how do i get my mojo back?: I have struggled to... - Couch to 5K

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how do i get my mojo back?

janey28 profile image
7 Replies

I have struggled to get going and repeated the early weeks many times but thought I was plodding along quite nicely W3-W7 one week each albeit at a very slow pace. Managed 25 mins but could not get going after a couple of incomplete attempts at W8. Now 4 weeks on I can just about manage 20 minutes but stopping and starting frequently -just feel very heavy and laboured. Any advice?

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janey28 profile image
janey28
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7 Replies
GoGo_JoJo profile image
GoGo_JoJoGraduate

Part of it will be the heat.

Do you have access to a treadmill, indoor, air-con maybe? Even one run in a more temperate environment might bring your confidence back.

Are you keeping on top of your hydration?

Are you going out feeling that you won't finish?

Don't forget so much is really mind over matter. If you set out to do poorly... that is the result you'll get.

🤔Maybe set yourself a goal you know you can do, say 18 mins. You'll feel better for meeting your goal. Then make it 20/22 and so on.

janey28 profile image
janey28 in reply to GoGo_JoJo

thanks I was wondering whether to go back to W5 maybe and restart?. i'm hydrated ok and go out before its hot (i live in the north by the sea so its not too bad) but i think you might be right about negative mindset.

GoGo_JoJo profile image
GoGo_JoJoGraduate in reply to janey28

I don't think you need to or should restart. You just need to feel a bit more positive about the outcome before you set out.

Give yourself some credit for how far you've come. Maybe other pressures are adding a negative influence just now but remember... you are in charge of how you respond to things around you.

You can do this 💪👍🤗

Tartiflette profile image
TartifletteGraduate

You've done so well to get to this stage, so don't forget how amazing that is! Some weeks just need a bit more practice.

Are you keeping well? Have enough rest days between runs? Agree 🙄 that heat & mind over matter are big factors. You've done 25 minutes, you can do it again 💪🏼

Otherwise, can you change your routine to run at a different time? Or listen to some new music, or a podcast?

Have faith, keep it slow and steady and you'll get there. Good luck.

Jay66UK profile image
Jay66UKGraduate

Great advice from GoGo_Jo_Jo. Take the pressure off. And recognise a lot of this is “just” the heat.

janey28 profile image
janey28 in reply to Jay66UK

Thx all

David_G profile image
David_G

Hi, don’t worry at all about your pace, just concentrate on how long you can run for. 🏃‍♀️ Perhaps you could try running at a different time of day, or vary your route, or maybe try some different music or an audiobook to listen too? That might help take your mind off everything else 🙂

It’s also very warm out there so keep well hydrated and keep your pace slow and steady! Good luck 🤞

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