Post C25K

[LaurenS91]

Iam really struggling to get back into running at the moment. I had a few days break following a recent holiday and nowmy motivation has completely gone. Any advice on getting my running mojo back?

[Whatsapp Graduate]

You are going to have to pick a time and force yourself out of the door.

May I suggest you try park run, if you haven't already

[LaurenS91 Graduate in reply to Whatsapp]

I think I just miss the structure and having that end goal!

[Whatsapp Graduate in reply to LaurenS91]

Then have a look at park run. And search for local 5k runs in your area LaurenS91 timeoutdoors.com is a good place to start. Fill you calender with a few runs. I have to say it is a whole new experience running with others.

[SC1472 Graduate]

Hi Lauren

Why did you start c25k? Try to remember what this was and this should help...

Were you running at a set time each week? If you were then just put your shoes on at the allotted time and get out and run.

When we graduate we no longer have a programme to follow so can feel a little lost. I managed to continue getting out three times a week but some of my runs were not perfect to say the least...I then tried stepping stones and found I enjoyed being told what to do again! I have now progressed on to bridge to 10k (not that I will be able to do 10k in an hour!). I have found that following a programme again has given some purpose to my running.

As Whatsapp suggests - try park run, or sign up for an event to get some bling....

At the end of the day you need to just get out there and remember the sense of achievement

[JaySeeSkinny Graduate]

You could of course stop, throw all your good work away and then discover in 2 years time that you've put on more weight, are even less fit than before, that the first health problems are appearing etc., etc.

Or you could lace up your shoes and get out there for 20 minutes. Or 30. Or whatever. And do this three times a week. Then in 2 years time you can look back to the turning point in your life and be very thankful that you had the grit and determination to carry on.

So what's it going to be?

[Hidden]

Hey Lauren a whole load of tough love coming up from a non grad. First of all set yourself a calendar reminder just like you got in the old days. Why not buddy up with someone on the site. I couldn't live with myself if I let my buddy down, so maybe there's someone else who'd be your post grad buddy. I've got one buddy but could manage two... if you are desperate !

Also I read a brilliant tip, start the programme again only substitute the walking intervals for a jog and the running intervals for a sprint. That way you're doing something you're familiar with. I can't remember who - was it you damienair ?

Park run, virtual runs, any old runs.....

Tough love over, but I do hope you get back out there. And mo his tend to hide out near trainers....👟👟👟👟🏅🏅🏅🙀🙀🙀

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Yes.. it is hiding underneath your running shoes! Or, hanging out with the pesky mind gremlins...

Either way... pick up your shoes... put them on and the mojo will appear again.. or get out in them and run... and squish everyone of the pesky gremlins flat... your mojo will soon be back with you, again..it does not want to get squished too!

Just get out there and start to feel like , you again!!!

[LaurenS91 Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you Managed to get back out yesterday, did a 30 minute run with a short break halfway. Not perfect but I am still glad I got out there and ran Just need to keep up with the routine! It has been tough with holidays and I have another one at the end of this month ( only 3 days in Amsterdam so it shouldn't put me off too much)!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to LaurenS91]

... pretty flat in Amsterdam too

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Set yourself some short, medium and long term running aims. They don't have to be performance based. Think of beautiful places to run. Experience your environment in a way you have never done before.

If it suits your personality, sign up for a race. Regardless, go and try parkrun, just once. I would be very surprised if you don't have a great time. Think about joining a running club.

To continue with the habit, you need to enjoy running. If it is a chore you will not persist. That enjoyment is different for each of us so only you can find your motivation.

I run because I can.

[LaurenS91 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you Park runs sound good. I think not having an end goal has been a bit of a struggle. I did a 30 minute run with a short break halfway yesterday and that seemed to go well. Just got to keep going!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Hi again

Having just seen when you graduated... have you done some consolidation of the 30 minute runs...?

Now, if so... lots of other things to try too... short runs, longer, 'see where you get to' runs... try some walk/runs and try some intervals

After that..if you fancy the C25k+ podcasts..they are really good fun, and great to keep building up our running legs and our stamina too

[LaurenS91 Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

I have attempted to do a few 30 minute runs but not completed the full 30 mins without stopping! I have gone back to intervals ( 10-15 minute running with small walking intervals) and they have gone much smoother