fear and dread it in equal measure sometimes. It’s wk 5 run 3 tomorrow and I’m battling those gremlins but I’m doing it . , even if I collapse at the end of it😁

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Memebaby]

Slow, steady...and keep it fun on SOME level

You will graduate - there's so many of us who didn't think we ever could, you're with your People here 😉

[Tmtj]

I have found the further through the programme I get the more I am slowing down. The feeling of not completing a stage messes with my head more than worrying about speed/distance. I would focus on the programme and worry about the rest later. Keep it up!

[Heather1981 in reply to Tmtj]

Thank you for your reply. I completely agree with you, not been able do the run on the week you are on does mess with your head. This time I'm going to start again and do it at my own pace and move through the weeks when I'm ready too. Thank you again 😊

[foreverendeavour]

I am on week 4 having never done more than run a bath, I am enjoying the progress even though my legs feel like they weigh 3 ton each whilst running. My encouragement to you is if necessary, have a week or two off. For numerous reasons I didn't run for two weeks and when I came back to it I was amazed how easy I found picking up where I left off, it was massively encouraging! It was as though my body needed that time to catch up with getting adjusted to the new regime, needed that time to make the new bits of lung or muscles or capillaries or whatever it does that it needed to do to increase its output. So, to use a familiar saying, give yourself a break and come back to it fresh, rather than forcing yourself to do something you're not enjoying, which is a pointless exercise! ☺

[Heather1981 in reply to foreverendeavour]

Thank you, everyone on here has totally motivated me to give it another go but this time I am going to do it at my own pace and move through the weeks when I feel ready. I will be Dusting off my running shoes tomorrow afternoon. Thank you again 😊

[froggyrunner Graduate]

As I keep saying to myself. Think how far you've come not how far you have to go!!! That's what is keeping me going. I did wk 5 run 3 yesterday. Almost died! But then I almost died wk 1 run 1 too!!!!

[Heather1981 in reply to froggyrunner]

This very true, I have decided I am going to start again and do it at my own pace and move on through the weeks when I am ready. Well done for doing week 5, run 3