I must say I was shocked by some peoples responses to my dilema of having lost all enthusiasm for running. In fact some were down right insulting, others simply didnt get that I dont get the high some of you get from running.
So having researched the topic of reaching the end of the 5k challenge and then not wanting to or not having any motivation to go further, I will share what I have found.
1. according to hollistic therapies our bodies do not want to be outside in the cold running. It can cause painful breathing, coughing and establishing the right level of clothes can be a PITA. So I listened to my body.
2 The endorphin high debate, which i dont get so dont have the addicition to want/need to run. is not suffered by me alone. Being a psychologist I looked into research on this topic and know that my serotonin receptors dysfunction so its probably why i dont get a high.
3 The fact i had achived left me no where to go and this achievement was the driver to run in the absence of the high most of you get.
So what did I do.
Bought a treadmill, still running 3 times a week not quite at 30 mins but last run was 25, with faster pace. It is great being able to see the time count down to see how long I have to go. My breathing is fine, no painful chest, no coughing and no hip pain.
Come spring, I will no doubt be back out and hopefully up to 10K. Just signed up to do the 25 miles in December challenge, and looking at a running club for spring.
So to all the people who made suggestions in my darkest hour thanks, to those that basically told me if a ran my life just by achievements I was going to be sad lonely and miserable. Can I point out that didnt help it was pouring water on a drowning man.
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11 Replies
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All the best with your new plan.
For what its worth, i dont think people were being dismissive of your problem, i think it was more than nobody can go out and do the run for you...its a completely personal preference, therefore if you didnt enjoy it, only you know what you can/cant do to resolve it.
You seem to have worked out an alternative, so fair play to you!
Golly... I haven't seen your other post, but absolutely, run for you! If running outside is not your thing, that's fine! And we all operate differently as you seem to know all about 🙂 I'm sorry you were deterred, I've always found this forum to be a very friendly and supportive place. Perhaps members took the quest of problem solving a bit too seriously. I'm sure no offense was meant. But I certainly am glad you are moving forward
"Do you need a programme for living your life? Does there always have to be someone telling you what to do and when? Does there always have to be achievement? If so you will end up being a very unhappy person. Because the only person you are accountable to is yourself.
I don't run because a voice in my ear tells me to. I run because it helps with my weight, keeps me fit, gives me more energy, helps me sleep better at night, makes my breakfast taste fantastic (I run first thing on an empty stomach), and 1.000 other things. Which have to do with ME and my body. Nobody else. And some of those runs are horrible. Most of them are indifferent. And some of them are brilliant. But the overall effect is better health - and that's the only motivation I need at the moment. But I'm not you. If your motivation is only external it ain't gonna work. "
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Yes, I think I would have bristled at that. Though it’s so hard to tell, without body language and tone of voice, whether the person was really being that harsh.
Hi, had a quick look at your other post about quitting. I, and most other people were probably at the same crossroads (in terms of what to do post couch25k). I think the solution for some is not to change too much and you seemed (I think ) to be looking for going straight on to the 10k as a solution which it might for many but wasn't for me-. I don't think you have to do 10K or do another plan at all or certainly not immediately after couch25k so I get why people get turned off by it. I don't get this serotonin high either although great relief when finished and feel better due to the fact that I finished a 5k run.
The point I meant to make is that you can create your own structure, and it seems you are doing that with the treadmill. I liked the structure of couch25k and I missed it = so I ran 5ks and nothing else for 3 months just as I didn't want to give up, and now I wouldn't want the structure of a bridge to 10k plan. I'd be pretty opposed to the strict guidelines now to be honest. I am now just recently running 6k instead of 5k as I need to be feeling some sort of progression and I think it will help me run 5k races a little faster. I don't know where it will take me , maybe a 10k run in the end but I am not bothered. Finishing couch25k is a huge achievement and I think doing a 10k is not so special (to me).nd
2nd Edit # A lot of people buy into couch25k so much so that they cant understand why someone might not like it, or even not like aspects of running. That is what I noticed on this forum anyway. I found that are some very knowledgeable and supportive people on here who share a lot of experience, you will always get a few who have a knee jerk reaction to someone who posts what they dont want to see!
3rd Edit - Try parkrun. Wasn't my cup of tea either. I have done 7 already I hated running with a passion , and still find it illogical but I like parkrun. It's great for 'achievers' by the way.
I tried to write you a helpful response to your last post and felt dismissed out of hand. Glad to hear you have found your way forward though.
Well I don't know Rignold ..?? ... and I am trained in many holistic therapies 🤷🏻♀️
I honestly think your over-thinking it, or looking for something to blame for not running, the cold? Not enjoying it? Don’t like the programme?...if you want to run, run...if you don’t, then don’t. It’s only you that it affects.
Pointless coming on here and disagreeing with people, or quoting posts that you don’t agree with.
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