Losing my motivation

[Pinkybee]

Hello it’s been a while since I posted. I graduated about 2 months ago now and I’m starting to lose motivation.

Today was my first run in 2 weeks due to a list of excuses but it was my best run and fastest so far. Although not as long as I would normally do. This surprised me as I’m not 100% well either and was prepared for a bad run.

Iv tried different times of day new routes and still I’m not enjoying it as much as I was it’s becoming a chore which is not what I want. The cold weather and dark nights have been a lot to do with it. Iv not even been to the gym all month so I’m trying not to give myself a hard time about it and just keep going.

The weather is getting milder and the day light longer so I’m hoping I will feel good again soon.

Any other graduates get this loss of motivation once the novelty wore off?

[Pianism Graduate]

I've not yet graduated but I'm interested in the responses as I'm worried that this is my usual patter as well. Just out of interest, what goals have you set yourself for the next phase of your running?

[Pinkybee Graduate in reply to Pianism]

My goal at the moment is to still get to 5k and to increase my speed which is happening naturally. Iv had to train for a bleep test also the last couple of months which I dont think has helped as I hate doing it. But trying not to put my usual runs on the back burner at the same time. Good luck with the rest of the programme

[Pianism Graduate in reply to Pinkybee]

Thank you. Good luck with finding your mojo again. Maybe mix things up a bit and get a fresh plan in place. Often works for me.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Are you running to a plan? One of the big thing that changes is we don’t have scheduled runs once we graduate. Have you set new goals yet? That can help a lot. Are you varying runs up? Some short ones, the odd speed session, a nice longer run and lots of comfortable runs... I find the variety helps a lot, not that I look forward to speed sessions as much.

[Pinkybee Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

No I’m just trying to get out 3 times a week. I have done a few hill runs, shorter runs and my usual run and I was doing the bleep test for a job so spent a lot of time doing that. I’m trying to get to 5k still Iv increased my standard runs to 32 mins now and I’m getting faster. I was aiming to increase one run by 1 min per week but not got so far with that but intend to continue.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Pinkybee]

Well you have a plan in your head... I say write it down and stick it on the fridge. You don’t need to extend all 3 runs either... I’d probably be inclined to just extend one and run that one comfortably. Have you gone to parkrun yet? It’s hard to beat being encouraged around your run... and you don’t have to run all of it.

[Pinkybee Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thank you I think I will just do the one longer run a week and see if that helps. Iv not tried the park run yet the amount of people that go puts me off 400+ people but I will one day bite the bullet and go along.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Pinkybee]

In a field of 400 you’re gonna have some variety though... big fields tend to mean there’s even more ability range than at the smaller ones usually... so while the sheer numbers can be intimidating, the fact there’s more mere mortals there helps I think!

[Pianism Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

There are about 250 at my parkrun but I really don't see them much. They've gone off into the distance by the time I've got to the first corner!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Pianism]

Some of them don’t even get their 30 minutes of cardio in 😂

[Pianism Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Most of them definitely don't work as hard as I do!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Pianism]

There’s a girl (15-17) at one of my local ones with around 60 first finishes... she never looks like she’s trying hard... finishes in about 20 minutes! 4th consecutive year of sub 20 times... but she’s missing out 😂

[damienair Graduate]

Parkrun, Parkrun, Parkrun.

I train twice a week, 5K training on Monday and Wednesday evenings. My motivation is Parkrun on a Saturday morning. Genuinely if it was not for Parkrun I don’t think I’d still be running. The community atmosphere is amazing and volunteering every now and then is just as rewarding.

Give it a go. It’s my motivation.

Damien

[Pinkybee Graduate in reply to damienair]

I was originally going to join before I graduated but the fact I’m not at 5k still and that over 400 people attend my local one has put me off for now. But maybe I should just go. I can’t do every week due to my daughters football matches. Thank you

[damienair Graduate in reply to Pinkybee]

Just print out your barcode and pop along to your local Parkrun. Forget about running it for the first one. Just turn up, soak up the atmosphere and walk the full 5K at a fast walk. I gaurentee you won’t be last by a long shot. Cross the finish line, scan your barcode and token and that’s your first one done. Then you will have a PB time which you will easily beat the next time. Genuinely it is amazing and you will be made feel very welcome. It’s not a race, it’s a walk, walk/run, jog or run in the park. Warning ⚠️ it becomes very addictive.

Oh yeah, I forgot to say, the bigger the crowd, the better the atmosphere.

Damien

[Bazza1234 Graduate]

Motivation is a wonderful thing to have - I have always found running plans to be motivating for me. BUT - many times it is difficult to find motivation. What is more important is that a regular running HABIT be formed - and then DISIPLINE needed to stick to it. We do not need motivation to clean our teeth every morning - but we do need the habit and discipline to do it

[mrrun Graduate]

Change things around and make it more interesting. I will always try and increase distances and change the routes/running times. Part of the fun is going out in any conceivable weather too. I only run on my own, had maybe several runs with a friend and will never come near any organised event. It’s either 100% on my own terms or no running. That way l can literary do what l want, when l want and simply keep going! 😀

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Have you read the guide to post C25K running? healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

[Pinkybee Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Yes I have thank you

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to Pinkybee]

One of my first points in that piece is to recommend finding some short medium and long term targets, which can evolve as you move on.