Counting down.

[Ssears91010]

Tips required!! I‘ve completed wk 7 run 1 but all I seem to do is focus on the time and how long is left. Any ideas on how I can’t switch and try to enjoy the run more ??

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

To enjoy your runs don't focus on your time or pace and how long you have left, run without any time piece, only with the C25K app.

[Instructor57 Graduate]

Are you running with music ?

I never used music untill week 6 run 3 and it made such a difference

[Ssears91010 Graduate in reply to Instructor57]

Yes, I’m using music but it doesn’t seem music of a distraction. Maybe I need to find a good playlist.

[Instructor57 Graduate in reply to Ssears91010]

Maybe podcasts or something.

My first run with music I had a single track which lasted 24 minutes, perfect for the 25 minute run, I didn't need to look at my watch (although I couldn't help it occasionally) 😂

[Wightman37 in reply to Ssears91010]

Try podcasts . Concentrating on listening to people narrating makes the time pass

[Maz1103 Graduate]

I have just graduated and still do this to a certain extent. I am quite happy for the first 15 minutes then tiredness kicks in and I clockwatch. I enjoy the high after though. I think as I get fitter and the second half is easier I will enjoy that bit more 😁

[Ssears91010 Graduate in reply to Maz1103]

I’ve thought that too, I really want to enjoy it more. Your right, that feeling after is amazing. Well done on graduating.

[Maz1103 Graduate in reply to Ssears91010]

Thank you. I actually carried on to 5k today egged on by my daughter which was tough but am pleased I did it. Won't be doing it every time though. I'm an old bird 🐦 (56) 😂

[LdeP]

I used to run with music but think it made me go faster than I’m able to. Now I run with podcasts that I’ve got to pay some attention to. Loads to choose from

[Zoriada Graduate in reply to LdeP]

Yes, I like to listen to stories that distract me. Lots on BBC sounds.

[Gwyrdd Graduate in reply to Zoriada]

Yes podcasts and Bbc sounds is good. I also download free audio books from the library. It is called Borrow Box. You need to sign in to your local library first.

[nowster Graduate]

Have you tried varying your route? I did this morning (W7R1 too) and got lost (but kept running). That certainly takes your mind off the time.

[Daiwalker]

Take the time to look around you. What is your environment doing? Can you hear birds? Cars? A train? Maybe people larking about in the park? I use my run time for letting my mind wander. Don't be in such a rush to finish. It reminds me of the lyrics in that Baz luhrmann song "... the race is long, but in the end it's only with yourself..." Enjoy the time. It's yours.

[HappyNoodle Graduate]

I listen to Audio books for slower longer runs and music for faster short runs! Try all of them find what fits you 😍

[Ssears91010 Graduate in reply to HappyNoodle]

I’m going to give this a go, never listened to podcasts before. 👍🏻

[Elfe5 Graduate]

I felt like that at about your stage. Someone suggested slowing down a bit, (I was already very slow 😂)- it really helped me feel significantly better. 😄

[DMFR]

Like you I found myself constantly thinking about how long to go. I changed my route a few times doing different circuits around my home town and found the novelty of trying to time runs to 25, 28 and 30 mins a good distraction. I think if you were watching the same scenery go by, your focus would remain on the clock!

[kneeshavegone Graduate]

I found the same problem so switched my route up. That made such a difference. First time that I ran a totally different route I was concentrating so much on the change in scenery I was bloody amazed when the chap on the C25K app told me I only had 5 mins to go.

Wish it was always that pain free.

[Pogs-mum Graduate]

I found listening to an audio book helped - you lose yourself in the story . Also if it makes you smile or laugh its amazing how much people smile back at you as you run.

[030961 Graduate]

I know what you mean as I think we've all done that at some stage. I tend to leave things at home in the kitchen that I can look forward to, and my favourite is a custard slice. I know it sort of defeats the object of losing calories running then putting them straight on again, but I tend to try to turn around but keep running when the bell rings, knowing that each step is bringing me closer to home....and that custard slice!!

[garf_poole]

I find good scenery helps, as well as music of course.

[Purpleish Graduate]

I found running with music that I adored - that I couldn’t stop myself singing along to, really helped. I created a playlist of all my most favourite songs and didn’t worry about time, or pace or even thought about breathing, just followed the instructions from the app whenever they cut in.

[Frizzbomb67 Graduate]

Yeah that pretty much sums up running for me 😂😂. Not so much now I’ve been running for longer but that last km feels endless. A banging set of tunes help me to tune out to the sound of my plodding and my puffing and panting. I like to drive to somewhere nice to run when I can too, which helps. Like others have said it’s just finding what works for you and it does get easier as you progress. Good luck finding your thing! 😂

[R4inbow]

I know a lot of people love music or podcasts, although I rarely use either as I run on country lanes without pavements and I like to have no distractions!

I found the biggest help for me was when I tried to run somewhere, so working out a route, running somewhere nice, factoring in a nice downhill at the end or particular pretty garden to take a look at on the way past, something like that. It's meant that sometimes I do a little drive to the start of the run, but I do enjoy plotting routes and exploring more villages around where I live and dreaming of the houses I will buy when I win the lottery!

The other thing I found that made a huge difference was running with other people. I know this is a lot harder at the moment, but hopefully things will come back in the future and I found running clubs and parkruns help hugely. These days I go out with 1 or 2 friends and we keep socially distanced during the run. Still once you start having a bit of a natter the run flies by. It's also good to help you control your speed and breathing, although that's not always easy.

[Ruby69 Graduate in reply to R4inbow]

Agree!!!! am on Wk3 and Jo Whiley wittering on about the wooden tops and other stuff gets me there b4 I know it plus a running playlist

[Week7 Graduate]

Try not to worry , what you are doing is hard.

I graduated 3 weeks ago and have run 3 times per week since. Yesterday was the first time I haven't spent the run " counting down". Everything suddenly came together -it was wonderful... keep going, keep slogging, do whatever you need to get through - runners' high really exists, it just takes a while to get there!

[Slipperbabe Graduate]

Hi, music really helped me. I compile playlists of my fave music then look forward to hearing them when I’m running.

Also, podcasts are good to listen to.

Hope this helps. X

[Feeling_Runderful Graduate]

I was like that and now I run listening to a good crime thriller!! Works a treat! Am often gutted I have to stop!

[Ssears91010 Graduate in reply to Feeling_Runderful]

Ohh now that sounds interesting ... I’ll give it a go thank you.

[Scout37 Graduate]

Funny podcasts...I love the BBC Friday Night Comedy ones...and going slowly enough not to be desperate to stop.

[Hidden]

When this happens to me,

Perhaps my music is on a boring track or I’m in discomfort, I tend to focus on loosening up my limbs, start with my arms and shoulders then my thighs calves and ankles x perhaps a little crick as I go along lol x this takes my mind off how long there is to go and also makes the run more comfy for me! Oh and slowing down helps too x weird I know as you would think that would make it feel longer but it works for me, a more relaxed and comfy run form and nice and slow x I fast walk a lot faster than I jog x and I’m ok with that x no one is going to shout at me I’m going it wrong or something lol x

[Ssears91010 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Great tips, thank you

[Pixipops Graduate]

It's a pretty natural thing to do, as you are doing something so hard. I started with trying to resist looking as long as I could, I did this on my first of the 30 min runs, and managed to get to 28minutes before I gave in and checked.

Now I am deep in consolidation territory I am focusing hard on controlling my breathing and my runs are going faster with something else to think about!

[Ssears91010 Graduate in reply to Pixipops]

At least it’s not just me. I changed route on Monday, found it really hard and was checking constantly. Today was so much better, maybe it’ll get easier as weeks pass by.

[Dockie]

I listen to music , maybe it may help 🤔😊 gluck

[Hidden]

I have just done run 3 of week 7 and tbh the first two I was also thinking about the time and how far I still had to go around my usual route, but as we were away this weekend I was running a different route, I wasn't thinking about the time as I was looking at new things!