Motivation

[Mum50ish]

I've been following the couch to 5k programme and have up till now been progressing well,howeverI can not get past running for 20 mins ! Not sure if it's physical or mental ,ive tried changing routes and times of days i run but i get to 2o mins and feel completely drained. Is this normal?

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

It’s almost certainly mental. I assume you’re on a 25 minute run. There’s a guided run on the Nike Run Club app at that length in the running with headspace series. The app is compatible with the C25K app and the run gets great reviews. Maybe that could unlock this mental block? It’s a run with Nike’s global head coach and Headspace’s founder and former Buddhist monk.

[Mum50ish in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thankyou will have a look at the app ,I'm getting quiet frustrated with myself which probably isn't helping .was wondering if trying a park run with others might help ,even if i walk part of it.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Mum50ish]

It could help... just don’t try to keep up with anyone faster! You’ll get a lot of encouragement... before starting this I walked a parkrun and the “well done” and “good job” comments are still in my head. I marshal now, can’t wait to run it.

I used headspace a lot and they got me trough quitting smoking amongst other stresses... I’m almost ready to do the run I suggested above. If you try it, start your C25K app as normal, then open Nike and start the run on there just as you’re on 3 or the 3,2,1 go bit and the guys will talk you through a relaxing run.

[Mum50ish in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Definitely will try this ,thankyou for your advice ,will let u know how I get on .fingers crossed 😀

[59er Graduate]

Are you eating before you go out? I started out not eating anything and then as my running time increased, like you, I felt drained and very tired for the rest of the day - thought I was just too old! Now I eat a banana about an hour before I go - seems to have done the trick.

[Mum50ish in reply to 59er]

I don't tend to eat before as was worried about getting a stitch ,but will give it a try .Thankyou

[Jogunlikely Graduate]

Hi I can't offer any advise as I haven't reached that point yet but just wanted to wish you luck x

I'm sure you'll crack very soon 👍

[Mum50ish in reply to Jogunlikely]

Ah thankyou will let u know when I get past 20 mins ,hopefully very soon x

[1HHi Graduate]

Have you tried slowing right down. I've just completed wk 6 and started of pretty slowly then sped up for the last ten minutes.

Keep going you will get there.

[Mum50ish in reply to 1HHi]

Thankyou, I'm quiet a plodder anyway but I dream of faster days 😀

[1HHi Graduate]

I think we all think we are slow but I definitely found if I ran (jog really) slowly for the fist half of a run I can push myself for the 2nd half as I am on count down to the end.