How do I inspire my child when I really struggle myself?

[Pet42]

Any tips? I'm running with my daughter & she's much faster than me. I'm struggling to keep up & she won't leave me behind. I'm helping her finish the plan as she's a serial starter. I'm hating running atm and after 2 weeks off with illness am dreading running . Lacing up my shoes today though. W4D2 is a killer & am repeating this week for 3rd time. Anyone else feel this way? How did you get through it?

[oldwheezer69 Graduate]

By the end of the programme you may well find that you are able to run comfortably with her so I would think she either needs to go at your pace until then, or you run separately for a couple of weeks just to take the pressure off for you. Personally I have enjoyed doing this programme at my own pace (running alone) but looking forward to a parkrun with others after graduation 😃 Lovely that you are running with your daughter though, my son started then gave up.... Too much like hard work for a 13 year old boy haha!

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate in reply to oldwheezer69]

Never give up, keep going, slow and steady is the advice to all that starts the C25K program, yes, your 13-year-old son needs to get of off his backside and start doing what you do.

[Pet42 in reply to oldwheezer69]

My 13 yr old boy will only do weeks 1 & 2... Having said that, he did parkrun a couple of years ago and ran 3k non stop... My daughter's 17 and needs me to keep herself running when the going gets tough. She'll just have to run at my calf aching pace, rather than giving up

[Kamia Graduate]

I run with my daughter and she’s faster than me as well. I don’t try to keep up with her. She either stops to catch her breath as she’s going to fast and tires herself out or I stop to walk when told to, catch my breath then shout for her to stop. She walks back to me then we finish the walking bit together and off she goes again until half way through when she’s so tired I can overtake her.

We’re doing W2R2 today. We are each other’s motivation just by being there as I’m not sure if I’d continue without her and she definitely wouldn’t do it without me. We are doing a 5k inflatable run in July so trying to get fit for it.

Stick to your own pace or you won’t enjoy your runs and you will get tired to quickly. Your daughter can always jog back to you if she’s getting to far ahead.

Also keep up the good work I can’t wait till I’m further ahead so I can look back at my progress.

[Pet42 in reply to Kamia]

Thank you for replying. We have kind of been doing that, but she feels a bit rubbish running without me. We feel fantastic after each run. That and the company keep us both going. Will keep working at it. I know it'll get easier the more we run. Good luck with your running x

[oldwheezer69 Graduate in reply to Kamia]

Oooooh... Kamia what is a 5k inflatable run? Sounds intriguing ..!!

[Kamia Graduate in reply to oldwheezer69]

ukrunningevents.co.uk/

It a run with 10 big inflatables along the route. Never done anything like it before but it looks great fun.

[Rignold]

You don’t inspire children, or anyone, by being fast or talented, you inspire them by being consistent and determined and keeping going even when it’s hard.