Temporary( I hope!?) loss of mojo

[SuperKat1974]

Hi all! I graduated several weeks ago and have been gradually working towards the elusive 5k by adding a couple of minutes onto my 3 weekly runs. All was going well until about 10 days ago when I've found in struggling to get past 25 minutes before flaking out...... I've got a lot going on mentally/emotionally at the moment and I thought (hoped) that running would help me burn off some of this nervous tension but I think I'm just too mentally drained and the opposite is happening! Any tips on translating angst into motion?! Thanks in advance for your tips!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Many of us can empathise with you.. and my tip would be just head out... no idea of time or distance.

Choose a route you enjoy, warm up a tad longer than you usually do with a relaxed walk and then just settle into a slow and steady jogette

I had a similar blip and after a long warm up walk just ran for 1.5K...enough to break the feeling of ' cannot do this'

Built up again slowly and go back to a relaxed 10K last Sunday

Just head out gently and let it all float away util you wish to stop You can do this

[SuperKat1974 Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you! I think in the midst of all my "head chaos" I'd been relying on the figures and stats to try and get some "control" as at the moment I don't feel I have any. .... best as you say to just step off, relax and "let it go" x

[a_in_gsr Graduate]

I genuinely believe this is normal; because on c25k there were such stringent goals laid out and then graduation comes and its easier to lose sight of what's going on. At least for me anyways!

Maybe change up your running routine? If you're stressed + very busy, longer runs might become even more stressful (time constraints, energy, lack of motivation...) - so do a planned shorter run! You could do a fartlek run, or a guided (easy) interval run. And if not just go out for 10 minutes and come back! A planned shorter run is going to feel so much better than a longer run cut short.

I know at least for me having a very structured plan also helps - i.e. i know when I'm running, how I'm running. Maybe set some goals for yourself? This could either be to go out of the house 3x a week; or to jin something like Ju-Jus magic plan so you have some steady goals

[SuperKat1974 Graduate in reply to a_in_gsr]

Thank you! At the moment I'm actually hanging on to my getting out for my run 3 times a week "structure" to help me through.... As previous posters have said, think I'll get the structure from that being my routine and then as you say mix things up a bit; try somewhere new.... As lovely as my local park is I have to admit I stick to my same couple of routes - not least because the park is so huge, I'm scared I'll get lost and not be able to find my way home!! 😂👍

[a_in_gsr Graduate in reply to SuperKat1974]

definitely some structure is helpful but yes new rules / music / podcasts / time of day always help me with motivation!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

You may be better off just increasing one run per week and keeping the others shorter. This will not tire you out as much.

The Consolidation Club exists for new graduates, like you, who are struggling to maintain their running after graduation. healthunlocked.com/couchto5......

Pop in have a chat and see what others are doing.

[SuperKat1974 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you! I think that maybe a few shorter, sharper runs might be the best way forward as you suggest! I guess getting through the mind fog is a different matter! 👍