taking my time to make it a habit

[Oliverunner]

hi folks - just thought I’d share my latest strategy for making running part of my life permanently and not just until I’ve ‘done it’, if you get my meaning. My big challenge is the binge mentality, whether with running, eating, cleaning, or any good habit: I go for it like the clappers, reach the goal and collapse in an exhausted, starving heap. This time I’ve decided that consistency is my goal so I’ve spent about 2 months on weeks 1 and 2 just repeating and making it a habit. Now I’ve started building in an incline. Some weeks I do more than others but every time I’m happy to lace up and get out there. Next week I’ll move on, and reassess. Sorry for the long post but it really is therapeutic to share on this lovely forum. Keep going everyone!!!!

[Hidden]

Brilliant attitude 👍

[Oliverunner in reply to Hidden]

Ah, thanks. Hopefully it’ll help me stick xx

[j-runs Graduate]

That's spot on! It's what I'm doing now too (plan...h?), and today (rest day) hardly any knee/ankle pain for the first time! Might think about adding a few minutes after another week or so happy running.

[Oliverunner]

Exactly!!! Yes, I’ve decided that I need much longer to digest the whole process to make it a real, meaningful part of my life. I’m going to do exactly like you and just add a minute or two a week, or maybe two runs from week 2 and 1 from week 3. Happy running to you too xxx

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Love this… your journey… your rules… you’ll go far.

Many of us either had a history of not finishing what we started, or finishing it and walking away, so it’s great to see you have identified the trait and taken steps to beat it into submission. Posts like this one really help lots of people… especially the ones who read but don’t post themselves.

Happy running.

[Oliverunner in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Such a lovely reply - thanks so much! I think that putting aside the performance anxiety and just making the programme fit our lives is the way forward xxx

[Chinkoflight]

Good attitude! For me I expected failure, but knew I needed a lifestyle change, not a short term fad. C25K enabled me to cross a threshold, around about week 5 when I realised I could run and I could feel the progress. I rate this achievement highly and the support and advice received directly or indirectly through this forum. My mindset now is such I can't 'miss' a run! To the extent a forced 7 day break in a couple of weeks time for holter ECG monitoring is bugging me already! Keep going and stick to the programme, it's unlocking your potential.

[Oliverunner in reply to Chinkoflight]

This is so great - you’ve really got somewhere when you feel you can’t miss a run cxxx

[Remus71 Graduate]

This is a great way to achieve your long term goal of making it a lifestyle rather than a fad. I'm exactly the same as you. Go mad on something then give up once it's achieved but earlier this year I decided that I would change my eating habits rather than 'be on a diet' Took several months of slight changes to get there but decided along the way to do the C25K (I've just gone out for a run in the past, failed and given up) and I've now lost 2 stone and completed the C25K. It doesn't matter how long it takes, just that you're doing it and that's great so keep going 🙂

[Oliverunner in reply to Remus71]

This is so inspiring, thank you! I know exactly what you mean - it’s a real turning point when you realise that there isn’t actually an end point and that consistency is the main the goal (for me anyway) xxx