I finished the C25K almost 2 months ago now and have been doing consolidation runs and some 5ks since.
I did a 30 minutes run today and when I finished I was feeling very sorry for myself.
For the past couple of weeks, I've not enjoyed any of my runs. At best they've been tolerable. I have yet to reach the enjoying running phase. I know there's the toxic ten but it doesn't seem to get any easier for me after that. The whole run I'm checking how long until I can stop. There's no rush of endorphins or mood booster, if anything I'm more tired and grumpy!
I've tried changing things up, music, podcasts, different places to run but it doesn't help. I don't look forward to my runs anymore and I'm just left wondering why I keep doing this to myself. I'm limited to where I can run as there's not many parks or open spaces near me, and there's a lot of hills! I'm also limited by time as I run in my dinner break (I'm currently working from home).
I try to just run and not think about it but it's very rare I manage it. I end up focusing on how tired I am or how long I have left. And podcasts then suffer because I realise I've not been listening and I've missed some.
There's not really a point to this post other than me to vent. However if anyone has been through something similar, I'd really appreciate it if you could let me know how you powered through. I don't want to dread every run!
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RunStitches
Graduate
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I think it’s normal to have periods like this.... could you treat yourself to some new running gear to try and motivate yourself again?
I’m getting slower since I graduated tbh that’s made me feel a bit down and I’ve lost some motivation as I also hurt myself at work which made running a challenge but I’m going to keep going for the reason I KNOW this too will pass.....
It’s ok it not love it at the moment it makes it even more inspiring you are just going on and doing it! That’s fantastic
Oooh yes good point! I have joined the parkrun near me, just waiting for them to start up again. I'd forgotten about that! I've looked for clubs but the only one I can find really is parkrun. Hopefully they'll start up again soon.
I’m waiting for that endorphin rush too. Only happened once on W5R3.... but it DID happen so I know it’s possible. Graduated 3 weeks ago, have kept up 3 x 30min runs a week, but every time I have to drag myself out the door. I’m still nervous before I start because I think I’ll never make it to the end.... but I always do. I think it’s a mindset thing. We know we can do it! The best thing to stop my mind constantly thinking how much longer have I got left is great music. Reading your post, I think I’ll try a podcast too. Remember where you were 3 months ago. We definitely don’t want to be back there only able to run for 5mins. You’ve done something amazing so keep at it!
It does comfort me that I'm not alone in this. Seeing so many posts about how much fun they're having makes me think I'm missing out!
I think you're right. I've started the past few runs thinking negative and I don't think that helps matters. Need to stop thinking of it as a chore and go out thinking positive thoughts!
That's what's kept me going over the past few runs when I've felt down. I don't want to undo the work I've done so I keep pushing. Thank you very much 😊 you have too, we'll keep pushing together!
OK, I'll give it a go. Thank you 😊 I have to admit I've become a little too focused on my pace and working myself hard when I'm running. I then spend the majority of the run tired! Would be nice to have a run where this doesn't happen.
Well done on getting as far as you have, do you remember the reasons you started running?
I think you've consolidated enough if you've been running for 2 months so maybe set new goals, longer distance s or faster/slower? I want to do heart rate training after I complete C25K and maybe take part in a local Silverstone 5k in autumn.
Yes, to get fitter. It was getting embarrassing having to cover how winded I was after going up a flight of stairs! I try to keep in mind that I wouldn't have been able to run for 30 minutes before this to keep myself going.
I have tried varying my pace and length but I have to admit it's been a bit haphazard. I think I'm going to need to set a goal for me to aim for. After completing the C25K and a 5K, I'm at a bit of a loose end!
What sort of time and pace are you doing as it could be that you are running too fast 🤗 have you heard of the slow jogging technique? I find doing this is helping me a lot and it would also help with those hills !
I’ve read on here many times now that this isn’t a race or a competition so slow slow slow is often the way to go. Are you competing for something or could you just be pushing yourself too soon unnecessarily? It’s just a thought 🤔
I think I am running too fast, my first mile tends to be quick (somewhere in the 12 minute mile range) but then I slow down whether I want to or not.
At the moment I'm doing a virtual challenge where you have to run a certain amount of miles in a month. I thi k that might be encouraging me to run faster than I should. I'll give running slower a go, I'm worried I'll get bored as I'm not finding running entertaining at the moment but hopefully if I'm not exhausted I might enjoy it more. Thank you 😊
Not going to lie, I most likely couldn't. I think if I tried it would finish me off. I'm certainly starting to see a consensus that slow is the way to go! I didn't realise just how much of an effect it would have. I'm going to run a lot slower for my next few runs and see how I go. Thanks 😁
An easy conversational pace is the one at which elite athletes spend up to 80% of their training time, because it is the best pace to build stamina, as explained in the guide to the plan.
I think I was so worried that going so slow wouldn't help me run longer or quicker that I tried to push myself beyond it. It's come back to bite me now! Slow and steady from now on for me.
1 hour and 20?! Wow! Well done you! The most I've managed to run for is just over 40 minutes, and I don't think I could have ran for much longer. I'll definitely give this a look. Thank you for providing a link 😁
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