Week 10. Motivation Gone

[Circle_On_Legs]

I was really proud to graduate but I've really struggled to get out and run since. I've done 2 runs and scheduled to do R3 yesterday (Sunday) I stuck my head out door and decided it was too wet and squelchy. I am ashamed of myself. I know I can run tomorrow but it's like I got to the end of the 9 weeks achievement and now my inner person has given up. The two runs this week have been really hard work.

I WILL have to make myself continue and complete the 3 consolidation weeks and then aim to increase with the 10% rule. If this week is anything to go by it will be rather challenging.

Is this a common status? Have others felt this way?

Please help.

[DNB2512 Graduate]

Yes, I found the same. The first few runs without Laura's encouragement felt really odd, and harder work. I still haven't bettered my graduation run after 6 weeks or so. You just have to build a new habit - or find a new challenge.

[Circle_On_Legs Graduate in reply to DNB2512]

Thank you DNB. I still have Laura on repeat W9 R3 so that I have the timings. I did go this morning on the usual dog walk/jog. I am doing it, but there is nothing enjoyable about it. I do get into my steady rhythm and manage to pick up speed in the last 60 seconds, but I am only covering just over 2 miles which is about 3.2k. Less than I did W9R2 which was my furthest where I did 3.6k.

[Jjg123 Graduate]

Hi I graduated at the end of November and felt I needed something to keep me motivated. I signed up for Race at your pace.... it’s a virtual challenge where you can sign up to a certain mileage and at the end of the challenge you receive a medal. It has helped me to keep focused during December 😄

[Circle_On_Legs Graduate in reply to Jjg123]

Thank you. I shall look into that. I certainly need something. I feel about running like post people feel about housework. Don't look forward to it, don't like doing it, but satisfied when its done.

[NCC1701 Graduate]

I know what you mean. During week 9 with Michael’s encouragement i did 5k in 27 mins even with a niggly calf. Since graduating in Sep I’ve not managed a 5k in much less than 32 mins but I don’t care. I’m running for the fun of it. I’m listening to an audio book I like, running round the woods near my house and I’m just trying to enjoy myself. Following this philosophy (based on some great advice I received from mentors on the site) I even ended up running my first 10k+ without planning it. A good audio book to lose myself in (music doesn’t do it for me), no pressure in terms of times (I only get my time/distance report at the end of my run) and a simple goal of 3 runs per week woks for me.

[Circle_On_Legs Graduate in reply to NCC1701]

Thank you. Great suggestion. I wondered about podcasts this morning as I usually listen to A Book at Bedtime (Radio 4) to get me off to sleep. Perhaps I shall listen to The Archers omnibus next time.

[Purpleandpink]

Yes I have had exactly the same experience! And I think lots of others do too. I have managed to get out for a run only once a week since graduating 6 weeks ago ☹️ although I have been doing lots of strengthening exercises instead. I find the combination of awful weather, illnesses (me and my little one!), shorter/darker days, work, and no planned run on an app waiting to be ticked off have all left me floundering. For me I have decided that this winter is about strengthening and as long as I get out for a run 1-2 times a week then I hope I will keep reminding myself how much I like it. Sometimes I just go for a really short run (20 mins) so that at least I'm out and enjoying it rather than thinking I have to slog away. When the weather improves and there's more daylight (I really don't like running in the dark) then I can increase to 3 30 mins again and start increasing. I hope by next winter, running will be a stronger habit for me. By the way, try running in the rain. I did and was surprised at how much fun it is - honest! I'm a totally fair-weather person but it was really good. So don't let that put you off. Freezing wind on the other hand.... 😫 Go easy on yourself as this is a new habit you are trying to form. Even if you just get out once a week for 20 mins, it's more than you were doing before c25k! Pushing yourself to run when you really don't want to may lead to you not enjoying it (or injury) and then you have a negative view of running. Hope that helps, and Happy Christmas 🎄

[Circle_On_Legs Graduate in reply to Purpleandpink]

That sums up my feelings exactly. Yesterday it was cold and raining very hard, and there was no way I would have walked the dog in wellies, let alone splash through muddy puddles in trainers and get soaking wet feet. I did go today despite my reticence so I shouldn't be cross with myself, but its annoying to be worse than I was a week ago regarding speed/distance.

Happy Christmas to you also x

[Hidden]

Really common for new graduates to feel this way. Read the guide under FAQs for some great advice and ideas for the next few weeks/months

[Circle_On_Legs Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Helen. I misread your name at first on here and thought it is what some people call me - Hell On Wheels!. I have read one of the C25K+ posts from Iannoda - I will go back and look at the FAQs too.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Just relax.. it is a tricky time with loads going on... chill out and then... do some runs just for pure joy..because you can...just run.... no pressure.

Choose some routes you enjoy..or some new routes... make some short and some longer runs..then take a peek at the What's next post.. and head across to Bridge to take a look at the Continuation and consolidation post...

Don't be hard on yourself... You will get back to it.

[Circle_On_Legs Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you OF. I have read the long What's Next from Iannoda Tuffe (I think it was his one) where he advised the 3 x 30 mins for 3 more weeks and then extend one run a week by no more than 10% of weekly total. The problem is that I don't enjoy it - not one single stride. I love walking and can go for miles, but running is torturous. Yes I think I should run somewhere different, so this morning I did - but I didn't enjoy it. I am a right old curmudgeon.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Circle_On_Legs]

Bah Humbug..no you're not...when you find the right place at the right pace..you'll be fine.xxx

[Nita49 Graduate]

I've just been out for my first run since graduating a week today!... And boy was it a tough one... Had to stop and walk a couple of times. I've put it down to feeling sluggish and I'm out of sync with my routine, ie not been swimming either.

It is what it is, and we'll all get back to it after the festive season has ended, in the meantime I'll just get out when I can and do shorter runs.

[Circle_On_Legs Graduate]

Your reply reminded me of the tale of the snail that thought it's shell slowed it down so he took it off, but it just made him more sluggish

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

I think it’s common that when you reach a goal motivation can dwindle... I always try to keep a short, medium and long term goal for anything I do, so there’s always 2 more goals ahead of me.

[Hidden]

The week 10 blues are not unknown and so many of us have suffered through them and come out the other side. The plan is helpful but it can really feel like a cliff edge moment when you don’t have that impetus to keep going. I can recall (oh and I still have them by the way) setting up 3 weekly reminders supposedly from Mr Smooth (Michael Johnson) to put on my trainers and run. Now I can't imagine not running, but you do have ups and downs. It can take a while to work out what type of running floats your boat. Loads of folk love the camaraderie of park run, others love the short intense runs for speed and others just like losing their heads in a run. You’ve got a great idea just to do the consolidation and then see where it takes you. Good luck in finding your own running recipe.

[Circle_On_Legs Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Jancanrun for the encouragement. I did run this morning. I will be on to W11 on Boxing Day. 1 week out of 3 done I suppose.

[Hidden in reply to Circle_On_Legs]

Me too, I finished off my Alzheimer’s Challenge run today - with the help of loads of C25Kers who ran with me virtually and my dear dear friend Razouski who ran with me this morning. These friendships came from this forum and that was a benefit I never ever imagined. Good luck with W11

[Circle_On_Legs Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you and congratulations completing the Alzheimer's Challenge.

[BirdyRose]

Might be a silly question, but do you have an appropriate running rain coat?

I bought one discounted from £70 to £17 on sports direct recently and now I feel like I can run in ANY weather.

Its not like you're going to be soaked all day afterwards. You can treat yourself to a shower and warm dry clothes. It's one of the best feelings after a run in murky weather.

[Circle_On_Legs Graduate in reply to BirdyRose]

Hi BR, I get hot running in a lightweight running jacket let alone a coat. Seriously, I have no interest in running in the rain. I have dog walked and exercised horses in the rain in the past. There was no pleasure gained at all from getting wet. Now I don't bother to go out and get uncomfortable. There is always another day. Fair weather person at my age The dog can do her business in the garden and walk later when rain stopped.

[BirdyRose in reply to Circle_On_Legs]

Fair enough ☺