At what point do you start finding the longer runs more enjoyable?

[masuuk5]

I am on week 8 now so have done a few 20+ minute runs, however they seem to be increasingly difficult and I find everytime I run it’s a mental battle to keep going. I would have expected to get used to the longer runs at some point though so it’s worrying me as I feel like I’m not progressing

[SweatyHettie Graduate]

Hi masuuk I’ve read both of your posts and you are obviously struggling to enjoy your runs at the moment and stay motivated. I’m not going to lie some of those longer runs are a slog but then something clicks and you have a good one. I’m sure you’ve read all the advice on here and in the guide regarding rest hydration etc.

Do you listen to music? 🎧 I found that making my own running playlist was a great motivator, loads of my favourite tunes and I always played on shuffle so I didn’t know what was coming next. I can’t tell you how many times Mr Brightside brought a smile to my face just when I needed it! Talking of tunes I also found that it was a way of testing if I was going too fast - if I could sing I was ok ( sorry to everyone else out but I do go early!!)

Changing routes occasionally has also helped so I didn’t know how far I’d gone. I’ve just graduated and I plan on testing out some new routes to keep me interested while I’m consolidating the 30 mins.

Remember why you started doing this and remind yourself of it when you are finding excuses not to go.

The programme does prepare you physically but mentally it’s a different matter. You’ve got this far- you can do this💪🏻

I wouldn’t say I enjoy every run, I had a lovely 9/2 but my graduation run was a slog. Although the programme is amazing at preparing us for 30 mins, we have to remember we are still newbies at this running malarkey and this is just the beginning

I’m sure others will offer you their thoughts too- this place is great for support and motivation so keep going and we’ll be cheering you over the finish line

[Ginny57 Graduate in reply to SweatyHettie]

Mr Brightside is the track that I always finish with... gets me through those last few minutes! 😅

[SweatyHettie Graduate in reply to Ginny57]

My phone helpfully reminded me that I should have been going to see them on Wednesday... 😥oh well, something ( else) to look forward to next year

[Ginny57 Graduate in reply to SweatyHettie]

Oh no!! That’s sad ☹️

[Chestnut21 Graduate]

Hi Masuuk5,

I am with you it is a mental and physical challenge. I have recently completed the C25K and still wondering when this bouncing along with pure effortless is going to kick in.

Yesterday I was all over the place claf hurting (physical) and I just wanted to cry (mental). However, I am a pure believer if you keep going it will get easier (I think they say it actually takes a year for your body to fully adapt to running) but that doesn't mean somewhere between that it won't become enjoyable!

In the meantime in a crazy way I try to turn the hate into love (all the pain and mental) for instance "this is so painful"to this is my body changing, "God I am so slow" to "I can only get faster or fitter".

And overall don't forget that WK1R1 and now running 20mins - you are progressing.

Keep up the good work

[Leytonunfitrunner in reply to Chestnut21]

I agree, I graduated on Sunday and am still relieved when they say ‘five minutes left’ and sometimes I just have to say , I love running to myself when at that point I really want to give up ! I’m still not a natural runner , but am pleased to have found a (slow) pace that I can manage , and am hoping it will get more manageable .. I am so glad I’ve done it though ..

[Hidden]

I'm about to start week 9 and I feel a lot like this. But I'm determined to keep going. Having read the other replies, I'm heartened to hear that it takes time to get to the point where it's effortless but given what we've already achieved in just a few weeks, we have to pat ourselves on the back for that. I won't be at 5K by the end but just to be able to run for 30 minutes will be a great achievement. So, I hope you can focus on the positive too, and keep going. Best of luck

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

A few weeks ago you, I assume, were not a runner.

If you went to do W1R1 now, you would no doubt find it relatively easy.

In a few months time, when you have more miles on your legs, running for 25 minutes will be much, much easier.

There is no magic switch that suddenly makes it all easy, but you can make it hard on your self by pushing too hard. It is an epiphany for many when they slow down their pace, both in ease of achievement and enjoyment.

If you are pushing too hard for your current level of fitness, then it will be hard.

[Guru10 Graduate]

Hi Masuuk5.

For sure this is mental challenge on par with a physical one. It ultimately comes down to the individual, to put on the shoes and press the start button of the next run.

I would ask yourself, why did you start this challenge?

How did you feel physically and mentally before compared to now?

Do you want to go back to how you were before?

It’s true ‘old habits die hard’.

These 9 weeks are just building a platform, for you to be able to jog/shuffle for around 30mins a few times a week. Minimising possible injury as you progress.

Just like passing your driving test, only once you start driving you really learn and gain experience.

Distance covered is really irrelevant at this stage.

After graduation, Then you have the tools to go out and progress slowly. Find new routes, try different times or speed. What ever you feel doing but as long as you’re doing something.

So take some comfort that most are battling along, wishing the hear just 5 mins to go.

Look forward to seeing you progress and your next post reflecting this.

[givman]

What I do is have a rest and then start again .the long run will eventually become easier

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

For us none of them were particularly enjoyable until after graduation, then all of a sudden it was fun knowing if we wanted to stop short of 5 k we could and our first 5k took 52 minutes we could have probably walked it faster

Then one day we went for a walk up a steep hill amongst woods, we turned at the top and ran back down, of it was fun we jumped many tree roots and ran round tree trunks we whooped and we laughed, when we got to the bottom we thought oh we will regret that but it was fun

Got up the next morning and felt fine, no muscle aches no knee pain no nothing, we were so happy and have done that run many times since

Once we graduated we realized we could do as we pleased long slow runs short faster runs and we really feel the benefits

Good luck and keep going