W4R2hard going

[oldperson47]

Hi I also am redoing C25K. I was going quite well until I got COVID this July. Although it did not seem that bad it really knocked my fitness. My VO2 max went from 36 (good) to 21 (poor).Then had children plus young grandchildren staying so no time to run ( my excuse!). I restarted at wk 2 and worked my way through. I did wk 4 run2 today but went out later than usual and it was hot. I am doing it to get my fitness back but seem to have lost my enthusiasm for running. I am 77 and I know I need to exercise to get my heart rate up and not be a couch potato. Any ideas on how to get my mojo back

[backintime Graduate]

Find a running buddy (virtual or not)? I find reading or talking about running or exercise helps me want to do it, this forum definitely helps, set aims for the week and (this is the bit that helps me) write them down and cross them off as you do them. Everyone is different, so these may not help you, but try and think of something that gets your interest when you start a project and work out how to get running to fit in with those things. Are you competitive? Pick someone on the forum (this one or another one) and try and stay in rhythm with them (not necessarily pace, but someone who runs regularly?

Alternatively, look behind the sofa cushions, that's where I find most things I've lost

Good luck

[oldperson47 Graduate in reply to backintime]

Thank you.

[Annieapple Administrator Graduate]

🍏 you will definitely find Mojo under the Autumn leaves. So much more pleasant to run in crisp cool air. Here are a few ideas that have worked for some folk

Changing your music or listen to different podcasts

Find a new route

When I reach week ( 6:3) I will buy new running kit!

Try to find interesting things to report on as you run & write and tell us here.

Rewards when you get home.. special coffee, yummy breakfast etc

A definite routine eg specific run days. Get the kit ready the night before…roll out of be into kit… warm up & out the door before thinking twice

Ask for a subscription to a running magazine

Read all the posts and interact with others on the forum. Read the pinned posts.

Hope one of these does it for you… otherwise eventually the happy hormones kick in when the runs get longer & that works for me! I love being out there! 🤗

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

HUGE well done to you... I am a mere babe at 74 !

Annieapple has given you some great ideas... and there is so much sense in all her suggestions... I put my gear out the night before, I run, I take every single thing in, sights, sounds, smells and sensations...I run, and then ( when i get the chance) I ramble!

I keep a record of all my runs and have done since graduation in 2015, great reading to see how far you have come and for brightening, long wet, cold and dark days.

Motivation does hide, along with running gremlins, under your running shoes... the gremlins run for cover, when you put the shoes on, the motivation slips in them, under your socks

Go for it.. we are flying the flag for the more seasoned of our forum friends

[drl212 Graduate]

Some great advice above. Often just putting on the trainers and getting out the door can be the toughest part of the run.

One of my favourite rewards is buying a new pair of running socks.

I’m a podcast listener and my favourite is The Rest is History! Lots of fascinating topics.

I also use the Nike running app and enjoy guided runs on occasion.

The last couple of weeks have seen a dip in my motivation as well. I think it’s a combination of the temperatures, being very busy at work, and a few obstacles tossed in to disrupt my schedule of regular runs.

Last week, I decided to try running to work in the AM for the first time. It was great; a short run, but I can definitely see myself doing it again. That got me going.

All the best and let us know how you make out. Just one more run to complete Week 4…