Gremlin in my ear!

[NewRunner-52]

Graduated a few weeks ago and the consolidation runs have been going well, keeping a manageable pace and going a tiny bit further with each run. Then this week a gremlin in my ear told me I could stop if I wanted to and walk for a bit and has done the same for all 3 runs this week. I then finish the distance stopping and starting. I’ve tried changing my route what else can I do? Was thinking about going back to the last week of the programme so Sarah Millican can push me on. Or perhaps there are other apps that might help? Any advice or suggestions to get rid of the gremlin would be very gratefully received.

[Oldgirlruns Graduate]

Those pesky gremlins, they’re such a nuisance aren’t they! But you’d be surprised at the number of us who have them! I usually cart mine around for the first 10-15 minutes of every run; they yell in my ear “you can’t do this today” and other equally helpful phrases. All you can do is just keep going and try to ignore them; they’ll get fed up and leave you alone eventually!

[NewRunner-52 Graduate in reply to Oldgirlruns]

Thanks for your reply. Good to know I’m not the only one with gremlins.

[Oldgirlruns Graduate in reply to NewRunner-52]

Oh you’re definitely not NR52, that’s one of the nice things about this running malarkey - whatever the problem, you can be sure that you’re not the only one with it! And this forum is the right place for help and support!

[Frenc Graduate]

I pretend I have a sergeant major on my shoulder shouting at me. It actually works fairly well! Up to a point anyway 🤣.

[NewRunner-52 Graduate in reply to Frenc]

Thanks Frenc, might give that a try!

[la_fouinard Graduate]

I’d definitely second oldgirlruns getting gremlins is part of the course for many of us. Happens to me a fair bit. Could offer a few things that work for me.

Make a pact with yourself to push for something just that bit further in the distance (a gate, tree etc.) and keep shifting it forward. I’ve succeeded a lot by spending most of the run pushing that little bit more. Just be a little careful as it’s really easy to carry this mentality over when something’s hurting and you should stop before you injure yourself.

Good music also really does it for me. The fastest I’ve ever run was on an unenthusiastic run when I was tired and stiff until the last 5 mins when AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie came on and I went 2 minutes a mile faster. If you’re flagging at around the same point curate a playlist that has something that’ll perk you up at that point.

Lastly it might just be you need to accept it for a few runs. I’ve had some where I’ve gone out and cut it short because I was having a crap day and running felt awful. Main thing is to still go out. In those cases I push until I’ve done 2/3 of my basic run length.

[NewRunner-52 Graduate in reply to la_fouinard]

Some good tips in there, thank you. Definitely need to update my play list as I am really bored with it at the moment.

[la_fouinard Graduate in reply to NewRunner-52]

I go for different music each time as I find that works well for me.

It does get easier over time, after several weeks post graduation it started getting easier for me as my body adjusted to the new routine.

Don’t feel you have to increase distance for a while either. I upped to 5.5k as it meant I could do a nice circular route and stuck with it for 2 months until it became comfortable and I stopped getting minor muscle strains for 2 weeks.

[Reggit Graduate]

I get gremlins on one of my routes but not others, never understood them, especially as that route is, in theory, the easiest of the routes I have.

[NewRunner-52 Graduate in reply to Reggit]

Odd isn’t it, always seems to be at the same point in the run too!

[Sewnotfit Graduate]

The exact same thing happened to me after graduation, it’s almost like I felt that I had proven I could run for 30 mins, so a mid run stop couldn’t hurt. Then before I knew it I was having trouble getting to even 10 mins and it all felt really difficult. To prevent it I just tried to run slow and for as long as I could without stopping, and then each time a little bit longer until I got back to the 30mins non stop. After that I concentrated on distance. Not quite managed 10k yet but that’s my summer goal 🤞Good luck to you - just as we expect it to get easier (post-graduation) it seems to get harder?!!! Take comfort in the fact that many of us experience the same, so that must make you a proper runner!! Good luck x

[NewRunner-52 Graduate in reply to Sewnotfit]

Thank you for this, comforting to know I am not alone with my gremlins.

[Newbie59 Graduate]

I think we can lose the plot a few weeks after graduation. When the euphoria of graduating wears off, and there are no particular goals to aim for, unless you really love going for a run it's easy to give in early. There's no coach urging you on!

Many of us go back to C25k for a refresher with our favourite coach, or even a different one. When you are ready for your next challenge you could try the C25k+ podcasts. There are 3 to try, stepping stones, speed and stamina, to shake things up a bit.

Good Luck!

[NewRunner-52 Graduate in reply to Newbie59]

Thank you. Good to know it’s not just me. I think I need to set myself a few challenges to get me motivated.

[Tasha99 Graduate]

Do you run listening to music or a podcast or the radio? I love that. I also find it helpful to see that after half way I’m on the way back down. To think about how much I’ve done and how much I’ve got left. Don’t let gremlins win!

[NewRunner-52 Graduate in reply to Tasha99]

I’ve tried podcasts and music and prefer music to be honest. Just updated my play list so hopefully that will help. 🤞

[Tasha99 Graduate in reply to NewRunner-52]

Radio is good as it’s always different and you feel like you have company when they chat 👍🏽

[NewRunner-52 Graduate in reply to Tasha99]

Good idea!