slow-mo-mojo-hunting sunset jogette

[icklegui]

So who else went out on a hunt for mojo today? It's been tough for me since graduating too, but I think that's more just life and black dogs running amok, rather than specific running mojo.

I went out on Monday evening with only a stopwatch for company and ran what turned out to be a relatively fast, 23-minute run (I wasn't trying to go fast! I was very surprised when I checked my pace, and then a bit worried in case I was pushing too hard. However, I'm not running often or for long, so hopefully not.

Then didn't get out again until this evening when I looked at the sky and realised I'd like to get out in the light today. Convinced bf to come for company and so I started at a very, very slow pace so he could walk with me for a bit. It was nice forcing myself to run SO slowly - I could have a proper conversation, not even remotely gaspy, and I definitely felt better just for having gone out. I looped back to a bit of road where he could walk back home and I could carry on to tackle a couple of slopes - one short one I've done a few times. and finally a longer one that I ran all the way up for the first time today, very satisfying, even though the whole run was only 20 minutes, at least I went out.

Still trying to find my own mojo for general life - but good to know the running mojo hasn't totally run off without me. Think I gathered some extra - for CB27LJ10 quirkybee and IgaT too.

Happy Friday everyone x

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Maybe you need to set some short, mid and long term targets.

Having something to aim for and having regular short term achievements is basically the modus operandi of C25K.

Targets can be distance, duration, or pace based, or maybe about running in different places.

The world is your running track and you have loads of wonderful opportunities but the difficulty immediately post C25K is identifying them.

Keep running, keep smiling.

[icklegui Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

I need to take C25K's tenets into the rest of my life, ideally. I'm trying so hard to set goals, build up to a goal, find motivation, do things regularly to build good habits... using what I've learnt here so far and applying it to, well, life. (I don't just mean trying to make myself more productive at work! Things like ... good sleep habits. Cooking myself dinner.) C25K is a practical demonstration of basically a lot of simple tenets of CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy, or the behavioural component, which gets used on its own as Behavioural Activation), as far as I can tell, having done both

Still muddling through. The running is fine for me for now as long as I just go out every few days ... I just need to learn how to work with myself, including keeping the black dog at bay. I sometimes fear that I'm using running as procrastination...

[rolysmate Graduate]

Well done getting back out there, that black dog is a pain in the wotsit but hopefully the challenge/enjoyment of running can help keep him in his kennel

Keep it up and keep going, we're here with you

[Fishypieface Graduate]

Sorry to hear that you've been suffering but so great you've been out for a couple of runs. It may not feel like it at the time, but every time you go out running, you are knocking the black dog back into its kennel where it belongs. Every time you do something for yourself too. It's too easy to put yourself to the bottom of the pile. Be kind to yourself

[SaskAlliecat Graduate]

Your run today sounds wonderful - some quality time with bf, a few hills tackled, and a good overall run. They don't all have to be 30 minute runs. Doing different length runs, fast or slow, hilly or flat all help to keep it interesting and challenge your muscles differently. And they all can help to keep the black dog kennelled! Good on you for getting out!

[HeadInTheClouds Graduate]

Well done for getting out there tonight. It's a bad time of year for the prowling black dog and I fear that, post grad, I may feel him looming too.

Lovely that you had some company on the first part of your run, that really helps.

Today you did it..!! Hold on to that satisfying feeling and take it with you on your next outing 😊

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

We learn to outrun the Black Dog....we are stronger than him and faster...he may lurk but we can keep him in check.

Run... try different things and take some of IannodaTruffe 's advice on board.

As time goes on.. you will find, that the benefits you gain from your runs...just seep into other aspects of your life... almost unbidden. You realise you are more in control.. you are changing, evolving and gaining confidence and strength.

[icklegui Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you x You give me hope that that will happen, that it will help the rest of my life for the better x

[Hidden]

I think that lots of us feel a post-grad wobble. without structure it is harder to keep at it. So well done for getting out there. Having additional mental health challenges just adds to the struggle. You seem a gutsy person though and I agree with Iannoda about setting goals and working towards them (just like CBT ). There is now loads of research to support the personal stories here, that exercise is really good for mental health. So maybe see it as your medicine- to be taken 3 times a week without question. Keep posting here too, I find it really motivational.

[icklegui Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I'm absolutely thinking of it as medicine - fun medicine and I love this site - when you rate activities in CBT on the "ACE" criteria - achievement, closeness, enjoyment, running hits all three and the closeness is because of this lot here!

I don't know that I'm often called gutsy, so thank you - I will take that and run with it

PS I've been wobbling for years, forget post-grad!

[twin01 in reply to icklegui]

Hi icklegui

That’s brill fun medicine I’m calling it that now.

[IgaT Graduate]

It sounds like a nice and easy (I mean slow and steady) run.

Yesterday was all backwards for me, so when I finally got some time to even check the time was after 8pm. I was exhausted physically and mentally. I decided to postpone the run as I was 2 hours late anyway. So hopefully you had some of my mojo with you

[icklegui Graduate in reply to IgaT]

Good luck trying to get out this weekend - hope you manage it! If you don't - keep posting here anyway and the time will come to you soon x

[IgaT Graduate in reply to icklegui]

Didn't go out this weekend. My next running appointment is on Wednesday.

[icklegui Graduate]

thank you everyone - rolysmate , Fishypieface I'll stick with the black cats and keep that black dog kennelled, SaskAlliecat & HeadInTheClouds I was grateful for the company indeed. And the hills were good - was glad to realise I've still got a lot of un-run variety nearby! I love everyone's sympathy though it is tinged with sadness to know how many people have black dogs of their own x

[rolysmate Graduate in reply to icklegui]

The black dog haunts many more than is realised, I generally manage to keep him kennelled but just occasionally !!

[icklegui Graduate in reply to rolysmate]

liked for the kenneling, not like for the many hauntings x