Struggling with motivation

[Islerunner]

I’ve found myself stuck in W8. I still have to do R3, but I seem to have hit a wall. Granted the weather isn’t helping, but I didn’t finish my last run and I found I was starting to get in a big old stress about it all. It’s easy to forget that we have chosen to do this! And for me the main driver was to find something to focus my mind away from current work stresses. Now, I’m beating myself up about this too.

So I’ve decided to take a break till Monday and then head out again to get back on it.

Has this happened to anyone else??

[chewie1970 Graduate]

I am not as far advanced as you, but i would say if you are struggling maybe go back a week and regain your confidence and a bit more endurance. Its a marathon (or a 5K) not a sprint

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Running can be over thought... it doesn’t need to be that way of course. Yes, we are running a set plan here and the goal adds a little pressure... but when you are struggling 20 minutes into a run, relax, just think how short a time it has been since you couldn’t even get to 20.

Running will become a great stress burner... if that’s after the plan so be it... but think about it... what changes if you don’t complete a run? Who gets hurt? Are there floods and earthquakes? The run is always going to be there for the next time. Happy running.

[Jundal Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Usually lightning storms, children sacrificed to Satan or an unholy commotion in the house of commons when i miss a few runs.

I guess I owe you guys a few apologies right now, yeah?

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Jundal]

That's what caused it! 😂😂😂

[Jundal Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Umm... Sorry? I'll go out tomorrow, I promise!

[RunRunRun13 Graduate]

Don’t beat yourself up about it...just think of it as a practice run (you don’t have to finish each run first time) so try to stay positive before you run and maybe reduce your speed slightly and make sure your hydrated enough. Is there anything else that’s making you hit the wall that you can think of ? My next run tomorrow is Week 8 Run 3 and there are good and not so good runs but we can do it ! Lots of motivation on here and not sure I would be this far if it wasn’t for the support. You can do this on Monday !

[Toridon Graduate]

You CAN do this Islerunner...because if I can you can!!

Go for it, you'll be glad you did.

[Jundal Graduate]

Get your shoes on, switch your brain off and stop being a flaming knobhead.

Don't think it, run it.

Understood?

[Islerunner in reply to Jundal]

Perfect advice!!

[Chris141 Graduate]

Motivation is fine but I’ve been hampered by the weather so should have started W9 this morning but didn’t! Postponed 2uns last week too. My daughter is even shaming me as I inspired her to start the programme and she’s been out in the wind and the rain! I hope to go out Saturday and get W9 underway! You will do itvtoo next week. Taking a few days off is fine!

[mrrun Graduate]

The beauty of this program is that it’s you who calls the shots. Take as many breaks or repeats as you wish. Change and reshuffle things the way you want. Do your own thing, create your own running freedom and you will not find any stress in that. You don’t need to finish anything in any time frame. Simply relax and you’ll end up enjoying yourself.

[Islerunner]

Thank you all so much!!! I really really appreciate your support and comments (even you, Jundal. I wondered who was responsible for all the sacrificial children 🙄🙄!).

You’ve made me laugh and smile and get stuff back in perspective and it’s lovely to have a bunch of virtual friends like you!! Monday, I’ll be back on it, I promise 🤞