Difficulty getting back after injury and scrambled mental state....

[GemmaRoberts]

Hi all,

I hope you guys are all getting on well wherever you are in your training!

I had to take about 3 weeks out due to injury, I had just started week 8 so I was pretty irritated by this! I did rest though, and it was needed so it was ok really, I walked my route a few times when my injury started feeling better to keep my mind on training!

My problem has come since I've been able to get back out. I suffer with depressive episodes (I guess that's the best thing to call them) sometimes, I originally started the couch to 5k programme to help with this, and it did! I felt horrible when I couldn't go out for a run but now that I can go out, I'm so tired and struggle to find the motivation.

This week, to get back into it, I've run for 20 minutes twice (I'll go out today as well) which went really well actually, hopefully on Monday I'll be able to pick up where I left off, at the beginning of week 8....... it's just the motivation!

I'm quite upset that I seem to have gone backwards, I know I'm tired from spending the last 3 or so weeks in a mental black hole and in the last month it has got progressively colder and the air is very damp, making it pretty horrible to run in but I'm struggling to keep running as my happy place in my mind, any tips?

Thanks,

Gemma

[Late-Starter Graduate]

Hey Gemma. I've been through something similar - getting back from injury. Plus I suffer from SAD, where I become depressed in the winter months. But so far, this winter, I've been feeling much more positive. I put that down entirely to running. It's helped me in so many ways. It's like a secret wonder drug.

Sounds to me like you're getting there. Getting back to the plan, or even doing more 20 minutes, will restore your motivation. It's a horrible time of year, but we can beat it!

[GemmaRoberts in reply to Late-Starter]

Hi, thank you for your reply! I'm pleased to hear that you are feeling positive this winter, it is a difficult time to get out and run I think!

You are right, I just need to keep going out, I did manage to yesterday and ran for 25 minutes which was good not only for the time increase but because I really had to push myself and eventually got there. We can absolutely beat it!

[Late-Starter Graduate in reply to GemmaRoberts]

Excellent! I've just done my first 28 minutes this morning and am feeling good! Looking forward to the next one on Tuesday.

[Hidden]

First of all, I am sorry that you are having a difficult time. Well done for staring down those demons; 2 x 20 minutes is great. Try really hard to focus on the positives; what you have achieved in each run. Maybe have a 'lets suck it and see' approach to the run, rather than having fixed goals and then reward yourself for the effort. Do you have anyone to run with? Might take your mind off the run itself. Being outdoors and exercising is really good medicine, but have you thought about/been offered CBT?

Warm thoughts, HW

[GemmaRoberts in reply to Hidden]

Hi, thank you for your reply! I managed to get out yesterday and ran for 25 minutes which made me feel good about things, I will follow your advice and try to keep my mind on the positives.

I have just started running one run a week with my friend which makes things a lot easier, I think that it is something she is keen to continue with which is great as having someone I don't want to let down will help.

I have considered CBT, it has worked well before. My problem is that we live in the south of Italy which makes finding an English speaking anything a problem, I could find someone online I guess, I haven't really looked. Up until now I've been dragging myself through these episodes, running has been a huge help but this time just got too much I think!

[Hidden in reply to GemmaRoberts]

Many therapists do skype sessions, so that might be an idea.

[GemmaRoberts in reply to Hidden]

Yes, I will look into it I think, I hadn't really considered it before but I will have a look and see what I can find.

Thanks again for taking the time to reply

[Dw58]

Hi Gemma! This might seem silly but it works for me. When I get fed up with the cold, wet and dark days ( particularly November which I think is the worst month) I do this. I remind myself how lovely it is to walk around my garden or in a forest or by the sea, in the summer. I close my eyes and focus on how it feels, the things I see and smell and hear. When I open my eyes again I feel better, as if I’ve had a little dose of summer. It won’t work for everybody but it might work for you! Good luck with your running! It will soon be spring. Only 3 weeks til the days get longer.

[GemmaRoberts in reply to Dw58]

Hi, thank you for replying! That sounds like a great idea, I'm trying that when I go out tomorrow! I think it's really difficult in the cold, I'm pleased that I started this when I did, so that now, when it would be easier to give up, I'm too far in to give up!

I'm looking forward to spring already!

[Wizziewood]

Well I think you're marvellous ... getting yourself out there again after time out on the injury couch and not feeling on top of the world takes some doing.

20 mins is good, just think back a few weeks, you've come a long way ... and it's hard to be motivated in this horrible weather.

So keep smiling, and get out when you can. I know you can do it!

Good luck and happy running!

[GemmaRoberts in reply to Wizziewood]

Thank you for your reply

Yes, I need to focus on my progress, honestly, it's the only thing keeping me going at the moment!

It helps to hear other people say things like that, it does make me think more positively! I'm determined to get my Graduate badge!

Thank you again

[Wizziewood in reply to GemmaRoberts]

Good girl! ... Keep posting so we know how you're getting on.

[GemmaRoberts in reply to Wizziewood]

Will do, thanks Wizziewood

[Cornet-Carolyn Graduate]

Hi Gemma, a huge well done on your 20 minute runs, that is brilliant. Even though you have had a hiccup on the way you are still heading in the right direction.

Running is a fantastic way to blow the cobwebs off and it's great to know you are out there again. Keep up the good work and great post 👏

[GemmaRoberts in reply to Cornet-Carolyn]

Thank you for your reply! I hadn't thought about things that way......heading in the right direction is good, even if it is slowly.....it's better than nothing!

These replies from you guys are what will keep me going so thank you again

[Hidden]

Hi Gemma, the injury couch is a horrid place to be especially when you were doing so well and close to graduating.

The cold and damp are tough running mates at this time of year, one thing I have done (although I am in London and the sky is permanently grey in Winter) is I have changed my running schedule from a fixed Tues/Thurs/Sunday to checking out the weather forecast in advance, so I can more easily time my runs to when the weather is better. That's not always possible for other folk, but just synchronising when it's dry and a bit warmer and a chance of seeing sun helps me.

Also I make an effort to get out and walk for about 20-30 minutes each day, just so I get out in the weather, even when it feels more like tea and toast weather .I find the more I am out, the easier it is to get out and run.

I hope that as you keep going out, the motivation will creep back, you've made a great return and I hope that your new Week 8 runs are lovely, and that the weather is kind to you.

Happy running next week

[GemmaRoberts in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your reply

That sounds like a great plan, and I'm pretty fortunate that I'm able to do that as I work from home.

I do try to get out every day, I have 2 kids which helps on that score. I think some planned walks might help however, I'll see if I'm able to include some during the week!

I am feeling a lot more positive about week 8 since posting here, you guys have really helped

I'm eyeing up my Graduate badge already!

[Lindarunner]

Hi Gemma, I too struggle with depression and know how hard it is sometimes to move to do the simplest of things, let alone get outside in the cold and run!

I think you’re doing so much better than you give yourself credit for. You haven’t given up after your injury, you’re already back out there! Well done!

As for motivation, what was it that inspired you to take up the programme in the first place? Focus on that and what benefits you’ll gain. Think about what you’ve achieved already. What was it that got you out the door initially?

If you can, run when it’s daylight. Check the weather forecast for the days ahead to avoid the coldest or wettest times.

Now that the weather has turned, have you got the right kit? I’m just a beginner but my little running hat and gloves have made a difference already.

I hope for both of us that the more runs under our belts, the less black days lie ahead 🙂 xx

[GemmaRoberts in reply to Lindarunner]

Hi, thank you for your reply! And thank you for your kind words, it's absolutely fantastic to have so much support!

The thing that got me into this was when I gave up smoking in July, I wanted to do something that used my lungs being as I had stopped making them feel horrible! I guess that initial rush has worn off and I hadn't really thought about why I was doing it.

You guys come up with the best ideas!

It is pretty difficult to get out when you're feeling low, and horrible when you're injured!! It just ended up being a double whammy! I'm so pleased I ignored the overwhelming urge to crawl into bed and not come out, I doubt I'd be back running again now if I had.

I have some running stuff for the cooler weather but I think some gloves and a hat would help, freezing ears and knuckles certainly don't make me want to go out!

I'm all for less black days ahead for us, running does do a lot of good, and you are absolutely right that it helps to remember why you're doing it.

Thank you again for your reply