Couch to 5K

113,440 members • 145,733 posts

Tips for bashing gremlins, anyone?

My gremlins were out in force this week. I was due to do W7R3 (25 mins) and the snow and other things meant I hadn't run for six days. I had a very real sense of apprehension and the gremlins were loving it. 'Yeah, this is going to be really hard. Your knees won't like it. This is the biggest gap you've had, maybe you're losing your commitment, huh?' And so on.

So, how do other people keep the darn things under control?

I remembered hearing that if you actually smile, you feel better. So I decided to smile if I saw something nice, that made me feel it was good to be out. First glimpse of the river. Some crocuses. Gorgeous sky at the start of the sunset. And it did work, I felt more able to do this running thing. But some new ideas would be really welcome, because the psychology seems to be a big part of this, and that's very individual.

For the record I ran for 26 mins, recovered for a couple of mins, and ran a few mins more because walking was boring. Take that, gremlins!

ps very heartening to read others are aching in W7...too right!

20 Replies

oldest • newest

You did very well indeed

Imagine squishing those gremlins with every single slow and steady step.. wonderfully therapeutic

Right, gonna try that one

Another weapon, where do you keep all these gems, you must have big Safe and a big Armoury.👏👏🌟😂😂😂😂

Oldfloss is the gremlin, dragon and beast from the East conquerer, whose weapon is

Gremlins do not like to Run.That is enough just put them in the bin before you leave home.Simple so far.

Your are doing great and I have not read your posts and story , just this one, but I will check, in case something missed,

Your readiness preparation evolves slowly and do not change too much as long as your comfortable ,add gems as required , the basics , quality sleep , good hydration, good monitor is your mouth in the morning you should not be waking up with a dry mouth,

Warm-up routine , pre stretching , Mentor IdeT posted something yesterday on this.He profoudly talks about. he never fears a run only enjoys it.Believe that and believe in you.

My trigger to De-tension from head to feet is Relax this is not my accelerator

RSPSPE.

Slow and steady is my handbrake, Oldfloss again,

I am a novice runner, but at 74 I have the stamina and I need to run efficiently to enable me to sustain my journey, For that means remind myself to pre-prepare correctly. prepare correctly to maximise my oxygen intake, maximise the cushioning and reducing the impact on my legs, joints , etc.Take no tension with you, particular in the neck area. This programme has it all, I just happen to chose Michael and his tips just set me up, particularly with bad posture.

I am OTT but I have to be I do not want to finish it before it begins.

There are no problems only solutions.Find your vital few gems , that switch your lights on,

It is a life long continuous learning and continuous improvement process and building a running brain and body,

Find your gems in the physical , physcological and emotional and apply them.

The programme supports you and the forum believe that and believe in yourself.

It is not an exeragation this programme gift can and will change your life.

Sorry for the ramble , just passionate and want to give back in appreciation to this forum,

It is your journey,Enjoy, Enjoy.

Well done! Sometimes hard to do, but as I go along I make a reference point in the distance and say to myself I'll stop when I get there but as I reach that point I push on through and say, I lied! and carry on, and keep doing that to get on. The mind gremlins do decrease as you become more fitter and used to running..😊

That decrease is something I look forward to! Thanks for the reference point idea.

I have a very limited play list and every song is both upbeat and makes me smile. That certainly had helped me. I also take a photo before I start so am looking for a fab view right from the off

Just to point out......... gremlins don't exist, they are your internal voice, so give them no credence and only listen to your positive internal voices.

Keep running, keep smiling.......................it works for me.

... and you don't believe in fairies either??? xx

Nope...... I am an unimaginative and prosaic realist, who believes we are responsible for our own limitations.

Santa Clause, he is real isn’t he?

Gremlins are real in some people's heads.

I’m reminded of a friend who told my son: Santa Claus only comes to those children who believe in him!

Thank you. This whole programme has made me hear the negative niggles more clearly than I have ever had with any other activity. They are loudest before a run. Obviously they are a part of 'me', and I'm learning to greet these thoughts with a sort of friendly, yes I thought you'd show up, response. I'm interested they are there, quite curious about them, really. I probably would benefit from cultivating some crisp, positive alternatives. I'm not naturally that gung-ho.... I once met a guy who had daily daydreams about conquering Everest and opening the batting for England and I never realised other people might think like that!!

I wrote this for those having doubts about their own ability. healthunlocked.com/couchto5... it might help.

You are a far nicer person than I! When my Gremlins come a 'knocking...I set them after all my enemies

When I feel like I 'just cannot go on' I envision those ne'er do wells hauling their little oxygen tanks around behind them because they are fat, unfit and knackered because of no exercise or a joy like running brings in life

It's not nice - but it works for me

Knew one lady from Sheffield in India. she was a lovely person. Susan Willcock - she went over as a Teacher, but on her return quit her 'nice safe pensioned career' and spent the rest of her life as a counselor. She figured it was a more useful thing she could do for youngsters.

Like I said - nice ladies in Sheffield going by the record

Wishing you many happy miles in your future

For me its a commitment to self. If my best mate asked for help with something like this I'd not let excuses stand in the way. Why do I deserve any less? I want to finish this and then to keep going. I really do.

I always move heaven and earth to keep my promises to others, these days I do the same for me too 👍😁

Oh and the smiling trick works. You can't be grumpy with a grin on your face! 😂

I like that commitment to self, nicely put.

My recollections of a level psychology are that the average person can only hold 7 things in their short term memory at a time. So, when you feel a gremlin, distract yourself by thinking of other things in quick succession and that should get the gremlim out the queue😀

Good idea to have some thoughts lined up to elbow a gremlin out of the way....will give that a go.