I haven't run for approx 8 weeks. I like to convince myself it's because of various reasons. Too hot, no time, too tired etc. I know we all do it; those little gremlins in our little heads but I seem to have perfected the art to run less not more. I started c25k during lockdown after having the app for over a year on my phone. I was very disciplined, did 3 runs a week come hell or high water and loved it. I graduated and over the last year my runs have got further apart, until running only once every 2 weeks. This of course makes each run hard that in turn deters me from running. No winning there. Well today I did a short, slow run (I'm always slow but I was even slower today) and as usual I rediscover how much I enjoy a run. I have no ambitions to go fast or do long distances and maybe that's the problem. Nothing to aim for. Every run makes me promise myself I will pick it up again regularly. I just hope I keep my promise to myself this time 🤞. It's in my own hands.Enjoy your runs today everybody. I enjoyed mine. I must remember that 😁
Why oh why do I do it to myself: I haven't run... - Couch to 5K
Why oh why do I do it to myself
🍏well done you got out there!! 🎶 Look out for the new Consolidation Club starting Saturday with hints and tips to keep us motivated & moving albeit at our own pace! Mine is snail 🐌 so look forward to your company… 🎶🐌
Well that's interesting, probably just what I need. Thank you for letting me know about the new consolidation group. By the way, Well done on your recent 10k run 🙂
🤣That definitely wasn’t me Julie…I think there is someone else who has apple in their online name!
Oops, sorry. Maybe one day.
Slow running is great! The only thing I can think of to suggest to you if you don’t want to run further or faster is to find some really nice places to run at your happy pace. I always think of water when I think of pretty places to run, around a lake or on a towpath. Or in the shade of trees. That might help you to want to continue. 😊
I think that is one of my problems. I do get a bit bored with my routes but as I live in Central London there aren't too many pretty places. I do live very close to the Thames and run along it often. I think I may set myself targets to reach along the river.
You got out... you ran... very well done... lots here to keep you coming back and getting out more... Snail pace is perfect... and suits so many pf us.. Looking forward to seeing some more posts 
x
Thank you, I will do my best.
Well done ! Well done! You got out there and ran👏👏👏and as Oldfloss so rightly say’s snail pace is perfect 😂😂🏃♀️👍
I'll do my best to keep on it. The world needs more snails (but not in the garden).
Well done!
I’m someone who needs a plan to keep going, and as someone who happens to love planning, I’ve created a few plans in my time. On that journey I’ve discovered quite a few different ways of running to keep me going, including using various apps for motivation (e.g. ZombiesRun, NRC audio guided run, etc). Here was one of these plans, and you can see I had fun building in getting to know different apps. healthunlocked.com/couchto5...
So feel free to steal some ideas from that plan or consider what might work for your context and I’d see if some planning in of different ways of experiencing runs might make a difference.
Thanks for resending this CBDB - it's impressive! Ive been trying to find one of the podcasts you mention : NHS Strength & Flex w/ Laura Podcast / Tabatha Timer
but haven't had any luck ... can you advise? Thanks!
See healthunlocked.com/strength...
That has links to the podcast and the 5-week S&F programme.
(The Tabata Timer side of things comes from me programming the training from the podcast into a different app called Tabata Timer, as I wanted to keep on doing the week 5 exercises but listen to my own music)
Hope that all makes sense! 😊
Brilliant - well done for getting out of your head and into your run! That is a big battle and you've done it! Onwards! (And yes: HAPPY running!)
This little chat with members is definitely giving me hope and determination to run on a more regular basis.
Yes! Look at these every day. You ran today, so won't run tomorrow, but look at some posts (and maybe comment). You'll read about others running and overcoming issues and think about your own next run. The day after (or after that), you can run again and post about it. Even if it's a short run - post and open your heart to the encouragement you'll get. This community is awesome and will back you all the way.
Hi JulieByf, reading your post must relate to so many of us, I started C25k during lockdown, slow and steady plodder. I’ve never managed 5k in 30 mins, usually anything between 35-40mins. A year or so ago did the magic plan and managed 60mins, then 10k followed, Jump to now and I’m only jogging about twice a week, can still manage 5k but really really struggle in heat and summer months! and not really an early morning person! Well done getting back out there, I’ll be looking at the consolidation group too! Happy running to you🏃♀️
I know I'm not the only one with these struggles. I read posts regularly and relate to many of them too. It's so heartwarming getting so many encouraging responses.
Amazing post! Huge well done and go you!! 🤗
High fives 🙌 and fist bumps 🤜🤛 for you!
Happy running and happy Friday to you 😊
Onwards and upwards x
💜🙏💜
Yes!!! Onwards and upwards. This is one of my mottos, now to live it!
For me, it’s absolutely a problem when I have ‘nothing to aim for’
I would recommend you aim at a distance or time goal - find a plan and follow it. It really helps motivationally.
On the plus side, lockdown was quite some time ago and you are still here running, if a little more infrequently than you’d like. Don’t be too hard on yourself. We all go through peaks and troughs of motivation.
I think you are right about motivation. I'm going to have a long, hard think about my next step forward. Thank you.
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