What a waste of time that was

[Mummycav]

Oh ohhhh...my mojo has stayed in bed this morning...set of this morning, thought I’d repeat W5r2 coz my stamina has felt like it’s been flagging last couple of runs so I walked for 5 mins the started the app...well, when it got to running, I couldn’t even run for the 5 minutes...I think I’m going to come back under another name & start the whole process again...if I’d have run as long as I’ve sobbed in the car I’d have done a chuffing marathon...think I’ll have a few days off

[Hidden]

A..try not to beat yourself up lovely!!!i am not at all experienced & most definately not any sort if expert BUT one thing i have learned since i started...is that you only have to be a tiny bit tired,or a tiny bit under the weather or a tiny bit out of sorts for it to totally ruin a run!!!be kind to yourself & get back to it another day xx

[Polly2810 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Well said...I should have run tonight but have had a migraine all day so know from past experience not to even try, headaches and running do not work for me one bit!!

[MikeJones68 Graduate]

We all have off days. Don’t give up, you can do this 😁

[Hidden]

Oh Mummycav So sorry you found it a struggle. I know you can do this, my suggestion would be just go back to basics, and do some shorter runs to get yourself back into it. Don't forget to be slow and steady. Just because you are a graduate, and you are, doesn't mean you won't set off too fast occasionally. And we all know there are both good and bad runs, no rhyme or reason to it. We are here to support you though. I believe in you! You ARE a runner.

If it's any consolation, I've been lingering on the IC since my graduation run, so I'm going to have to do pretty much what you are suggesting, going back to intervals and take it from there.

Sending hugs! Neil x

[quirkybee Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Ooh, wise words there from you Hidden this is what I am going to do too x

[Polly2810 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Yep I’m back building up gradually, no hurry the longer runs will be waiting as and when we can do them 😊

[Dpsl Graduate]

So sorry it's brought you to tears, Mummycav , but I find your posts encouraging! So many lucky people can post about the great runs they've had and I think, 'Nope, not had one of those.' But you seem to have some really challenging ones and I think, 'I know, I'm like that.' Then you go out again and surprise yourself and tell us all about it and we're all really, really pleased.

So take your few days off, and keep posting! And there's no shame in starting the whole process again, although I bet you don't have to. Someone posted here recently about how they re-do the whole programme every year after a summer break. (Maybe they do a lot of other activities in the summer.) I thought that was an interesting approach.

[Hidden]

A hug, a big hug and a rest and your mojo will come back fighting. Sometimes they’re just pants these runs, and you can’t put your finger on why. But you ain’t no quitter MummyCav and besides which I’d have to think up another playlist for you, because I reckon we’d spot your energy and enthusiasm in your posts - even under another name such as CavMummy!

Am just off out, will carry your mojo with me, give her a sneaky 5k and hopefully that will help!

[SC1472 Graduate]

I think we are our own worst critics - you need to remember you got out there rather than just sitting on the couch. The weather is changing so that will have an impact on getting warmed up - I set out yesterday and took ages to settle into my run as my legs were cold (should have worn my capris and not shorts) so I had at least three walking breaks including a phone call interruption but I kept trying to go again and believe me it would have been so easy to take a short cut back home. You probably just need a longer warm up just like I did yesterday- run/walk who cares! Then just run again/walk again if need be. You know you are a runner just don’t beat yourself up!

[quirkybee Graduate in reply to SC1472]

Sound advice there SC1472 hope your legs warmed up afterwards 😊

[SC1472 Graduate in reply to quirkybee]

In the end I covered 7.6k at a pace of 7.30/km including the walking so I got there! How’s things with you quirkybee ?

[quirkybee Graduate in reply to SC1472]

Not too bad ta, just lots going on. You did very well there though lovely 👍x

[SC1472 Graduate]

I see you got out there again - well done! Kudos given.

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate in reply to SC1472]

Yes, you went out again...Well done... 😊xxx

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Ha ha...read my post...I was cross with myself!!! X

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate in reply to Mummycav]

You feel much better now I bet...that is now a definate✔ Run done.

You have shown those gremlins they can't mess with you.

Now enjoy the rest of your day.

Good for you Bev💪😊xxx

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thank you Jan...I just feel a bit discombobulatedat the moment...I want to do it so bad..but some days my heads not in the right place at the right time...I bet you think I’m crackers don’t you??? I am!!! Lol xxx

[Ificandoit Graduate]

You know all the right advice because you give it so well to us others - we all have bad runs, put it down to experience and focus on the great run you had at the weekend. I had a totally rubbish run on Sunday and a brilliant one today (thanks in a large part to your playlist - thank you). I know it’s frustrating but next time is bound to be better!

[Hidden]

It's an off day. i had one in week 2, when i didn't have the energy to even go swimming on my rest day. I'm only on week three, so no expert, but i would guess that if you managed it before, you will do it again. Just listen to your body and take some time out. We forget all the other stresses and energy drains we are subject to with modern living. Sometimes our bodies just don't want to cooperate. Big hugs x

[Duddles Graduate]

You are not alone - and apparently running is not compulsory!

I have had similar problems with motivation - it sort of seems pointless to keep running for thirty minutes when you have 'done' the full Couch to 5k.

I have had a few runs 'Jeffing' the 3.2 miles - short walks between each mile run, which makes it much easier. But also in the last couple of days I have done the follow on - the Stepping Stones run on Couch to 5k+. Running to the beats on that is actually slower than I have been doing, and makes it much easier - to the extent that I have - for the time being - stopped obsessing about doing the 5k in under 30 minutes.

I am not now dreading trying to run for 30 minutes again. Some weeks ago I looked to you for inspiration and you kept me going and this post is basically me talking to myself, persuading myself to get out again this afternoon)

Jeffing may be the way forward at the moment!

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate in reply to Duddles]

Lol....I tried the C25+ podcast & it was slower than I run too, it felt like exaggerated running if you know what I mean? I’ve posted again because I couldn’t accept that I was having a few days off!! Thank you for you response, it means a lot to think that people look to me for inspiration but then I go and do a crap post like that!!!🙄 I just get so frustrated with myself!!! 😩 x

[misswobble Graduate]

Jeffing is great! It gets you where you wanna go 👍

Running is supposed to be fun Cav! Chill!

Have a break, have a kit kat, come back in a better mood and crack on 👍🏃‍♀️🙂✔️

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate in reply to misswobble]

Mmmmm...a kitkat with a brew sounds good!! X thank you xx

[SuzyKK Graduate]

What happened to your walking 10-15mins before starting run... it's really been helping me, especially on these cold mornings.

[misswobble Graduate]

Suzy’s right. Oooh a good walk to get you smokin hot. I warm up in the house too.

[Neverrunbefore64 Graduate]

Bless, hope you'll be back to feeling up to it again soon. Have your rest day tomorrow and then try again on Thursday. You CAN do this. I can so you CAN.

[quirkybee Graduate]

You are marvellous Mummycav abd I know I've read this post after your "getting straight back out there post", because that's me, lol, but so glad you got back out there and said stuff it and you did it. That's what's it's about.

I think many of us new graduates, (hey, that's so posh) feel a bit like this after the C25K, we get a whoosh of running episodes and then a kind of slump. But you went back out and embraced it again and that's the best that you and any of us can do. Rooting for you lovely girl xx 👍🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[ejvcruns Graduate]

Well, I went and did a whole other 5k training programme more or less so I'm not judging. Do what you want to do! Everything is better than the couch. Where I'm current stuck because of a STUPID cough.

[Shelby1973 Graduate]

Aww bless ya , uve had a few stressful weeks with all ur personal stuff and ur friend passing don’t be so hard on ya sen ... have a chill and try again uve got this xx

[IgaT Graduate]

Oh honey, it will come back. Dry your tears, have a good few days of rest, even a week if needed. Do something different during this time, maybe some swimming followed by warming sauna?

After good rest, go for a run for pleasure, no apps, no set time or distance. Just you and the world. Maybe pick different route, so yoir brain will be occupied on not getting lost? Maybe go with a friend? Whatever you will decide, don't beat yourself up, do whatever you think will be the best for you. We are all here with you. And we will be with every run you do, cheering you up een if you decided to walk after 3 min run, because that how it was that day, and it's also fine.

Hugs

[Polly2810 Graduate]

Good plan...give it a couple of days and get out there again...you have had a tough time lately so massive pat on the back for even trying...the runs will be waiting, as will your running family!! X

[Gillma Graduate]

Thanks for this mummycav - reminds me that C25k is emotional! Also the paradox - running does you good but you have to feel good to do it! Or —- maybe not! I suddenly think - why not run sometimes sobbingly, hopelessly, wearily??? It’s change, it’s life x