Mental issue

[Medusa2506]

Anyone like me that can’t relax as I run, all I think of is how many mins I think I have left and can’t wait for his voice to pop up... don’t seem to enjoy the run ☹️

Week 5

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Do you listen to music? If so maybe play something that takes your concentration, so maybe comedy podcasts, radio plays or audiobooks. They stop me thinking about running and time if I need to so I have them ready in case I need to switch.

[Hidden]

Yeah, quite a few times. For me it's important that I have the right music playing. If there's a song that comes on that I'm not too fond of, it makes my mind wander and then I start getting bored. This morning every song was a cracker and the 25 minutes just flew by. Although my body was knackered, in my mind it felt like I'd only been running 10 minutes or so.

[AngryFlower Graduate]

I have a tendency to be like this and on occasion start to count which is not at all helpful. This mostly occurs at the start of a run when I’m a little anxious so I distract myself by trying to look at interesting things on my journey. I don’t know whether you do but don’t focus on the road/pavement keep your head up and really take in your surroundings and if you’re running in a built up area maybe you could try a more rural area nearby if that’s an option?

[Medusa2506]

Think I do need a better sound track 🤔

I’ll try a different route also thanks

[59er Graduate]

I made an effort to compile a playlist of great songs - absolutely loads - that I hadn’t heard for a long time. Then, when I started running I put the list on shuffle. Constantly surprised and really enjoyed hearing them again but never ran short of surprises. As I remembered some during the day 🤔I’d just add them to my list. The list just got longer and longer! 😁

[ButtercupKid Graduate]

Maybe you’re pushing yourself a little too hard ? I found allowing myself to go just a little slower made me start looking forward to the process rather than feeling like I did before school PE. Personally I make up daft poems as I go. Yesterday’s was:

I don’t care what you’ve been told,

It’s no fun getting fat and old.

Get that flab to run away,

Come and try C25k !

Feel free to use it if it helps 😄

[Hidden]

I started off exactly the same, would mentally count along trying to work out how long i would have left...then i put music on, and that made things worse as i realised songs were about 3/4 mins long, so i have run for 2/3 songs so that equals X!

I turned to Podcasts, which helped as you have no idea of how long they have been going, or have left, and also helped distract me from the run as i would have to listen properly (The songs you listen too tend to be songs you already know, so you dont listen to each & every word).

Therefore, i recommend Podcasts for helping you relax in your runs (or Audiobooks, though i havent tried this!) Good luck

[Jundal Graduate]

I tend to make different play lists. I currently have 3 to run to, two quite similar and one of 80s tunes from cheesetastic films. I also listen to 'Zombies, run!' As I run and that keeps me occupied as I go. After a while, it becomes (for me) about distance, not time. I run to go as far as I can, or if I'm with my son, as far as he needs to push on that day. If I'm having a great day j go longer, not so great, I push as far as I can and then go home and moan to the wife.

[Auden Graduate]

Oh absolutely. I also saw your earlier post about 8min run. I have just done it (wk5 r2) and understand how you feel! Firstly I do put music on to help. With the 8 min run I thought ‘if I keep running for 2 songs i’ll have done it’. It worked! I’m also wondering if we keep thinking about the time it’s because we’re pushing too hard and feeling physically uncomfortable. Today I slowed down (not that I’m anything other than slow) and focussed on the songs.

Keep going. Slow down. Distract yourself with music. Best of luck!

[JumpingFrog]

I know what you mean as I had days like that. One of the things that helped me was forgetting about finishing and plod on one step at a time. Motivational music helps.