Mental wall?

[Bickie85]

Tonight I should have completed my last session of week 6 which was a 25 minute run. But as soon as I started running my brain told me to stop and go home? I didn’t, I carried on until about 13minutes into the 25 minutes and I just stopped. I just couldn’t mentally push myself anymore? I managed the 20minute run last week much easier than I thought?! Where am I going wrong? I really want to get fit and enjoy running but I just feel like I’ve struggled this week 😞

[Decker]

Some weeks are harder than others and its ok. Pushing through these mental barriers gives you a bit more strength for the next one. Every time you push a bit more, feeds your overall strength. Sometimes I would look to the next lamppost or sign and just tell myself “ok just until that point” then look for another point and see if I can get to the next one. Tricking our brains is a big part of reaching these breakthroughs. Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t make it every time, just keep showing up and pushing yourself and results will come. You’ve got this. 👍🏼

[FreedomToRun Graduate]

Don’t think you are going wrong. Just not your day.

I’ve just done week 7 run twice. Didn’t feel any different. One day I stopped, the next I kept going. Rest, hydrate maybe made the difference. But I think most at this stage is mind rather than just body.

Bet you’ll do the run really well! 😄

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on your progress.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

and includes advice on minimising impact, stretching after every run, hydration and strengthening exercises, all of which will help.

Everything going on in our lives can impact on our performance as a runner. Restedness, hydration and nutrition are at the top of my list of variables that need to be optimised to enable enjoyable running.

Some form of distraction is useful for these longer runs.......comedy podcast, music or making a shopping list........just don't think about time and running.

Take the positives, have a rest day, come back well prepared and you will crack it.

Enjoy your journey.

[Rascal52 Graduate]

I’ve just done the same with Week 6 run 2, I know I can do it ( I ran for 20 mins last week) as everyone says some runs are harder than others for lots of reasons, don’t give yourself a hard time, just don’t give up and try again. This programme is not a race. Good luck

[Never2Heavy2]

Hi. I’ve found that I need to run in woodland or along rivers and canals . If I can see a long way ahead my mind just says NO . By running in locations where I can’t see a long way ahead the runs gets broken down ( mentally ) into very short and manageable blocks . My mind becomes more occupied with the immediate issue of dealing with roots and puddles rather than a landmark 2 km in the distance .

I also find listening to music UNHELPFUL. I prefer to listen to spoken word , TalkSPORT is my go to , lively engaging debate distracts my mind , music

is white noise when I run .

Hope that helps .

[Sybilw Graduate]

Some runs go better than others - even once you graduate- so just accept it and move on. You must put it behind you though as if you go into your next run with doubts you’ll never manage it. Remember that all those before you have tested the program so it is possible as long as you believe it!! Good luck

[Silverfox1943 Graduate]

Preparation is essential and it puts you in the right frame of mind. If you hit a bad spot in your run just slow right down, even nearly to a walk. You'll be amazed how that helps to recover.

Never2Heavy2 is right; long straight stretches are boring and don't give you enough markers to aim for. Keep changing your routes even if it's just doing it in reverse.

Slow is best but distance and speed will gradually get better in time.

[Queenie17 Graduate]

I also have struggled mentally with this run and after 4 attempts I finally did it this morning and it was hard especially the last 5 minutes. I slowed right down to barely running for a couple of mins and it seemed to help.

You WILL do it, keep going you have come this far.👍👍👍

[Lola73 Graduate]

I had exactly the same yesterday evening with run 2 of week 7, only managed 17 minutes of 25 and just felt there wasn't one party of me that could carry on. This is my second time doing this programme so it came as quite a shock, but I'll repeat tomorrow. I think I could have been dehydrated and just wanted to get the run done rather than preparing. I'm telling myself that what I did was better than nothing, and the only bad run is the one you don't do, so keep going, you (and I!) will get there 💪

[DiverIzzie Graduate]

Totally agree with 2heavy2 - if I can see way in front of me the head gremlins start bubbling away at me - and this is after 15 months since graduation and regular 2-3 runs of 5k plus a week - so, don’t beat yourself up, Vary your scenery!

[Rasmus]

Gosh I'm worried now as that's my run on Monday and I have really struggled with WK 6 so far, despite like you, managing WK 5 without too much fuss 😰

[Bickie85]

Thank you all for your kind words and advice. Just completed the run! And with ease! I slowed down ( I say slowed down but my time was actually my fastest?) did a different route and a different time of day (I normally go at 7 when the twins go to bed). So chuffed with myself. Just hope I can repeated it next week 💪