New mental challenges overcome!: First... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

132,660 members158,710 posts

New mental challenges overcome!

Lula375 profile image
Lula375Graduate
10 Replies

First consolidation run today and I found it really hard to get motivated. My motivation before came from wanting to stay on track to complete in 9 weeks. This morning, the temptation to stay in bed and leave it until tomorrow was great...

Anyway, I got up and went out, determined that I would not bother doing the full 30 mins because it would be too hard. Then I realised I didn’t have to! I’ve not got to complete each run in order to move on, I’ve just got to do what I can and learn to enjoy it! I walked for about 50 metres at around 19 mins, then carried on to get just past 30mins and I think I’m okay with that. I still pushed myself, and I somehow managed to improve overall pace. Feeling much more positive about moving forwards and I’m looking forward to trying out the Nike Run app (can’t cope with Laura’s voice or the music on C25K+). Any tips for the best Nike Run programmes to have a go at? I’ll miss Michael though 😉

Written by
Lula375 profile image
Lula375
Graduate
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
10 Replies
Lula375 profile image
Lula375Graduate

Thank you. I’m looking forward to new routes - I abandoned the local river after week 3 because of all the gates and styles. Maybe it’s time to revisit and jog a field, run a field and I’ll try not to start too fast 🙂

Woollyweaver profile image
WoollyweaverGraduate

Congratulations on your graduation! I know what you mean about being a bit de-motivated when you finish. On the Nike Run App I've been particularly enjoying Just a Run and Easy Run with coach Bennett...he will hopefully make you smile, and give you heaps of encouragement.

Lula375 profile image
Lula375Graduate in reply to Woollyweaver

Thank you, I will give it a go. Maybe Bennett will be my new Michael 🙂

It's not unusual to come down from the high of graduation, but you will bounce back.

Enjoy relaxing into the consolidation runs now and do try out new things to keep the runs fresh. Like you, I couldn't handle the music on the C25k+ at all!! I really enjoyed running completely tech free when I first graduated back in March - no voices, no music, no app, just my plain wristwatch to keep me on track. As it was the start of the lockdown everywhere was so quiet and peaceful and it was quite liberating. I treated myself to a running watch a few weeks ago and watching my stats develop is a good motivator too.

Having had a chat with roseabi, I now run a variety of runs each week - a short 20 minute, a 30 minute and a longer third run, which increases each week. That has really mixed things up a bit and I now have a goal to transition me to the 10k plan.

Happy running 😊🏃‍♀️

Lula375 profile image
Lula375Graduate in reply to

I’ve been eyeing up the Garmin watches too (I never thought I’d take it this seriously!) and quite fancy doing a few shorter runs. I miss the quiet of lockdown 😢

in reply to Lula375

I agree, the peace and quiet is slowly disappearing..... 😔

I bought a Garmin 45s and am really pleased with it. I had been using the free version of Strava on my phone but the GPS was very patchy and ended up giving me stats at the end of a run that an Olympic athlete would have been proud of! I decided I needed reliable GPS if I was going to be able to record my progress properly as I run on woodland tracks and it hasn't let me down yet. I can plan runs, follow training plans, the screen is really clear and there are lots of extras within the Garmin Connect app which are good to have. Researching the watches took me ages and the consensus on the forum was Garmin, so I followed their advice and can recommend it.

Lula375 profile image
Lula375Graduate in reply to

Thank you! That’s really helpful 😊

Dtay1978 profile image
Dtay1978Graduate

It’s great isn’t it. The freedom that comes from now just running how, when, and where you want. No more rigid times, just plan your route and go. It was odd not having Sarah in my ear for the first time today though 😂

Lula375 profile image
Lula375Graduate in reply to Dtay1978

😂Yes! Freedom to be rubbish some days!

Dtay1978 profile image
Dtay1978Graduate in reply to Lula375

😂

You may also like...

:) Just overcome a mental block

then back home and managed to run (all be it I was rather only JUST running at some points towards...

5x50 challenge: overcoming sickness.

I did a 5k run with the friend we are staying with. It was the first time that I'd ever run with...

Mentally challenged

wanted to run to improve both my physical and mental health however with every failed run attempt i...

Week 8 arrghh mental challenge

Completed Run 2 today, wow it's a hard first 10 minutes! Ran the other way around my loop  which...

Wk9r3 done - I’ve graduated! But today was a mental challenge

can’t believe it but I’ve done it! I’ve graduated. Not at 5k yet but I know I’ll get there......