I’ve hit a (virtual) wall ...

[Syko]

Technically I’m on week 9 and should be graduating. However, I’ve hit a brick wall and cannot get past 20 minutes.

I think it’s a mental hurdle rather than physical - my breathing is fine and I feel good when I’m out. I just get an urge to stop!

I’ve paused the programme and set my own timer this morning for 18 mins. I ran it no problem and even ran after the bell.

Any tips for hurdling this wall??!

[Tasha99 Graduate]

With running, the gremlins will constantly be trying to stop you. Stop you finishing a run, stop you going out for a run, telling you you can’t do it. You cannot let them win or you’ll stop running and never start again. Go out, go slow and don’t let them win. You’ve done up to week 8. You can run 25 minutes. You can run 30. It’s a battle of the wills.

[Syko Graduate in reply to Tasha99]

Thank you. I know I can get there - mind over matter!

[Tasha99 Graduate in reply to Syko]

Music too! Spotify 👍🏽

[Mr_Drew]

Stop focusing on the time. You can do this. As Jo says, just keep telling yourself you love running. Think about other things, what you will do after lockdown. You are clearly fit enough to do some more adventurous things. Just distract yourself and keep going.

[Syko Graduate in reply to Mr_Drew]

Thank you. Someone else has suggested listening to a podcast. Perhaps that might be the way forward!

[SandraY1 Graduate]

We all get that feeling, but this where you really need to be mentally tough and push through.

Do you listen to anything as you run? I moved from music when the times got longer to podcasts, as I need my mind to concentrate on something else as I ran. I will be starting W9 R1 today.

You are putting to much pressure on yourself. Try to relax and enjoy how far you have come since you began this programme. You can do this. You’re a rockstar 😎

[Syko Graduate in reply to SandraY1]

Thank you. I do listen to music but quite often just have a “flow” on Deezer and sometimes it’s all wrong!!

Someone else has suggested podcasts - I’m going to do some research and give it a try!

Thank you xx

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Distract yourself so that you do not think about either time or the physicality of running.

Find something to occupy your mind........podcasts, music, shopping lists, a workable trade agreement with the rest of the world, counting the number of blades of grass you see on a run or reciting pi to however many decimal points you can manage in 30 minutes.........etc, etc.

I used to give a running commentary to myself on everything I could see, hear, smell and feel as I ran, in full florid sentences.......it worked for me.

Make sure that you are running at a pace at which you can hold a clear, ungasping conversation.

Relax and enjoy it.

[Syko Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you. Deep down I know I can do this - I used to do obstacle course running but the running part was always my downfall. My buddies got me round the course!

The music choice definitely helps and I’d not thought about a podcast.

I shall do some research!

Thank you 😊

[Hidden in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Coming up with a trade agreement would be good 🙃

[Couchphoenix Graduate]

For what it’s worth Syko, I clear my mind of all thoughts and keep going, if a thought enters it I visualise an imaginary rubber, rubbing out that thought and blowing it away. Choose music with a good beat, or something that really motivates you, a movie soundtrack or something ....Rocky theme for instance, stick with it, slow your pace right down, you can do this....say to yourself ‘Failure is not an option’ Good Luck stay positive, think of how far you’ve come since week 1 👍

[Syko Graduate in reply to Couchphoenix]

Thank you.

It’s the thought of week 1 that gives me some perspective! I have come a long way and will not give up.

I look forward to going for my run so once I overcome this mental hurdle I’m sure I’ll be smashing 30 mins!