Starting out again

[BeckaMusicka]

I’ve completed C2 5K a few times over the past 10 years...before deciding that I really hate running and it’s not for me.

Started again this morning, loved it. I guess living in ‘strange times’ does ‘strange things’ 🤣

[Mobiliseandmove]

Hi BeckaMusicka !

It's really interesting that you've completed 9 weeks worth of running several times, only to then decide it's not for you.

May I ask what you think contributed to this feeling?

Great to hear you enjoyed yourself this morning!

Adam

[BeckaMusicka in reply to Mobiliseandmove]

Hi there Adam

I think it was my ever-decreasing motivation and then ease in which I managed to talk myself out of going for a run that indicated it wasn’t for me!!

Also, I enjoyed the exercise but felt I was becoming too obsessed by it. I did continue onto the Bridge to 10K programme and whilst I preferred that distance to the 5K because of the increased commitment it was easier to talk myself out of it.

Maybe I’m a 5K runner with 10K aspirations?! Who knows!!

But a great question and I hadn’t really thought of it like that before!

[Mobiliseandmove in reply to BeckaMusicka]

This is really fascinating, because it seems like over time, it became easier to talk yourself out of going for a run. And like you say, with the increased commitment of a longer distance, it's more of a mental challenge to convince yourself to do it.

What I'm really fascinated by is your ever-decreasing motivation. So correct me if I'm wrong, you were running regularly having completed the C25k, and then what? Was it that first moment of 'not tonight, maybe tomorrow', that led to 'I'd rather do this instead', that led to 'running isn't for me'?

[BeckaMusicka in reply to Mobiliseandmove]

Yep! All of that! Add in if it was raining, too hot, too windy...etc

I think it was all at a time when I’d started doing quite a lot of exercise and possibly becoming obsessed by it. I know it is then paradoxical that I would then become unmotivated but I think I recognised that obsession in something that is fundamentally good for you is still obsession and therefore potentially unhealthy. I think I got too hung up on counting the calories in and out and was less about the journey, as it were.

[Mobiliseandmove in reply to BeckaMusicka]

Your last comment is so powerful: '...and was less about the journey'.

Often, we become obsessed by outcomes. E.g. a certain number of cals, a new fastest time, a certain distance etc.

But the process is actually what supports the achievement of those outcomes. And if we don't enjoy the process, we'll likely never achieve those outcomes.

So yes, the outcomes are wonderful. But the process is where the growth and enjoyment truly lie.

By all means, enjoy your exercise. Do more when you feel good, and dial it back when you need to rest. Never forget that it's all a journey...

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on getting started........again.

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.

Do you spend most of your time running at a nice easy conversational pace?

Slowing down to the recommended easy conversational pace makes it more achievable and for most, more enjoyable.

Enjoy your journey.