Sudden onset of apathy! Help!

[IrvingWashington]

I have been working through Couch to 5K since February and really enjoying it (see my previous post). Running and visits to the gym have left me feeling healthier, happier and certainly slimmer!

On Wednesday (24th) I completed the final run from week 8, and got home tired but happy and satisfied, all fired up for cracking on with week 9.

However, Thursday and Friday proved very busy with work (lots of travel and late finishes) and a late night on Thursday at a music session where I play guitar. By the weekend, the absolute last thing I wanted to do was go for a run and starting week 9. I felt overwhelmed by tiredness, apathy and a sense of wanting to sit on a sofa eating biscuits rather than going out for a run.

Maybe the sudden wind, rain and cold on Saturday put me off? Maybe I just needed a break for a few days? I am now worried that when I go out again (which cannot be sooner than tomorrow, Tuesday, as I am busy tonight and working during the days) I will struggle to complete the 30 minute run....

This is frustrating as until now, I have had no problems finding the motivation to get out there and run. I ask myself, should I have forced myself out this weekend anyway?

[Saltdog Graduate]

Don't worry about it. Pick yourself up and get at it. I took about 3-4 weeks off after W8R2 due to my wife having a baby and there not being enough hours in the day. Was really pleased that when I went back to it with low expectations, I managed W8R3 no bother. I'm no expert but I think it takes longer to lose it than you'd imagine.

Good luck with week 9. Just imagine how awesome it'll be when you complete it. You're a performer according to your post. Get out running and put in your best performance!

[Hidden]

Think we've all been there Irving. There's nothing wrong, that's just a natural reaction to a knackering couple of days. I suppose the only thing I can say is, running actually energises you, which is extremely hard to believe but it does. I'm behind you but I was absolutely exhausted before I did my 20 min run. Maybe it was the achievement but I was full of energy when I got back. Your brain will always try to save energy, you have to trick it, just get out there if you can 😄

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

What Saltdog describes above is very common. We lose no fitness for the first two weeks of not running and then it’s very gradual... the plan has people ready for a longer run all the time, so chances are you can run that 30. Relax before you run, start deliberately slowly and keep the pace down for the first 10 minutes at least. Take all expectations off the run... if you get to the end, great, if not it was just a run to blow the cobwebs off.

[Deals1 Graduate]

don't worry

took me longer to complete

[IrvingWashington Graduate]

Thanks for the boost everyone! Will get out there tomorrow and do this!

[Debston Graduate]

Good luck with it! Sometimes you just have to rest and recharge the battery.

[IrvingWashington Graduate]

Thank you for your encouragement everyone. I went out for a run last night and it went great! Week 9 run 1 completed, I managed the full 30 mins and hit 5K a few seconds later. The last 10 minutes were a real slog though...

I was more frustrated that, for the first time since getting it, my Garmin running watch failed to sync the run data to the app, which means my Strava did not update with the run. Particularly galling as I managed my best time for 5K!!