Motivation issues

[healthynewcelia]

Finding the motivation hard. But when I do get going, I feel so much better. My spirits are lifted and I do have more energy. Is it normal to feel like it is just too hard some days? Is it better to run/huff and puff clumsily early in the morning?

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Hi healthynewcelia, you are doing fine.

You feel better having done your session, and this is what is getting you out of the door. Keep going, as you are feeling the benefits and it does get easier as your stamina increases with every run.

Whatever time of day suits you is fine, but try not to run on empty or just after eating ( at least 30 mins after a light meal). Drink plenty of water on running and non-running days, its good for your muscles.

It may feel tough at times, but the satisfaction of completing a session is brilliant..😊x

Onwards and upwards..

[Whatsapp Graduate]

The hardest bit is getting out there. Unfortunately, it is always going to feel easier to just not run. However, you can tap in to that feeling you get when you have run.

[Hidden]

I always feel like that. I sit here browsing running shoes and basking in the glory or wallowing in the misery of whatever the last run went like, procrastinating. I think we will all feel better in the summer, when getting out of the door doesn't involve preparing for an expedition and we don't have to remind ourselves we will warm up in minutes and will feel fabulous post run.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Well done.

You are not just getting fitter by doing C25K, you are hopefully developing a habit for a lifetime. They say it takes 12 weeks of regularly doing something new for it to become habit. The motivation to actually head out of the door can only come from you, but you will probably find your own determination to progress through the plan develops along with your ability.

Running is a hugely psychological process and you will have to dig deep at times to move on. That is part and parcel of becoming a runner.

Attempting C25K, whether you complete it or do not, will teach you a lot about yourself. If you push on through, you will be rightly proud of your determination and freshly confident in your own ability. If you do not complete, because you can't be bothered, you will equally learn or reinforce your lack of application.

The physical and mental health benefits of running are vast and empowering. The effects of inactivity are also wide ranging but for the most part life limiting.

Don't question, just do it and in a few weeks you will be hooked, healthier and happier. It is entirely up to you.

[Wizziewood]

Join the club!

Motivation seems in short supply some days, particularly at this time of year when some days hardly get light .... but huffing and puffing clumsily early in the morning is definitely the way forward.

Keep it up, those lovely light mornings are on the way!

Good luck and happy running!

[Anthie Graduate]

"Normal" doesn't say much because we are all very different in terms of physical abilities and how we relate to exercise. But of course, motivation always requires a bit of... work? Because we are not machines and that some days, as you say, we feel sluggish and prefer to stay in (and there's nothing wrong with that if it desn't become a habit).

Which week are you on? As said by Iannoda Truffe, the more you will run, the more it'll get into you It's particular to each individual. I already loved running before the programme and practised regular outdoors activities but I never thought it could become a habit as my back complained each time I had tried before. The programme changed the whole thing by helping me to avoid injury and learn how to run properly (and I'm still learning).

If you feel good afterwards, then go for it and don't put it off. Now for the time of your run, again, everyone has better moments during the day, find yours. And of course, it's not always possible to run at those times with life Try to plan in advance perhaps (if you're not already)? If mornings are not your cup of tea, try another time.

In any case, think about how good you feel after the run (and perhaps soon during the run Enjoy yourself!

[Hidden]

Don’t give yourself the choice. Don’t engage in the internal debate. Timetable your run, put your gear on and step out the door. I often don’t want to run but can say, hand on heart, that I have NEVER regretted a single run 🏃🏾‍♀️

[Razouski]

I’m a first thing in the morning runner, but everyone is different, and I’m lucky that I don’t have to get up too early to do it. I completed the programme in December 2016 but I still have days when my Mojo goes awol and I struggle to get out the door. One way of overcoming this was to put my running kit out the night before, and someone in this forum suggested putting my leggings and top on the radiator so they are nice and toasty. It does help.

will be hard sometimes (you can see my previous posts about missing mojos) but sometimes you’ve just got to push yourself out the door and hold on to the fact that you’ll have a great sense of achievement when you’ve completed the run.

Knowing that I could share my struggles with everyone in here also helped, I quite often think about what I will post while I’m running if it’s not going so well.

[VictoriaRuns Graduate]

You are human, not a robot running machine. It will sometimes be very hard, but your future yourself will always thank you for getting out there. For me, it helps to consider them, but this is about finding what works for you. Experiment with where and when you run. Maybe see if running with others helps. A lot of people find virtual races helpful in motivating them too. You are like Julia Roberts in the runaway bride right now! Blindfold yourself and find out what eggs you like!

[Hidden]

To add to my earlier comment, going and fondling my running shoes and looking at the rest of my running gear motivates me like nothing else, because it reminds me how much i love running once I get out of the door.