Struggling today : I’m really finding it hard to... - Couch to 5K

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Struggling today

Pymander10 profile image
Pymander10Graduate
14 Replies

I’m really finding it hard to get the motivation to get out today. I should be on week 4 run 1 but I’ve been poorly and think I’ll do an extra one or two week 3’s again! I’ve been struggling to sleep the last couple of nights and I’m sure if I’ll do this run I’ll sleep better tonight but I’m trying to garner the energy. There is nothing getting in my way apart from my own mind and it’s so frustrating. Any help at all to get me out today would be great! I’ve even only just remembered this group and the support you all give that’s how slow my brain is today

Thanks

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Pymander10 profile image
Pymander10
Graduate
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14 Replies

Firstly remove that self pressure to run today, take yourself outside, perhaps just walk ?

Itsamiracle profile image
ItsamiracleGraduate

I felt like that during most of the program 🤪 but persevered and managed to graduate. It was a personal goal I set myself so if I had given up it would have only be to the detriment of me.

Instructor57 profile image
Instructor57Graduate

Hi, I would agree completely with Hidden .Take the pressure off yourself .

There is nothing worse than beating yourself up for not running so just be kind to yourself , you have not been well and had a few bad nights sleep.

This will make a difference !

So just go when you are ready and rested .

Pymander10 profile image
Pymander10Graduate in reply to Instructor57

Thank you that’s really validating. I managed to do it but it was tough so I think I’ll continue week 3 until I’m fully fit again. It was a real kind game today

nowster profile image
nowsterGraduate

As the others have said. No pressure.

And I think you're right in planning to do a week 3 run again just to give yourself a bit of confidence.

Pymander10 profile image
Pymander10Graduate in reply to nowster

Yes I’m glad I did that as it was tough enough. I think I’ll continue those runs until I feel recovered and ready to step up!

RunDone profile image
RunDoneGraduate

I took 5 days out after a cold in week 4. The rest did me good and I was revitalized and straight back in where I left off. The fact you've come here to seek motivation says you aren't lacking commitment - maybe just take a few days to recover properly and get back out there when you're ready.

Pymander10 profile image
Pymander10Graduate in reply to RunDone

I managed to do it and I’m proud of that as I really needed to do it because of other things going on in my life. It was tough though and I’ll think I’ll carry in doing the week 3 right runs until I feel fit enough to go further. Thank you for your support!

RunDone profile image
RunDoneGraduate in reply to Pymander10

Well done!! The best thing I've done recently was starting the C25K program - the second best thing was joining this forum. I'm not sure I'd have got far without it. Keep going! I'd also suggest that if you can complete week 3 you shouldn't be too worried about trying week 4 when you feel ready.

RunBrianRun profile image
RunBrianRunGraduate

Sometimes there’s so much else going on in our lives that we can overlook taking care of ourselves. Sometimes you just have to put yourself first. Running is such a pure form of therapy and is helpful in so many ways. Good luck and get out there. 💪👍

daycartes profile image
daycartesGraduate

Yeah, week 4 is tough but having been through this brilliant exercise twice I know that it is really doable, each week seems impossible until you do it, then you get the elated feeling of having accomplished it. It really is an excellent activity. I'm also on week 4 so I'm with you all the way. Mind you, today the weather is just pants so run two will be tomorrow

Devon_straggler profile image
Devon_stragglerGraduate

I agree with others that you shouldn't pressure yourself, especially if you have been ill. But feeling like you don't have the energy is a difficult trap for all of us. My suggestion would be to put on your kit, head out for a walk with no pressure to run, and see how you feel. I often find that getting out of the house is the difficult bit, and once I'm outdoors I feel much more enthusiastic! But even if you don't run, the walk will still have done you good :)

Pinkfairy1 profile image
Pinkfairy1

Well done for doing the run. I’m feeling demotivated too following good progress to week 5 and then ankle issues which took me out for a couple of weeks, then sorted those and went out again, repeating week 5 with no issue. However decided to repeat the week for a third time just to ensure I was all ok and now have knee problems. I went out on Monday and did a week 4 run thinking I’d just go back a step and found it really really tough, was the worst run I’ve done. Have not run since as knees not feeling great and am now doing knee exercises every day. Dreading going out again to be honest. Partly because I found that run hard when I thought it would be ok and partly incase my knees are still not right. Keep going, and take pressure off yourself to keep going through the weeks. I’ve now decided I’ll do it slowly and just redo weeks until I feel comfortable rather than pressing on. That is if I can ever run with all these issues………. (Pity party over here 🙈)

Pymander10 profile image
Pymander10Graduate in reply to Pinkfairy1

Oh wow you’ve had it all going on I’m sorry to hear that. Well done for getting back out there though that takes a lot of dedication. It sounds like your doing the right thing by going back some weeks and just taking it easy. In my opinion it doesn’t matter how far you go back and as they say you’ve only failed if you go back to the couch so keep it up even if you can only manage a walk on some days. It’s more important to look after your knee so that it doesn’t stop you running altogether! My run was really difficult on that day and I’ll be honest it’s put me off a bit. But I’m going to get back out there and just carry on with week 3 for however long I need to. I’ve also come off some medication which gave me energy and I partly feel that I was only running as far as I could because of that and that’s why the last run felt so difficult. I’m worried I can’t do it without the extra help of energy but I guess we will see these next coming weeks!

Keep it up and I’ll be keeping it up with you!!

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