Lost my mojo = frustrated!

[RBB99]

I have been running twice during the week & once on the weekend since starting. Everything was going ok up until last week - week 6. I lost motivation, kept putting off runs and didn't do R1 of W6 until Thursday & R2 on Sunday. Therefore I ran out of days of the week to complete runs. Right now i just feel like stopping. I want to do it but do not feel like I've made any progress. Especially in distance as I think I slow down when completing the longer runs.

How do you keep motivated to keep going? Especially if you work office hours and struggle to get going again once you get home and stop?

[Run-Claire-Run Graduate]

I was the same on Week 6. Honestly though I think you are meant to slow down for the longer runs. I certainly slowed down as I know I wouldn't make it to the end otherwise. I was worrying about distance and pace but I've decided to not worry about it now and just complete the program. Hopefully then I can work on my distance and pace when my stamina is better during the longer runs.

I work office hours and have to do my runs after work because I'm too lazy to do them before I go, I'd rather stay in bed longer 😃. I usually just get home and change into my running gear straight after work and go out and do it before I do anything else. I get it out of the way then I can do whatever I want for the rest of the evening 👍🏻

You are making progress, don't give up, it will get easier (so they tell me anyway).

[Ang33333 Graduate]

Don't give up. Week 6 1 and 2 are the worst runs of all! When you run without the walking breaks from run 3 it's so much better! Please carry on!

[Hidden]

Why did you start this? Maybe reminding yourself will help. It doesn't matter that you are slow and sometimes life gets in the way of the best laid plans....Just because the plan goes wrong, that doesn't mean it's broken. People on here are single parents, shift workers, long distance lorry drivers and all sorts of other things. I run my own consultancy - some times I have no time for breathing, let alone running.

For this to be sustainable you need to find a solution rather than feeling defeated by the problem

Have you thought about running in the morning?

[Irish-John Graduate]

A few things to keep in mind if you really do want to keep going - was in the same boat myself as maybe lots of us were regarding the first.

As we progress in the programme, the times increase but relatively speaking the distances do not - the 'victory' seem less astounding or important or something but we kind of get used to the idea we are running...and its hard sometimes. We lose that initial burst of novelty and wonderment we had.

Secondly, there is a fear that it will never get 'easier' and also what do do AFTER graduation? Well, it does get 'better' if not 'easy' and after graduation there is a feeling of 'what do I do now' and a kind of drifting until you decide on your niche - speed or long distances or a combination of both

Then sometimes unrecognized thing - the lack of a lot of people who started when you did but who have dropped out leaving you feeling a bit on your own, if something outside of running is wearing you down, if you thought running would do something it hasn't ( and if that is weight loss, its a common one - but lots of posts and advice about the fact that muscle weighs more than fat so while you may not be losing weight I bet you are leaner )

And - you gotta keep it fun on some level. If a Sadist ever takes up this programme I think they will be rather schizoid by the end of it - 'cos really this is a pain that 'hurts so good' mostly LOL

One thing I do know from a lifetime of experience though - I never gave up a habit 'today'. It was always 'tomorrow'. The amount of things I promised I would 'catch up on tomorrow' would fill volumes so that is one thing I rarely compromise on and only for truly good reasons. Best advice I got here about procrastinating about my running was 'If you don't feel like running, at least put on all your gear and take a few steps out the door - if you still don't feel like even the shortest of runs, give it a rest for that particular day"

I wish you many happy miles in your future - hope you remain running with us lot here

[AnnieW55]

You have to slow down as you do the longer runs, you are still building your running body and most people can't run at the same pace for, say, 25 mins as they can for 5 - does that put it into perspective? You may do if you keep at it but you need to build to it, it will take time. If you run too fast too soon you run the risk of injury.

Also the week's aren't set, so if you do two on one week you just take your rest day and carry on. I appreciate it might upset those with ocd - upsetting the rhythm of the week but it really doesn't matter. The programme is every individual's individual programme so do it as it suits your life. There are times when life gets in the way of the plan but it is always there waiting. If you stop for even a few days or couple of weeks you won't lose any ground or need to redo any runs you should just be able to keep going.

If you can't run before work, then can you go as soon as you get home? In either case get your gear ready to put on and just get out there. Don't give yourself time to think, just do. I start work at 0900 and, luckily have a relatively short commute but during the recent hot weather I was getting out there around 0530/0600 and it was great......once I got going😂

You just have to plan, plan plan. It really is worth it. How far could you run 6 weeks ago? Exactly - you are progressing and there is a whole running world out there waiting to be discovered.

[Eiralas Graduate]

You have made progress! You can now run for longer than you could before. Don't worry about distance or speed, just about running for the duration of the run. You will naturally be slower over longer distances and times. If you miss a day then that is fine- I've had anywhere between 1-14 rest days between runs, and fit the runs in when they fit in. I know it does feel a bit tougher if you've had longer breaks, and sometimes I struggle to get away from work early enough to run but I always feel much better if I do. Typically I go after work, and walk home as fast as I can, get straight into my running gear and out the door before I have time to think what I'm doing. Well ok, I stop to feed the cat first - she kicks up a massive protest otherwise Believe you can do it, and you will.

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Eiralas]

..If I forgot or neglected to feed my cat...they'd find me torn in ribbons next morning First rule of Running - Respect the Rest Day. Second - for god's sake don't forget to feed the cat! LOL

[Eiralas Graduate in reply to Irish-John]

Indeed! Otherwise she will get her revenge through getting underfoot and tripping you up on the stairs, and then you'll be injured and won't be able to run...

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Eiralas]

You know the ways of the Cat, don't you!