Jogging happy

[Pippatong]

I graduated a few months ago and have been jogging at least twice a week since. However I moved to the 10k training and I’ve had so many injuries I’ve dropped back down to 5k. Then I hurt my hip, got a really bad cold and didn’t go out for three weeks. Today I got up early and ran for 1.5miles to test the waters. I’ve come to the conclusion that some is better than none 2-3 times a week and I’m not a runner I’m a reluctant jogger. Am I alone or do others feel the same?

[ruthless10]

I’m perfectly happy to run for 30 minutes three times a week; I have no desire to run further. There’s nothing wrong with sticking at 5 km. To be honest, I get a bit bored after 40 mins (2 walks and 30 min run)

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Hi. I think here is so amazing that we all feel the pull to 10k... but it’s not for everyone, you really have to want to do it, and while the journey isn’t so long to get to running 10k from 5, the time commitment to get there is more.

I think what’s most important is to remember why we came here, virtually all of us were couch potatoes, and we make a massive change... we add years to life expectancy... if we maintain it. For some that’s the only running goal and I’d rather see people taking this and keeping fit and healthy than go for something they’re not that interested in and quit running.

I’m gonna head up the distance to run a marathon eventually, then I’m coming back down to 5k because I really have no interest in doing a 10k race or a HM... I’ll be happy keeping going and occasionally having a crack at a parkrun PB.

Just be the new healthy you, maintain what you did and be happy. One day you may want to do something else with it, and you’ll have the base to do that from.

[Pippatong in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thank you so much. I’m having a real crisis of confidence in myself at the moment and not just in running. You’ve helped me put it in perspective and I need to do it for myself not anyone else. I do struggle with self validation and I feel I have to impress other people and forget it’s about my health, no one else’s.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Pippatong]

You have impressed more people than you could ever imagine... 60k people here now... you got through this plan, you’ve gone on, been injured and bounced back and you’re humble... what’s not to respect and be impressed with there?

Your bio says why you run, and that’s a perfect reason, because it’s your reason... also a damn tasty reason, very much my kind of reason 😂.

It’s all about you...

[Oldmo Graduate]

Hi, I feel exactly the same as you. Graduated about a year ago. After a while I thought I should try to go further than 5k as everyone else on the forum seemed to be doing so. Anyway, started to increase my distance slowly, but didn’t enjoy it at all, I felt if I continued in reaching for 10k , I would give up all together, I just didn’t want to do it, felt I was doing it to keep up so to speak and not for myself, so I am back to running 5k , 3 times a week ,(most weeks😳) and I am much happier. At least I am still out there and fitter than what I was. So do what you think is best for yourself , dont worry about time or distance .

[Pippatong in reply to Oldmo]

You expressed what I’ve been doing so much better. Back to basics and just keep keeping fit 😊

[Maybe58 Graduate]

You are doing better than you think, you got back out there after injury! Be kind to yourself and go with what your body is telling you, not what your head is saying ‘you should do’. You’ll get there 👍

[Sybilw Graduate]

I graduated in July and kept up the 3 runs a week but was always aiming to get to 5k each time and was beginning to lose the love. Had a month off (epic holiday - I know, good excuse!) and started again on Tuesday. This time I decided I’d just go for about half an hour ‘running’. In fact I ran for most of it but stopped if I felt like it. I didn’t really HAVE to but I could so I did (sorry coach Sarah!). Do you know I enjoyed it so much more and I did my second run this morning. I was beginning to be obsessed by numbers (and impressed by fellow graduates who are streaking ahead) but this is my path and I want to have fun. After a month off I can still cover about 4K in about half an hour (did I say I was beginning to be obsessed by numbers!!) and that was unthinkable in April. Well done us is what I say. Hope you find the love again.