Help??

[FenGirl1]

I’m not sure mine is a question….I just feel so very low i can’t get going at all. I think about it a lot…but that is as far as I get…thinking. I have felt like this once before but many many years ago and my circumstances were different. This awful weather doesn’t help. I see the practice nurse tomorrow…she is very supportive, especially of the running! Anyone else had a lousy time recently and feeling similarly?.

[Ian5K Graduate]

Oh FenGirl. Yes, this is the time of year when we feel low, the shorter daylight hours, poor weather. And together with Covid lockdown and more! On top of your health issues too.

I’m fine, I think, but our daughter historically gets low at times, and my mum has recently been diagnosed with dementia, so I’m fast becoming a worried parent for both generations. But the running does give me much needed time out.

Do you take vitamin D supplements in Winter? I think it’s supposed to be good for physical and mental strength. It’s good your nurse is supportive - does she, or he, run too? 🙂

[GTFC Graduate]

A really brave and honest post. I empathise with you. I think it's 'What's least worse?' So I run when I don't sometimes feel like it. It happens exceptionally rarely but when I don't fancy it, I just think that one day there'll be a time when I can't run and can't get out. So each time I am able, then I really should. Running doesn't always feel great or make you feel better during or after it; it does however ALWAYS feel like I've achieved something and taken a positive, much more than not going when I could have and was able to. It is the least worse option at times like these 🙂🙏

[Instructor57 Graduate]

Oh dear, So sorry to hear you are feeling this way .

I certainly don't think you are alone with this , especially at this time of year and considering what we have all gone through in the last 2 years !

Have you actually started the program now ?

I remember you asking about teadmills in an earlier post .

Did you actually get one ?

That may be a good way to get yourself started , or of course to try one in a gym perhaps , at least that way you take the weather out of the equation !

I must admit I sometimes find it hard to get out for a run for various reasons but then if I don't go I actually feel guilty !

One thing I can say though for certain is that I have never come back from a run and thought I wish I hadn't done that !

And as I'm sure you know, it can help both your physical and mental well-being.

I look forward to hearing about your run ! 🙏

[FenGirl1 in reply to Instructor57]

Hello…thank you so much for your message….this ‘forum’ is so supportive and friendly I really appreciate it! And yes..the Practice Nurse I see does go running herself!

[MarkyD Graduate]

I’m going to raise the possibility of approaching thing from the other direction. For now, forget about running. Do you enjoy reading? Why not try finding a good audio book (or podcast, radio program) etc and going out for a walk - just 30 minutes - to listen to the story. It may not suit you but I’ve enjoyed Eleanor Oliphant… on BBC Sounds app in the last few days. There is a lot of choice, and walking is a great way to get started…

[Rennur Graduate]

Marky D is right about walking. The fresh air and moving about is good. But looking at nature is good for you. Even if you live in the city, looking at people's Chrimbo decs is fun, if they don't have gardens - if they do look out, for winter flowering shrubs and flowers (though that is more likely to be in January, but global warming may cause some early flowering). WHen you are walking you might even break into a jog and think. "I might get my running kit on later today!"

[DylanTheRabbit Graduate]

Hi FenGirl1, yes I'm feeling pretty lousy right now too and yes the weather doesn't help. I can't run or walk at the moment due to a foot injury and told myself I would go to a nature space while I waited for my partner. I ended up just sitting in the car in a car park for two hours.

I don't think I've got any great suggestions, I hope you get on with the nurse today.

Something that helps me a bit when I'm struggling with motivation and things seem over whelming is to do something small and easy but positive and really tell myself well done. e.g. can't clean the whole house, but maybe just the fridge or can't do an hour's exercise but maybe 10-15 minutes.

I'm not sure if it's healthy to just lower expectations, but it does help me feel a bit more in control?!

[Sh53202 Graduate]

I do hope you feel better soon Fengirl. I’m sure if you could tackle some baby steps it would start to help, but it’s awful when we feel so stuck. Do you have someone who would go for a walk with you? Or who would have a go at Week 1 runs with you? Having a buddy is a good motivator sometimes, especially if you are helping someone else get started? Good luck with your appointment today.

[Lola-bear Graduate]

Hello ooh yes it’sa grim place to be andI have been there many times and ended up on my Winter medication, however this year I am running through instead to see if it helps me. I call it my paralysis by analysis phase- don’t want to do anything (paralysis)and thinking about why I’m not doing anything all the time (analysis) it gets you stuck however if you can just take control and do something, walk, run or I knit in the winter, it will move you from that stage and the stinking thinking that can devour your soul.I have such abuzz from running it’s like I’m16 again, I have NEVER run before and I started at 60.

Well done for addressing it and seeing the nurse either way you will be fine but to move and particularly outside even when it’s grim weather is to help yourself is what I find the best medicine of all.

You will be fine whatever, I also have a dog who never lets me stay indoors for long but you need to do what’s right for you.

Take care fellow runner

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Well done for reaching out.

This may be a running forum, but we are here to nurture and support all our members, whatever they are going through.

I know personally that I have benefitted hugely from the moral support of this forum when I have been going through tough patches, even when it is nothing to do with running. So keep in touch.

I believe most of us here are great believers in the power of both exercise and being in the green of nature.........although it is predominantly grey at the moment. The grim weather does make it more difficult, but I make myself get out, at least for a walk, even if it means full waterproofs.

When you are walking, or running, don't turn in.

Look out.

Look at the grey scudding clouds, the slanting rain, the last copper leaves departing from the thrashing branches and the windblown birds seeking sanctuary in the hedgerows.

There is a whole world out there that many of us fail to see, because we are wrapped up in our internal turmoils.

We are all part of that world.

This is our planet.

Reconnect with nature and you can reconnect with the true you.

That is why I run.

Take care.

[John_W Graduate Ambassador]

Do you have access to a treadmill ?

[FenGirl1 in reply to John_W]

O….I have been looking at them but have no idea what to buy. I did put a post up asking what people thought was best but got a variety of answers which confused me further!!!!!

[John_W Graduate Ambassador in reply to FenGirl1]

What's your budget?

[FenGirl1 in reply to John_W]

I don’t know what to expect? Most of my mental health issues have been instigated by bereavements so I have some of an inheritance from my father….and some from a close friend….what should I expect to spend? A friend said to wait until the New Year sales…..

[John_W Graduate Ambassador in reply to FenGirl1]

Budget treadmills would be around £350-500

Above that, they more fancy and probably better build quality and longer-lasting. If you doing 3 runs a week, say 30 minutes at a time, you don't need anything fancy.

Also, what about space? Do you want it foldable? Or will it be permanently set-up somewhere?

[FenGirl1 in reply to John_W]

That sounds fair enough cost wise and I definitely don’t want anything fancy …foldable sounds useful when the kids visit and space….well I live on my own so I can use what space I want! Thank you ever so much…

[John_W Graduate Ambassador in reply to FenGirl1]

There you go: rogerblackfitness.com/produ...

[BradC Graduate]

Another point is that you don’t have to run on nasty days. I plan my runs according to the weather forecast and if that means I miss a run here and there, I don’t care. I’m doing it for fun and fitness, not to prove anything to anyone else.

Also the advice on walking is good.

[nowster Graduate in reply to BradC]

Totally agree on that. We've had some foul days here the last couple of days.

I've opted to take extra rest days. (I did do a lot of running last month.) If I can remember I might do some exercises instead.

If there's a suitable gap in the storm, I like going out walking and getting a little wind-blown. If you have wrapped up well, it's a great feeling to be out there, and an even better one to get back indoors and warm again.