How do you manage your mental hurdles?

[RainbowSloth]

Just done w3r2 after a longer few days rest. Body needed it but I was worried I was heading for a lull. This morning I had a glimmer of feeling able so told myself to embrace that little feeling to get out the door and get myself out. This ended up feeling very good, just getting out was an achievement. So managing the run well was a huge bonus. Feel like I’ve achieved another mental hurdle 💪🏼 I don’t always manage it though. What do you do to get yourself out?

[Dendev75 Graduate]

Well done for getting past that hurdle and getting out there. Usually the feeling I get after a run stays with me for a good while - enough to get me out on my next run. I also see it as ‘me time’ so I look forward to an hour of clearing my head. Keep going 👍🏻

[RainbowSloth Graduate in reply to Dendev75]

Thank you. That’s good. It is me time. And I often find I’m working through things as I go. Don’t always figure them out but I do find I’m getting started at least.

[Dendev75 Graduate in reply to RainbowSloth]

I really don’t like the first 5 mins of each run, my legs, breathing, pace and mind is all over the place - but I’ve come to accept that and know that it will all settle down. There’s a thing called the ‘toxic ten’ I was told about a few weeks back and it makes sense - but mine seems to be a toxic five 🤣

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate in reply to Dendev75]

I am so very envious your toxic five! It’s sometimes a toxic twenty for me (but usually just ten).

Seriously though, knowing the first part of a run is likely to feel awful really helps me to keep my head up and get through it knowing it will get better.

[Dendev75 Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Imagine not having any toxic number 🤗🤣Yes at least you know it won’t last the whole run; that would be uncomfortable. 😵‍💫

[Chinkoflight in reply to Dendev75]

I suppose you could have an after run intoxicated number! As ever take things slowly a d stick to the programme and you'll find your limits!!! If you fall over you need to take it just a bit easier!

[Bratwust92 Graduate in reply to Dendev75]

Yes I read about the toxic ten and that has helped me realise it will take time to settle down , then you feel better x

[Dendev75 Graduate in reply to Bratwust92]

Yes it’s good to know and recognise that it’s a thing and it won’t last for your whole run 👍🏻

[Hidden]

Good for you for getting out there. I found a motivation saying of “change your habits and you’ll change your life” trust me I have never looked back. I prepare my clothes the night before so everything’s ready, I like to work out before breakfast so it’s up and out. I think everyone has a lull day so don’t feel bad about it, it’s how you react to it that matters.

Keep a positive attitude that you are doing this for yourself and not anyone else enjoy the day.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Why do you run?

Do you enjoy running?

The answer to the first question will hopefully provide you with enough motivation to keep you moving towards targets.

The answer to the second question is quite complex, because many start off not enjoying their run, only to be delighted by completion.

For many who do not enjoy running it is because they are making a battle out of the whole process, believing that they have to suffer to get benefits. This is totally contrary to the philosophy of Josh Clark, the creator of C25k, who expounded NO PAIN, NO PAIN as it's ethos.

Try slowing down, look at your environment, try to run somewhere beautiful and natural, listen to the birds, relax and have fun. Plan your weekly runs beforehand and then you will not have the excuse of other "stuff" getting in the way.

This FAQ Post about mental approach may help healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Running should be fun.......... it's up to you how hard it is.

[j-runs Graduate]

I get a head full of excuses to stop me going out – oh I need to do that, oh x is achey, oh it might rain, or it’s too hot. I manage to shut them out, by just thinking of nothing (la-la-la I can’t hear you..), carry on getting ready, do the warm up exercises and step out of the door. It doesn't always work, but often once I’m outside and running, I can’t see what the problem was!

[Petem56 Graduate]

Mainly I tend to trip over mine, then pick myself back up and because I'm too daft to know better I carry on regardless.

[Cmoi Graduate in reply to Petem56]

Yay for your daftness Petem56 ! 👍😀

[Petem56 Graduate in reply to Cmoi]

It's the only way I've coped.

[Chinkoflight]

I guess C25K is deliberately structured and tested over time and definitely proven to work in my case. 70, overweight, never run in my life, and recovering from a severe stroke. Perhaps that's the bit your struggling with, the hurdle is the structure and discipline required. However, I'm sure mentors would say repeating runs/weeks is a reasonable thing to do, perhaps take longer, or substitute walks, BUT it's the regularity of the exercise that's important for improving your health. C25K has enabled me to build that regularity and expectation into my daily life 5 months on. Whatever you call it it's a transformation. Perhaps the positivity should start with a new nom de plume Rainbow????????