Lost mojo

[KimLoulou]

After 5 months of successful running. Completing C25K, 4 parkruns and slowly running further currently at 7k lost it today. On day off , didn’t want to go this morning, forced myself out this afternoon did 1k (at best) and thought I don’t want to do this. Can only hope I am sickening for something, don’t want to lose mojo!!

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Hi Kim, sorry to hear this..😯.I follow you on Strava and know you do a lot of running and you are quick...

Maybe you are tired..you have been increasing distance and your last run was 7k (which would take me over 50 mins I think😉 ) could it be that in order to run further you need to adjust to a slower pace... Also doing long run after long run with no recovery runs in between is tiring so maybe you have given yourself a mental block...

I hope you are not coming down with a bug, and next time you run do it for fun with no expectations and nice and slow. You are doing too well to let a lost mojo stop you running.

Good luck and take care😊x

[KimLoulou Graduate]

Thank you. Actually I would rather be coming down with a bug rather than stop loving running! I deleted this strava Run honestly didn’t even for 1k. Am going to parkrun on Saturday even if hell has frosen over 👏

[EleanorL Graduate]

I wrote a very similar post a month ago! I'm convinced that I was so focused on graduating that once done, felt I had nothing to aim for. I miss the structure that C25K gives and the fact that I no longer have "permission " to walk !!!!

My husband who was running with me is injured and hasn't run for a month so it's easy to find an excuse not to go.

I don't always enjoy a run but love the feeling and energy it gives me afterwards! I think actually accepting this has helped me get back on track as I'm no longer punishing myself for not actually enjoying it all the time!!

I have realised as a result of using Strava that I'm getting quicker which is maybe why I felt it was getting harder? I am now trying to run twice a week 5k and am allowing myself a minutes walk when I need it and am getting back on track and enjoying it again.

I've also signed up for another 10k in 4 weeks time to give me something to aim for - would that help you?

[KimLoulou Graduate in reply to EleanorL]

I am trying to get to 10K bit maybe it is psychological. I am going to NYC for work in a few weeks so was thinking I would try and run the Central Park loop. I need more time will walk t. I think it’s just that I am out of habit I was on holiday, then in Costa Rica so missing my routine. Will get back on track I am sure. Watch out world!

[Rockette in reply to KimLoulou]

Just thinking of running around central park would get my mojo back

[KimLoulou Graduate in reply to Rockette]

Yes I think even though I might not run 10K will still do it even if I walk

[Cornish-girl Graduate in reply to EleanorL]

Eleanor this is exactly how I feel. I have completed 3 runs since graduating but feel each one is harder than before. Maybe it is the psychological thought of having no structure. I want to get that feeling back that I had after each C25K run.

I ran today but really struggled? Feel like I am back to week 6, I don't want to give the running up I just need my mojo back

[KimLoulou Graduate in reply to Cornish-girl]

Haven’t had problems before. Try parkrun it’s great.

[Razouski]

I think Mojos can be very disloyal from time to time. Mine went on vacation for a few weeks not so long ago, and I was finding it really hard to get out of the door. But I'm glad I persevered, dragging myself out, even if only for a couple of km before I slunk back home.

Eventually my Mojo came back and we are united once more.

Those practice runs" even if they are shorter than you'd hoped will still be contributing to your fitness.

Good luck.

[ejvcruns Graduate]

My instinct is that with the c25k programme we are progressing rapidly and towards a clear goal. After graduation it is "lifestyle" or something. Where are we going? Does anyone know the way? Are we still progressing? What are we trying for? Is this fun?

I am enjoying using my zombie app ("Zombies, Run!") because I don't currently need *much* of a push, and a little story is enough. An alternative might be podcast subscriptions (you'd need a few, I guess, if you run 3x per week) -- something that you can concretely look forward to instead of just some kind of general health benefit. I know I looked forward to changing the podcasts and hearing new music and hearing encouragement, even pre-recorded encouragement. Perhaps you could run with a friend? I don't know, but I know that *i* am not very self-sustaining.

I hope you find what you need.

[KimLoulou Graduate in reply to ejvcruns]

Never tried zombies maybe I should. Also going to have to change route anyway due to the dark nights! I am still keen to run on Central Park do even if I don’t do all 10K I will do my best.

[KimLoulou Graduate in reply to KimLoulou]

Still got 10 days until I go!

[Rockette in reply to ejvcruns]

Is this the free zombies run ?I've been thinking about getting this . For the dark morning runs ,I love a good scary story

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

They hide under your shoes... next to the gremlins

This may be a grotty bug... if not just get out there and have a little jogette.. I think you may find that mojo comes running back to you!

[Hidden]

Hey if it helps, I am focussing on 10k and to my horror found my times were really pants and I was quite upset, because it's not as if I had been slacking off, then it occurred to me of course my times are getting worse I am now running for 7k and previous to graduation it was 4.5k. So don't be daft JCR, of course your timing got worse you're doing almost 50% more on distance...

KimLouLou you're doing 7k .... think about it 7 glorious km how amazing is that...?

So today was crap crap crappety crap, but it's one run, one day it's not emblematic of your running life at all. I've followed you, you're fab today is a glitch, sometimes mojos take a rest...

[KimLoulou Graduate]

Thanks all for your encouragement, love this board! Will not have time to go out until parkrun on Saturday but i am going to go even if husband has to push me out of bed!

[Theziggy Graduate]

Doesn't sound lost to me, just a bit mislaid maybe, lost is where you can't find it for a month or longer. Enjoy Parkrun on Saturday