It’s almost a year since I graduated from C25K. I’ve never run or done any consistent exercise before, so it’s been a challenging journey physically and psychologically. However, I’ve kept going … most of the time.
Running for me is a bit of a mind game. Over the last weeks the struggle to get out there has been real and I haven’t always made it but today I got quite angry with myself and made myself go. I don’t think I’ve ever run angry before but it gave me a certain get-up-and-gooooo, and I ran my fastest ever. I love the feeling of pace but don’t usually push for it, preferring slow and steady.
I certainly don’t want to be an ‘angry’ runner and perhaps running a bit faster, every now and then, without being angry could be an enjoyable next goal.
Hoping for a return to calm, relaxed jogging along the river path in the early morning for the next one 😁 xxx
Written by
Apollo22
Graduate
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Take care I guess when pushing yourself through the feelings to make sure you are okay physically. I ran this morning and, yes, my body is sore now. But I think at least 90% of running is in the mind. Build up slowly, look after your body, don't do silly distances out pace, apart from that it's all brain work - with your mind loving it, or (maybe more often) trying to psych you out of it and do you down! A mental battle indeed!
Thanks for this. What makes us go for a run, and what stops us, is complicated I guess. I really do love it most of the time, and am feeling sooooo good about moving into year 2 of my running journey. Ever onwards 😁👍
Running can be a great way to process emotions and I’ve had some of my best ones while out feeling stressed, grumpy or generally unhappy about something!
Have you thought about coming over to Bridge to 10k? No pressure at all and posting there certainly doesn’t at all commit you to trying to run 10k! I mention it because lots of us are using the Nike Run Club app which has guided runs that get you running at paces faster than Couch to 5k. I absolutely love that sort of run-tough but super satisfying. You’ve been running regularly for a while and it sounds like you’re thinking about a new challenge?
Oh yes, thank you, how exciting, I’ll try the Bridge to 10K forum too. Maybe in another year I’ll reach 10K (who knows) 😁👍 Just to say, the C25K forum is awesome. I rarely post but nevertheless read it almost every day. It’s kept me going, I never thought I’d still be running a year on 🏃🏼♀️ 🙌
Aw fantastic. That’s so lovely to read. I love it here too-found it while I was doing c25k last year and just stayed!! The support is just wonderful. It’s so great to look back and see how far you’ve come. Who knows what you’ll have done in another year! Big dreams are fun!!
Hopefully see you on Bridge (as well as here!) when you’re ready!
What I've told myself is that running is like going to school - sometimes you want to go, sometimes you don't but unless you're physically ill (injured) or its the holiday (official rest day) you have to go - and invariably it feels much better when you get back. Its even easier to do because I try and keep to a regular start so know I have to be out at a certain time (or I will be late/miss the bus etc). Its funny getting back to my child who then has to get up herself to go to school - often going through the same sort of mental fights about it. I've also noticed its much better if I don't think too much - just get on with it. My sister (a runner) has already suggested I aim for a 10K run at the end of September but since I only graduated on July 1st and I have resisted even finding out how far I've gone in my 30 mins, I haven't committed to that - but I do wonder if working towards a new goal might be something to really think about in the coming weeks.... I guess whatever gets you out is worth putting in your motivational kit bag and using as required! Good luck!
Thank you for all the great ideas 👍😁 I particularly like the ‘just do it’ approach, and also find that if I just get my running stuff on, and don’t think about it too much, I’m up and out of the door. I do tend to procrastinate sometimes and it never does me any good 😆 I think running 10K is a way off for me but then I never thought I’d do 5K, so s’pose the only answer is to ‘just get out there and try’. Thanks again and happy running 🙌
For me planning helps, I tell myself I'm going to run Mon, Wed, Fri, for instance and when those days come round I just put my kit on and go, whether I feel like it or not. Some times I say - I can stop after 20 minutes if I'm not enjoying it (insert your own time) and guess what? I never stop...remember, you are doing this for YOU, so it's a bit weird to not want to do it...
You've found the joy of faster runs, now mix it all up, slower, faster, intervals, shorter, further...find somewhere you've never been and run there...change your music, run without music, try a plan....there are lots of ways to make it fun again.
Thank you for the great ideas and support. Once I’m out there I love running, so you’re right, the reluctance to get out there is a bit strange. So, I’m not going to overthink this, I’m just going to get those running shoes on, get a new podcast on, and head out 🏃🏼♀️. Thanks again 😁👍
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