Want to enjoy but....

[Anniecycle]

I’m just completing a second round C25k... and I’ve got there again! Happy with that BUT I’m waiting to feel the ‘joy’!!

I’m doing this for my health ... type2 diabetes... want to get those glucose numbers down and my fitness up but I’m struggling to really like doing this ... feel like I want to stop run after 15 mins... I’m encouraged by coach and i do as I’m told!!

When will I start to enjoy this? I want that feeling to ‘kick in’ soon...please tell me that there are others who do come out the ‘other side’ after hating it!🤣

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Are you running at an easy conversational pace at which you can speak clear, ungasping sentences?

If not, slow down, which makes it all more achievable and enjoyable.

Try running somewhere beautiful and just appreciate your environment and forget about time and running.

Not everybody gets a buzz from running, but slowing down is an epiphany for many.

[Anniecycle Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thanks I guess I run slowly! Maybe try to figure out a more beautiful place!!

I run for 30 mins but don’t actually do 5k yet..

I think I’ll try ‘pretending’ to enjoy and see if I can ‘trick’ brain!!

[Sar9 Graduate]

Honestly, I think allot of people don’t actually enjoy the running part, but just the high afterwards of the achievement.

Use the power of your mind to make yourself believe it’s more wonderful than it is lol. On those days where I’m struggling I keep repeating positive things about the run over and over “I love running” “I love this view” “that cows so cute and fluffy” “look at that pretty church” and so on...

distract yourself with what you see, even if you hate everything about the run, make positive stuff up! Convince your mind it’s good; I think it actually works 😬

Plus a funny podcast that has you in stitches is always good, I recommend “shagged, married, annoyed” 🤪 it’s hideously crude but it gives a good giggle!

[Anniecycle Graduate in reply to Sar9]

Love this honesty! Yep I’ll def listen to a crude podcast!

Actually just chatting about ‘problem’ makes it feel better already!!

[Beachcomber66 Graduate]

I suffered a bit of a low after week 9 run 3. I kept trying to run 5ks faster and faster, and it all seemed a bit flat until I discovered Bridge to 10k. The mix of a shorter faster run (sometimes with intervals) a 5k then a slow longer run each week building up to 10k over a period just suited me. Pace and distance improved, although pace improvement lagged behind the distance gained. One way or another, it made me feel as though I was progressing, and I got fitter. Acquiring a running watch was, for me, vital. It enabled me to make sure I didn’t start off too fast, and eventually led to me having a 5k speed, a 10k speed and then a longer distance speed... but let’s not get ahead of ourselves! Park Runs came about 18 months after my first faltering steps on C25k. Running with others added pace and enjoyment... which I didn’t expect. All of that may sound as dull as ditchwater, but it really helped me. Hopefully something in there is useful. 😊

[Anniecycle Graduate in reply to Beachcomber66]

I’ve looked at next stage ..Bridge to 10K ..don’t feel quite ready ... will look again.... but also need voice in my ear telling me...!!

[Beachcomber66 Graduate in reply to Anniecycle]

You will find Ju-ju’s plan on Bridge to 10k. You don’t havdd Ed to build up to 10k, but you will get some insights into the various different things you can do to develop your running at your own pace. I ditched the voice in my ear after C25k, but many people like to continue with it. My watch and the data it generates, plus loads of help from people on this site, are enough for me. Hope you work out your way. 😊

[Claireep Graduate]

You are not on your own. You must have had some motivation to get to this point so maybe look at your reason for starting and see if that help 😊

[Anniecycle Graduate in reply to Claireep]

True....maybe just need to ‘find’ that motivation!! It’s there somewhere!!

[Oldman51 Graduate]

Sorry, but I'm not going to give you any miracle advice but it is nice to communicate with a fellow struggler. Like you I started for the health benefits, but also like you I experienced no joy. I "graduated" in 2018, but really struggled with weeks 7,8 and 9. I did 50 "consolidation runs", but these never became "comfortable" and the inevitable decline and cessation followed. I have been trying again this year, but I have doubts that I'll get to 3 x 30mins again - and I'll remain way, way off 5k! We all know running/jogging is good for you, but the disconnect between this and the sheer unpleasantness of the activity is too great to overcome (for me anyway!). Do you have any strategy for keeping going when you graduate for the second time? Can you say why you lapsed after graduating the first time?

Anyway, good luck!

[Anniecycle Graduate in reply to Oldman51]

Thanks for thinking about this....and telling me how it is! I feel relieved really that I’m not alone not feeling that ‘joy’ people speak about...

Strategy re keeping going in second time ? I knew and know that I really don’t want medication for diabetes !! ....so if I can run 30 mins a week 3 x that should in ‘theory’ help...

so I’m just awkward I guess .... I want to be in charge of my wellbeing...

Strategy? Put the running gear on... say to myself ‘maybe I’ll just walk... maybe I’ll just run for 5 mins.... just up to that lamppost’!

So far bar one time I’ve actually completed Laura’s instructions....

I’ve repeated sessions before moving to next.... not worried about doing that either...

I didn’t so much ‘lapse’ after graduating first time .... I just couldn’t maintain the ‘ommph’ required to ‘progress’ .... felt deflated .... it all seemed too hard to get any better!!

Good luck with your runs!