I do find running fun now but there was a definite period where I just thought, what’s the point, I can’t do it, I’ve never been able to do it and I’ll never be able to do it. About week 4, and again about week 7.
If that’s you, this is what got me through, in hopes that it may help. It’s the same thing that eventually got me through my 8 year slog on a PhD. 1) I really really thought about quitting, and in doing that I realized how important this programme was to me. How I wanted, really deeply, to live well in the second half of my life, to not get dementia, and diabetes, and heart attacks, as well as eventually to look nice and enjoy looking at myself in the mirror (half deep, half shallow?). So, think about quitting. Think about what you are giving up. 2) if you really decide that you really want to do it, then the answer is just — not to quit. You really can’t fail this programme, since it really works and it doesn’t matter if it takes you longer. You can of course fail a PhD, but there I decided that they would actually have to kick me out before I would stop... (they never did, and I got it, so there!)
The bad parts of this programme aren’t that bad — they are temporary and you can just drop to a walk if it all becomes too much and then try again, and magically the next time you try you will be better. The good parts are really very good — improved mental and physical health, sense of achievement, better fitting jeans, renewed fortitude against life’s troubles. Just grind out the difficult bits and don’t give up. You don’t need to give up! You can’t fail! You can do it! And you deserve all those good things.
Written by
ejvcruns
Graduate
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I’m listening! Keep telling me though because it’s sometimes hard to see the point. The long term health benefits even if we never get any faster are definitely worth remembering. I want to be as fit and healthy and inspirational for myself and my children as I get older. Great post - thank you.
I was just wondering where you were! Getting faster is pleasant but unnecessary. If you want to try, though, I recommend intervals and longer runs -- I'm doing a programme of 1. short interval; 2. 5k run; 3. longer run (this week 6k eek). I also did a few weeks of 10 minute runs interspersed with exercises, stretches, skipping, etc. like warm up 5 mins, (jog 10 mins, do something 3 mins)repeat twice, finish with a 10 min run with a sprint at the end.
I’m still here! Still running but really missing the structure of the c25k programme. My brother has invited (challenged?) me to his local parkrun in a couple of weeks so that’s my target at the moment - consolidating and reaching 5k relatively easily. Are your interval programmes part of the zombie run thing?
Sometimes I think it's like childbirth - you say 'never again' when you're in the throes of it, then afterwards you feel so thrilled, you end up trying again (ps - I ended up with four kids!)
I absolutely concur. This post has come at the right time for me - thank you, from a fellow never-give-up 8 year PhD-er. Really need some of that fortitude and if running could help - and it certainly doesn't harm - then I could really just bear that in mind more often.
My supervisor alternately calls me bloody-minded, tenacious or just plain stubborn viva has been and gone, as have major corrections (and they were so major...) now just limping on with minor corrections... while trying to work full time... can't give up now...!
OMG horrible. I also had major corrections (had to remove a chapter!) but I hustled them out and didn't have any to follow. You definitely are not allowed to give up now.
Wonderful, wonderful post! Are you a motivational speaker by any chance?! If not, you should be! Everyone - keep on running; it really is the best medicine 🏃🏽♀️🏃🏽♀️🏃🏃👍👍👍
I love this post! It's inspiring. I've had a number of difficult times after reaching week 6 and have also thought about giving up. But then, a bit later, it all comes right again. Amazing. Thank you for all this wise advice, ejvcruns. And well done for the phd, and the running, of course!
What an inspirational post. I passed my PhD a few years ago now and that was difficult. Your post has put this C25K in perspective for me. I’ll use the mantra “if I can achieve a PhD, I can run” for my next instalment this evening (the dreaded W5R3).
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Wk4r3 this close to giving up 
Feel like giving up! 
Thoughts a week after graduating, to any newbies or strugglers never give up!!!
Thinking about giving up?
About to give up, help!
