Mental battle with 25 minute run

[BethEdwards23]

So tomorrow’s my last 25 minute run then I move onto week 8. Very proud of how far I’ve come considering I was struggling with week 3/4. I find with the 25 minute runs that they’re such a mental battle, I feel like throughout the whole process I’m battling with myself saying “I need to stop” “keep running you’re halfway through” “this is easy” “this is hard” etc. Does anyone else find themselves battling with themselves throughout this run? I know I can run 25 minutes because I’ve done 3 runs and completed them. These longer runs are defiantly more of a mental game now than just learning how to run I think. But in the best way possible?!

[ele123 Graduate]

😂😂😂 yes!!! I have to endure this every run 😂😂 my brain just goes bla bla bla but I am kind of used to it so I know now to just ignore it, listen to the music etc...or just fight with it and say oh yes I can!!! Just you wait because I did it last time! So yes...I found that running for me was more of a mental battle rather than a physical one. But the benefits of that is that not only you will be physically fit but also mentally UNSTOPPABLE!!! So fight with the voices in your head and enjoy! 😊😊😊😊

[Emn1976 Graduate]

Yes it’s mental for me too! Just keep persevering against the want to stop and think about how good you will feel when you finish each week 😊

[QuadroVEINia Graduate]

I would echo what others have already said... having a really good ‘motivational’ playlist also helps me! Good luck today, you got this!👊🏽

[Amoola83 Graduate]

Maybe try a podcast instead of music? That way you’re so busy listening to the podcast time kind of passes by quicker. That worked for me for the longer runs. Good luck! ☺️

[LolaBobs Graduate]

I am doing my last run of wk 7 today and it’s still a mental battle for me. I put together a different playlist for each week and I count the songs, so for 25 min run I just tell myself “it’s only 8 songs” which sounds achievable! This week I’m listening to the gospel songs from Sister Act, it’s not something I would normally listen to so it’s a bit more interesting for my brain, also very positive and upbeat :). Stick with it, we have come so far and the end is definitely in sight now 😉

[katiekatiekatiekatie Graduate]

Yay well done that’s amazing! Same for me; my head always tells me I can’t and I convince myself before every run that I won’t be able to do it!

[Lockdownpositive]

I have exactly the same internal conversation with myself! Thought it was just me! Do you listen to music? I'm going to try that or a podcast next. Or just argue with the voices! Well done on getting this far and well, you got this!

[BethEdwards23 Graduate in reply to Lockdownpositive]

I listen to music, I make sure I put a good playlist on! But a lot of people do listen to podcasts!

[Lockdownpositive in reply to BethEdwards23]

Music does really help. Trevor Nelson really helped last week!

[Skyblueandblack Graduate]

I sometimes have to push myself a bit during the first five minutes. After that I concentrate on the half time mark which when I've got there I know I'm not going to stop before the run is complete. Running up gradiants are still a bit of a struggle, but the plus side is running down the other side is much easier.Music also gives your brain something to do while you just to let your body just get on with the running.

You're nearly there now.

Good luck.

[030961 Graduate]

Hi, I’m quite useless with IT so I don’t do anything than slip my phone into my running top replaying the C25K WK9R3 over and again until I’m done. That means I have lots of time to listen to what’s going on around me like sheep, passing horses, or just saying ‘morning’ to runners passing by. Before I know it the run has ended before I’ve had time to tell myself to stop, or I can’t do it, might be worth a try?......and good luck, keep going!

[Greenfingers21 Graduate]

I’m so glad I’m not the only one... total mental battle and I was expecting it to be ok

[Shuffling_Saturdays Graduate]

Week 7 Run 3 was when I discovered how helpful podcasts were for distracting me from myself 😂

I was bored of music by then. I listen to ‘The Strength Running Podcast’ and it’s really good. I’m too scared not to listen to anything until I finish C25k (week 8 run 3 tomorrow) in case I annoy myself so much with my wandering brain that I sabotage chances 😂😂

Good luck finishing the programme!!