Looking for others...

[Lucyintheskywith]

I've reached that point atm.. that I'm needing others to run with... when i cant find others then I'm deciding not to go out at all.. I've been out there with others for some 16weeks but after 1month off...these same others are elsewhere both beyond my capabilities so to speak and also miles away from where i live. I'm loosing my fitness, motivation n confidence! Has anyone had any similar experiences ? I've been out x2 albeit slow and hated each minute 😭. Any suggestions welcome...

[Hidden]

Park run? Running club? Just making yourself go out and run? It’s not rocket science just discipline!

[Lucyintheskywith Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I've done x1 park run...#hated it but achieved it... so so slow.. after 1month of illness.. but heyhoe. Found running club that meet during week .. can get to some sessions dependent upon work shifts.. its more getting out there to get my fitness back...x3 times per week!

[Hidden in reply to Lucyintheskywith]

Only you can commit to this, a lot of the time it’s really tough but it is SO worthwhile I promise 🏃🏾‍♀️👍😊

[Lucyintheskywith Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Time will tell.... 🤔

[Hidden in reply to Lucyintheskywith]

Yes or you can take control and get this sorted 👍

[Cuig1975]

I use the Nike run club app with the guided runs just to change things up a bit , and I go slowly..... parkrun can be tough as sometimes your carried away with the runners at the start and have nothing left... I meet a friend possibly once a week sometimes not , I’ve entered some 5 k events and I run my race and nobody else’s , I’ve registered for a 10 k at the end of July to keep motivated.....

You get out there for yourself and your well-being and slow it down, if your watching your pace don’t !!! Just run for 30 mins where your not out of breath you’ll enjoy it more, maybe a different route, I went out to run for an hr today and ran for 70 mins , wanted to stop at 3 k but things became more comfortable when I warmed up and just kept running..... the greatest showman kept me going

Let us know how this week goes for you

[Lucyintheskywith Graduate in reply to Cuig1975]

Cheers for this x

I've not a lot of time this week with work commitments but mebs i could try that nike run club (? On the nike run app?).. I've lost my mojo to go run solo ! Feeling 😭

[Cuig1975 in reply to Lucyintheskywith]

With it it’s you and a coach so your not alone😏, make the time for yourself quick 1/2 hr or back to a run with Laura possibly

[Lucyintheskywith Graduate in reply to Cuig1975]

Thank you... just lost my confidence n I'm not at all happy being solo running out there 🤔

[CandyCool Graduate in reply to Lucyintheskywith]

I so relate to this feeling. Now just a minor set back can bash my confidence. So needed to do 9k today (in my plan) as 10k race on Sunday. But I’m full of snot this morning and feel like my face is falling forward☹️☹️However I will go out later and I do believe I can run 10k. Because I know whichever way I choose I can prove myself right. In the end the only person I have to prove anything to is me. So slow as a snail and walk if I need but ‘I WILL DO THIS’ just for me. You can too, honest you just have to want it and believe in yourself. Go girl!! X🥰

[JaoJao]

Try a park run local to you.

I’ve been doing the programme alone and actually I’ve always exercised alone. It’s quite liberating not relying on others and having to entertain myself. I’m actually nervous about my first park run because I’m worried having other people there will be too distracting and throw me off my pace and rhythm.

[Lucyintheskywith Graduate in reply to JaoJao]

Yes i found i ran n burned after 1st 1k with the excitement of it all.. then i realised why..all professional team / club runners who 24/7 run.. yes it's all time competitors !

[Lucyintheskywith Graduate in reply to JaoJao]

done x1 park run...#hated it but achieved it... so so slow.. after 1month of illness.. but heyhoe. Found running club that meet during week .. can get to some sessions dependent upon work shifts.. its more getting out there to get my fitness back...x3 times per week!

[DAMAL Graduate]

Any running clubs near you? Maybe join one, there will be a park run nearby, that'll get you out at least once a week and maybe you'll find some like minded people there.

Good luck and don't give up!

[Lucyintheskywith Graduate in reply to DAMAL]

done x1 park run...#hated it but achieved it... so so slow.. after 1month of illness.. but heyhoe. Found running club that meet during week .. can get to some sessions dependent upon work shifts.. its more getting out there to get my fitness back...x3 times per week!

[DAMAL Graduate in reply to Lucyintheskywith]

It's so hard, life is so busy but it's worth it making time. Keep it up. ☺

[DeterminedLass Graduate]

Do you listen to music when you run? I have spent time developing a playlist and I can't wait to get out there and listen to it whilst I run solo. At times, my boyfriend has run with me and it puts me off a bit. Of course, we are all different but the music is a huge part of it for me at this stage. I get lost in the tracks which helps the time to pass and also empowers my running when I am feeling like I can't do it.

[Lucyintheskywith Graduate in reply to DeterminedLass]

Yes...Im totally lost so to speak

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

I can't really equate the running with others as I never have, in fact the very thought puts me off however I have struggled with motivation and commitment. I still don't always manage 3 times a week, work can be very demanding and as it's a physical job if I'm knackered... then I'm just knackered.

I've found the best thing is just finding the fun again, whether that's some new music, a new route or even a new item of run kit, anything to make you "want" to get out there and then savour all the best bits, don't just think about pace or time. Enjoy the time out there in nature, enjoy the colours, the smells, all of it. Ideally you want to come back with a grin on your face so you'll want to go again, and again, and again 😉👍

[Lucyintheskywith Graduate in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

😍🏃‍♀️ Thank you x

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate in reply to Lucyintheskywith]

Truth is I don't think I'd make a good running companion... I sing along to my music (out loud, sometimes way too loud). I stop suddenly and stare at woodlands saying Wow like a 5 yr old, I skip, I jump, I do grapevines, aeroplanes in fields, and generally behave like a lunatic... but I have loads of FUN! We all need more Fun 😉😗

[Lucyintheskywith Graduate in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Wow x thanks.. 🤞

[Dawn74g in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

I love that you do that! 😍I now feel semi normal haha.

[Lucyintheskywith Graduate in reply to Dawn74g]

I need to find some better places to go to !

[Dawn74g in reply to Lucyintheskywith]

Just try having a different conversation eith yourself? On a Sunday I do my longest run.....instead of dreading it I flip that thought and make it fun. I call it my Forest Gump day.....just keep on running until you stop. I always do countryside runs......some local farmers must get a laugh at me :). I sing out loud (AC/DC, deep purple songs). Last week I arrived at the bottom of what looked like a mountain....ok so it was a minor incline on the road.....I pretended to rope upwards.

Basically just do not care and inject fun into your thoughts. Then thoroughly enjoy that tomato faced look afterwards, knowing you’re not letting yourself down and every time gets you the improvement you’re after.

I really hope you keep going.

[Lucyintheskywith Graduate in reply to Dawn74g]

I will hopeful....the 4weeks off has set me right back without the group n my own personal fitness too

[Dawn74g in reply to Lucyintheskywith]

I understand....it seems that group was a big part of what you enjoyed about the experience. I think I’m happier running alone so that I never feel either selfish or a hindrance. But I understand where you’re coming from. If you look at it this way.....this isn’t forever. It’s just until you catch up and raise your base fitness again. Logically this group can’t keep on improving to a place farther from you?.....we’re all just regular folk, so you’ll catch back up soon. A few short months and you’ll be back out with them. Maybe you’ll lag behind but who cares. Have you considered joining a gym with a swimming pool/jacuzzi/sauna? You could maybe try running machines followed by a chance to chat away in the jacuzzi afterwards as a self treat?

[Serenity0365 Graduate in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Have you heard of the Lonely Goat Running Club - lonelygoat.com, it is specifically for people who prefer to run solo?

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate in reply to Serenity0365]

I have heard of it... just don't feel the need for any other "club" than this one! 🤣😁

[Serenity0365 Graduate in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

On a serious note, is there a Couch to 5K running club? That would be cool to wear a C25K running top. Has anyone looked into this, what do other's think?!

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate in reply to Serenity0365]

There is a c25k t shirt you can get, I consider the forum a club and we have the Strava club too. I'll try and find the t shirt link...

Here you go healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

And badges healthunlocked.com/couchto5.......

[Serenity0365 Graduate in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Thank you GoGo_JoJo that's great, I will definitely look into buying a shirt, to remind me of where I've come from, as much as anything else, Angus.

[Oldlady57]

Hi Lucy, doesn’t matter what pace you go at, it just the commitment to just do it. I completed W1R1 this morning after 5 months of no running. If you need a VRB, I’ll be there with you, go on, you can do this!!! Dig deep & find your inner running mojo🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Lucyintheskywith Graduate in reply to Oldlady57]

Thank you x

[donttrustaskinnycook Graduate]

So, I was in a similar situation and decided to make my own running group back in October, haha. I asked in a local Facebook group if anyone was interested in running, got a lot of responses so threw everyone into a whatsapp group and we all run together...and have become really close friends. We meet for social activities as well as running and I've invited some of them to my wedding this summer.

We have set run day days and times but occasionally someone will post 'does anyone fancy going tonight?'. I like this group so much that I usually go so we can have a catch up and a natter as we are running and I kind of forget I'm running at the same time. Haha

[Lucyintheskywith Graduate in reply to donttrustaskinnycook]

Good.. idea.

[Kevtrev]

I’ve done it all on my own really as I run and the wife goes for a walk so I don’t see her until the very end but you need to be motivated to start with it helps I’m really enjoying the running and the best thing I don’t think of things because I’m in the zone. But like others have said park run or try asking on this forum if anyone in your area are on here and see if you can all meet up just a thought and just think how fit and health benefits running is great for you but it’s up to you just get them trainers on and get out if you have a dog take the dog with you happy running just trying to help you 😉🏃🏼‍♂️

[Hidden]

I don't really know if I can help with this, simply because one of the best things about running for me is actually being on my own. The solitude, getting away from everything is a MASSIVE part of it for me, it's a rare sense of real freedom.