Lost my mojo

[Gottamakechanges]

I'm struggling to keep my running going at the moment - I think/hope a phase as life a bit challenging generally currently. I am managing an outing once a week but I have in my head that I have to do 30 mins running, otherwise I'm not really benefitting or improving. Sometimes though, I think a gentle 15 or 20 mins might be nice, but I don't do it cos of this '30 min' mindset. Would it still be helpful to my running in general if I did shorter, less daunting outings? Thank you 🙏

[Annieapple Graduate]

🍏 ANY run even 5 mins is a worthwhile run!!! Download the free NRC (Nike Run Club) App. There are plenty of guided runs under 30 mic to choose from including 5 mins. May help inspire you & entice you back into those trainers!! Xx

[Gottamakechanges Graduate in reply to Annieapple]

Thank you, that's good to know. It's crazy, I always feel good afterwards but when spirits low, it's hard to get out there. 🙏

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[Annieapple Graduate in reply to Gottamakechanges]

You will! Xx

[Yesletsgo Administrator]

I'm struggling too Gottamakechanges , right now I'm away from home and the weather is grim - biting, damp cold, gloomy and I've not seen sunshine for over a week. Every morning I wake up, look at the murk outside and just say 'nope'...... BUT I've been running long enough to know this is temporary. A sunny morning and I'll be out there before you can say 'gremlins'.

So don't lose heart. Sometimes a few days or even a week or two off can reinvigorate you.

As for only 30 minutes being a real run, definitely not the case. You run the run you can, not some arbitrary time or distance. Anything is better than nothing.

The Nike Running Club app has 10 minute, 5 minute and even a 1 minute run - huge fun. I bet if you got out there and did one of these you'd feel absolutely energised to carry on a bit further, knowing you smashed your goal 😁

Good luck!

[Gottamakechanges Graduate in reply to Yesletsgo]

Thank you. I'm definitely going to check out the app. Sounds like it could be just what I need. 😘

[GoogleMe Graduate]

There's a lot to be said for that C25K 30 minutes... but not if that notion is (as I think it might be) actually having the effect of you getting out less than you'd like. I can certainly confirm that valuing shorter runs has helped me get out more often.

A couple of things help me:

1) the monthly Quests over on the Bridge to 10k Forum here - you set your own goals (not too late for December). Sometimes a different goal can boost you into achieving the running goals you make (long story but this month I've set taking 4 baths and I've already ticked that one off) but perhaps what would work for you is setting some specific shorter run goals, so they will be an achievement for you, not lesser in any way.

2) this year, because I want to hold onto the confidence that I always have that 5K ability I've signed up for a subscription monthly medal series. The particular medals are very pretty and it has kept that 5K in my schedule at least once a month. It has the effect of making other runs (however short) feel like a treat... and also if I go out and only do 20 minutes, that's a guarantee that I'll be getting myself out for my 5K run, so that's already 2 runs. If that makes sense?

[ytsrik Graduate]

Definetly! I remember Michael Mosley saying that a quick burst getting your heart rate up for (I think) about 3 minutes was very good for you.

I know that once in a very difficult time of life I was told to just go out, run as hard as I could for maybe 60 seconds and then come back and have a shower. In this horrible time of crisis it gave me a wonderful relief ( if temporary) from worrying about a loved one 😍

[MissUnderstanding Administrator On a break Graduate]

This is the worst thing about couch to 5k…it can make a lot of us feel that only 30 minute continuous runs “count”. That’s nonsense. I’ve had periods where I’ve run 20 minutes each time because that was what worked. When I did my half marathon training last, one run every week was 15 minutes. All runs are valid.

You could try reframing your exercise in your mind to include your warm up and cool down walks. Then you have hit your 30 minutes of activity with a twenty minute run.

It might help to know you’re absolutely not alone in finding the mojo missing in action. Loads of us are the same. This time of year is hard with routine changes and weather!! Camaraderie and solidarity really help. My last run was awful and I I faffed about for ages before going. But when I got back and into the shower…amazing. It’s just hard sometimes!

Here’s a link to this week’s quest on bridge…you’d be very welcome to join in!

healthunlocked.com/bridgeto...

Really good luck with your next run and don’t let the gremlins get you down. ❤️

[Baggieboy61 Graduate]

The weather and time of year makes a massive difference to motivation. Plus it’s easy to use it as an excuse. You’re not on your own. It won’t hurt to take a short break if you need to. Mix it up a bit. I have been known to do a you tube aerobics session from time to time. We’ve all been there. 👍😀

[JeremiahObadiah Graduate]

I can understand your mindset. Maybe try to look at it the other way round-shorter or infrequent runs will keep your running ticking over for when the tricky phase of life is over.

It’s easy to not run and far more difficult to start all over again -so short gentle runs as and when could be the difference you need.

I have to play mind games on myself when I don’t want to run. I do the 5min walk and tell myself I’ll just run 5mins and if it’s horrible that will be it. Sometimes I have a 1minute walk and then carry on running again, sometimes I keep running but so far I haven’t actually decided that it feels too awful to keep going.

Try going out and telling yourself that 15mins running will be a perfect short maintenance run. See if that feels less burdensome.

[drl212 Graduate]

Echoing everyone here...30 min runs are not necessary. I was doing the NRC 10K training and several of their recovery runs during the week were less than 30 min.

Do what you feel like doing...you'll still feel the benefits...