So for one reason or another, my running the last couple of weeks has been sporadic and today was the first time I have run for about a week... and it didn't go too well.
I only ran for around 13 minutes. Seven weeks or so ago, i couldn't even run for 60s in intervals, so 'only' 13 minutes is still something to be proud of and sure beats not running at all, but I am supposed to be running wk 7 (this was my third attempt in the 7th week- the first was almost successful but the second was poor and this one was worse!). It has really knocked my confidence and my motivation.
So I'm considering taking a back step and restarting at week 5. I know that many on the forum don't recommend falling back but i'm really struggling and I want to rediscover my love for running again. I'm hoping that this will steadily help me to get back in to the running routine again and help me to rebuild the stamina.
Thoughts and advice are very welcome and appreciated 😊
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MamaHogg
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Hi there.. A few of us have done weeks again..for a variety of reasons.
After being on the IC.. ( trapped sciatic nerve), I started the whole thing again.. and went through), to Week 5, before resuming where I was previously
if you are struggling then you head back...just take it steadily and slowly and know that you have done it before... you know what to expect, you won't feel any pressure...Just relax, breathe and you will be fine. A practice for the rest to come
We are here... just as before and will support you all the way
PS
You do remember that the mo-jos hang out with the Gremlins, under your running shoes... as soon as you put those shoes on.. voila! Gremlins begone and mo jo back where he belongs.. with you
Thank you Oldfloss 💕 whenever I am struggling, it is your voice I hear, telling me to slow down until its a pace I can maintain, but the last couple of weeks, i can't physically go any slower and I am still struggling.
I know it is definitely more of a mental barrier than physical, but I am finding that I am losing my motivation because the runs have stopped being enjoyable and I really don't want that!
I loved week 5 and did well in week 6 too. I'm hoping if I take a back step and rediscover my love for running, that I will get past this mental barrier! Xxx
Think about what motivated you to start. Part of the motivation to continue will be in there.
And when you say W7 went badly, the longer runs seem scary. But you did W6R3. W7 is “just” this run repeated.
I reckon you’ve not got confidence in yourself to do this - I can relate to that - but the programme is deliberate and you probably are ready.
As Old Floss says, lots of people go back a bit in the programme. If you do, resolve to get to W8R1 this time. You will be ready for it and, that done, it is only 60 seconds more each half in W9.
Seek support here - we’re all rooting for you.
Nobody likes to feel lost or defeated, would it help if you slowed down the pace of your jog?
I don't think you want to use excuses but it has been very hot and humid this week.
Hi Kez, since w1 r2, i have literally jogged at the slowest possible pace (i realised after r1 that this was my issue- i needed to slow down). But I really do run the slowest I possibly can and mindfully so... i honestly don't think that I could go any slower without slowing to a walk. So i don't think speed is my problem now. I think it is more a mental barrier than a physical one, making myself keep going. But thank you for the suggestion 😊
It really has been particularly hot and humid, which definitely hasn't helped! X
I always try something new when I've lost my mojo: try running a different route/ a different coach on the app/ some new lycra/ different music/ break the rules slightly and have a longer warm up walk. Whatever works to get you motivated again. If going back to week 5 makes you feel better, then do it.
Thank you for the advice. I did try a new route today actually after a really poor wk7 r2 last week. I think the length of time between runs has really not helped, but then the time issie has been as a result of the loss of mojo so i guess its a viscious cycle really. I really want to enjoy it again and i'm not sure how to get back there xx
I got really stuck at Wk 7 and just lost all motivation. I ran with out the podcast and just zoned out listening to the noises around me and my footsteps/breathing. Which helped me enjoy running and it not be another task. Then I signed up to a 10K which gave me a new goal to aim for and motivated me to finish.
It took me longer than 9wks to get to 30mins but I got there in the end and ran a 10k this week
Thank you for the advice. I had been thinking about signing up for a 5k with my cousin (who completed couch 2 5k a couple of years ago). We lost our Nan due to Motor Neurone Disease and would love to run to raise money together for MNDA. It would mean a lot and hopefully give me the boost I need to keep going! Xx
That’s a lovely idea!! I’m sure your nan would be so proud of you and it would be an amazing motivator!! Every step you do in training helps earn more money for a great cause - and having your cousin alongside you will really help too
If you were truly exhausted, then you are going too fast.
If you were in pain, fair enough.
The continuous runs are mentally challenging and require grit. I remember W7 as tough and took lots of mental adjustments.
When you are tempted to stop, just go through a check list of all the legitimate reasons to stop.......pain and total exhaustion are the only items on my list.......and if they don't apply, you don't stop.
You have to believe in your own ability at this stage and not completing a run does not have to be seen as a negative. Each run is building your stamina. Each repeat is putting more miles on your running legs. I personally think that you are better off repeating a run that you cannot complete, rather than going back to runs that you know you can do. Maybe next time everything will fall into place and you will have a great run........it would be a shame to be doing a W5 run, when you could have knocked off a W7 run.
You are in charge, you make the decision......,but keep it slow and steady and you will get there and hopefully enjoy beating the challenge.
It is definitely more of a mental block than a physical one. I am finding that I am unable to overcome the desire to stop, even though many of the runs in the past have been much more physically demanding and I have managed to keep going... i'm honestly not sure why I am finding it so difficult now. I'm definitely very tired when running (but i don't think pace is my issue- i really am 'running' mindfully at the slowest pace i can manage) but I am also, definitely not at my absolute limit.
I really am doubting my ability at the moment- i am almost 17 st and only 5ft 3in (although have lost 17lb in the last 6 weeks through diet and c25k) and i guess now I have hit this road block, I am questioning if i'm just not yet fit enough to maintain the longer runs. I can't handle even a slight incline and, running on roads, i hit these often. My breathing becomes out of control, even at my very slowest pace- it is usually at this point that I feel like i can't carry on, becausr i have nowhere to go with my pace... i'm already at my slowest.
I really dont know what the answer is but I know that my confidence in myself and my ability is the lowest, at this point, that it has been throughout the program so far 😔
I feel the same as u , think deep down we all do . The first 10 mins Is ur mind & body in conflict, u need to just forget about ur weight - if u weren’t ready for this distance ur body would never have got u to this stage- power thru , ur ready for this...
Basically what everyone else is saying. I do feel for you. I had to give up running a year ago due to medical reasons, when I started this programme it was to ease me in gradually. At first I thought I would never enjoy running again and that my mojo was gone for good. Not so, thank goodness. It wasn't until W3 though that I really felt that I was running again and it wasn't until W5 that I really got that runner's high. so maybe W5 is a good place for you to start back. As others have said, try to think about what motivated you in the first place and how you did feel when you had a good run. Look how far you got as well, remember on W1 how you never thought you would. You know you can do this again. As Oldfloss said, the mojo does hide under your shoes, the mere act of putting on running gear gets me motivated and makes me feel slimmer & fitter! Good luck, take it slow, you got this. Keep us posted.
I'm only one week 4 but my advice given how far you've come would be don't watch the clock while you're running. Just relax and slowly run, and think about other stuff. Otherwise I think that 13 minutes might start becoming a 'barrier' for you. Just my opinion, other more experienced posters may disagree!
Hi wannarun, i tend to track my runs via mapmyrun just for personal interest really. I don't actually look at the times or speeds during the run at all and so far have found it quite helpful having the information after the run because it has shown me how far I have come. But i can totally see what you are saying.
During the run, i had no idea at what point I had stopped, I just stopped when I could no longer make myself continue if that makes sense? X
Aw Mama, not good you're feeling so low. You've said yourself that there's gaps in your runs. I'm thinking that's the main issue here. I know when I didn't make the gym for a week it was like starting over. A few days of pain afterwards and a real struggle to complete a 30 minute class, if at all. So, I'm thinking you may need to step bank a couple of runs just to get back on form but like IannodaTruffe says it's better to keep going from around where you left off. Not sure there's much to be gained by going back to the start unless you're returning from injury. Especially as you may build up a psychological barrier when you get back to W7. However, this is your journey and you know best what's right for you. I'll be here supporting you and looking out for your updates whatever you decide. You've come a long way, you're already amazing, hopefully you recognise this 🤗
Thank you so much for your kind words. I guess my thought process was that, at the moment, i'm attempting the wk 7 runs (this was my 3rd try) and feeling like I am failing, which is making more of a mental block. Its a viscious cycle... i'm worrying about the run because the last was not successful, which then means I'm not in the right frame of mind for the current run, it also means that I'm struggling to keep myself motivated and get out regularly.
I know that i am being my own worst enemy here and am essentially causing this for myself but i'm just not sure how i can overcome it. I'm almost going out expecting to fail, but at this point now, I don't know how to turn that around.
I think my idea was, that if I did a couple of the runs that I knew I could do and could enjoy, that I could rebuild my confidence in my ability to do it.
But i totally get what some ar saying about backsteps not necessarily being the best way. I just don't really know what is for the best! Xx
I always felt that way before (see my previous posts) i have mostly stayed very positive. I just seem to have hit a wall and i'm not sure why now, or how to overcome it xx
I'm sorry to hear that I hope you can figure out a way to break through that wall. Give the repeat runs a go - and stamp all over those little negative voices x
Do you listen to music when you run? I know it isn't everyones cup of tea but as a relative beginner (week 5) I cant do without my music. When things have been a bit tricky I redo my playlist and find that some really motivational music can do the trick - try not to sing too loud though, it can scare the passersby!! x
😂 can't beat a bit of singing along! I tend to run to podcasts now as I find they normally distract my mind a bit better. Maybe I should try music again now for a change xx
If I struggled with the thought of 25 minutes with no walking breaks, I'd just say to myself 'well you can walk for 25 minutes absolutely fine, so if you are running extremely slowly then that is basically like walking except you just happen to have both feet off the ground at once'. And then I'd set off, and once I started running I'd try to settle into a slow pace and pretend I was walking really. It could take 5-10 mins to settle, and sometimes more if it was a warm day- having the wind in my face definitely encourages me to keep going. If my brain started saying 'ah what are you doing? Stop with this madness!', I'd reply 'what are you on about? This is just super-fast walking!'. If I really needed to I'd say things out loud - come on legs, don't stop, you can do this - and that would help.
If you feel like you will benefit and build confidence from going back to week 5 or 6 then do it- but try not to build week 7 up into an impossible task. You will be able to do it- you just need to convince/distract your brain from what is going on. Good luck, and don't give up.
Love this idea! And clearly it works. What is obvious, is we all have the same demons telling us we can't make it. Well, we can, just taking one slow step at a time!
We do indeed! I guess a big part of this process is learning to shut them up and say 'don't be silly, you have no idea what you're talking about, I know I can do this' (while at the same time being in-tune to any genuine pain or true exhaustion that means 'stop')
I know how you feel, I hit my 'wall' on week 6 last week and I reckon you can do it. Mine was mental but something in the back of my head said you're not giving up after I found W6 R1 tough, Run 2 even worse - but after I completed Run 3 on Fri I know I can do it and got my mojo back. Am starting Wk 7 on Mon and I know I will be fine.
I think everyone has said it all already MH, personally I think that if you feel you need to do a run that you KNOW you can do, then you should go back and do that run to build that confidence back up again.
Just one other thing I thought of when I read through your comments. Contrary to the usual advice, maybe you should keep more of an eye on the clock when running?
On some of my tough runs, when I have been thinking “this is going on forever, I have to stop”, it’s been helpful to glance at my watch and say “only two more minutes and that’ll be half way through” or something like that. Indeed there was one 25-minute run I did, which I treated as 5 sections of 5 minutes, so was telling myself - you can do a 5-minute run, just keep going to the end of that... and then I just repeated that mantra five times. I found that easier than the concept of scaling that 25-minute mountain!
On a good day, I hardly glance at my watch, but on the tough runs I sometimes find it helps me get through them.
Just a thought... but you need to do whatever works for you, we’re all different.
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I hope you can figure out a way to break through that wall. Give the repeat runs a go - and stamp all over those little negative voices x
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