Help me…I need some motivation…I started C25k again and I’ve stopped…I stopped when I got to week 7 because the runs sounded too long!! I think the runner in me has run away!!! I’m missing the enjoyment…I’m missing the running me…😩😩😩 I’m missing everything about it but can’t find the enthusiasm…
Help…: Help me…I need some motivation…I started... - Couch to 5K
Help…
MummycavAdministratorGraduate
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Mummycav
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AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate
O come on Mummycav, that's not the way to go, you have over the years been such a inspiration to me and all the other runners on this forum, you are a Yorkshire Lass, they don't give up to anything, take a deep breath, get your running gear on and go a short run, it does not matter what week you do, just get out of the house and go a run. 🏃🏾 👍
Hello I’m a Yorkshire lass too ..get trainers on an out door love
Oh AlMorr , that’s such a kind thing to say…!! I am starting work late in the morning so I am going to lay my running kit out and go for a short run in the morning…because I know I’m my heart of hearts I want to x
So I’ve to start again I did c25k years ago and only made it to week 5 last year over lockdown I lost weight got fit and completed c25k because I was fitter I actually didn’t start at week 1 I went to week 5 I think as I knew I would loose interest at week 1. If I were you I’d do a short run without any start stops just run for enjoyment and get the buzz and happy endorphins back. I’m not 7 weeks post c section I stopped running during my pregnancy as I was so afraid of something happening we’ve had a long journey to hold this little one in our arms so my anxieties were in high alert. Anyway I’m dreading the thought that all my efforts will be lost but I know I’ll get back there it’s getting the first run done once you have it over you you’ll be flying or those running shoes will be.
Thank you Girl_getting_fit …short runs are the order of the day at the moment x
OldflossAdministratorGraduate
Missing indeed
Watch out for my weekly Catch-Up Corner post... posting in the next hour! We will get you back on track! xxx
MikeJones68Graduate
Oh Bev, I thought you'd gone quiet on Strava! It's a shame after you'd done so well and achieved so much. Come on, come back to us!
I’m trying MikeJones68 …I really am x
It's a shame you are so far away, otherwise I'd offer to keep you company. I'm sending long distance remote encouragement x
Thank you MikeJones68 …I think I could do with a buddy…but all my buddies are on here 😩
IannodaTruffeMentor
Just think of all your running achievements over the years and know that you can, if you really want to, get back there.
Maybe just drop C25k for a few runs, prepare well, head out somewhere beautiful and inspiring and just run for joy. Forget pace, distance and all performance targets and go out and celebrate what you can do, without comparison.
Remember, everything going on in our lives can impact on our performance and enjoyment as a runner. Restedness, hydration and nutrition are at the top of my list of variables that need to be optimised to enable enjoyable running.
This FAQ post expands on the theme. healthunlocked.com/couchto5...
Take the pressure off, relax and enjoy it, lass.
Thank you so much IannodaTruffe …I need to just take stock of my journey & remember how much I love being out there doing my thing…I need to explore new routes & shake things up a bit …and make time for it too, that’s a big thing for me now, stop looking at my bloody watch when I’m out! I’m starting late in the morning so I’m going to drive somewhere different & chill out x
Martin_RoseGraduate
Hey girl, I'm feeling the same, I remember the first time we did this and you helped me so much. I have no doubt that you will overcome this as you are an inspiration and a bloody legend, take care gorgeous. ❤️
Awww…thank you so much Martin_Rose …I remember our first time round too…x
OldgirlrunsGraduate
Whoa! Back up there Mummycav and take a deep breath. Done? Good! You’ve been here helping and guiding the rest of us for a long time, so you know that that pesky enthusiasm is just sitting quietly in a corner somewhere with its cousins, the gremlins, smirking gently because it thinks it’s won! Well, your trusty trainers know better and they’re just desperate to be on your feet and outside in the fresh air for a bit of ‘you and them’ time. You’ve done much longer times than week 7 calls for and you know deep down that once you’re out, you’ll be fine - it’s back to making that first step isn’t it? I started again too, not having run for some months and I’m really enjoying the longer runs - so much easier than all that stop-starting palaver! So ignore the enthusiasm, it’ll soon turn up again when it realises you’re going running with or without it, gather up those trainers and go do it! We’ll all be cheering you on!
Haha…thank you Oldgirlruns …I know I need to practice what I preach…I’m just so hard on myself sometimes…I need to just get on with running!!! I can hear you cheering xx
MrsLydiaWickhamGraduate
Hello Mummycav , I really wanted to drop it all at week 7. A friend talked me out of it. I think week 7 is where your body gets more tired from all the accumulated runs. Your posts inspire so many. Flowers for you 💐 while you get your mojo back. X
Thank you so much MrsLydiaWickham …I love flowers!! I still plodding…the weather looks lovely today so I’ll hopefully be heading out later x
Instructor57Graduate
Hi Bev, Sorry to hear you are feeling this way, but you have said 3 very important things there!
1. I’m missing the enjoyment…
2. I'm missing the running me ...
And
3. I'm missing everything about it ...
Well, that's a good start !
Your missing it !!! 😁
I don't know about you but what I found since the lockdowns have finished is I could literally fill my diary 24/7 if I wanted to .
And I bet your just the same with your lessons!?
I have realised if I'm not carefull then I would be working silly hours and have no me time so I have cut my hours right back.
I find I can't really run after work as it just takes me so long to switch off and I'm just too mentally exhausted.
And i don't like to run just before I start in the morning either.
So for me that's very restrictive .
I'm still trying to find the right balance.
I now just do 1 lesson over the weekend and generally start later in the mornings through the week .
This gives me a bit more of a stress free window to run .
I think also IannodaTruffe made a very good point about maybe forgetting C25K for a while and just run for the enjoyment!
I recently got myself a treadmill as well so now it's so easy for me if the weather is bad or like this morning I just had a 10 minute treadmill trot 😁
Perhaps going out thinking 'I have to do 30 minutes' is the problem ? .
What I do know is you have been running longer than me so I know you can do it !
And so do you !
You have nothing to prove , this is just about enjoying a run .
And hopefully if we get some decent spring weather then that might help !
I'm sure you know we are all behind you here .
I'm sure we can find a way 😁👍
Thank you Instructor57 …yes, my diary’s mental…I have suddenly gone from having all the time in the world to the world taking up all of my time!!! I have 5 pupils a day, doesn’t sound a lot but it is when there’s still shopping, cleaning, ironing, school run etc etc…so running has really taken a back seat but I absolutely am not liking being sat on my behind all day in the car and not being active as much!! My steps have more than halved and I hate that!! I wasn’t going to, but I have downloaded a training programme by the one and only Jeff Galloway…so I’m in for a bit of jeffing…which at the moment will do me just fine…I need to chill out, stop being so hard on myself & expecting too much of myself…I am only human!!!
Right, well, that was me having a word with myself!!
Let’s see how it goes…I need to be on here more too where my buddies are x
Haha, oh I know how much time 5 pupils takes up ! 😁And it's mentally exhausting !
And I'm the same , still have everything else to do (I'm here alone) it's tough!
As you say , chill out , we are only human .
You need some me time !
Take care and enjoy your runs 👍
BerksroverGraduate
We have all been there Mummycav I would try any or all of the following:1 Take a break
2 Find a new route to run
3 Give yourself something beyond C25K to aim for, maybe a local Park run or a 5k race somewhere
4 Find a running buddy to keep you company
Whatever you do take care xx
Thank you my prince!!! I know you’re right…I need to go exploring.. xx
Changing to a different route certainly helps me to freshen things up, am sure you will be back to tour best soon xx
Hugs Bev ❤️
You're working so hard with your new business at the moment! You're amazing and you must not be so hard on yourself!!!
There's loads of good advice here on this thread! Don't think about 25 minute runs just now. Just 10 minutes or so is fabulous, and your motivation can be that you'll get some fresh air, a spring in your step, and that lovely feeling of getting a run done. Followed of course by a lovely cup of tea 😊😊😊
xxx
Yorkshire tea of course 😁
Allus! 😊😊😊
I'm impressed 😁
• in reply toroseabi
Love this from roseabi 🔝👏👏👏👍
Hi Bev, I am sorry to hear that you are struggling. Try not to catastrophise and keep it all in perspective.One thing that helps me is reading through my old posts over the years. Remembering the highs, the lows, the laughs and tears. Have a read through of your early posts and I am sure you will soon recapture the feelings that you had running back then. These haven't gone away but have maybe been diluted by time.
The first time one does the programme it is magical. Of course its not realistic to hold on to that but maybe try and find that magic in small things. I agree with others- run for joy and don't set meaningless goals for yourself.
x
• in reply to
Another great response.👏👏👏
Thank you Hidden …you’re so right…it feels like a catastrophe when you’re just not feeling it…I need to get my head in a better place before I set off…xx
nowsterGraduate
Are you feeling time pressure too when you are eventually able to get out and run?
I'm dreading the inevitable push to return to the office. My running time is what would have formerly been my commute time.
UnfitNoMoreGraduate
You’re just over the hills from me… want me to come and kick your butt? 🤣
Really UnfitNoMore surely you wouldn't want to do that to Mummycav, she does need a bit of motivation and encouragement but what you suggest 🤣🤣🤔
I think it’s the boot in “bootcamp” 🤣
👍 🏃🏾 I hope you are keeping well and still enjoying your running.
You really want to restart the wars of the roses? 🤣
It has ended?
Nowadays it's usually confined to the cricket pitches.
That said, there are parts of Oldham and Saddleworth which consider themselves to be territory occupied under the Red Rose instead of their preferred White. (Due to the 1974 boundary changes.)
I was in Cheshire before the boundaries moved, then I went on a world tour before ending up in Derbyshire… so I guess we just sit and watch the battles!
RoxdogGraduate
Oh dear! I was wondering where you were. We all get these dips I fear! With you so experienced and me remembering how you advised me not to be tough on myself once, a ling time ago, I don't know what to advise!One thought though is to ditch the plan and just go for a run with some nice music in your ears?
I can't do plans any more!
Good luck
OldflossAdministratorGraduate
It's hard...this morning, my 7K felt like a HM...this is why I'm just taking it really steadily, doing what I can.
So sometimes, we have to ease back ...maybe go back to a simple jogette...choose a route you love, head psst the Oldfloss shrub!!!
Just go out and let the legs take you. So many things happening right now...let the worries float away and feel the joy.
You've been an inspiration to so many folk...now be your own inspiration. Xxx
Inspiration to many is not how I feel right now…I need to start practicing what I preach Oldfloss …I love motivating other people ‘ making them Realise how amazing they are & how their achievements are inspiring others…x
Well... you know that I am so guilty of handing out the advice and totally ignoring it myself, when it mattered most!But, we have to take a big breath and we have to move forward.
You have had a heck of a time, over the last two and a half years, and maybe things have just caught up with you.
So...find a route that you love, and you have some beautiful locations. Don't think about running a specific run; just choose a reasonably fine day and head out.
Use the run to let a lot of unhappy and even unwelcome thoughts float free, let those thoughts come, but then, let them go.
They won't vanish completely. we are human, not automatons, and they will still be there, but maybe a few runs like this could be helpful in clearing your mind and enabling the joy and allowing you to start finding your wonderful running, inspirational self once again?
CmoiGraduate
Oh Mummycav , don't let those Week 7 blues get you! I remember weeks 7 and 8 as the toughest of C25K. The euphoria of week 5 run 3 has gone, there's not the variety of week 6, nor the yabbadabbadooness of Week 9. There's just those extra minutes to add on and blah blah blah.
You could try my trick of refusing to think about any run in its entirety, instead breaking it down mentally into do-able chunks, and/or counting down. Or finding something else to focus on.
But I suspect that you probably just need to be kind to yourself, and as many others have said, just go out and do a bit of a no-pressure, forget the programme running.
Well, either that or we'll have to get a pompom squad of HU forum members over to you, all lined up a strategic couple of minutes' running apart, and you have to run to everybody, one after the other.
🥳🏃♀️🥳🏃♀️🥳🏃♀️🥳🏃♀️🥳🏃♀️🥳🏃♀️🥳🏃♀️🥳🏃♀️🥳🏃♀️🥳🏃♀️🥳🏃♀️🥳🏃♀️🥳🏃♀️🥳🏃♀️🥳🏃♀️🥳
Oh Cmoi ..Thankyou for this lovely reply…I absolutely know what the weeks can feel like, especially after week 5…that invincible feeling after running for a whole 20 mins, well, it leaves you feeling like you can do anything?!!! And plodding on, whether it’s a 5k programme, 10k programme or speed/stamina workouts are fantastic…but sometimes you just need that extra boost that’s sometimes hard to find on your own…and it takes an ‘honest’ post…where you actually hold your hands up & say ‘I’m struggling’ to remind you through other peoples replies, that what you do is amazing …well, sometimes that’s all you need x
Sisteract5Graduate
So many great replies and from what you’ve said I’m sure you’ll get back out there - timing doesn’t matter. Someone said that doing it for second time doesn’t give same feelings as first but, I’m doing the same as you and have just finished week 8 and can tell you, I’m so excited at the thought of graduating next week - it does give the lift of the first time for me and hope it does for you. I also had the sinking feeling during week 7 - endured it and have been much happier in week 8 —— I don’t believe a Yorkshire lass can’t do this 😊. Enjoy x
Well done to you!!!! Thank you so much for the encouragement , I am a tough cookie most of the time…but I’m tough on myself too which isn’t always a good trait to have…I’ve done it once and I’m sure I can do it again…I love the ‘running me’ and I miss her…I’ve started my own business after being a ‘stay at home Mum’’ for 19 years so I’m juggling everything at the moment & my running has always been at the top of my list of ‘to do’s’ ….but finding time and motivation is proving difficult…but I’m trying, I really am xx
So really it’s a pause for now - there are only so many hours in a day and sounds like priority is bound to be your new business. Maybe if you can spare time one day a week that will satisfy the ‘running you’ for the short term and see how you go.Good luck with your business - great admiration for start ups - everything crossed 😊
Join a running club ? I’ve started C25k with one since Jan. graduate this Saturday. They have really kept me motivated. X good luck
Ooof…the local running club…Brighouse bumble bees, was set up by one of my friends and he kept asking and asking me to join…but I always declined and I’m a lonely goat at heart….I just can’t imagine running with people….they might not like my pace, style etc????
Someone was mentioning the local Harriers group to me tonight and I was thinking, "No way are you getting me doing laps of a track. I'm a solo runner."
I'll do parkrun on a Saturday and the occasional race that work colleagues twist my arm into signing up for as a group, but apart from that I much prefer to do my own thing.
As to motivation, last month's weather was foul. We're starting to turn the corner now, weather-wise. Hopefully that and the lengthening daylight hours will help a little.
Even if you just do a ten to twenty minute bimble a few times a week, you're keeping that spark alive. One day you'll say to yourself, "I think I might do a little more today." and the spark will turn into a flame again.
I think everyone thinks that they will judge you. But you know runners they are nice people. My group say well done if you run out to your wheelie bin 😂just a suggestion. I did it for social side and have found non of the fears I had materialised
Haha…love this BridgetMTT …thank you x
Jell6Graduate
I can't run until Sunday following a steroid injection. Shall we have a virtual run together then and go for a no goals jogette? Name the time and I'll get my gear ready 😘
Hi Mummycav
Great post.
I can remember being stuck on Week 5 R3 for 6 weeks. I couldn't do it. I almost quit. On one of the attempts I sank into such a stinker of a low mood I chowed my through the cupboard, which only further fuelled the low mood in me.
Here is the thing, when looking for enthusiasm, motivation or anything really, if we look it at it as just an excuse for us not to do it, lace up and go do that run our body and mind will respond with positivity.
What I'd say here is this, don't feel like running? Good! Go do it anyway and prove to yourself you can beat that no enthusiastic mood.
Let me know how you get on.
Thank you so much…. I’ve been out for a short run tonight…it was dark…it’s was warm & my lungs seemed to struggle…but I did it, then I went for a walk with the dog…I was so glad I went out…tshirt & shorts for me tonight, it’s getting warmer…I love spring so maybe that will put a ‘spring’ in my step? xx
JogunlikelyGraduate
Head to your favourite spot or explore somewhere new and just set off. No expectations, no "I must" just whatever feels good.Who cares if you run for 20 mins or 2 minutes then sit on the grass and listen to the birds? There are no rules. Find the joy.
If it can be in countryside/woodland trail then all the better as you the benefits of being out in nature too x
You make it sound idyllic…I love to sit on the grass and just take it all in xx
GranspeedGraduate
Fwiw - when I feel like this, I put on my running shoes with comfortable street clothes and go for a walk in a nice place. Then if I happen to add in a bit of jogging, hurray. Surprising how often even a small downhill slope gets those jogging steps going…. It’s really more fun than walking….
FrencGraduate
You’ve got this Mc! Lace ‘em up, lock ‘em in, some banging tunes, and off you go. Treat it as a bimble run, running and bimbling at the same time. In all seriousness, though, you have inspired me masses, so I know that deep down you definitely still have it. All the best! 😊😊😊
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