I need strategies for getting past a mental block!

[megawatt114]

I'm a total beginner- just finished W1R3 and struggle to run for even 60 seconds. I know I am capable of that (or more) but while I'm running, I tell myself that I can't do it and I just want to give up. Did any of you experience this early in the program? If so, how did you get past it? Thanks for the help!

[Pat184 Graduate]

Hi just tell yourself if a 74 year old can do it I can. Read my blogs and get inspiration from all the great people on this forum. Good luck with the rest of your journey ,do what Laura says and you will be fine. Pat

[AnnieW55]

Welcome and congratulations on starting the programme.

See above for inspiration. We are all different ages, shapes and levels of fitness but by trusting in the programme, listening to Laura and going very s l o w l y we get there. Look around the site at postings recent and not so recent, there's a wealth of information here on beating the mental gremlins.

Keep coming here to let us know how you are going, to get support and advice. It won't be all plain sailing (wrong sport ) but will be interesting. If you are hoping to lose weight doing this, the don't be disappointed if it doesn't happen straight away - it often takes a while before that happens BUT take measurements as your body will lose fat and change shape which is exciting.

Good luck

[Malcy Graduate]

Hi. I know this will sound like a platitude but you've taken the first few steps, which shows you want to at least try to improve yourself. That is an amazing achievement - I bet most people who look at the C25K web page don't get as far as opening their front door!

When I started doing the programme, I found it REALLY hard to keep going. Just like you. But one day I heard a guy on the radio. He was talking about how we sometimes get a "chimp on our shoulder" who sits there whispering in our ear, telling we're no good and how we're making a fool of ourselves, why would we think we can achieve whatever is is we're doing? "Just stop now - it'll be so much easier". All those negative thoughts.

He said we should find a way to put that chimp back in its cage. For me, I would ask myself questions. Do my legs hurt? No? Am I getting a pain in my chest? No? Am I struggling to breathe (I mean really struggling, not just puffing a bit)? No? Then I wasn't really having a problem - the chimp was just playing with my mind. So I would tell it out loud to get back in its cage. And kept on going.

That worked for me and got to the end with some pride & satisfaction. A year on I still need to put it in its cage now and again. Just yesterday morning I got ready to go to my local Parkrun but the chimp got its way. I didn't go. But I felt bad about letting myself down, so picked myself up and did a "Parkless run" instead - and went further than I would have done at the proper Parkrun.

OK - so I've gone on a bit and laboured the point. But I'm notorious for that and I'm too old to change my ways now (:->), But it's all true. So my advice would be to try run 3 again next time and keep an eye on your body. If you ARE having physical problems, it's best to talk to your GP. But if, as I suspect, everything feels OK but you want to stop, it's a mental thing. It's that chimp on your shoulder. Put it back in its cage and take control. Do that and I promise you will be amazed at what you can do. What was difficult becomes achievable, and what was impossible seems at least worth a try!

Good luck, and keep us all up to date with your progress.

[tubontherun]

Well done on completing Week 1! I struggled more with the first few weeks, then I either preferred less walking breaks, or I found my groove (not sure which). I try to either distract myself with my surroundings, or employ "the Dory" ("just keep swimmin'" from Finding Nemo). Whatever I do, I don't look at my watch - that seems to make everything slow, and I try to work out the time in my head, which makes it worse.

Good luck for Week 2! Hope you find something that works for you!

[Oldgirl Graduate]

You have in my opinion crossed the start line in style of C25K cos you have got passed week 1, for me it was the hardest of the whole programme. It gets easier from now on. Oh I don't mean to imply it won't challenge you but lets face it your trying something new, you have set yourself a challenge. This is one of the most satisfying challenges you will undertake in your life, you are on the road to becoming a healthier person. In a few weeks you will finish a run and the high will hit you, WOW you will be thinking I can't wait to get back out there, I love this running. Malcy summed up the gremlins that sit on many of our shoulders on hard runs you just have to ask yourself why its so hard and if you can't come up with a reasonable answer its just a gremlin whispering in your ear so knock it off and keep on running.

This programme works there are hundreds of graduates on this site alone to prove that and you will soon be one of them you have to believe in the programme but more importantly believe in yourself, so just start saying "I can do this no problem"

[megawatt114]

Thanks to all for the encouraging words! I'll be sure to update with my progress. The support of this community will help keep me going.

[RainbowC Graduate]

I have probably one run in three where I spend at least the first half telling myself that I can't do this, it's just too difficult today. It's never yet actually been a physical issue, and I normally mange to keep going despite the gremlins (or chimps - I quite like that name too!).

I have one route with a big hill, and the first three times I ran up it, I stopped for a walk at the same point. I know that it's going to be a while before I can run all the way, but decided to start moving my 'walk point' along a little bit each time so that I don't get too much of a block about it...

Fortunately for you, the programme does that same thing for you, moving you on one manageable step at a time after every few runs. Trust the plan, obey Laura, and you'll do fine!

[Oldgirl Graduate in reply to RainbowC]

Hi RainbowC, I set myself a challenge of one of the steepest hills in my area last summer, never did manage to get up the whole hill in one go but did the same as you and added a bit more each time. Maybe this year will see me scale Jacobs Ladder in a oner

[RainbowC Graduate]

You can do it, old girl!

[Tiger79 Graduate]

When I start I found it so hard to start with and I suppose i gritted my teeth and push on. Some days I find all sorts of excuses not to go but as the programme went on I actually grew to love it! Which is something I never ever ever thought I'd say about running.

I haven't done running over the winter due to work and weather so started back this week on week 3. Laura says something that stuck with me the first time round... The happy feeling u will get after completely the run outweighs any discomfort u may be in whilst doing it. (Something like that) and its true. Push on and u can do it. I often finished a run and spent the cool down walk grinning from ear to ear like a nutter