Gremlins!

[Teddly22]

Anyone else still fighting the gremlins? I'm up to week 8 run 2 tomorrow and I still find that for the first half of the run its a battle between my sensible self and the gremlins who every few minutes tell me to stop and repeat that I am not going to make it! Once I get to around the half way mark I become quite confident that I can finish it and the gremlins disappear! But they're back for the start of the next run!!! Maybe as my confidence in my ability improves the gremlins will leave me alone. Anyone else fighting the same battle?

[Goforitmama Graduate]

Yeah, flamin' freeloaders sitting on your shoulder muttering nasty things, mostly saying 'stop running, give up and go home'. Once you get into the swing of things they shut up and go away. Everyone gets them!

Well done on getting to week 7. Remember when you graduate that the gremlins don't get an invite to the party.

[Teddly22 Graduate in reply to Goforitmama]

Thanks for that. When (positive thoughts) I graduate I will remember to 'forget" their invite!!!

[Goforitmama Graduate in reply to Teddly22]

Yep, freeloaders drink all the beer and eat all the Doritos.

[Fabulous450 Graduate]

It’s usually before I go out Teddly, but once I step my foot out through the door those gremlins have taken a hike most of the time. Wise! 😉

Seriously, I’m not sure if there’s a knack, but you must be doing something pretty damn right to be almost at the end of W8! I would like to just relax and enjoy it in W8. Doing it for the pleasure! No times, no stats, no judgements, just doing my run, my way. Oh and finishing of course! There is that.

I hope you manage to silence the mind gremlins soon! Or at least turn them down! New music play list? 🤔❤️

[Teddly22 Graduate in reply to Fabulous450]

Thanks. I've tried running with music and it didn't go well so I think the silence makes them louder. However I am getting better at recognising it for what it is. I just wish they weren't there so I could enjoy all the run and not just the second half. One day........hopefully!

[Maybe58 Graduate]

Yep, I know the feeling. I’ve learnt to acknowledge the gremlins and then say ‘thank you for the negative thoughts but you can go now’. Sounds crazy but it works!

[Teddly22 Graduate in reply to Maybe58]

I have spoken out loud and told the gremlins off for trying to spoil my run. But now I think am known as that weird woman who runs and talks to herself😅

[Fabulous450 Graduate in reply to Teddly22]

I’d have that any day if it means I’m doing it and you are Teddly! Blow to the spectators! I battled with what will people think when I started. Now I couldn’t care less! All the slow motion wiggle, wobble and jiggle, it’s still mine, so I’ll do as I please! 😁 As long as you know who you’re talking to! It all comes good in the end! Best wishes! ❤️

[Mickiayre Graduate]

Me too... until I hear that half way bell I’m convinced I can’t do it...

[Teddly22 Graduate in reply to Mickiayre]

Oh good! Not good that you have them too just good its not just me. Once that halfway bell goes I know I can do it! And you can too!

[AllyS Graduate]

I’ve just completed W5R3 last night and during the first ten mins there were at least 3 times that I felt I wasn’t going to make it and then the absolute fear of not making it and how much of a failure I’d be 😩. The last ten mins I don’t have the same thoughts about giving up. I was hoping that it goes eventually or is it a case of regardless of how long/far one has been running; the Gremlins will always be there? 🤔🤔

[Teddly22 Graduate in reply to AllyS]

I'm hoping that as my confidence in my own ability to run improves that I will then be chasing them away and have them running for the hills! Fingers crossed!

[AllyS Graduate in reply to Teddly22]

I’m sure you will Teddly22 👍🏻

[das_vikas Graduate]

I had gremlins all through my 9 weeks of C25K. There is something called toxic 10 that affects a lot of people.

I still find my first 7-8 mins of running very tough and then suddenly like magic everything’s seems to be in its place and the run is so enjoyable after that. So unfortunately we just have to fight through it. Sorry not much help but thought sharing my experience may help you put your experience in perspective.

[Teddly22 Graduate in reply to das_vikas]

Yes thank you. I think as long as I know it's not going to stay that way for all of the run and that as long as you battle through it then you can cope with it! I hope...!

[sallenson Graduate]

We've all been there and got the teeshirt. Basically from about the start of W5 this is entirely a mental battle, it's not about the legs any more.

I keep posting a quote from Henry Ford "Whether you think that you can, or think you can't, you're right".

We all learn little tricks to make sure we're always staying positive. It doesn't matter how odd or hokey it is, it's ours and it works for us.

Sometimes we rely on our brains too much. Our brain is an idiot a lot of time. So ignore it. Run with your heart. Run with the thing that started you off on this mad adventure. You'll get there. We all get there. And amaze ourselves in the process.

[Teddly22 Graduate in reply to sallenson]

Love the quote. I shall be repeating it to the gremlins tomorrow 👍

[sallenson Graduate in reply to Teddly22]

Then put them over your knee and give them a good spanking, nick their pocket money and buy beer with it. That'll show 'em. Varmints

[Ripcurlrana71]

Yep but the expletives in ‘big school’ shut them up pretty quickly!! 👊🏼👊🏼👋🏼

[sallenson Graduate in reply to Ripcurlrana71]

I'm struggling to relate this to the post. Am I addled from typing?

[Fabulous450 Graduate in reply to Ripcurlrana71]

Oh yes!! 🤣🤣❤️

[Jay66UK Graduate]

I still get them but I’ve learned to ignore them. One of the most empowering parts of this programme for me.

[sallenson Graduate]

Also, remember not to pour water on them or feed them after midnight. I think it was.

[Hidden]

Oh definitely- you are not alone (apart from the gremlins!). I’ve just graduated & still get them. I’ve always had them - in everything I do - prob coz growing up they were in the form of my family - but that’s another story. They usually shut up after about the first 5 mins or so. Well done for powering on through & getting so far! The podium is in sight - can you see us all there cheering you on?!?

[sallenson Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Hidden is wearing the fetching hat. I'm holding the cake.

[Hidden in reply to sallenson]

I forgot to ask you - did you ever get your graduation cake?

[sallenson Graduate in reply to Hidden]

tbh I can't quite remember!! I probably made my own. Baking is my secret other passion. Bread mostly, but I'm also addicted to past seasons of Bake Off

If I could run with a cake in my hand, that would be heaven....

[Teddly22 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I can see you! Looking forward to seeing you there!

[HappyNoodle Graduate]

I find that despite the warm up walk it takes awhile to really warm up and that’s when I feel comfortable. Usually a bit before half way. Maybe your body is complaining that it isn’t quite ready yet. Tell those gremlins I’m warming up and I’m gonna run you off.

[Teddly22 Graduate]

Well thank you to everyone who posted yesterday I think it helped! I've just completed week 8 run 2 and although the gremlins were still there they were much quieter and I did repeat out loud several times the quote from Henry Ford that sallenson posted yesterday. "If you think you can or think you can't you're right" and today I CAN. Thanks everyone. Week 9 I am coming for you!!!!

[KittyW Graduate]

Just read your post after finishing my week 8 run 2 - I wish I’d read it before I went out! Lots of lovely advice on here, you are right that the issues are all in the head now. My gremlins have been using the heat as an excuse to stop and rest, I have (mostly) resisted the temptation, but I will think of you all next time and just keep going! Nearly there now - I can’t quite believe it yet. Great to have everyone cheering each other on!

[Teddly22 Graduate in reply to KittyW]

I think that recognising that it's a battle with the mind and not the body anymore has empowered me. I knew before I started today's run that I would complete it. I did still have to repeat Henry Fords' quote to myself but that just made me stronger! I can and you can. Let's get that graduate badge!!!

[Equi-geek Graduate]

Ok -

Now stop thinking about pink crocodiles!.....

Hey!!! Stop thinking about pink crocodiles.....

Why, oh why, are you still thinking about pink crocodiles?!....

You probably wouldn’t have been thinking about crocodiles before I drew your attention to them. So sometimes focussing on the gremlins makes them more real and harder to deal with. Try a mindful/ CBT technique of just counting your breaths or steps up to 4, 8 or 10 before starting over again, or mentally scanning down from the top of your head to your toes while you’re running - like the light beam in a photocopier. Every time your find your mind wanders to gremlins, don’t panic, note it as a ‘thought’ or an emotion, no more, and go back to counting/ scanning and feeling the physical sensations in your body at that moment. If you think you’re doing it wrong, you aren’t - that’s the negativity - just note that thought and go back to counting and scanning without judgement or evaluation. You aren’t fighting yourself or trying to push away thoughts, so it is less tiring. Soon you’ll be able to start that way and forget about pink crocodiles (that are wearing furry chaps... and a cowboy hat... singing ‘My Way’....). Hope that helps?!

[Teddly22 Graduate in reply to Equi-geek]

You talk a lot of sense Equi-geek! Thanks! Now I would like to see a pink crocodile!