Can’t seem to get going

[Poppdog]

Feel really disappointed with myself I was absolutely over the moon when I graduated and was running 3 times a week. Then I got a cough and sore chest, not Covid thankfully, but it left me feeling drained. Never mind a bit of a rest will be fine I thought. Then came the snow the wind and the rain. Work, Christmas, family, dark mornings dark nights still not 100% and now it’s really hard to get back out there. I still walk the dog 3 times a day, and have started trying to use the exercise bike. Why is it so hard, I did enjoy the feeling following a run. Must try harder.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Up until this month, I would have been able to direct you to our Monthly Consolidation Club posts, which were designed to be an open forum for new graduates, especially those who are struggling with motivation post graduation, which is a very common occurrence. We decided to dispense with it because over recent months it has been very little used, however the posts are still there if you do a search for them.

This time of year can be difficult to keep going but remember, your fitness will not evaporate overnight. It takes a couple of weeks before most recreational runners will notice a reduction in their ability or performance. After that loss of condition is gradual.

Don't beat yourself up about it and if you can't fit in a 30 minute run, how about a 15 minute run?

For all sorts of reasons, I am only managing about one run each week at the moment......and the weather and short days don't help, but keep the mentality of a runner, keep posting here and I am sure that you will soon be back out there having a great time.

We just have to grab those opportunities.

Can you run with your dog?

Can you find a treadmill to use?

The exercise bike will keep your aerobic fitness up, so it probably won't be such a shock when you do get out next time.

[Poppdog Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you I will get the kit on again and get out for a short run just to get me going xx

[Newbie59 Graduate]

Hi, please don't beat yourself up! It's a difficult time of year, December is dark and cold, sometimes it's icy and dangerous to run. Also, we have lots of other things to think about just now. If you are getting out for good walks and otherwise keeping fit, come January, and some milder weather, slightly longer days, you will feel like going out for a run again. Trust me! Even two short runs a week will keep you run-ready for better times

[Poppdog Graduate in reply to Newbie59]

Thank I will definitely push for the short run, I know once I start again it will be ok fingers crossed 🤞

[Roxdog Graduate]

Sounds like you are busy and the weeks leading up to Christmas can be a bit full on, even of we're not all going to parties! You weren't well - the cold virus is horrible and I know a few people for whom it dragged on for weeks.No wonder you're finding it tough! I would suggest forgetting any targets until January, but in the meantime, just go out for a couple of short runs a week if you can in the meantime. Could your dog manage with 2 walks a day for example? Perhaps put your running gear out the night before? Find a new short route?

Good luck!

[Poppdog Graduate in reply to Roxdog]

Thank you yes I am on leave soon so will plan a couple of short runs just to get back into it.

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

It’s a hard time to run, but even 5 minutes is good, we don’t run as much in winter and remember even if your cough has gone it takes a while to get your energy back

[Poppdog Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thank you

[RunDone Graduate]

Hi Poppdog - I've found that just as it was an adjustment moving from "how much more running until the walk-break", to "am I pacing myself correctly to make sure I finish", post graduation, I've had to adjust to not having the targets provided by the program.

It was easier to be motivated to get out when there were 3 runs a week to complete and progress to tick off.

I knew that'd be a problem for me - so I put my own winter plan in a spreadsheet so I could mark off the completed runs. I set it up for 3 x 30 min runs a week until March with what I thought was a realistic winter target of 2 a week (due to weather) and I find that making off those planned runs gives me that extra bit of motivation. Maybe something like that might help?

[Poppdog Graduate in reply to RunDone]

Thank you

[Frenc Graduate]

Nay fret Poppdog! I think the advice to just try a short 15 minutes is really good. You’ll be home before you know it, and it will remind you why you do it. I think most people struggle at this time of year, I mean, it’s just not that inviting out there is it 😃. Also your leave will let you choose the time of day rather than it being dictated. Good luck and all the best 😊😊😊.

[Aerialgazelle Graduate]

Oh Poppdog - I think of you as graduating in my cohort since we did the programme around the same time. You take your dear little doggy out 3 x a day - brilliant! (personally, I wouldn't reduce this since it suits Poppy). You are starting to use the exercise bike - brilliant! Been ill, it's dark, raining, slippy etc - understandable that you're finding it hard to get back to it. I won't go out if I see frost and definitely don't do dark. Managed to steel myself to run in the rain last week for the first time, but I'd avoid it if I can. Plus I'm frightened of the treadmill! So we've all got our hangups and worries. When I really don't fancy it, or my knee hurts, I think - ok I'll just do 20 minutes. That's way better than I expected at the start of the programme. The very fact that you posted means you'll get back to it - so what if you take Christmas off? All the best!

[Poppdog Graduate in reply to Aerialgazelle]

Thank you

[Over60sRunner Graduate]

I'm so very sorry you are feeling dispirited Poppdog and I can really relate to it. I got the 'super flu' back in October, had 5 weeks off work (this is someone who never has time off work!), and am still not back to "normal", whatever that is, now in December 😐 I still struggle to get motivated and do 2 runs a week, sometimes stretched to a third, but that's not often.

HOWEVER, the one thing the virus seemed not to affect too badly was my running ability and after 5 weeks off I got back on the treadmill (I do all my running indoors) and was VERY surprised at how little I had lost in terms of fitness and, indeed, I am running further and for longer now that I did before.

I'm a pretty recent graduate (end of August 2021) and have only been running since June 2021. I am 62, very overweight, borderline diabetic, and have laible hypertension - so definitely not a gym bunny 😜🐇😆 What I'm trying to say is just be gentle and kind to yourself, do what you can, and you'll probably be pleasantly surprised, just as I was.

Do you have a gym/treadmill buddy nearby? If so, maybe a few inside, comfy runs minus the cold/wet/wind will get your groove back?

[Poppdog Graduate in reply to Over60sRunner]

Thank you