Lost my motivation 😫

[Ju-Ju40]

Can anyone offer any advice. Been loving the runs. Just about to start week 7 but I’ve lost motivation completely. I had a week off due to work commitments and now I can’t find what I had to get me out!! Help!!!!!

[roseabi]

Hi!Well done for all your hard work so far! Don't give up now!!!

You have to remember your original reason for doing the C25K programme - THAT is your motivation 😍

A couple of tips to get you out of the door and running: Make a plan for the days you will run, say Monday, Thursday, and Saturday for example. Commit to them and put the dates in your diary or calendar, or better still stick a note on your fridge! The night before your run, get your running gear together and place it in a prominent position. On the day of the run, don't think about it - just get out there... and run!!!

You can do it! Good luck and have fun xxx

[Hidden]

A new habit takes time to become established. I would say that in the early days it is as much about discipline as motivation.As roseabi says, set up the run and don't allow any excuses.

[Instructor57 Graduate]

You have already put a lot into this to reach week 7.Well done you !

AND if you have reached week 7 then you certainly have what it takes to graduate as you are already running for 25 minutes, that's awesome 👍

As roseabi has said , remember why you started this in the first place !

The more you run the easier it will be to motivate yourself, I certainly find if I miss a run or 2 for whatever reason then it's harder to get out for the next one .

I also find that once my running gear is on then im in the zone and there's no way I will not go !

Get your gear ready the night before and as soon as your out of bed , put it on .

I certainly find that helps 😁

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Lost motivation is normally found in your running shoes, when you have them on your feet and you head out of the door.

You won't find it while sitting on the couch.

You either want to do it...........or you don't.

Slowing down to the recommended easy conversational pace makes it more achievable and for most, more enjoyable.

Counterintuitively, it is easy conversational pace running that builds your stamina and endurance, not fast running.

Don't make it a battle. Relax and enjoy it.

[Moonlight-run in reply to IannodaTruffe]

I kind of agree. I was running 5k a couple of years ago every other day. Then I got long covid and stopped. I recently went back to running as I think I'm ok now. Running with my partner. He thinks running is easy, he's always ahead of me and says I'm slow. But I find it hard. My knees hurt, I've got a painful bunion and I get really out of breath. I wanted to just stop. But now I just go slower. If I hold him up, I'm fine with this. As long as I'm running, it's all good in my opinion.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to Moonlight-run]

If two people run together, then the pace need's to be set by the slower runner. If you get out of breath you are going too fast. When I run with my wife she dictates the pace and we can both comfortably hold a conversation.

Have a browse through the FAQ Posts healthunlocked.com/couchto5... especially about pace and breathing and maybe it will dawn on you that you are pushing too hard, which is not enjoyable, nor productive.

[Moonlight-run in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Totally agree.

[nowster Graduate]

If you can't face Week 7 just now, maybe re-do the last run of Week 6 a few times? 🤣

But seriously, the best thing to do is to forget all about motivation, get those running shoes on and get out there and do it. You won't have lost any fitness in a week.

Now you're into the continuous runs you might like to explore a bit: change your running routes to go into different areas. You know roughly how much ground you'll be covering, so you have a good idea how far you can go.

This is what I did at week 7. I even got lost on one occasion.

(PS. The two runs are identical at 25 minutes.)

[Ju-Ju40]

Thank you everyone. I’m gonna suck it up and get out in the morning. 💪💪 I can do this!!!!

[drun]

We all have setbacks that's life, you've been enjoying the runs and there's no reason why you cannot enjoy them now.

Enjoy your run in the morning there is nothing better that sets you up for the day.

[Runner2000]

I think relying on motivation isn’t the best way to get something done. Sometimes I feel motivated but most times I don’t. The better bet to ensure you get the exercise in is to make it a habit. So you don’t have to will yourself to do it. It’s just part of your routine like brushing your teeth…running may not get as habitual as brushing your teeth but you know what I mean. So pick the day and time that you’re running for the week and that’s that. On the days that it really feels daunting or before you’ve built it into a habit then when it almost time to get out there just go put your clothes and sneakers on…don’t think to hard about it, or if your mind gets in the way just tell yourself all I’m going to do is put my running clothes and sneakers on…once they are on it will only few natural to go for the run.

Reminder - it will always feel great after!

PS you’ve done an amazing job to get this far! You owe it to yourself to complete the challenge !

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

Motivation can be a real pain, when it hides, it really hides!!

Pop your shoes on and go for a walk, no pressure and just let nature and fresh air work its magic 👍🏻🙃

[Poppdog Graduate]

Oh don’t give up get your stuff ready the night before and tell yourself I’m going running tomorrow. Once you get out there it will be like you never had the break