Wk4r1 - Problems of being a creature of habit ... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

132,652 members158,708 posts

Wk4r1 - Problems of being a creature of habit whilst doing crazy shift work

DoofDoofDoof profile image
4 Replies

Gosh, after finally taking the plunge with C25K, lurking here for tips and enjoying the wonderful sense of support and encouragement over the last few weeks I finally hit my first psychological hurdle with the program.

The first three weeks I'd been on late shifts with work and I'd really enjoyed getting up in the morning and my thrice weekly runs as part of the program being part of my "getting up" routine. This week as I started week 4 I'd switched onto early shifts and there's just no chance I could continue as was (need to catch that 3:30am train!), so I'd be having to run after work. After being on my feet for an 8 hour shift I was dreading it but on getting home yesterday I changed and took myself down to the park to try the first run of the week.

To my amazement I actually managed to complete it, there were points where I was hating it and was wondering if I could really finish it or if I should perhaps maybe just redo the previous week but I needed to see for myself what I could really do and with "I can do this" echoing over and over in my head made it through to a very red faced, hot, gulping for air cool down walk and a sense of light-headed achievement.

It's now the next morning...I'm on that dratted 3:30am train and the sense of achievement is still there, the concept of tomorrow's run being after work is no longer something that I'm seeing as a problem and I'm excited to see how pushing myself incrementally each week is making each successive week seem so much better!

Written by
DoofDoofDoof profile image
DoofDoofDoof
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
4 Replies
Greenback-Boogie profile image
Greenback-Boogie

Great post. I know exactly what you mean.

The first time I ran after work on a day I was feeling really tired I was amazed. Unlike you I am not on my feet all day but after a day of back to back meetings I can feel really drained. Made myself run and felt brilliant afterwards. Hope you continue to feel great about it too.

Brilliantly described but even better brilliantly done. Running when you don't feel like it is a great commitment. Showing loads of grit, I can't conceive of anyone trying to run prior to a 3.30am train. Wear that red face with pride.

Millsie-J profile image
Millsie-JGraduate

Brilliant, just brilliant!

You may also like...

Does anyone do shift work?

here However I’ve a question I work shift work so planning my runs is not every other day. Do you...

I did the Great North Run!

started running last November ish and graduated January. Since then I've been running 2/3 times a...

W7R2 - Run Report - Finally!!!

and milk added. After the past week, I never thought I'd run again, but I can still run, and it...

Week Nine. Run Three - FIN

crucifixion. The run went really well. For my final run, I hit the 5K mark (3.1mi) and achieved...

The one when it all (finally) felt easy!!

with a massive sense of achievement afterwards. I'm back working night shifts this week, but have...