Hi,
A while ago I was incredibly enthusiastic about starting to run. I reached week three run two and thought it was going really well. However, something got in my head and I stopped. I want to start again but I am worried about failing again.
Does anyone have some advice?
Thanks in advance!
Becky 😊
You did so well getting to W3 R2! Don’t worry about failing, the only failure would be letting what’s in your head stop you from going running again.
Don’t put any pressure on yourself, maybe just start week 3, or even week 2 again, and go for it. You’ve got this!
Thank you so much 😊. Those words of encouragement mean a lot x
Totally agree, go back a week or so and gradually build up to where you got to. Do you listen to music on your way around? Create a playlist that is maybe upbeat to give you the encouragement to keep going. Remember to drink oodles the days before you run, slow down if needed to complete the tasks.
Good luck and you came to the right place to ask, we have all been there and still do in my case but keep going 🏃♂️
Thank you! Making a playlist sounds like a really good idea and I never drink enough at the best of times so I'll be sure to do that 😊
I used to get calf muscle pain but since someone on here told me to drink more it has eased that problem. It is in the guidelines on the forum (wish I had read them 🤐) Well worth a read!
Welcome to the forum and well done on your decision.
This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5... and I recommend you follow the link to the post about mental approach.
You can do this.
Enjoy your journey
Why?
Why do you want to do this?
Find your why.....& I don’t mean a flimsy ‘because I want to lose weight and get fit’. That’s just one of the things you need to do to reach a goal...why. Why do want to do this? .....keep going until you find the why that makes you cry.
Why did you stop.....because you don’t deserve to feel good?
Come on .......don’t make me drive round and glue those trainers to your feet
😁 you'd make a very good motivational speaker! Thank you!!
Also.....hormones
Don’t know where you are with them but our cycles make us enthusiastic on week 1&2
We start to get more cba and negative after that
Hi Becky.
I too got to week 3 full of enthusiasm, and struggled so much with run 1 I felt incredibly deflated - the pain in my knees and shins was stopping me running. I read the article IannodaTruffe recommends and found it incredibly helpful for my state of mind and approach to the whole plan.
I went back to week 2 (repeated all 3 runs) and although I was nervous returning to week 3 I had a completely different attitude and ended up wanting to carry on running at the end of each session. Today I completed w4r2 and feel more confident than ever that I can do this. I look forward to every run and the challenges it will bring.
Don't be disheartened - be kind and give yourself time. And do read the article. You can do this 😉
Congratulations on getting to the midpoint in week 4 😊!! As you say, I'm going do week two again to build my confidence back up. Thank you for the advice!
I too stopped and had to restart-due to being away with a friend and not running. Best to think that getting to the end is not the aim but just doing it, so if the runs start to seem too difficult repeat them or drop back to an earlier week. Also I have enjoyed listening to podcasts so that I am entertained.
Thank you!
Hi becky
I am struggling this week. Like you perhaps feeling I might fail.
You have inspired me to goforit tomorrow.
It helps knowing that I am not the only one who falters.
Something that worked for me was planning my runs for the week ahead. When am I going to put aside that half an hour to get out there? And then just be strict with yourself and go out and do it.
Think of each run so far as a practice. Now you know you can do it, so go and do it for real.
Reaching the graduation of Couch is one of my biggest personal achievements and has led to a love of running further and faster. Take control and have that feeling for yourself.
Enjoy your next run x
You don't fail, they say, as each run makes you a better runner.
I liked all inputs here, and Vienna- is right, find the answers to why you stopped and why you want to go for it this time.
I don't know the statistics of the average 'graduation' period but for me it's definitely longer than nine calendar weeks.
Please forget the word 'failing'. Even if you achieve less than planned, are you not doing more exercise than watching telly?
Mini-run - getting started again
Graduate starts again 
Thinking of starting at week 1 again
Former runners “starting again”?
Let me start the month again
