Lost my mo jo

[Spinning_22]

I've been following the C25K programme fairly religiously, with the occasional longer break between runs.

I'm now at W9R2 but am really struggling! I managed to run the 25 and 28 mins albeit very slowly and occasionally running on the spot. However W9 is proving a challenge.

I start running but very soon feel I'm struggling and start interval running. I just about managed 30 mins last Sunday and thought I'd try again whilst visiting family in the IOW. I thought a change of scene and different route would help. But no.

Wondering whether I might do better going to park run as may get swept along with the crowd. My intention had been to complete C25K before moving onto Park run.

Is this normal, have other people found this. Most of the posts I read from those at this stage seem to progress okay.

[misswobble Graduate]

it's anxiety making you seize up because it's a crucial run and you are focussing on it. Just chill out and it will happen. Be a bit Zen about it.

Go out there and have fun. Nice slow jogging, ease into it, no hurry. You'll be fine

[SueKen Graduate]

Give park run a go, plenty of mojos to be found there. I always come back feeling inspired.

[Smallb34r]

I feel exactly the same as you and as a result the gaps between runs are getting longer and longer. For the last few weeks I've been averaging 1 run a week. I am never going to build running legs like that! I only have w9R3 to complete and I should be excited, but I'm not 😕

I really want that graduation run to be special, not something I just grind out, so I decided this morning I am going to mix it up for a week or two, doing shorter but perhaps marginally faster runs, or hills. I'm starting today with intervals and I'm feeling excited again! In a week or two I'll go back and run that final run, hopefully because I want to, rather than because I feel I have to.

[Spinning_22 Graduate in reply to Smallb34r]

Thanks, Smallb34r, that sounds exactly how I feel. When I was doing the interval runs and shorter runs (max 20 mins) I was quite motivated. However I feel I'm dragging myself through the 30 mins. Even the 25 and 28 mins were a struggle! I'd occasionally slow to running on the spot before running on. I convinced myself this still counted as I was still moving. Perhaps I should've consolidated earlier weeks before moving on. However I'd hoped, having begun in June to have completed C25K by the time the school holidays arrived.

I'm going to revert to shorter runs and interval training. I think I'll just listen to music any time myself rather than use the app.

Good luck with your graduation.

[Fishypieface Graduate]

Yes, I feel exactly the same way! I am now at the end of 'week 10' - just repeating week 9 - and it's still hard, my calf muscles aren't having any of it! (stretching exercises to follow!)

It may not be the same for you, but it may help to hear the ridiculous reasoning of someone else who finds it hard! In my hopeful (and naive I now realise!) mind I was expecting to reach the end of week 9 on castors, hardly breaking a sweat, gliding over the 30 minute mark, a lithe, well oiled running machine (and running 5k of course)! But the reality was a breathless, beetroot faced, sweaty, painful stagger. And it still is. Nothing like what I hoped for when starting. But doing this for nearly 3 months has changed me and I am not going to stop or give up. I'll keep on at week 9 and it will get better!! And if it doesn't I will go back and do week 7 and week 8 again until week 9 doesn't quite kill so much. I never knew I was this stubborn! I also know that I am constantly battling with my brain - I should be faster, I should be less sweaty, I shouldn't run like I've pooed myself (honest!) I should be this, that and the other. And I don't ever stop to think - wow, I can run for 25 then 28 then 30 minutes and 9 weeks ago I couldn't run to the end of the road.

Like you I put out a post... asking if it got any easier ever.... and got the reassurance I needed from the seasoned, supportive runners on here who've been where we've been and have the benefit of knowing through experience. It helped me realise how demanding I was being of myself instead of being amazed at the progress I had made in such a short space of time. The world we live in, always making us push on for the next big thing.

misswobble has it right, we need to enjoy (ha!) the process, slow down and take credit for how far we've managed to come. Better to take the scenic route than to give up altogether - so I keep telling myself!! Good luck, you will get there and it will be worth it (just might not feel like it at the time!!).

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate in reply to Fishypieface]

Well said fishypieface..😊

[Spinning_22 Graduate in reply to Fishypieface]

I think you're right. I started in June and counting the weeks towards the summer holidays hoped to graduate by the start of school holidays.

Every time I went out, I'd think, I must keep going or I'd have to repeat a run so not graduating by the end of July.

Now I'm thinking I might go back to 20 mins and run this till I can do it easily.

[Fishypieface Graduate in reply to Spinning_22]

I did a run today and slowed right down from the very start (like misswobble said) and it was all so much easier. Usually I start off full of beans with something to prove but after 15 minutes I feel finished, by 25 mins I'm on my hands and knees... but not today! It was still hard, but doable. And funnily enough, even though I'm slower, every now feels so much more achievable. Good luck, you are not alone!

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

You can already run so much further than you ever thought you could..

Remember how you got to this level, little increases and consolidation. Its still the same, go as slowly as you can, especially at the start of your run, let your breathing have chance to settle.. it is possibe to run for 30, 35, 38 minutes and to get to 5k. The first part of a run is the hardest bit, you have done the groundwork so keep going and you will be able to reap the benefits.

Believe you can do it, and you will😊

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

As misswobble says, relax and take it as slow as you like.. run and reflect on the distance you have come, think about the progress and how it feels..as you coast gently towards the podium!!!

We will all be there...Yeay!!!!