I'm not a regular poster, but feeling in the need for some motivation.
I completed Couch to 5k a while ago now, and kept the running up regularly (and enjoyed it despite my red blotchy face saying the opposite).
However, we moved house just over 6 months or so ago, and I haven't been able to find a running route that I enjoy. We live in an incredibly hilly area, and I've been used to being able to run from the door and not drive somewhere previously. I've tried to drive to nicer/flatter places, but find it difficult to motivate myself to do that before work and have definitely created an excuse factory in me head.
Just wondering if anyone else has had similar experiences and what you've done to overcome it? I feel like I've reverted back to how I was (physically) before I started couch to 5k, which is disheartning, and although I did a slow 5k the other week I realised how out of practice I was. I was also wondering about whether I should start again at a later point in the 5k programme, just to up the motivation a bit. But, also not sure where I should realistically start!
As you can see, I'm in a bit of a pickle!
Hope all you lovely lot are having a good week.
Written by
Goat91
Graduate
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Good post from you Goat91, you are doing very well in your running but if you want to restart the course you don't need to go back to week 1, a lot of runner's in a situation like yours restart at week 4, it's entirely up to you, please don't be disheartening, good luck 🤞 ✔️🤞
🍏🤗Be rest assured we all go through times like this at some point, maybe for different reasons. If you managed a slow 5K the other week there’s no need to go back to the program unless you want to. Why don’t you download the free Nike Run Club app & choose one of their guided runs. They range from 10 min runs or short distance runs, have fun names like “ I don’t wanna run, run” & are very helpful & motivating! Your mojo will return in no time & you can build back up again! Make friends with those hills! They are good for legs & lungs 🤣 & believe it or not there’s an NRC run for hills too! Have fun & let us know how you get on! You can do it!!!
Thank you so much Annieapple . I will definitely check it out, hadn't heard of that app before, and an app to make me love hills sounds like just the ticket Thanks for your reply!
Coming out of a slump can be a bit of a thankless process. It’s miserable feeling unfit and so hard not to think “I’ve run half marathons…how can ten minutes feel so hard?” Your body feels unfamiliar. Finding a rhythm feels like a distant memory.
It really does get better though. If you can commit to running regularly, once you can feel your fitness coming back, it gets a lot easier to keep going. Some people like to start at the beginning of the programme and skip through more quickly to find what suits. Week three or four is another common place to restart. I just did fifteen minutes strictly every other day (whether I felt like it or !) and gradually built up. That worked well for me. There’s no hard and fast rule about what’s best, other than take it steady and build gradually! I’m a big fan of Nike Run Club as well. It’s cheesy and a bit marmite but free and easy to delete if it’s not for you.
It’s all hills around here and I do love them. Maybe think about giving yourself mental “permission” to walk up hills, which is a totally valid strategy used by trail runners all the time. If you’ve got a local running group, it might be work asking if anyone has any recommendations?
Thanks so much for your message MissUnderstanding . It definitely feels like that at the moment, and I think you're totally right. I realised this morning that I enjoyed running the most when it wasn't just for weight loss, but for mental health and also when I got into a habit for the first time in my life where I felt like I wanted to go for a run... just because! I just need to get back there!
Thanks for letting me know how you overcame it too... it's great to hear (and well done!). Cheesy marmite sounds dreamy, I'll give it a go. Good idea on the running groups too, I will try and find a local one that might put up with me!
I used NRC after I graduated. It's strange after C25K, because it's kind of a safety blanket - so do these runs, then these, then these ...
But where do you go after - especially if you've moved and the old, familiar runs have gone.
I am getting fed up with familiar street and really need to psych myself up to driving and running elsewhere. But the great thing is there's no need to do 3 x 30 minute runs a week, or 3 x 5k. Mix up your runs - run 20 minutes/25 minutes/30 minutes etc. Do shorter, speed play runs. Do some short runs using those hills - that'll actually make you stronger!
And then the casual mention of doing a 5k anyway ... Hah! You're a runner, just try to make it fun by changing it up and running elsewhere too. Plus - have you tried a Park Run? Mixing with & talking to other runners might help.
Thank you Gthants ! I totally agree on the safety blanket thing. That's kind of why I was thinking of going back to it, but then I suppose I may end up in the same situation again and just need to move on... I will definitely try out the NRC, it sounds like I've been missing a trick!
Also, really great ideas on the speed runs, I haven't done that before and have always aimed for the 5k/30 mins, maybe it's time to shake it up a bit!
I tried a Park Run once, I would like to do it again, but will try and build up my fitness again a bit first
Thank you for taking the time out to respond, really appreciate it.
You can definitely do this! I've done it about four times over the past - whatever years! I live in a very hilly area and don't like running on flat areas as there's no down hill to look forward to! Use the 'elevation gain' as a challenge! Struggle up and look forward to down and go a tiny bit further up each run!
Totally agree though, I actually went for a run this morning and went a bit extra up one of the hills for a challenge. Just got to learn to enjoy that part...! The downhill is definitely fun.
Thanks so much for your message, it's great to feel like I'm not alone in the struggles, and I've just got to try and adapt my brain a bit.
My pleasure! It's amazing how far a bit of encouragement goes. I was running past the dustmen today and one shouted 'you go girl!' and so I ran just that bit further up the hill! Just a bit further each time - to the next lamp post, the next dropped kerb, the concrete lion, the tree. .. It's amazing how you can build it up!
I sympathise completely as I live on a very steep hill and I drive down to a cycle path for my runs. But once I’ve finished C25K yet again, I plan to tackle some hilly routes - if which there are plenty in my area. They do make you stronger and present a new challenge. The other great thing to do (when u feel you are ready) is to have a new goal like building up to 10k. You could join Bridge to 10k on Health Unlocked and follow the Magic Plan! You can choose to build up to 60 mins running and/or 10k depending on where u are at. I followed the 60 mins plan to start with and then moved onto the 10k version after that. New goals really helped me. Good luck and let us know how you get on.
I've thought about the 10k plan too, but was worried it would take too much time out and be less easy to slip it in before work. I could try and do longer runs at the weekend or something though for the extra challenge, but will definitely seek out a flat route for that!
Great to hear that the goals have helped you too, and good luck on the 10k
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