Hi there. I’ve been doing couch to 5k on and off since last October. I’m currently doing week 6 but finding it hard to motivate myself to get out there!! I’m having a real mental battle with wanting to run but can’t be bothered to - any tips?
Many thanks x
Well done for getting this far in the programme. Well, the winter, Christmas intervening etc may have held you up a bit, but you're on week 6 so that's great.
Maybe think how far you've come, how you wouldn't want to have to restart and don't think about it, just resolve in advance to a day and time.
Life can get in the way sometimes and it's hard in the winter. I do hope you get out there, the fact you've posted on here suggests you are actually committed. You din't say you're struggling with the physical side of running so this all sounds good.
Good luck and keep posting for motivation From the nice people on here.
Hey firstly you won't be alone in your dilemma. I did c25k and completed it 1st time all on my own then just kinda stopped.
Hit the big 50 last year and c25k take 2 began. But this time I'm still running and loving it.. but even now the running mojo still weakens but I push through it.... It's almost as if as soon as the trainers are laced a switch is flicked...
So promise yourself a next run date. Look forward to it and get yourself out there and remember you're nearly at week ,9 👍👍👍
You are doing great so far
Just put your running gear on and go, tell yourself it’s only half an our
Why did you decide to do c25k? Try writing the reasons down. Then maybe give yourself a goal. Tell all your friends (and anyone who will listen) what you intend to do. Find a running buddy or sign up for a parkrun. If you graduate by the end of March, you'll ...?
You've done brilliantly so far, and it is tough this time last year, but you probably need to make c25k more present in your life. And there's no getting away from it - you have to dig deep and decide you're going to do it! Good luck.
I find routine helps me....deciding which days to run on and sticking to it no matter what. I don’t give myself a choice. Once the routine is established I feel really odd if I don’t go out and run. Best of luck. Getting to week 6 is a big achievement.....2/3 of the way there. Keep going 🎉🎉
I make a run schedule, set reminders and get my gear ready the night before. These things really help me - especially getting my gear ready in advance!
The number of times I’ve looked outside and thought I really don’t fancy this, or a I’ve had a headache - I just look at my gear sat there, put it on and just go. By the time I’m 10 mins in, I’m thinking differently and by the time I’m finished I’m glad I did it (even if it didn’t go as well as planned, I’m another tick closer to graduation).
If I were you, I’d be planning your three runs a week from now on, work out what your graduation date will be, then you have a goal to reach. Running regularly will help motivate you and will give you more chance to keep going after you’ve graduated. Also, as already mentioned, remember why you decided to do this. For me, I wanted to lose weight (hasn’t happened, I’ve just put more on), but I also wanted to see if I could do it. Turns out I can - and so can you, you just need to push on 
Welcome to the forum and well done on your progress.
This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5...
Why did you start?
Write all the reasons that motivated you to improve your running ability in the first instance and just have a look at the list every time you doubt this is worthwhile.
Not only will regular running improve your physical and mental fitness, it will reduce your statistical risk of a whole raft of life limiting conditions and have you in peak fitness should a critical illness strike out of the blue.
Enjoy your journey.
.........you know it makes sense.
Hi Mumtoalice, sometimes it is tough to squeeze something in for you. But remember it is important to look after yourself so you can function well with others. Take care. 🤝👍🏃♀️
having a set time and day can work wonders. Make it as easy as possible for you to stick to the time, set alarms, lay out your kit, put your running shoes by the door mat. Before you go have a glass of water.
Keep going and come back and let us know how you’re getting on.
Hi mumtoalice. I have just started week 7 and doing ok. Think of your running like it were a doctor's appointment, you wouldn't miss that, you make room and time for a doctor's appointment without thinking, well do the same with your running schedule. I also agree with what speedy60 suggests. We all have iffey days ... Get your gear ready and off you go ...💪
I think we all sympathise with you, here’s what helps me.
1 find a time that suits. For me it’s as soon as I get in from work. I’m okay getting up early but hate going straight out in the morning. The weeMend should be easier but I end up delaying and messing about.
2 look at my calendar for the week, what’s on with work and kids and plan the run days ahead of time.
3 I tell myself that “okay it’s 1815, I dont want to go out but I know that if I do, by 1900 I’ll be feeling so much better.
4 treat it like cleaning my teeth. Not something I particularly enjoy but has lots of short and long term benefits.
If you can set a routine, it really does help, as others have said- the runs just become part of your life and you feel 'wrong' if you've not done them. That feeling of achievement when you didn't think you could do it is irreplaceable. Take today, for example; it was pouring, blowing a gale and I was still fixated with not falling over (I restarted from week 5, having suffered a nasty fall on my graduation run) but it was time to go, so off I went and it was so enjoyable. I felt so much better afterwards.
You've got this far, just get out there and do it!!
If you really don't want to continue, find something you really do enjoy - there's something out there for everyone - swimming, yoga, boxing, badminton, dance, .......... but running you can take anywhere, do almost anytime, and it's free! You can do this.
Just to say thank you
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