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Click to view kmayes's profile Rookie
kmayes
3 posts since
Sep 21, 2007

Sep 21, 2007 12:07 PM

Having trouble staying motivated

Hey all ... I've been doing Couch to 5K and even modified it to try and more gradually ramp up to run for 20 minutes straight (!). I am having a heck of a time getting to that point. I feel like I'm kind of hovering in weeks 6 and 7.

I am really enjoying getting out and running but am having a hard time ... any advice?
kmayes
Click to view Better than yesterday's profile Legend
Better than yesterday
786 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
1. Sep 21, 2007 1:24 PM in response to: kmayes
Re: Having trouble staying motivated
Do you have any particular goals in mind, other than to finish the C25K? Often it's good to have short-term and long-term goals to work towards - goals that have some sort of emotional attachment seem to keep people motivated.

By the way, I made a lot of improvement in my physical condition without being able to run 20 minutes. I ran 2 miles, 3x/week for about 18 months before I kicked it up to 3 miles. I'm not suggesting that you should, but it worked for me (I was about 37 when I started and needed to lose about 40 pounds).

Good Luck.

Brian
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Click to view kmayes's profile Rookie
kmayes
3 posts since
Sep 21, 2007
2. Sep 21, 2007 5:17 PM in response to: kmayes
Re: Having trouble staying motivated
Goals, hmmmm let's see

1. To get/ stay healthy!
2. To prove to myself I can do this.
3. My husband has taken up running and it's been fun to share in it with him. He wants to do a 5K for our anniversary, but I don't think I'm going to be ready. I guess I'm kind of nervous about doing a race. I just want to run ... not race. That makes it kind of hard to set goals, doesn't it?

-k
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haley068
134 posts since
Mar 12, 2007
3. Sep 21, 2007 10:13 PM in response to: kmayes
Re: Having trouble staying motivated
I had a really hard time with the last few weeks of the c25k. How did you modify the plan to get you to the 20 minutes?
What is keeping you from getting there? Breathing, legs, or????



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Click to view paulmitch's profile Legend
paulmitch
308 posts since
Jul 9, 2007
4. Sep 21, 2007 10:24 PM in response to: kmayes
Re: Having trouble staying motivated
Well honestly motivation whether running related, job related, comes from within. No one can motivate you to do anything. Perhaps you were not ready. You may one day have a wakeup call to motivate you. Good luck.
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brianfie
316 posts since
Apr 6, 2001
5. Sep 22, 2007 2:46 AM in response to: kmayes
Re: Having trouble staying motivated
Hi kmayes

Is it hard to stay motivated because the running is getting harder and harder? Are you stuck at a point?

Do you feel motivated to get out there, but find just find it difficult to keep going after a good start?

Or do you like the idea of being able to run, but when it comes to the crunch (time to get up and go), you just don't feel like doing it?

-b
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kcarmike
150 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
6. Sep 22, 2007 4:15 AM in response to: kmayes
Re: Having trouble staying motivated
I have found that running with someone really helps me. I don't want to slow down or stop otherwise my RP won't get her full workout. I don't want to feel as if I am holding her back so I keep going. She also needed me for the same reason. She wouldn't run if not for someone to get out there with her. My running improved day 1! No more stopping for no apparent reason to walk a few minutes. I actually improved my speed by just a bit. I thought it would be too fast but it's not. I didn't go to 9 minute miles, but I am not going at a 12mm pace any longer. She's going a bit slower than normal for her but she likes the slower days when we run together (her other RP is a FAST chick); I like that I am motivated to try harder and go a bit faster.

Definitely try roping one of your girlfriends into running with you. Light conversation and a friend to be out there with you are great!
HTH, Kris
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Click to view kmayes's profile Rookie
kmayes
3 posts since
Sep 21, 2007
7. Sep 27, 2007 9:16 AM in response to: kmayes
Re: Having trouble staying motivated
brianfie

The running is getting harder and harder ... so what I've resolved to do is keep on with the intervals and get creative.

I have also started running with my husband and have recruited a friend who once did triathalons - who's been looking for motivation to get back into running and swimming - to run with. I may even swim with her. The bottom line is really the health aspect. I remember how surprised I was when I realized that I can now run a mile pretty easily. I am going to gradually work my way up to 2 ...

I do think that I'll be able to do a 5K eventually, but the mental part of it is certainly a factor. Bottom line: at some point, I'll just have to suck it up.

I think this more gradual approach may be the key. I am also a bit overweight and think that as long as I keep pushing myself with the intervals, that both my mind and body will be in a better place to take on longer stretches of running.

thank you all for your questions ...
- k
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Click to view brianfie's profile Legend
brianfie
316 posts since
Apr 6, 2001
8. Sep 27, 2007 10:51 AM in response to: kmayes
Re: Having trouble staying motivated
kmayes

From what you say, it sounds that you have heaps of motivation to do it. The problem lies more with keeping going. (You write you can run a mile pretty easily.)

Running is not always going to be easy, but there should be enough good days to keep you encouraged - no matter if you are a beginner or veteran. When running just gets tougher and tougher with no let-up from day-to-day its time to tweak the schedule. In other words it's time to "listen to your body".

You can take an extra rest days, slow down, or stop ramping up mileage if you are increasing - as you will be on the C25K program.

If you find your breath starts getting laboured, you should slow down, even if you are already going slowly. It is a good idea to try an experiment. Next time you run, see how slowly you have to go make the whole distance feel easy. At least some days you should run that slowly - think of it as your recovery pace.

Do that and keep repeating weeks on the program till you feel better.


-b
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