Gremlin voices

[Health2020]

Does anyone else get voices in their head that they have to overcome before/during running? The voices normally say things like “it’s too hot” “it’s too humid” “it’s too wet” and although I’ve got answers like wear a waterproof, find a shady route to run, run early/late when it’s not too hot - the voices keep coming. On Friday when I went out I had a different voice that I’ve not had before saying “ you’re too fat/heavy to run, you’ve put on weight during lockdown, you’ll have a heart attack if you keep this up!” I feel like quite a lot of my running isn’t so much physical but mental against the voices - does anyone have any suggestions to help. I got as far as week 9 run 3 running for 30 minutes non stop so I tell myself that I know I can do this. On Friday I ran 8 mins, 5mins, 5 mins, 5 mins - I’m procrastinating a bit today I haven’t gone for a run yet today x

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Those voices are you, not some disembodied gremlin, so you have to decide which part of your own brain is going to prevail.

You've got this far, I am sure you can dispel your negative thoughts and find all the positives to counter them.

Keep running, keep smiling.

[Health2020 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

When I first read your reply, I hope you don’t mind me saying, I thought it was a bit harsh. But then I thought about it and thought he’s right I need to think/speak the positive thoughts/voices louder than the negative ones. I went out running yesterday, it wasn’t a good run but the main thing is that I went. When I’d finished I wanted to do another run to make it a better run. I did think I’d go out today as I’m itching now to have a “better” run but I’m going to have a rest day and put my efforts into tomorrow’s run. Thank you.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to Health2020]

I try not to beat about the bush and admit that you are not the first to consider my advice to be "harsh", but I hope it is never judgemental and is just pointing out irrefutable fact.

We can be our own worst enemies by letting irrational and negative thoughts rule our actions and I am a great believer that a positive attitude to all that life throws at us can enable us to calmly proceed with tackling the real issues, rather than getting hung up on self created doubts and insecurities.

Take the positives and move on is my motto and it sounds like you are warming to the sentiment.

Keep running, keep smiling.

[Health2020 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you for your advice and replies. It wasn’t judgemental just factual and when I reread it, and was ready for it - helpful. (Sometimes is women are over sensitive or create mountains out of mole hills). I am going to keep going. Keeping positive and smiling. I am enjoying it and want to get out there most days! Thank u

[nowster Graduate]

Focus on the positives. Be logical about the negatives.

Are you feeling healthier than you were when you started? I'll bet you are.

[Health2020 Graduate in reply to nowster]

Thank you. I am trying to focus on the positives. And I am going to try to be logical about the negatives. I’ve stored up a few answers for the negative ones.

[Instructor57 Graduate]

Haha IannodaTruffe is right of course but I think it's something we all have to contend with to a ' Probably lesser degree' 😁

[Health2020 Graduate in reply to Instructor57]

Thank you. In some as it’s a bit comforting to know other people struggle a bit with it.

[Jools2020 Graduate]

I like to think of them as gremlins! I argue with mine, even shout at them sometimes. They do not prevail! Instructor57 feeds them to his cat! Mine often told me I’d never be able to graduate. Those voices fade when you start to achieve all those things that they said you couldn’t do. 👍

[Instructor57 Graduate in reply to Jools2020]

😺😈😺

[Health2020 Graduate in reply to Jools2020]

Thank you for understanding and for the advice.

[Hidden]

I have this ALL the time. I’m starting week 9 run 1 today and without exception each and every run has been a physical and mental battle. I keep reminding myself of how good I feel when I successfully complete the runs and just keep putting one foot in front of the other till the end. I’m still waiting for it to get easier but am keeping the faith that it will happen! Reassuring to know others are going through the same thing.

[Health2020 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Firstly well done on getting to week 9.

We can do this. Thank you x

[acountrycabbage Graduate]

I 100% relate. Like many during lockdown, I really struggled with my mental health. It wasn’t in great shape before but of course lockdown made everything feel worse. I am a worrier through and through.

I read an article that said it can be helpful to name your inner voice. It helps you identify the sabotage that your brain is trying to inflict on you. Sure, it sounds ever so slightly ridiculous, schizophrenic even, but I decided to name mine Pam. She’s can be such a little b*tch sometimes! 😬

For the most part it’s working! I find I can catch the ‘chatter’ sooner and telling ‘Pam’ to pipe down. Sometimes I can fully shut it off like a light switch which is a revelation for me 🙏🏼

You wouldn’t talk to/about your friends the way your inner voice talks to you, so why should you put up with it?

PS. Sorry to anyone called Pam 😆

[Health2020 Graduate in reply to acountrycabbage]

Thank you, I’m trying to find answers to shut the gremlin talks down

[Hidden]

The struggle is real. Call them what you want, negative self talk is a real pain in the ass and something I've struggled with all my life. I know that my physical body can do this but I'm on week 4 and the doubts never stop. It's a mental fight on every run day so I totally get what you're dealing with.

In one sense this is a one size fits all kind of programme in that we are all shapes, sizes, ages and levels of health coming into this and it CAN work for all and any of us. Individually however we are all battling our own demons. Whether it's low self esteem, relationship break ups, whatever the reason, we all have fears inside us.

We just have to decide not to let them define us or control us. Keep working on silencing the little feckers 😁

You'll do great. And everyone on this forum is behind you, even the ones who don't voice it quite so well.

[Health2020 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Bless you. Thank you.

Maybe I was naive when I started C25K I just thought it was a physical challenge to do exercise after not doing exercise. some is physical but a lot is mental, like the voice that says you need to stop, possibly before I really physically need to stop!

We will keep training both : the physical body and we will conquer the voices and put them in the right place until they learn to work with us!!!! X

[Hidden in reply to Health2020]

Couldn't have put it better myself 😁

[Tinytears60 Graduate]

Aha!... another person with a collection of Gremlins! 👺👺👺👺

I think we all have them from time to time 🙈😡

I’ve come across quite a few ... including the rare, lesser spotted loo Gremlin 🚽 👺 It pays me a visit just as I’m about to leave the house and sometimes when I’m mid run!

But

We have the beating of these pesky little things!! 👺 a good slap 👋 or a punch 👊 works wonders!

The most creative way I’ve heard of someone getting rid of hers was actually vomiting on it!

👺🤢🤮

It didn’t dare show it’s face again!

The good news is....

YOU have got this 💪

[Health2020 Graduate in reply to Tinytears60]

Thank you 😊

😂 I think I read your post about the toilet stops and laughed about it at the time. I try not to have a drink an hour before I go on a run but my routine before leaving the house involves visiting the toilet several times!! How my brain thinks it needs the toilet again, only a few minutes after I just went is crazy but maybe it’s learnt that each time I go I do manage to squeeze out another wee (sorry thats probably too much info) 😂 I don’t know if the problem with my bladder is my age!! 😂

[Tinytears60 Graduate in reply to Health2020]

🤣🤣🤣🤣 great response... made me giggle!

Who knew .. running sees me collecting medals, trophy’s and Gremlins! 🙈

I’m exactly the same... I sit for a drip! 💧 ( and that is definitely too much info).... but it great we can laugh at ourselves and hey..

We are absolutely bossing these bloody gremlins! 💪

[Health2020 Graduate in reply to Tinytears60]

😂 “Sit for a drip” that phrase is just too funny 😄 😆 but what makes it even funnier is that is what happens 😝 - keep up the good work with your running x

[nowster Graduate in reply to Health2020]

The saying is that when you get over a certain age you should:

· Never pass up a toilet opportunity.

· Never trust a fart.

[Health2020 Graduate]

👍