Now that I’m approaching the end of the program I feel like it’s “nearly done, finished, put your feet up and never run again”
Maybe it’s the weather but I’m struggling to convince myself that this will be a lifelong commitment.
The running itself is going well so I’m not sure why I feel this way. Ideally I’d like to figure this out before I finish the program and give myself an excuse to stop.
I am going to force myself to get to 12 weeks running but I’m struggling for motivation. I feel like I need a new goal.
Any advice?
Thanks guys
Written by
TomOg
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I’m just a novice on W3 but read a great article about C25K being great but not for everyone nerdfitness.com/blog/couch-.... I want to complete it and I’m sure the motivation brilliance on here will help and so far I feel inspired but at the end, if I don’t feel I want to do it forever then that will be just fine because I need no motivation to get up and move , just I’ve never run and want to see if I can and if I might like it in my life after 9 weeks. So my humble opinion is- keep going to the end and listen to all the fab folk on here but if you still don’t feel the love, don’t feel bad just use the new fitter you to try something else until you find what you feel you want to do forever.
ParkRun is the best thing I did alongside C25K! Brilliant! I also joined a club. You need to find the right one - I didn’t enjoy the first I tried. Sign up to some races and also do Ju-Ju-‘s bridge to 10k plan on the bridge forum if you fancy going further. Distance also improves pace 👌🏽
I felt exactly the same as you at the start of W8. Stick with it, I've just started W9 and can honestly say I've never felt better. The 30 min run was like a walk in the park compared to some of the earlier weeks. Can't wait to graduate now and do a few park runs. All the best!
It took me a while to really find the love. I struggled so much while I was learning. For me the first buzz came when I put in for an event. I still get the same feeling when I press the buy button for an event. I love the big events 10,000 plus runners, for me that is what keeps me going, I have had times when I couldn’t do events and it was a struggle to go out and train without an event to train for, but we are all different. I’ve seen people go from C25k to go in to do some amazing things with their new found fitness. The world is your oyster, as they say.
Or Runkeeper. I'm a big fan of the silly voices you can choose which will announce time, distance and pace to you. You can choose how many minutes/km you want announcing.
Finish this... then time for a shake up..if you want to keep on running, ( sounds like a song title..Spencer Davis??? ) then there is a lot to choose from.
Running for ever is not for everyone and what you achieve with this will not be wasted...
Thing is.. why did you begin this... has the reason for that changed.... do you want to maintain your fitness?
Do you enjoy the runs you are doing...?
When you have finished..there are so many things you can try... different locations... trail running... joining in on running events in your area....joining a running club... focusing on reaching 10K...
I love this time of the year..but the dark mornings and early evening dark don't suit us all...it can be hard to get the gear on and get out there.. especially in the wild wet windy weather... Set your gear out the night before your run.. choose a different route and just head out
I started running because I have a son on the way (any day now) and I’d like to be able to A: Keep up with him when he’s running about, and B: to set him a good example of staying active.
I’m not really doing this to try and change my appearance (although I could do with losing a bit of weight) or run marathons. I’d just like to be able to run around with him all day without wheezing and dripping sweat.
That’s what keeps me motivated.
I don’t know if I’ve got a bit of imposters syndrome. Is what I’ve achieved actually of merit? Or is this the first tiny step and it’ll be so easy to fall off the wagon?
I think I enjoy them? I always feel pretty happy with myself when I’ve finished but I think I see it as more of a chore than a joy.
I don’t know how to properly explain how I’m feeling. I really appreciate the replies
Okay.. well disregard any doubts you have...with a small one almost here.. you need this and you need to keep on running
Talk about exhausting ? I only look after our small runner in training, ( granddaughter ) two days a week... they are my best work out days... The rest of the time, I have to just keep up with her Heart healthy and feeling, happy fit and strong.. for me that is part of what this is all about...
What you have done is of merit... and as small one grows... you will benefit mentally and physically from your running, and the exercise associated with it It can be,, with Mama's support.. be a time to recharge and refresh... you make sure she has that time too :)...but it will be useful!
You have a lot going on and that could be part of it... relax a little ..be kind to yourself.. take these last runs slowly and steadily and then after the small one arrives.. ease up.. choose some new routes which you can use maybe even once a week...very early mornings are a great time and a great start to the day.... just don't try to hard... let things evolve...and remember.. we are right here.. running with you
Thanks for the kind words, I really appreciate it. It’s nice to have some input. I’m definitely going to finish the program since I’ve come this far.
I think I’m looking at it very rigidly.
My only doubt is myself if that makes sense. I’ve never really committed to anything like this and gone this far with it and I think I’m getting a bit nervous that it’ll all come crashing down.
I’m not actually in a rut yet I just feel that that’s the way I was heading before reading all of the replies and suggestions.
I think you can do park runs with pushchairs, imagine the fun that will be 🤗.
The enjoyed moments of running for me happen, occasionally during the run, when I seem to zone out, (how I long for those moments), but always after the run, when I feel good for the day, even if it was a really tough one.
Complete.
Consolidate.
Then maybe aim for 10k or more.
To quote Buzz Lightyear "To infinity and beyond...."
There's your motivation, right there Tom... your little one.
"A: Keep up with him when he’s running about, and B: to set him a good example of staying active."
Re: "A": He''s not even born yet so it will be a few years until you're *required* to keep up him!
Re: "B": that's a long time frame! Toddler, junior, young adult.
If you feel *that* strongly about it, then you'll do something about it.
And what you're doing, has ENORMOUS merit - it's a wonderful thing, the C25K programme. I'm a run-leader for our lunchtime works C25K - we're on our 7th group now and I've seen a huge change in many of our beginners.
You've obviously not got the bug yet and that's fine. We're all different. Running/jogging isn't for everyone. Maybe doing it early hours at this time of year isn't the best for you. Have you considered a treadmill at a gym? Or another time of day in the week? Maybe you'll finish Week 9 and realise that you actually want to cycle or swim.
It doesn't matter what it is, but it sounds like you want to get into some form of activity to help you with both A and B above....
Definitely try parkrun every week if you can. It's a great thing by itself but it might also provide the motivation for your other runs.
Alternatively (or better still, additionally) enter a 5k race - enter it now but choose one in January or thereabouts. You could choose one that provides a training plan for you to follow. Or, if that's not enough of a challenge you could enter a 10k instead and use ju-ju's plan on here to get ready. You seem an unselfish type so maybe even make it a charity race so that other people stand to benefit if you stay motivated.
Just a couple more options to add to the other choices mentioned by other people. Several options, pick the one you think you will want to stick with.
Get to the end of C25K, then spend a couple of weeks consolidating (gives you chance to play with intervals, doing Park Runs, joining a running group, finding new routes) then sign up for Ju-Ju's 10 is the magic number and you have a new challenge and a new reason to go out and get that running 'buzz'.
I’m on week 8 too and wondering similar things. I think I might try Zombies! Run! App next. I have a not quite 2 small one and we both lost fair bit of fitness (not that I had much beforehand) when Bub arrived but so much easier now. I reckon running with my Dad as a kid is why I’m keen to do it now. I also have a friend I do parkrun with (who is 10mins faster than me).
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Set your gear out the night before your run.. choose a different route and just head out
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