Worried about decreasing lack of commitment - Couch to 5K

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Worried about decreasing lack of commitment

p1M2l3 profile image
15 Replies

I finished the 5k programme at the beginning of January since when the weather has been awful. This has put me off going out for a run as regularly. I think it's because I haven't got the programme to stick to whatever the weather. Has anyone got any ideas to get me on track again?

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p1M2l3 profile image
p1M2l3
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15 Replies

There is a pinned post about postgrad running under FAQs, which might help.

In my experience you just need to go, whatever the weather (unless unsafe of course). Don't give yourself an option. Today is beautiful with me. Cold yes, but blue skies and a light 'blow away the cobwebs' breeze. The snowdrops are out and the birds are beginning to get busy. What's not to like :).

Just pop out and do a nice easy run; see how far you get and try and be mindful, noticing the environment around you and the feeling of your body as it moves through the world.

Off you go....

Millsie-J profile image
Millsie-JGraduate

Why not join the Quest here

healthunlocked.com/bridgeto...

Get a simple plan together for your quest. something perhaps like this just to get you back into it. For example:

I shall head out regardless of weather but certainly if its fine I shall just go, go, go

I will do three runs a week consisting of;

- one week 9 run (30mins) but keep your speed down so you dont have to take walk breaks.

- one week 2 run But slow jog for walking part, faster run for the run parts

- one run just because you can.... try a new messured 5k route. Take walk breaks if you want them eg when you find a hill. Time it. Each week monitor how many walks, and how long it takes you.

Do these for a few weeks whilst you decide on your next steps .

Good luck runner🏃🏻🏃🏻🏃🏻

Millsie-J profile image
Millsie-JGraduate in reply to Millsie-J

Yeahhhh!!!!! Welcome to the Quest 😀

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

Pick up the shoes..get out there... layer work for the colder days...check out the post from IannodaTruffe ...what next :)

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Lots of consolidation is the name of the game... new routes, different distances... Look around, watch the world as it wakes up from Winter.. it is glorious out there:)

Go on... you know you want to :)

p1M2l3 profile image
p1M2l3 in reply to Oldfloss

That's a great article. I've just been out for a run, not quite avoiding the hailstone storm. It wasn't bad although not as good as last week ie same distance but didn't feel as comfortable. It's virtually 5k but I do a longer warm up walk and not quite run all the rest. I have only done one set of aerobics/ Hiit this week instead of 3 so maybe that's why. I feel more motivated now!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply to p1M2l3

Go you!!! Well done... the snow and hail is interesting isn't it:)

Just keep heading out and looking for new adventures:) Keep posting too.. we are great at support... folk on here keep me going :)

Hi all of the ideas already given and a couple of extra for you to consider.

I found I missed the Mr Smooth invitation, inviting me out for a run. so I created 3 reminders per week, saying 'Mr Smooth says get your trainers on and run'. I timed it to arrive at 8am every other day and so it was like C25K and the reminders.

I also got my playlists sorted, so I had a variety of music to listen to and therefore I couldn't get into a rut. And then I continued writing about each run - not on here but on my own blog. Because I'd got into the habit when on C25k. I found that by continuing more or less as on the programme, although I was doing my own things that it seems just a continuation.

I did try a 'to 10K app', which I bought on iTunes and hated - it was a very shouty American man, but had the timing worked I would have done one of ju-ju- 's excellent challenges.

It depends I suppose if you are a creature of habit - I tried to become one by not giving myself any room to wiggle out of it.

Hope this helps, in fairness I think everyone's motivation takes dip after such a big achievement undoing C25K - that dip coupled with winter.... Well it's tough to get back out there.

p1M2l3 profile image
p1M2l3

Once again like when I first started running it's encouraging to know people have gone through the same feelings.! I definitely am a creature of habit. It's not so much hard work for the brain

Millsie-J profile image
Millsie-JGraduate in reply to p1M2l3

That tells me you always need to have a plan😀

I love a plan!

in reply to p1M2l3

Yes for me the plan was critical, cos Im such a lazy cow by habit! And you know you're not alone, there's something about the crescendo of support leading to graduation and after it's a bit flat...

But as Mr JCR told me Winter Miles = Summer Smiles...., so that helps keep me out and running too.

We were walking the dogs this morning, and a ninja clad woman runner erupted from a nearby house and into a full pelt run in the freezing wind. I said: no warm-up walk? and she flung over her rapidly receding shoulder: I dont want to give myself a chance to think about it. She had a point. Don’t procrastinate, make up your mind you are going to run at whatever o’clock and just go for it. If I think too much, the warm house and the wood burner seem infinitely preferable to the cold streets. I think that’s why it works well for me going out first thing when Ive woken up too early.

Runwithbob profile image
Runwithbob

Join a run club. Do a weekly parkrun ...thats 2 right there . And i do a run on my day off work ...thats 3

Routine is key

Richard7 profile image
Richard7Graduate

Routine! I hate going to the dentist and have to book my next appointment when I leave the last otherwise I won’t go back!

It’s the same for me with running I daren’t leave it too long otherwise I know I will get out of the habit. Following an icy December I checked out my local payg gym so that if we get another bad spell I can keep going.

Other than that set yourself some short term goals whether it is increasing your distance, total distance in a week, pace, 3 runs etc - really doesn’t matter. During C25K you had a goal each week.

p1M2l3 profile image
p1M2l3

I never missed 3 runs a week on C25K so I find that a great target to keep to. I have a great new route which is easier than my previous ones which encourages being able to run longer!

Bluebirdrunner profile image
BluebirdrunnerGraduate

Hi p1M23,

I just noticed that you had asked for your Graduate c25k badge but have asked on the Bridge to 10k site....

If you would like to ask again for your c25k Graduate badge in either the January or February post we can issue you with Graduate beside your name.

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Good luck with your running, there is a new article about what to do next after Graduating that you might not have seen...😊x

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

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