Anyone else feel this way ?

[MsFickle]

Does anyone feel the same - I am loving the app and doing what I am told - but now the runs are longer (Week 8) i I don't think I enjoy running - I love finishing the feeling is amazing - but I am finding myself wishing the minutes would hurry up and end - nothing particular hurts , no pains . Am I the only one ? 😢

[Hidden]

No not the only one by any stretch. You need to find something to do with your mind whilst your body is busy with running. This could be singing along to your music, planning some recipes, listening to audio books or podcasts, sorting out a work problem, thinking about what you will post on here, plotting a revolution, imagining you are PM/President of the US, writing a shopping list, rehearsing what you want to say to your boss/mother in law/soon to be ex.......You get the idea

[RebeccaSK Graduate]

You really are not. Ask some of the regulars on here about my runs towards the end of the programme. Everything Hidden says is true and it works for so many - although it didn't for me but then I have my own special issues (gremlins) to deal with. Helen helped me with that too - so her words are definitely worth listening to. All I will say to you is don't give up. You have come this far and failing to complete the programme is simply not an option. I only managed to complete it because I was stubborn. Just like you, my body was more than capable of completing it - but my mind threatened to derail my graduation. I kept on pushing through and once I'd graduated I really started to enjoy my running again - the pressure is off and if you want to walk for a few minutes then that's entirely your decision.

[Hidden]

I had the same. Unlike helenwheels I didn't find my mind would do anything useful while running. Basically I was bored once the runs weren't broken up with walking. I tried games - name a vegetable starting with every letter of the alphabet A-Z. That only got me so far. Then I got a bit braver about slopes and tried running in the woods. That was it for me. Interesting surroundings. You can't see far ahead, constantly deciding which path to take, starting deer and being hissed at by geese. Since graduation I have been running without music, just the sound of my feet and the environment. We're not talking wilderness here. It's north London. So far my best runs have been holiday runs in Scotland. Dreading the winter and seriously considering a head torch so I can run the woods in the dark.

So try mixing up your routes a bit and different terrain if you can. I also enjoy Park run despite it being a very boring Park. The atmosphere and the other people make it very different from running alone.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I think this is great; either go distraction or mindfulness- both work, you choose

[rolysmate Graduate]

I'm finding that thinking about taking the next breath keeps me going lol

Seriously though I'm enjoying the whole thing and the challenge of hitting the next k

[RebeccaSK Graduate in reply to rolysmate]

I'm with you rolysmate - I envy all these runners who play little games in their head when they're running - breathing and staying alive is my only goal!

[rolysmate Graduate in reply to RebeccaSK]

Had to laugh the other week when reading a post about breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth, doesn't work for me as my lungs are attempting to draw oxygen in through every orifice in my body lol

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate in reply to RebeccaSK]

Ha ha...mine too!!!

[Irish-John Graduate]

I would die of boredom running if I did not have my recorded shows from BBC Radio

I listen to them as I start but so often now I just kind of get in the zone where the run is finished but I realise I have not really been consciously aware of what the last part of the recording was - but I sure have enjoyed the run

I would NEVER have finished my 10K graduation run though without a carefully selected series of music - set it up so that it was progressively 'steadier' beats as I knew I would be faltering physically a bit, and more cheerful and light lyrics as I knew I would need that also by the end.

Worked well - kept my mind of time/distance/fatigue

[Hidden in reply to Irish-John]

Lovely I-J. Being 'in the zone' is definitely the peak experience but I have only managed to be in this state of nirvana fleetingly, so far.

When the traveller asked the Buddha (after much searching) how he could find the meaning of life, the Buddha suggested he should "stop looking"

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Hidden]

'Before Enlightenment, I pushed a broom. After Enlightenment, I pushed a Broom' - favorite saying of an Asian Studies Buddhist Prof over here

[Hidden in reply to Irish-John]

cynical I-J, cynical

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Hidden]

no no no!!! The opposite!! Enlightenment does not make us 'superior beings' - rather the opposite, humble and content with out lot

It's like the old Charlie Atlas ads where the nerdy guy gets sand kicked in his face by the beach bully. Finally he is so angry he starts working out. He becomes stronger than the bully and in the Atlas ads he takes him down - but if he were enlightened he would not bother, he knows his own strength and is neither threatened anymore by the bully nor does he need to feel any need to 'prove himself' in front of his girlfriend

google.com/search?q=charles...

[Fishypieface Graduate]

15 minutes would do me nicely! After that my knee gets a bit funny and it's all a bit boring too! 20 - 25 minutes is the killer zone for me but I feel good for struggling on for 30 mins. Sometimes don't listen to music and that helps, weirdly. But I've worked out that zoning out - whether I manage to do it by thinking of nothing at all, or by filling time thinking about stupid and crazy what - ifs stops the gremlins / boredom that can make every second hell!

[JaySeeSkinny Graduate]

I find the runs aren't boring, but the thought of running for 90 mins or 2 hours is still threatening and I fear being bored. The only way to avoid this is changing my route, trying out new shoes, alternating between fast and slow, using new kit, technology and statistics. Always trying something new, or setting up a plan for the week. Even so, every morning before a long run I lie in bed and wish I didn't have to get up and slog round the woods and fields of Munich. But I do and it's great!

[dubnde]

I listen to some really annoying podcasts. Talksport have plenty of choice for me. The outrage keeps me going until I realise I am nearly done.

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to dubnde]

I love radio talking heads when the outrage is OTT! Keeps me entertained for hours Never thought of recording them but now...

[dubnde in reply to Irish-John]

That's why I am trying to get out more 😋😁

[icklegui Graduate]

I'm really interested in this thread, thank you all for sharing.

I'm not quite there with the long runs yet but I think I'll be prone to mind wandering when the running itself gets that tiny bit easier (yes I believe it will, just a tiny bit, and not for the whole of a run!). I already felt it today, as I was just not concentrating on running anyway (practice run!). I don't think it's boredom for me but either way ideas for focusing the mind - either through distraction or mindfulness indeed! - are welcome.

Mind you, trying to adjust one's breathing is so tough (though unnecessary by most accounts??) perhaps I should try that just to focus the mind...

[Whatsapp Graduate]

For me these runs are an opportunity to get a little time to myself. Sometimes I run with music, sometimes not. My mind often wonders, but I also think about the run. By now I now where all the mile splits are, so I think about my pace. If you can't fill 20-30mins in your own company without getting bored then you really need to find something. I have heard of people listening to audio books, which sounds fun.

Having said that I can imagine for the longer runs, 10k, HM and marathon there is a real risk of boredom.

[Spinning_22 Graduate in reply to Whatsapp]

What are mile splits? I tried using Map My Run for the first time the other day, along with the C25K app. The Map My Run kept giving lots of stats I didn't fully understand, one of which was mile splits. The app didn't work either, it recorded a run if 21k when I know it's 3 miles at the most!!

[Whatsapp Graduate in reply to Spinning_22]

It's just the time broken down per mile. By knowing this and where the mile markers are on my run I can see how I am pacing my run. I have learnt that if I do the first mile a bit slower I am able to keep a consistent third mile and run a quicker time.

Also try strata. I have found this to be very accurate.

[LouIselsqy Graduate]

Hi heartlessroll-

I concur! I have lately been questioning why I'm training to run longer if I am almost waiting for the run to end but this is usually during the final run so it's possibly just tiredness which will improve as I gain strength and stamina (mentally and physically)- its more endurance than enjoyrnent towards the end of the final run each time. I do enjoy the sense of achievement and the kick of endorphines helps. I've been discussing on looking around me trying to notice people, sounds, oh and not attract dogs who seem to delight in running across my path! And thinking of other things going on in my life to distract myself but also along the lines of managing my expectations of the runs and staying determined to finish the programme despite the ebb and flow of feelings. My goal is still to run 5km 3x a week for life to keep fit and healthy along with other forms of exercise, so I've set my mind that I will enjoy it and I'll reach the place where the focus on how I'm feelings is less dominant.

Stick with it! 😊

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate]

Flippin heck!!!! You're not the only one AT ALL!!!! I think about the minutes & how many I've got left too....but the feeling of finishing a run far outweighs that & that's what keeps me going to the end...I listen to music...I've listened to a podcast about insects taking over the world...but I found people talking quite annoying...so it's music for me...when I did W5R3 the other day my music stopped with about 3 minutes to go so I could hear my feet on the pavement & my lungs trying to get out of my chest, but the rhythm of that helped me & stopped me from stopping...they were the last longest 3 minutes EVER but the feeling was amazing...that's what I think about x

[Spinning_22 Graduate]

I've also had feelings like this. Started the C25K in June, everything was going well and managed 20 mins run quite well. I hoped to finish before breaking up for the summer hols but things didn't go to plan.

I did the 25 mins but found these harder, then the 28 mins! On these runs, I'd occasionally have to gently jog on the spot before running on. i just about managed one 30 min run of week 9 but just felt I'd lost my mo jo and enjoyment of running.

As I was due to visit family on the iow, I thought I'd try a run there. At home I run the same route. I'm frightened of dogs and know my regular route is fairly dog free. I must admit seeing all the photos of dogs at Park run puts me off slightly but that's another story!

I tried running on the IOW but it was hopeless, I found I couldn't sustain it and kept walking!

Returning home, I thought I'd revert back to W5R3 of 20mins as I can do this comfortably. I decided to try a new coach, I'd had Jo Wiley before so went for Sarah Millican. Not much improvement.

However, next time, I accidentally ended up with Michael Johnson, who I've worked out must be Mr Smooth that lots of people on here keep on about.

I've done this 20 min run 3 times now and each time I think it's become easier. I've told myself that if I feel I can continue, I will, when Michael aka Mr Smooth tells me to finish with the walk. Last run, I managed an extra 2 mins after 3 mins of walking, towards the end of the run, there's a hill and I've run up it each tim, sometimes easier than others. I tell myself, if I can do that, I should be able to run for longer. Mr Smooth says, you've done the hard work, it's about training your mind.

So I intend to keep going as I am to see if I can indeed train my find. Hopefully when 20 mins becomes a breeze I can move onto 25 and 30 mins and graduate, although much later than planned!

Sorry for the long rambling reply!

[Hidden in reply to Spinning_22]

I am full of admiration for your grit and determination 👍 Despite everything you are still running and trying so hard! I wish you all the very best. Enjoy 😊

[Hidden]

Nope you're not, but of course like most of us on here, it's still early days in your running life. As a lapsed runner, I can remember feeling fab when I was running 10k and that feeling hasn't returned yet, but I think that's maybe because I haven't yet got my running recipe quite sorted yet. Have tried mindfulness and that doesn't work for me, so like everyone else it's a work in progress. I'd still like a Mr Smooth encouraging podcast though...

[Nobbywatts Graduate]

I listen to favourite music - push the iPod on if a track comes on that I don't fancy on that particular run. I look at birds, dogs, kids on bikes, crows, ducks, old people, weeds, cow pats, other runners ... ANYTHING to keep my mind off the running. Sometimes I just have to watch the ground really carefully so I don't fall over. When I'm road-running in the winter, Christmas lights in people's gardens is another good distraction, or seeing if I can spot cats on window sills. Another thing I do is imagine I'm running in a really great race and that just round that corner are loads of my friends ready to cheer me on and they're going to be really impressed with me .... That sounds really sad ... but it works. Try it.

[PeggyMc]

I am with you, I am not a big music listener, I tried a podcast and thought it was stupid, I tried books on tapes and I didn't like that either because I missed most of what was said. I actually ENJOYED the runs when the 'running' was broken up with walking, and because of that I discovered the Galloway method. I am thoroughly enjoying my runs, I am actually faster than I was (still 18:30, but progress is progress) and I like that I have to 'play with it' to find my exact intervals...may be worth a shot?

[MsFickle in reply to PeggyMc]

Thank you what is the Galloway method please think I may like to try this 😀

[PeggyMc in reply to MsFickle]

Google 'Jeff Galloway'. He sells books, etc, but I just read the website and figured it out for myself. Right now I am doing 30/90 intervals, run 30, walk 90, I will probably change it to 30/60 though. I find it much less boring and actually fun trying to figure out what I should run