So hard on myself

[Florida04]

Hi everyone i start week 8 run 1 this week . I started couch to 5k after doing a work challenge of walking 5k everyday in January. After finishing this i felt lost so i started C25k. I am 51 and overweight and never thought i could get to week 8 . I just wanted to ask people do u get nervous . I went yesterday on my week 7 run 3 with my hubby and after 3 mins in i could of cried and i don’t know why i find i am so hard on myself. I usually run by myself listen to music usual route but as soon as i change route or run with someone i feel out of comfort zone and panic 😱.

I am a very determined person but just seem to wobble when on C25k. My family and friends have been so supportive so why do i feel so hard on myself .

I just wanted to know did anyone else get these thoughts . Thanks again for reading

[Instructor57 Graduate]

Well done with your progress!A little apprehension is not uncommon as we are doing something that is important to us and of course we want to give it our best !

Here is a good post in the FAQ that may help .

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done getting started.

Slow down and give yourself a break. Counterintuitively, it is an easy conversational pace running that builds your stamina and endurance, not fast running.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5....

and includes advice on minimising impact, stretching after every run, hydration and strengthening exercises, all of which will help.

Relax and enjoy your journey.

[Florida04 in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank u so much sometimes we are own worse critic

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to Florida04]

If you run with another person, then the pace has to be dictated by the easy conversational pace of the slower runner.

[FriendofRondo Graduate]

I hear you! Also in fifties, overweight, and completely lacking confidence. But despite all that I am doing week 8 runs, so something must be working! Of course it's going to be harder running with someone else - you will naturally try to match paces and that might not be right for you. You're doing great - every run helps!!

[Florida04 in reply to FriendofRondo]

Thank u so much

[Roxdog Graduate]

I think running with someone else is really difficult. There is pressure to keep up, to talk and it's difficult to get into the right mindset. It may be that you are better running alone. That way you can keep at a slow pace and 'feel' your own way through the run.You have done brilliantly to get this far. I ran with a friend a couple of times around week 8/9 and hated it. Good luck.

[Florida04]

Thanks you

[Cmoi Graduate]

Hi Florida04 , I can beat myself up for real or imagined failings till the cows come home, so understand where you're coming from.

If you prefer to run alone and with music on a route you know well, that's absolutely fine. Why change something that's working well for you? There'll be plenty of time to get out of your comfort zone, if you choose to, after C25K.

Personally I don't like running with others as I experience it as pressure, not motivation or support. You've done so well to get to week 7, all you need to do is trust yourself and carry on. Happy running!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Running with others can be intimidating as you feel like you’re not in control… so when running with your husband, take charge! Run at your pace, put some music on (my phone is very loud 🤣) and run your route! Of course you are also getting your “me time” invaded here, and maybe your subconscious is missing it 🤷‍♂️

It’s easy to get into a comfort zone with routes… and the only way to change that is to change the routes up. Maybe go check out your local parkrun route… you could go tomorrow and walk it with them, or just look at its webpage and go on a different day. Maybe by doing this you could get used to a route, and then go on a Saturday morning and run it with a lot of others… breaking one part of that comfort zone at a time.

In general, take some time to celebrate your achievements, and keep notes about your runs… if something doesn’t work for you note it and move on.

You are a very new runner and these feelings are very normal… they will either pass over time, or you’ll prefer to be a solo runner. There’s even a running club for the latter… lonelygoat.com/ if you want to run solo but belong to a club!

[Me_time Graduate]

Running with someone can put pressure even if they are not pressurising you in any way. Keep ur c25k run to urself if u r happier and may be u can have a non c25k walk/gentle exercise with someone else on rest days?