Hi everyone, this is my first post. I have just completed Run 1 Week 7. I have been following the programme to the letter and have completed every one without having to repeat any. I run every other day, sometimes every 2 days. I know this is a massive achievement, who thought I could run non-stop for 25 mins! I do have a problem with confidence though, in most areas of my life and the fact that I am struggling through each run and not enjoying it, makes me feel like a failure. I read about people loving it and looking forward to the runs. I don't feel like that! As soon as I start, I am wishing for the end! I just want to reassure myself that I am not the only one who feels like this! I want to go forward with a positive attitude and not a "oh god I need to that again!" I really do want to finish the programme and have something that I have achieved despite all the negative feelings!
Thank you
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Cocoblue
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Don't worry, I feel that every run! Once I got to 30mins it became my comfort zone and now I'm running for 55mins its a killer! I dread it but force myself out the door at least twice a week. I've now tried bribing myself with new shoes etc!
Thank you for this, it made me cry reading it! You are right I do need to sit back and think about what I've actually done. And I hadn't actually thought about it in the way you describe. Continuing to do something that I am not enjoying at the moment and not giving up! Thank you, its encouraging to know that some people don't enjoy it either!
I’d say that makes you totally normal! I liked the end bit mainly and sometimes most of a run.
Since graduating I enjoy it more. Its about freedom.
But you are doing it during this strange time in all our lives and that makes you amazing as alot of people would give up and you haven’t - or not start!
Thank you so much, I had started C25K a couple of times in the past and never moved beyond week 2 or 3. I wanted to come out of this strange time having achieved something good, which was my motivation to start it again. I thought I would be enjoying it more by now though!! It seems not!
Hi Cocoblue, I know what you mean. I had a terrible run today but told myself at least I got out there!! My daughters boyfriend is a very keen marathon runner and I asked him what he liked about running and he said ‘the end’ - the shocking thing is that he wasn’t joking!!!!! I would slow right down and try running off road if you don’t already? I run in the countryside with my dog and on my last run a beautiful red fox ran across my path!!
Thank you AlysP, it's strange how nobody seems to enjoy it!! I do run in the countryside and I do try and take my mind of what I am doing by looking around me, but that only lasts about 5 seconds and I am back to counting down the minutes!! I will endeavour to do this more and take in my surroundings!
Ah what you need is a really jazzy playlist!!! I made myself a playlist on Spotify with a very fast beat (because I do small strides, not because I am fast). It includes 'I'm Still Standing/Elton John, What a feeling/Irene Cara/Don't stop me Now/Queen, Maniac/Flashdance etc. All very old and probably not your thing but I pay them very loudly on my headphones and they get me through.
I do enjoy it most of the time because I run a lovely route, that normally I would walk round, but AlysP is right, it's the music that gets your feet moving!
I just want to say thank you to everyone who has commented. I can't tell you how much better you have made me feel! I feel like I am not alone on this journey and the feelings I'm having are normal! This community is so supportive, and some great ideas for a running playlist! x
Hi Cocoblue, I'm on w2r2 and I admire how you've got to week 7 and ran 25minutes none stop. I don't think I've ever ran that much since my school days. I also hate running... I do like the music I listen to and the sometimes the scenery and the fresh air is good as I have isolated myself since March!
I'm probably the same, not run like that since school, and I am now 53!! It's great to be out in the open air, and that's what I like the most. I am very lucky in that I have some lovely countryside around me to run in so I am thankful for that! Well done for getting to Week 2, lots of luck! And so glad to hear that you are now venturing out after isolation. We need to do something to distract ourselves from these strange and worrying times
I only said to my dad yesterday that it's weird that I'm so looking forward to my next run (Wk9 R1) even though I know it's going to be horrible 🤣 I haven't found that I am happy running yet or that it's easy but I'm loving the challenge and the progression and the sense of achievement. No excercise is easy, you always have to push yourself but the feeling afterwards is so good its worth it. And If you look back I bet you can see where you have improved, might not feel like it but with this programme we are constantly getting better and stronger. Keep going, we can both get to graduation 💪😊
Yes you are right, if I think back to week 1 I could just about manage those short little runs, never in a million years did I think I could do what I've done today. Its true that you have to take the time and step back and look at the achievement! Good luck for Week 9!!
Exactly, every week has been a "omg can I run that?" but we have. I had a similar wobble at week 7, similar post to you and put it down to transitioning to runs without walk breaks. It felt like a slog but it gets better. Thank you 😊 and good luck to you to, see you at graduation
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