Running imposter syndrome??

[FurtherFaster]

Looking to see if anyone else is in the same position or has overcome a similar mental battle.

I completed the couch25k programme a while back, and since then have just been focussing on continuing to build the habbit and focus on weight loss. I recently broke the 5K mark, and since then have completed myabe 5/6 5K runs in about 40 mins each.

However, I feel like a complete running imposter!! I'm still overweight (although the number is coming down a lot and consistently with the running), and at the start of each run I get almost a panic that this will be the one where my body will be like 'oh you thought you could run, no i was just messing with you' - and I get this odd nervous feeling that this will be the run where I can't finish it or I'll just stop and give up...

It makes no sense and I know it's all in my head...but I feel like a bit of fraud still. I do enjoy the running a lot more now, but I had hoped the mental battle would have eased a bit since Week 1 Run 1!

Anyone else gone through this?? Or have tips to overcome it?

[Hidden]

If it's any consolation, I go through the exact same things in my head, I think a lot of us do so you're definitely not alone. I am also overweight by 3 stone, it was more but I've lost 5 kg and like you, it's slowly coming down. I am following a lazy version of the keto plan and that's helping a lot. I'm on week 6 now and like you, scared that at some point I'm going to fail, injure myself, have a heart attack, you name it! All the scenarios go through my head. Then I worry I'll never be able to pick up speed when the programme is over and after this challenge, what next?!

I think if I'm really honest with myself and everyone here, I've been a quitter in the past, I've given up on myself and there's that little nagging voice that says, why are you bothering, you know you'll quit eventually. But I'm actually enjoying this challenge and I want more, so why would I tell myself to quit!

Coming on here and having this forum has been the biggest support ever, better than friends and family for sure. Every run I remind myself that I've completed the run before and there is nothing to be scared about. I come on here and read the posts of those people who are a run or two ahead of me and I see that they've done it. All shapes, ages and sizes - so I know I can do it too. The only person who will stop us is ourselves. I don't want to let my head win the fight this time. My body needs me to win this time.

The mental struggle is real, I've had to acknowledge that but each week something inside my head is getting better. I hope it does for you too. You are not alone. Remember that. x

[Juliet202 Graduate]

I bet there’s a lot of skinny people out there so unfit they couldn’t run for a bus !! You are brilliant - the weight is coming off and you’re fit enough to run for 40 mins - that’s amazing. You know what, on this forum I see so many new runners - I’m one too - any of us could be ‘imposters’. Feel proud.