Back to square one

[abicowls]

After a week on holiday and gaining a few pounds I got back on the treadmill, after about 30 seconds of trying to run I was so self conscious I couldn't continue 👎 will give it a go again in a couple days, struggling to find motivation!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on getting started.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Enjoy your journey.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

... and the motivation for this week is... get rid of those pounds and find that confidence again...come on.. you can do this

[DiscoRunner Graduate]

Slow down! I have to really think about my pace when trying to get back in to the swing after a gap, sometimes we are trying too hard. A slow plodding speed is fine - however slow you need to be to finish! Maybe try running outside if you feel self conscious on the treadmill?

[SaraV in reply to DiscoRunner]

I find running on the treadmill much harder, because you can’t easily vary your pace - so I feel like I’m running at max even at 5mph. At least outside I can just plod along when I need to.

[pete_be_healthy in reply to SaraV]

Strange isn't it. I find treadmill running easier because I can regulate my pace and slow it down!

[Gingernutter Graduate in reply to pete_be_healthy]

Same here! You can concentrate on your technique and relax into the pace. Horses for courses..I will be back in the great outdoors soon though 😁

[SaraV in reply to Gingernutter]

Haha every time I try and think about technique I panic! I think I’ve got a really short stride (short legs 😳) - I’m sure if I could take longer strides I’d be more efficient but I just can’t get it to work!

[pete_be_healthy in reply to SaraV]

I believe short strides are better for avoiding injury. Short strides equals higher cadence which can be better. Sometimes when I'm running slower I try and purposefully shown me side to up cadence and heart rate often drops for the same speed which seems counter intuitive

[ButtercupKid Graduate]

It’s the Voices - we all hear Them from time to time. They say stupid things like “Everyone is laughing at you” and “You’ll never make it through this run”. The one thing you can be sure of is that the Voices will never tell you the truth. Remember when They told you you’d never get through week 1 ? They were lying then and they’re lying now. You can do this, you will do this, and if anyone is looking at you, it’s because they’re admiring your courage and wishing they had it too x

[BishyBarnabee Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

Absolutely agree, BcK. My interpretation of people’s expressions I encountered during my first runs have changed now, like yours. Amazing how regular running can alter your perception of things - to the positive!

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to BishyBarnabee]

People still tend to look aghast when I come thundering towards them. I used to think they were horror struck, and maybe they’re actually overawed. I don’t know what they’re really thinking, but after all this work I do know that I don’t care any more ! What matters is what I think . . . and I think I want to run anyway 😄

[welsby1967 Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

Well said buttercupkid

[suziefb Graduate]

you CAN do it. Well done for even getting back on the treadmill. Next time your head will be in a better place I am sure.

I have found the hardest part is in your head rather than your legs, the number of times I was inwardly saying "what am I doing, I must look such a numpty, I can't do this", but stubbornly just kept putting one foot in front of the other, and eventually you believe that maybe , just maybe , you can do it. I graduated yesterday and for an overweight 52 yer old who hasn't jogged since her 20's that is epic! So believe in yourself and get back out there! No one else is worrying what you are doing on the treadmill, or pavement, half as much as you think they are

Good luck

[mickj]

Don’t say that, I’m on last day of wk 9 today then go away for a week on Thursday, better watch what I’m eating and drinking. Great Holiday !!

[Silverfox1943 Graduate in reply to mickj]

Take your gear and just carry on doing it.