Never running again....: And other horrible... - Couch to 5K

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Never running again....

Susieq174 profile image
Susieq174Graduate
29 Replies

And other horrible thoughts went through my head on this run. Another one was why am I doing this to myself? I’ve proven that I can run, maybe now I should quit!

W6R3 done but every minute was painful. You know your having a bad run when the sun is shining down on you and all you can think is that you wish it would f-off!

Although this all sounds very negative. Now I’ve finished it I’m in high spirits. Not sure I want to move on to the next run but seeing as it’s the same as this run I might as well 🙄 😂

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Susieq174 profile image
Susieq174
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29 Replies
IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

If you want to become a runner, you have to get beyond this.

Believe me, we have all had runs like that but in a year's time you will be able to run with little effort and without even thinking about it. It all takes time.

If you are struggling, the same advice holds now as in W1, slow down.

Well done on completing your run from hell. It will get better.

Susieq174 profile image
Susieq174Graduate in reply toIannodaTruffe

This is prob the biggest challenge for me and that’s pushing on when the going gets tough! I’m a natural quitter 😉

But must admit that although I found today hellish it doesn’t make me want to quit. I just want to give a honest account of how I found each run. I will take the advice kindly though and try and slow down so I don’t find it as hard. Thankyou! 😊

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor in reply toSusieq174

That is great. Nobody would learn much if all they ever reported was how easy running is.

I found C25K and learning to run, to be one of the most empowering experiences of my life, revealing strengths I never knew I had and bolstering my self confidence. This has affected many aspects of my life and my relationships and is the greatest gift that I have ever given myself.

Keep pushing through. The rewards are stupendous.

Susieq174 profile image
Susieq174Graduate in reply toIannodaTruffe

True! They always say the hardest tasks bring the greatest rewards 😊 I’ve never felt such a sense of achievement than when I did that first 20 minutes run.

Thanks for your words of encouragement they are very appreciated!

Elfe5 profile image
Elfe5Graduate in reply toIannodaTruffe

That's really encouraging- I am looking forward to that in a year's time. 😄

Continuing to think of you IannodaTruffe and hope you are doing ok. 😀

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor in reply toElfe5

Thank you.

I am recuperating at home at present and enjoying being lazy for once, sat in front of the laptop, working on stuff for the forum...........clouds and silver linings, definitely.

davelinks profile image
davelinksGraduate

It is tough going through the programme and odd runs may remain so, but believe us it will do you the world of good and I 2nd the comments of IannodaTruffe.

What do you mean painful? I assume in mind.. that is the so called gremlins! They are little liars! They are very prevalent going through c25k, you have to push on through them and ignore, you have no physical pain do you? So pushing on through gremlins won't harm you, and I can tell you that they get a lot less as you get fitter..😊

Susieq174 profile image
Susieq174Graduate in reply todavelinks

Yeah it’s definitely pain of the mind and not the body! I haven’t had so many negative thoughts during a run apart from the very first one where I was struggling running the first 60 seconds 😊

Good to know they’re not going to get worse and I like calling them gremlins- very apt!

feebe profile image
feebe

Hi Susieq174,

I did the same run this morning and pleased to see we covered exactly the same distance. Have to say, I was ecstatic with this particular run as it was my first time away from park laps. I now know how boring I was being and loved the new route. Hope the same happens to you on your next run. 👍🏼

Susieq174 profile image
Susieq174Graduate in reply tofeebe

Oh good glad we’re at the same level. I was doing laps today as that’s my flat route during daylight hours and I thought it would be easier. I think your right and a different route would have helped! 😊

Razouski profile image
Razouski

Everyone has those runs when we just want to stop, or wish we hadn't started. You can get through this, I'm sure. Have faith in the programme and you just have to push yourself onwards when you're wanting to stop. You finished the run, you did it, and you can do it again. Slowing down and finding some distraction may help. Are you using the podcasts, or the APP? If it's the APP you can maybe add/change your playlist to keep your mind engaged. If it's the podcast I used to have a running conversation with Laura (sometimes resulting in me shouting at her -in my mind, not usually out loud). Do you need a change of route to help you?

Good luck, you're doing well. :-)

Susieq174 profile image
Susieq174Graduate in reply toRazouski

Thanks I’m glad it’s not just me! Was mad at myself for finding it hard which is ridiculous really. I think my route didn’t help as I was doing laps. Next time I’ll try a different longer route and see if that helps 😊

Razouski profile image
Razouski in reply toSusieq174

I hate doing laps, so maybe a longer route will help motivate you. :-)

Wizziewood profile image
Wizziewood

Absolutely ... you might as well!

You've done so well to get to the end of W6, I won't say it gets easier but just look back at what you've achieved so far.

Keep smiling, keep running and keep posting. Good luck and happy running!

Susieq174 profile image
Susieq174Graduate in reply toWizziewood

I wish you would say it gets easier ha! Only kidding. Thanks for the encouragement 😊

Lizzj profile image
Lizzj

Lovely to see all the positive comments. Its my turn to do this run tomorrow. I'll be out there at 5am as usual, but its reported to get down to minus 2 here, so can't say I'm looking forward to it. However, I want to be a runner, so I WILL do it ❄❄🏃🏃😨

Susieq174 profile image
Susieq174Graduate in reply toLizzj

How was it? It’s very frosty up here so I’m hoping you still managed to get out 😊

Lizzj profile image
Lizzj in reply toSusieq174

The brain was willing but the flesh was weak. Set off OK. Minus 2, but felt OK. After 6 mins running, I got stomach cramps and had to abandon. Think I'm coming down with something. Try again saturday

Susieq174 profile image
Susieq174Graduate in reply toLizzj

Lots of people ill at the mo. Downfall of winter and in my case small children too! Hope you feel better soon 😊

Lizzj profile image
Lizzj in reply toSusieq174

In my case it's working on the bins. You catch everything going

What I never realised was exactly how 'rollercoastery' running is. One day your legs are rubbish, the next time out they are fab. One day your head is all over the place and next time out it is fine.

The combination of head, legs, weather, fitness, health all make for a very difficult guarantee of 'great running' each time you go out.

But you're learning to run through it and that is an amazing thing to do.

I read a quote along the lines of no run is a bad run, but if it is a bad run it is still better than no run!

Hope next time you have a happy one

Susieq174 profile image
Susieq174Graduate in reply to

Thanks I think I’m finding that out too! My friend who does a lot of running told me that she finds each run can have moments when it’s fab and then she will be struggling 5 minutes later. I don’t know why I thought I should be any different ha! Fingers crossed the next one is more fab 😊

dennymac82 profile image
dennymac82

I have had really hard runs and I’ve had runs I’ve hated the whole way through... BUT I’ve never regretted having done a run, I’ve only regretted not going out on a run. Does that make sense? Lol

Throughout doing this plan I have learned (I’m in week 8 now), that you have to chalk up the hard ones and head out after your rest day and keep chipping away at it. It’s amazing how one day is awful, then the next run is so much better! No rhyme or reason! Keep going! You’re doing brill!

Susieq174 profile image
Susieq174Graduate in reply todennymac82

Thanks 😊 I’m hoping my next run goes better. It helps to hear that this happens to everyone. So far I’ve not missed a run through choice (I missed 11 days through illlness) and I’m so scared that I’ll stop doing it if I do miss one that I’m highly motivated to keep going! If any of that sentence makes sense ha! Thanks for the encouragement though 😊

VictoriaRuns profile image
VictoriaRunsGraduate

Everyone has runs like this, don't worry. And yes, enthusiasm for running and motivation are almost always easier to muster when you are NOT running. You always forget how much of a test it is when you are not doing it. But there will be good runs. Keep going =)

Susieq174 profile image
Susieq174Graduate in reply toVictoriaRuns

Haha! Yes that’s so true. Sat on the couch, running seems so easy, it’s a shock when you go back out and remember it’s hard 😊

Sciencesue profile image
Sciencesue

I did that run yesterday!

and my first 10 mins of that were like yours and come to think the last 10 were pretty similar to the first 10 middle 5 were okay😂

But I was truly delighted to finish and more that a little daunted when I looked at what w7 had in store for me...

Susieq174 profile image
Susieq174Graduate in reply toSciencesue

Ah those glorious middle 5 ha! I’m daunted too by the next week. Was hoping for an easy run of running then walking for a while then running again but it looks like it’s full on from here! Good luck for the next week 😊

Sciencesue profile image
Sciencesue in reply toSusieq174

Ok well even more worrying is I’m on travel from tomorrow for 10 so I’ll have to find a flat run ....

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