I’ve lost it 😞

[Fb75]

I was doing well, had W8 in the bag, had managed a couple of 30min runs, over 3km. Since taking a break of about 5 days and restarting where I left off at W9R1, I’m struggling to even run for 15mins with stopping or slowing.

Any tips?

[Tasha99 Graduate]

You have to slow down when you go further. I think the demons are playing with you. Slow down and don’t let them win! Good luck!

[wyersmith Graduate]

Maybe you need to hit the reset button. Not on the plan but on your thinking. Perhaps listen to something different. If your usual is music try a podcast or vice versa. Switch your coach. Try a totally different route. Distract yourself with differences to take your mind off the whole thing. You know you’re capable. Just believe it. Good luck!

[Fb75 Graduate in reply to wyersmith]

Thank you. Didn’t try again until today. But changed it up. I’m a treadmill runner, I pulled out all the tricks. Covered up the clock, even took my glasses off. Listened to a podcast (perhaps not the right one) and ran next to my buddy at the same pace. Not sure I can say which trick worked, maybe it was a combination. Either way, I managed it fairly comfortably. Ran 3.5k in 30mins. Made my day! Thanks for the advice and encouragement.

[wyersmith Graduate in reply to Fb75]

Brilliant! It doesn’t really matter which bit worked. You’ve done it! Broken the cycle of ‘can’t’ and shown yourself you CAN. Well done! (What was the podcast? So I can avoid it!)

[Rua8 Graduate]

Not that I have gotten to your point yet (kudos!), I think distracting thoughts, music, podcasts and all that is the way to go. Also maybe think in terms of small goals? If I get to that tree, I’ll be doing great. Then, If I get to that house I’ll be doing even better. Etc. I use that technique often.

[Fb75 Graduate in reply to Rua8]

Thanks for the advice. Tried a podcast. It worked. Maybe need a different one. But good advice. Thanks.

[Rua8 Graduate in reply to Fb75]

Glad to hear the podcast did the job. Keep it up!

[Flaraflarkin Graduate]

I had a 7 day break at the end of W8 and found it really tough to get back on it - the gremlins were out in force and physically it was really tough. I think this is a psychological one for you, as physically it sounds like you've got this! Slowing it down in this final week is good advice 😊 You can do this, you just have to convince yourself of that! Best of luck 🙌🙌