Worried about running without Reese Parkinson

[Catballoo]

Week 8 Run1. Well I was really pleased to do this as had been worrying about the additional 3 minutes more over Week 7. But what I did want to ask was: is it just me or has anyone else felt like they’ve become a bit dependent on that voice in your ear telling you you can do it and calling out the times? I’m worried that without that voice I’ll lose motivation to keep going. Does anyone have any tips for getting over this?

[nowster Graduate]

My immediate thought is that I don't recognise that name!

Actually, it was pretty easy for me to transition away from Jo Wiley as she spoke very little during Week 9.

[Catballoo Graduate in reply to nowster]

I can’t spell! It’s actually Reece and he’s very encouraging. Let’s see if he speaks less during the next few runs

[nowster Graduate in reply to Catballoo]

I'd never heard of him. My days of listening to Radio 1 (never mind 1Xtra) are long behind me! 😆📻

[AndrewFoot84 Graduate]

If you run the same route, maybe take a mental note of where along your run you usually get the audio telling you how far in to your run you are/have left. Then give yourself a similar little talk when you get to those points.

[Catballoo Graduate in reply to AndrewFoot84]

Thanks I’ll try that

[BrokeyNotSoBusted Graduate]

You'll be a lot more confident in week 9 but could still take Reece with you on your consolidation runs afterwards if you wanted. Other apps such as Nike Running Club have guided runs as well but haven't tried them myself.

[Catballoo Graduate in reply to BrokeyNotSoBusted]

Thank you, I will. I think I will still need a motivating voice!

[BrokeyNotSoBusted Graduate in reply to Catballoo]

Setting some goals should help also. Having several would be better as some take longer than others. If you finish week 9 under 5k then reaching 5k is another goal... Running faster or running for longer will be your choice. Complete a parkrun with jog/walk with another goal to complete it just jogging. Complete 30 minutes on a different running surface. Depending on your goals you may look for different sources of motivation... Maybe a local run club for example.

There are some options available from this site as well. C25K stepping stones, stamina and speed podcasts and bridge to 10K community.

[Devon_straggler Graduate]

I was quite pleased to leave the guided runs behind because I wanted to listen to podcasts/audiobooks and it kept interrupting what I was listening to!! BrokeyBusted's suggestions are good if you need a motivating voice. If you just want a time or distance check, Runkeeper gives you that (you can select your own time or distance interval) - no doubt other apps do too.

[Catballoo Graduate in reply to Devon_straggler]

Thank you, Runkeeper could be useful as a practical tool once I'm weaned off the need for motivation.

[Holistic-one]

Yes I feel the same, I've just finished week 8, I feel like I'm going to be losing a friend on my runs, although I prefer to be on my own with my own thoughts but just having that little voice in my ear is very comforting and motivating.

[Catballoo Graduate in reply to Holistic-one]

Glad to hear I’m not the only one. And congratulations on finishing Week 8. I’ve had to cancel my second Week 8 run today so will have to do it tomorrow - leaving 3 whole days between runs which I hope isn’t too much.

[Holistic-one in reply to Catballoo]

You should be fine leaving it 3 days in between, I've done that due to other commitments and I've been ok.Good luck on your next run.

[Jackapoodle Graduate]

I felt the same way, even though I love my music on I find that hearing someone encouraging me along is really motivating. I use the NRC guided runs and love them (they're not for everyone though!). There's also the Zombies, Run! app which I haven't used but I know that people really enjoy it, it sounds great fun. Good luck with week 8 😊

[Catballoo Graduate in reply to Jackapoodle]

Thanks I’ll check out the NRC runs, and glad that I’m not the only one who likes a motivating voice.

[Hidden]

I kept Denise Lewis for 2 months afterwards as I consolidated then built up towards 45 mins & then an hour with timed music playlists. I have now weaned myself off the Denise soundtrack. I definitely liked to hear Denise telling me how proud I should be of myself etc. until I was confident in what I was doing so stick with Reece if you want

[brimbledaisy Graduate]

I have stuck with Sarah Millican for the last month since graduation and can't see any reason to change now. Just press the 'repeat this run' button on the C25K app and Reece will be there cheering you on 👏👏

[Watermelon27]

I’m one run away from graduating, and what I’ve found really helpful is to play a podcast (specifically “no such thing as a fish”) instead of music to get me through the recent longer runs. I tend to zone out of music so podcasts keep me interested. Now instead of waiting for the “sixty seconds left” I’m surprised to hear when it arrives. Such a game changer. Hope this helps