Lacking Motivation

[Susie4]

I have got to week 7 three times and find myself giving up when I get to 25 minutes. I am trying to set an end goal eg 5k run but my local ones are on Saturdays at 9am which is too early for me. Any suggestions gratefully received on ways to stay motivated Eg buddy schemes available I could join in London

Thanks

[damienair Graduate]

Your just 2 weeks away from finishing the Plan. You have done so well to get past week 6. From a motivation side of things set a target of getting to week 9. Then set a target to aim for a graduation badge.

Then set a target to run for 30 mins 3 times per week for a month. Then set a target to run 5K.

There are loads you can do. Firstly achievable goals. When you get to running 30 minutes for 3 times a week look into Parkrun. It’s amazing and a great way to start a weekend and will keep you motivated.

Damien

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Those runs you mention are called Parkruns, many all over the UK and the rest of the world. Pity you can't get further than week 7's 25 minute runs, try and run a little slower, you are so close to the end of C25K with only 3/28 minute runs of week 8 and 3/30 minute runs of the final week 9, the third of those being the C25K graduation one. 9 am isn't really all that early.

[glentoran99 Graduate]

I hated week 7.. I found myself struggling and totally demotivated for various reasons.. but got myself out there and loving the 5ks at the minute, have to restrain myself for going out everyday

[Pippatong]

25minutes three times a week is a heck of a lot better than O minutes sat on the sofa. Give yourself a break, I might be shot for heresy here but yes sometimes I find 9am a bit early in the sense that if I had a long week at work or my shifts have been extended I’m no way getting up early on a Saturday to do it. You can run later in the day if necessary. At some point you may feel motivated to join park run at that time but if you don’t it’s no biggy. Have you put out a call for any other runners you might know on Facebook for example who’d come out with you? I put out a request and also stated how slow I am and found a great running buddy. We don’t get out together often but knowing I will have to run with a friend every couple of weeks or so is enough motivation to keep up the training on my own the rest of the time. Best wishes to you.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Too early? I’m usually there by 8 😂

As you’re into the just running bit, maybe a monthly mileage challenge would help? raceatyourpace.co.uk/

You may have a local running club with a beginners group or maybe even a C25K one?

Have you had difficulties getting yourself out there to do the runs so far? Is it motivation to get out there or motivation to do the longer runs?

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Why do you want to run?

Do you want to achieve something in particular or just stay fit?

Motivation is as different for every runner as every runner is different to every other runner, and it is the one thing that we can't supply alongside encouragement, advice, support and consolation that is on daily offer.

[Jogunlikely Graduate]

Maybe look into your local running club. I was worried that it would be full of gazelles and swishy ponytails but they have a group called the cake club. Its for people that want to run, to improve their running or are just starting out (they do their own version of c25k) but in a non competative environment. I thought I would join once I've done c25k to a) keep me motivated b) it's company on dark evenings c) sometimes there is cake!!!

[ArthurJG Graduate]

Can you help me understand this? You get to week 7 but give up at 25 minutes? 25 minutes in week 7 is the end of the run so that's a success. What happens after that - do you not attempt week 8 (28 minutes), or do you attempt it and find the extra three minutes too much so stop at 25?

[Susie4]

Thanks for all your replies. They really helped me to carry on and am now on my last run wk8