Lost the bug

[ScottJB]

So it’s been 3 weeks since I graduated and I’ve lost my way a bit. I did 3 x 30 mins in the first week, then rested for a week due to a niggling pain in my left knee. After resting and doing plenty of IT band stretches my knee felt good to go again. But my last 3 runs I’ve only managed 2.5 - 3.5km, I’m fairly pain free but just seem to be quitting out of boredom. It’s frustrating as I’m motivated enough to get up for early morning runs, just not seeing them through.

Any ideas on how to regain the ‘love’ I thought I’d found for running?

Cheers Scott

[LeeU Graduate]

Try using the week 9 podcast again or setting yourself a target, after having the target of graduating you may be suffering from not having a goal to target to reach.

You could also try mixing your runs up, a shorter faster run, intervals and a long slow run.

[Rogie55 Graduate]

Have you got a park run near by, to motivate you?

[ScottJB Graduate in reply to Rogie55]

Yeah there are several close by, I’ve a few friends that do them, but in the mid 20 mins. I think I’d end up pushing too hard at the start if I went along with them, need to do one on my own to start with I think.

[Rogie55 Graduate in reply to ScottJB]

Just throw yourself in. I did, in borrowed clothes and shoes in the rain, everyone was so nice. You’ll feel great. It’s addictive.

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Put your favourite music on and hey presto it’s done and dusted

[Hazel10 Graduate]

Hey Scott, I run about 3 times a week, do somewhere around 3k - have never done more than 4 and that was a one off! Just stick your trainers on, join Strava and run until he says you have done 3k and stop if you like, keep going if you like. Take the pressure off yourself... also, I really enjoy planning my runs - google ie.maps then put in where you are and plan away - then when you have done it, you can plan a new one! Good luck.

[ScottJB Graduate in reply to Hazel10]

Thanks. I like the idea of planning a few different routes, I have looked on plotaroute.com but have still just stuck to routes I know. I’ll try somewhere new on Tuesday.

[Rogie55 Graduate in reply to Hazel10]

I use ‘onthego’ it shows you the terrain. Really helpful where I live, so many hills!

[mrrun Graduate]

I didn't start with 'love' at all. My drive was and still is my motivation. And I'm motivated by the fact that quitting would mean going back to where l escaped from. Everyone has got something and my thing was unhealthy lifestyle that could only go one way, and l didn't want to carry on that way. Why did you start running? There, that will forever be your motivation unless you long for pre-run days. Simple choice.

[ScottJB Graduate in reply to mrrun]

It was for fitness reasons really, I wasn’t particularly overweight but I’d say really unfit. I’ve not lost much weight but have inches as clothes feeling less snug and I feel healthier so it’s been worth it. I wouldn’t say I loved running really, but I was enjoying it and getting restless on the rest days. It’s that buzz I suppose that has gone.

[Debston Graduate in reply to ScottJB]

I think it's quite normal soon after graduation, to feel a bit lost. I certainly felt like I'd lost my running mojo for a short while. Started thinking about walking halfway through a run, missed the structure of C25K etc. Then one day, out of the blue, I had a great run that I really enjoyed - and I was back! Just keep on keeping on, maybe join in on the "Quest" thread and have a look at Ju-ju's magic plan for getting to 10 K if that appeals.

[mrrun Graduate]

Mine was a hidden 'silent killer'. I've always been slim (and fit 'looking') and still am in my mid fifties, but l could never tell that my blood pressure was bordering on stroke levels, one can't tell those things. It took one incident as a result of my fun loving lifestyle to change it all and take up running. My BP now? As healthy as l could wish for. That's my motivation.