Alas poor me

[ButtercupKid]

The Black Dog is savaging me. I’ve lost all confidence in myself and all sense of purpose. Can’t believe I’ve come all this way and now I’m terrified to get out of the house, never mind go for a run. I know I’ll get through week 9, I know you’re all with me - if I can just get out there and do it 😞

[SaskAlliecat Graduate]

I'm sorry to hear you are struggling right now. I wonder if the impending end of the programme is what is causing this about turn and resurgence of anxiety. Realize that when the programme is over, you will still be a runner and can continue on running in what we call consolidation. You can keep posting on here or join us on the bridge to 10k forum, even if 10k is not your plan. Don't overthink this final week. I hope you are able to work through what you are going through right now, put on your gear and leave the house. We have faith in you and would love to see Graduate behind your name but step one is taking care of you right now. Perhaps that is just getting outside for a short walk. Prove to yourself you can do that, then get on your gear and go for your run. You're right; we're here for you and you will get through week 9.

[Razouski]

Hi Buttercup, it sounds as if you’re in a tough place right now, and that Black Dog can be so debilitating. No wonder you’re finding it hard to get outside, never mind run.

We all know that you have it in you to complete week 9 , as you’ve come so far already. You may need an few extra rest days, but as SaskAlliecat suggested, if you can get out just for a short walk that might be a starting point. I know it will be difficult, and we’re all here ready to walk virtually by your side.

Sending a virtual big hug your way.

[cheekychipmunks Graduate]

Oh ButtercupKid I’m so sorry. You’ve come this far and we know you can go all the way when you’re ready. Think of us all cheering you on. Think of the feeling when you’ve graduated. Think of the huge achievement of having the word Graduate next to your name. ❤️

Running is for you. No pressure. The daylight hours are getting longer, spring is just around the corner - think of running for fun with the sun on your back, as far as you like, for as long as you like. We’re here for you. 😀

Go on ButtercupKid. You can do this. ❤️❤️

[Hidden]

Hi Buttercup kid! I’ve liked your post out of solidarity, not because I like the situation!! I have struggled with depression and still do to a lesser extent, in fact it cost me my marriage, so yeah, your post grabbed my attention!

You already know the benefits of running on depression i suspect, so really it’s about getting out there. I found before I was able to start doing things to help myself like C25K, I needed medical help, just to get me to the point where I could function and make rational decisions.

You are stronger than the dog, I know it, you just need to believe that for yourself. Whatever you do though, we’re with you.

Now don’t beat yourself up, just remove as many barriers as you can to your running.

All the best, Neil

Know

[Bodg Graduate]

A big hug and a wish for you to make it out of the door soon. Take the dog, you don't have a choice, but it is you that likes to run not him.🤗

[Bershe]

Come on Buttercup you CAN do this. You willed me on and I am going to do this through to W9R3. We deserve it because we have worked hard. I am going to change my run this week.

Ask, Believe, Receive x

[Camalota Graduate]

I too get savaged by the black dog, don't worry, I couldn't face it for several weeks. I was delighted to find that my mind and body had retained the training, I repeated my last run and then just carried on. If you can get out, fantastic. If you can't right now it will keep. Hang on in there you can outrun the bugger 💪💪💪

[blackcatgib Graduate]

Of course you will complete week 9 - it’s pretty easy after completing week 8 , perhaps you need to plan some runs for after that to look forward to. You will still be part of this group too but as a graduate 😁😁 I’m still running 2-3 times a week not much faster or further than when I graduated in November but it makes me feel mentally great .

Sending you lots of love , get that kit on and run and you will be full of endorphins

Xxxx

[Couchpotato2 Graduate]

Switch off your brain. Put on your running gear. Walk out the house and have a little walk. See how you feel. I think you want to run... go!

We’re with you x

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Hi BCK, you CAN do it, kick that black dog where it hurts and out of site, as you know I have been doing a course on Future Learn and regarding anxiety if you relax that helps a lot. First of all get out of the house and try a short run, if you can continue running all good and well, you managed 3/28 minute runs, 2 minutes more isn't all that much, you are so close to graduating, you can't stop now.

As I type this at around 7.50 in the morning I am getting ready to go out a walk, during that walk, I will run a little to stretch my legs, when I come back I will be studying the last week of that Future Learn course, I will report back to you later in the day how I got on and what the subject was.

Good luck to you for today, the weather is to get milder so at least try and get out of the house for a run, if not the full 30 minutes of week 9 run 1 at least get out in the fresh air and kick that black dog into space.

[CatMo13 Graduate]

Right behind you Buttercupkid. Visualise your run, where you’re gonna go, plan your music, lay out your gear. Go through the motions. Then look at the door. Breathe. Perhaps go back and put on the running gear 😁 then open that door and get on out there. We will all be running with you 🙌⭐️

[Setters Graduate]

You can and will do this I am totally confident, come on girl we are all rooting for you, you are strong enough. Start humming your January Mantra now 😉

[ktsok Graduate]

Remember this, BCK. It’s one step at a time. Just take one step, then the next. Concentrate on your breathing and staying slow. One step at a time. We are all rooting for you 🤗

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

We are right there with you, but don't let that be an extra pressure.

You will do it when the time is right.

[Tartancat Graduate]

Oh bless you. It doesnt matter how long it takes, we all know you WILL beat that black dog, and you WILL conquer C25K.

We're all with you in spirit - and sending you positive thoughts 🌞❤🌻

[SpanishShuffle Graduate]

Good Morning (I hope for you) this morning BCK. I found reading Eat, Drink, Run by Bryony Gordon a great help and that is before I started the C25K. It is funny and interesting and was helpful to see that what is in my brain sometimes is in other people's too!

The Black Dog, or whatever you choose to call it WILL move on. Just have your kit ready for when you feel it going. Then get dressed and chase the bl...y thing down the road. If you chase it away it might think twice about coming back 😊

Keep the faith ✊👣

[Granspeed Graduate]

A 💕Sitting (virtually) beside you till you’re ready to go on. Share my crispy nut energy bar? 💕

[DiscoRunner Graduate]

If you can get dressed, make it your running gear - then see what happens. Maybe extend the Black Dog metaphor - it’s a dog, take it out for a run, or it will…(that’s enough extended metaphor, Ed.)

Hope this lifts soon.

[ANewMe1 Graduate]

We're all here with you. Sending you love and support 💝

[Phoenix_flames21 Graduate]

Awwww bless you. I find tricking the dog helps. So when it's not looking get dressed in your running clothes. Get yourself something to eat. Relax. Lull it into a false sense of security. Then about an hour after food, just tell yourself you're going for a 10 min walk, there and back. You can do 5 minutes however hard it is dragging that dog. Hopefully once you're out the dog will want to run. If not, getting outside will have done you good. Repeat each day until you feel strong enough to run.

[SeeJillRun Graduate]

So sorry to read that the black dog has reared his ugly head, especially when you’re so close to graduating. I really don’t think that’s a coincidence though. Take the time you need for self-care and maybe put some thought into making a plan for how to continue once you graduate. With a plan in place, hopefully the black dog will come to realise that graduation is not an ending but just the beginning. We are all here by your side. Sending hugs 🤗

[WombatCreek Graduate]

You can do it, don’t give up! Take it slow, small steps can take you further than you realise. Sending you a virtual hug.

[molly1973 Graduate]

Sending you much love, Buttercup. You are such a strong person and I know that running has helped when the dog was more of a whipped puppy, as you described it: remember that and maybe try a walk. You have come so far and week 9 will wait until you feel ready, remember we have all got your back here too and sending huge virtual hugs x Hurry up, daffodils

[lexi6 Graduate]

Oh! BcK, so sorry to hear that. When you’re ready, post on here and let all your VBR’s know and we’ll come out and run or walk with you. Huge hugs to you from the Antipodes. 💐🌻

[Pickles1234]

Me too Buttercup - I agree it is so hard even to get up and dressed, let alone out the door. I say this not for sympathy but in solidarity- sometimes it helps to know you’re not alone. You have done incredibly well, and you will do this, but don’t get mad with yourself - just wrap yourself in cotton wool and do it when you’re ready. It’s taken me a month to get to Week 3 because of depression, and I know that when I stopped at Week 6 back in November it wasn’t circumstances, it was my head. I wonder if part of this is the same with you, fear of finishing? With love and support (and virtual hugs) x

[BishyBarnabee Graduate]

I’m with you, too, BCK! Sending you some “Sausage Dog Power” from Germany to run away from that Big Black Dog with small steps full of energy!

[Tkaye Graduate]

Take care of you, run when your ready, we will all be cheering you on and you will be fabulous. You will continue to be fabulous after you complete the 9 weeks and onwards. You may have to sit for a while with the black pooch and in time it may well have to jog alongside you for a bit, eventually you will be able to leave him behind, until then, know that everything is transient and this too will pass. X

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Just want to add my support too Buttercupkid....🌷🌼🌱

Keep checking in on the forum, we are here for you😊xxx

[Islerunner]

Adding my support. I’m a relative newbie, so am in awe of how far you’ve got. You can do this. Be kind to yourself, take your time, and you’ll bounce back when you’re ready ☺️

[johnt46 Graduate]

Hi BCK, put the black dog on a leash, and tell it you are in charge and bring it to heel, it does want you want not the other way round! You have the strength to do this, you're the boss, be assertive, we are all rooting for you, you've come this far, look back at your achievements, and forward to your goal!🏅🎖

Sending you healing and loving thoughts ❤️

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

It’s ok... you ran tomorrow 🤪

Take that black dog!