No Motivation - How to Restart

[Pdb48]

Its been a long time since i have posted anything - I was doing so well last year running every other day and got up to 8K - my goal was to do 10K by September 2020 and then on the 7th - BAM - i collapsed at home and was taken into hospital with severe pneumonia out of nowhere, the only thing I had noticed before I collapsed that the week leading up to it i couldn't understand why my legs felt like lead when I ran and my times were slower. i spent a week in hospital and it took me another 2 -3 months to recover physically. I feel 100% physically now but i haven't ran since last September - my mental health however is shot to pieces - I just need some help motivating myself to get out and run....any ideas please?

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

The simplest way is to get some structure back into your running and having had such a long break I would suggest doing C25k again, as I am at present after a three month break.

Especially after injury or illness it is wise to gradually increase the demands on your body, rebuilding your resistance to impact and injury.

You do have some motivation, otherwise you would not be entertaining the idea.

It might be a good idea to read through the guide to C25k again healthunlocked.com/couchto5... for all the basic tips.

Keep us posted and we will keep you running.

[Pdb48 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thanks for the encouragement....I'll keep you posted🏃🏃🏃

[Pdb48 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

I will be honest and say i just didnt want to start from week one again...still battling with the head...i got the trainers on and did the 5 minute walk and then slowly ran - did 1 mile in 11 minutes and did another 5 minute walk..it's a start just need to work out how i should go forward

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to Pdb48]

I am currently about to start W5 having restarted the plan from W1R1 after illness and a break of three months, simply to recondition my resistance to impact and injury.

We are all capable of doing way more than our bodies are conditioned to do, but not without increasing our injury risk. Sticking to gently progressive training plans is the safest way to push our limits, whilst gently increasing our resistance to injury.

Injury often strikes out of the blue and can stop you for days, weeks or even months.

[Pdb48 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

thanks for the advice i will be careful, just trying to work out at which point on C25K to restart

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to Pdb48]

As stated in the guide to the plan, healthunlocked.com/couchto5... you lose no significant condition in the first two weeks of non running.

After that loss of condition is gradual.

All any of us can do after a lay off is to go out and see what we can comfortably manage, then build back up gently, using C25k or something similar as a guide to weekly increase.

[Beastie_MCCXIX Graduate]

I've restarted for the third time, there's no shame in it. i think you've already crossed a line by stating you want to restart.

What got me restarted was planning a day to restart and the weekend before watching running / triathlon movies / documentaries. It got me in the mode.

I watched 100 meters, Brittany Runs a Marathon, Run Fatboy Run, Tri and a few others.

I also, like you posted on this forum to make a commitment. That was the final push.

Good Luck... you are about to restart your journey!

[Pdb48 Graduate in reply to Beastie_MCCXIX]

thanks...i almost went out early this morning...as you say hopefully by posting it will push me forward...good tip about running films...

[Pdb48 Graduate in reply to Beastie_MCCXIX]

i got back out there ran a mile and happy to have started again😀

[Beastie_MCCXIX Graduate in reply to Pdb48]

Awesome 👍 The first step is the hardest. Now you can get out there. You already know you can do it.

[John_W Graduate Ambassador]

The fact that you have returned to this website and posted about running again shows that your have some intrinsic motivation. I look at that simple act as a positive sign that at the very least the idea of running is in your head and you acknowledge you at at least physically ready - that's a great sign!

You are dabbling with the idea , hence your post. Let that dabbling continue to filter into your head and meander it's way through your mind.

Sounds to me like all you need to do is put your stuff on and step outside

[Pdb48 Graduate in reply to John_W]

Thanks John a gentle push is all i probably need?

[John_W Graduate Ambassador in reply to Pdb48]

Go for it . If nothing else, put your running gear on and go for a gentle walk and see how you feel. If you break into a little jog I promise not tell anyone.

[Pdb48 Graduate in reply to John_W]

You were right 6 months later stuck the trainers and kit on..still unsure of what to do I just didn't want to go right back to week 1.. I ended up with a 5 minute walk to warm up and then ran a mile in 11 minutes..slower than before but 1 mile more than the last 6 months...😀

[John_W Graduate Ambassador in reply to Pdb48]

That's brilliant! Well done you

Now see if you can do it again. Happy to keep it a secret if you need me to.

[Pdb48 Graduate in reply to John_W]

thanks John...it's no secret.. i'll do another run on friday and see how i go

[John_W Graduate Ambassador in reply to Pdb48]

I was only joking But, good luck for Friday

[Kamela18 Graduate]

1) Remember all the good things you got from running before - clearing your head, time to yourself, the feeling of completing and building something gradually. These are all reasons- on top of fitness - to do it. Regardless of whether you are at 10k or building up from week 3 - it's all running!

2) Don't be hard on yourself - you have been through a lot! And the fact you are back to wanting to run is great - start with something you feel comfortable with(an earlier week maybe?) and take it from there. You can do it!

[Pdb48 Graduate in reply to Kamela18]

Thanks for the encouragement