My love of running is well and truly resurrected!

[RebeccaSK]

I was determined to get through the entire C25K programme and I did - but towards the end, I'm not going to lie, it because a pride thing rather than actually a desire thing. Then I felt like I'd lost my way and fell into the wilderness after my relationship with MJ came to a natural conclusion after a conscious uncoupling. Then I had my triathlon to worry about and then a holiday where it was too hazardous to run!

All through that period I continued to run and was happy running - but did I enjoy it? I'm not so sure I did, I was just determined to hang on to the phenomenal progress I had made on my running journey.

I've recently run with a running club who give you four sessions before you have to make a decision as to whether to join - and continuing running with them - or not. After two sessions of running with the club I have signed up and simultaneously rediscovered my absolute addiction to running that I have not felt for some months now. Via the club I can see my running is already improving as a result of drills and exercises mixed up with some enjoyable running with supportive and friendly people. I am enjoying my parkruns even more as I push myself just a tiny bit more each week - and with obvious results. I have my sights set on a 10k in spring and I'm beginning to feel it's achievable.

So, what I really want to say to those who, like me, may have felt their enjoyment of running has lessened, don't give up. As you journey through the programme your body does get tired and your mind can grow weary of the constant challenging of bettering each run. I personally think this is normal - although I know that it doesn't happen to everyone. Just remember the blood, sweat and tears you have lost in achieving what you already have and ask yourself whether you really want all that effort to go to waste by giving up, just because it's getting a bit tough. If you need to, give yourself a week off - for me, running is more about my mind than my legs.

[LeeU Graduate]

Inspiring and educational for me, I'd like to get to 10k one day, not really thinking that far ahead at the minute, running outside and doing Park Runs are my near-term goals, I'll hit them, I'm not worried about that.

The educational part is the running club bit, I was informed there is a local one to me and I think I saw some of them yesterday evening. Once I can run outside and after a few Park Runs I'll look at joining a club, my work would get in the way at times due to travelling, etc, but that's another thing I love about running, I can take it anywhere I go and it doesn't take up too much room in the suitcase.

[RebeccaSK Graduate in reply to LeeU]

This is actually the second running club I tried. Even though the first one came across as friendly and offered a "beginners" session, it was far from what I'd call beginners level!!! It was also just running a straightforward 5k - albeit running with some other people. If that was what I wanted, I could do it on my own. I also felt under huge pressure. Someone ran at the back with me but I felt pushed to go faster than I was comfortable with - result, demotivated, almost sick, got a stitch, felt like passing out. I never went back. My new running club is completely different and it took a lot of persuasion from a running friend to give it a go. They have split their beginners into three levels - learn to run (which follows C25K), beginners and improvers. I'm in the beginners class which is exactly the right place for me and is intended to be the next step after C25K. They have a much better way of tail walking/running. So the person at the back feels able to run at their own pace, they will always keep a nominated person NEAR the back but not necessarily propping up the slow runner. However, the leader of the group for the session will then double back every now and then to check on the person at the back. So, if you're at the back you always have someone close to you but not pushing you to a pace you're not happy with and someone will always come back and make sure you're ok every few minutes. This group also puts a couple of runners on the door every week. When the newbies walk in they are instantly picked up by these runners who have a chat with them to ascertain their ability and then walk them into the hall where the groups meet before the run and introduce them to the person leading the group and a few other people so that walking into a hall full of 50 people who know each other isn't so intimidating - it's genius. What I'm saying is that if you do try a club but find it's not really what you want, don't give up - try another! I can see that being part of the running club is the singlemost likely thing to improve my running and I'm so happy to have found it!

[LeeU Graduate in reply to RebeccaSK]

Thanks Rebecca, I'm not one to give up easily but fully agree with you on the types of running club.

I have the one in my local area and then I know there is the one in Matlock that Mike from Run Forest has a role in, so I have a couple to choose from.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to LeeU]

Matlock... I thought you were further away ? Lots of us on the forum around the area..

[LeeU Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Nah, Chesterfield area. I found Run Forest by accident, I was very happy with Mike and his attitude to new runners no matter what their size, believe me, I've had d*ckheads in other 'sports' shops snigger when I said I was taking up running, Mike was just like one of the people on here.

As I start to run outside I'm going to go over for gait analysis and possibly pick up a pair of running shoes from him.

Mrs LeeU says the coffee is very nice and I've tasted the water, very nice

[Hidden]

Go Rebecca!

I am really happy for you as I know you have faced (and faced down) various challenges. It's an important lesson for others who fear that their mojo has jogged off, you can find it again; you just need to look in the right place. Lovely 😊🏃🏃‍♀️👍

[mfamilias Graduate]

A perfect post - I'm glad that you have found the solution to wheedle that mojo out of it's cave

[Vixen67 Graduate]

Great post ... that's very true the mental energy used sometimes far outweighs anything else 👍🏃🏼‍♀️🦊

[Msken Graduate]

Love this post, have my graduation run planned for later today and to be honest I've lost my mojo over the last couple of weeks. Through sheer stubborness I haven't quit. Your experiences provide comfort and inspiration to continue my running life after C25K. Happy running!!

[RebeccaSK Graduate in reply to Msken]

There are people on this forum who will still remember how much of a struggle W9 was for me. I was ending up in tears of frustration frequently - although it was a mental thing, not a physical thing. My body was capable of the 30 minutes, my mind, however, liked to tell my body it was not! I really, really was not enjoying it. The forum got me through it however and parkrun, combined now with running club, are motivating me enormously. Keep going - you will graduate today and then you can start running for yourself. Once a week I do a shorter run on my own. I push myself BUT if I want to walk for 30 seconds or a minute I do - it doesn't matter! Good luck and don't forget to post later!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Great post.. as ever.. positive and supportive.. Well done you!

[RebeccaSK Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Don't think I'd have got this far if it weren't for you dear Oldfloss xxx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to RebeccaSK]

xx

[Hidden]

Sounds as though you've found your spiritual running home. How fantastic and the fact that you've rediscovered the enjoyment is brilliant.