What keeps you going? - Beginners

Doozer

06/04/2003 at 20:59

I've been running (plodding) for two months now and at times I find it really hard to start a run let alone keep going, because I'm tired or something is still aching.

I'm training for the RFL which I've walked for the past few years, but this year I promised to run it in memory of a family member.

I realise everyone must go through this sometimes and struggle to keep going, so, I would like to know other peoples inspirations and motivations.

The Evil Pixie pirate

pirate

06/04/2003 at 21:08

Pud .. entering races gives me a goal to work towards and therefore keeps me going!

Good luck with the RFL!

Lorraine Cockburn

06/04/2003 at 21:11

I have been running for nearly a year (on and off) and found it hard in the beginning as i do now - i have found my own pace which would not be called "running" by anyone but simply jogging and i find i can keep going longer and not get too tired too early - don't go off too fast as it ruins my runs when i do.

I too am trining for RFL and made the "choice" to run a 10k (first one ) in 6 weeks - i am hopelessly behind my schedule and i will be toiling to get around the 10k ...at least it will make the RFL feel short...best of luck!!

Smitch

06/04/2003 at 22:37

Hi Pud, I agree with EP, putting in for a couple of races gives you something to aim for, and it makes you feel great when you finish!! Especially when you wear the T shirt again, or look at the medal. Good luck, and hope it all goes ok. Enjoy it!

Finn Mortensen

06/04/2003 at 23:25

But I found the thought of racing utterly demoralising and hated committing myself to anything. This is usual for me, though.

If you're tired or aching, perhaps you shouldn't actually be running just then! Have a nap for an hour and run later, or give yourself enough time to recover between runs?

Bodjit - Training very slowly

07/04/2003 at 00:00

Pud - not sure about inspirations, but my mental state probably needs to be checked!!

Are you doing the run/walk schedule? just take it slowly, and don't worry if you need walking breaks, take it steady & gradually increase your run time & you will make it! Good Luck

Michael Keeley

07/04/2003 at 09:29

Hi Pud

I looked in the mirror last May and did not like what looked back, a 13.5 stone chubby lump. I decided to do something about it and vowed to get back into shape. I had a photo taken in swimming trunks as I was then.

Firstly I changed my diet and cut out all the rubbish, fast food, chocolate, biscuits etc and ate wholemeal foods lots of fruit and veg and by August I had lost about 1.5 stone without doing any exercise but had hit a plateau as far as weight loss was concerned.

It was then that I decided to take some form of exercise and the easiest form was running. Off I went every morning before work for about 3 miles in 45 minutes. By christmas I was down to 10 stone 6lbs. I was still eating healthy foods, had gone from a 36" waist in May to a 30" waist, never felt stuffed after a meal and had much more enegry.

Kept the running going over Christmas and up to today. I now run around 25 to 27 miles per week. I am still around 10st 6lbs but I want to maintain this weight. I have also bought a bike and some weights and bike to/from work (20 mile round trip) and do weight training 2 or 3 times per week. Today I am happier with the reflection in the mirror and with my over all health.

Whenever I don't feel like doing one of my scheduled runs and I have no injuries I look at the photo from last May and remember how I use to feel, stuffed after every meal, brethless after a short brisk walk or short run. This gives me the motivation I need to get out the door and I have never come back from a run feeling worse than before I went.

Sorry this has been a bit long.

Keep motivated

MK

batfink

07/04/2003 at 10:04

Top man Michael!

I was in a similar boat about four years ago. After graduating, I spent 18 months spending what I thought was a king's ransom of a salary on eating out and going out on the booze four nights a week. My weight had gone from an even 11 stone to a shade over 13 in that time, but I refused to see anything wrong.

It wasn't till I went home at Christmas and I was out with my twin brother and had to face a thousand people saying 'Christ, you've put on weight!' that I realised the time had come.

Being a lazy sod at heart, I found out that running was the most time efficient way of shifting weight so I took myself to the gym and started running. Within about four months, i was down to a comfortable 11.5 stone and have kept running, getting faster all the way.

Wouldn't give it up for anything, especially as I got injured last year and know how much I miss it when its not there. I suppose I'm glad I can ran and thankful for how it makes me feel.

If you're having trouble getting motivated to go for a run, go for a run to remind you of how good it makes you feel, both whilst running and the afterglow once you're done!

the bat

07/04/2003 at 10:57

The weight loss to date, the fact that i can actually run (or plod) this year as opposed to last year, the fact that I'm still alive and able to run, those thoughts keep me going.

Sassi

07/04/2003 at 15:09

Hi Pud
One of the things that keeps me going is having someone to run with. I started running (okay, probably more like a slow plod!) three weeks ago & I couldn't do it without a friend who comes with me.
Even with a training partner, I still find it hard to keep going sometimes when I'm out there - I am overweight (hence one of my reasons for starting to run) and I feel really self conscious sometimes - at first I only wanted to run after it got dark, but with summer time (and being in Scotland) this would mean waiting until really late to go out, so I don't have a choice now.
I am also training for RFL & think it's a great motivator - I also want to do a 10km in Sept to keep the momentum going.
What I find is, no matter how I feel during the run, I feel great afterwards & that's what I try to concentrate on while I'm out there.
Sorry to make it such a long one!
Good luck with your RFL training!

Nessie

07/04/2003 at 15:55

I used to run with a friend, but she moved away and I now run alone, and it is more difficult to keep going when there is a temptation to stop and walk or have a rest. Mr Nessie has come out with me a few times on his mountain bike, and I find that I am less likely to stop if he is behind me on the bike, because I don't want to appear lazy. So now if I'm out on my own, if I feel like stopping, I imagine he is there on the bike, and I keep going.

Getting out the door is another matter. Sometimes I feel really tired when I get home from work and really can't be bothered. If it is a night I have scheduled for a run, I will put on my running kit, with a fleece on top if it's cold, and head out for a short walk. Once I am moving, I invariably break into a jog/run which often isn't as far as I'd originally planned, but sometimes is longer.

DebtMan

07/04/2003 at 20:10

Targets, targets, targets.

I always need something to aim for. I started running about 4 weeks ago, but in very old shoes. Hence, I now have shin splints and find myself forcing myself not to run.

I'm aching to get back to it, but concious not to push too hard. Also I have new running shoes, so theres a motivator (a) to use them and (b) to make them worth the money.

4 weeks ago, I had a target. The chance to win a place on a Specialist Training Day run by the TA, so off I went training. They just had one and don't plan an immediate other. Ho hum....interest waining...

Then I gets RW though the letterbox and what's this? 0-5K in Six Weeks? For beginners? That'll be me then. New Target and a structured plan to boot. Off we go then.

After this? Join a club? Do a race? (ooh scary)

DebtMan

07/04/2003 at 20:11

Oh God, I'm rambling...

Plodding Hippo

07/04/2003 at 20:11

No youre not
Just on that journey

DebtMan

07/04/2003 at 20:31

Aren't forums great? And websites?

This one (RW) is just brilliant. And then there's www.peugeotsportclub.com (Shropshire Group Leader) and their forum. And UK Diving and their forums. And search engines and surfing...and on and on and on.

I could spend ALL DAY on THAT journey and most of the day on the RW forum (like today when I should've been working)....you'd never know to speak to me, quiet as a mouse me....

Sorry Pud, I'm hijacking your thread somewhat. I'll have to go off and do some circuit training shortly, too late to run intervals now, I can't see my watch in the dark.

Ooh Pud, I know what else I was gonna say: have a look at www.badlytrainedmonkey.com for a training partner. Then you can motivate each other and it's so much better than running alone......just need a few more beginners to join in Telford now!!

Plodding Hippo

07/04/2003 at 20:52

Oh dear
Youre sort of near me

Doing the poteries????

Doozer

07/04/2003 at 20:54

Oh my god, what a response, thank you all soooooooo much for all your ideas and inspirations, please keep them coming.

I have joined a beginners running club,nothing too heavy but good fun, they meet once a week but I can't persuade anyone to run more than once a week at the moment.
I have tried www.badlytrainedmonkey.com, but there is no one in my area, so, I'm going to bite the bullet and put an ad in my gym...

Oh if anyone's interested, your inspiration totally inspired me and I managed my first 3.5 mile tonight (virtually non stop plodding) with the beginners r/club, (hills included and we make 'em steep here in Wales). So I ache,but I feel bloody wonderful. RFL - BRING IT ON!!!

Plodding Hippo

07/04/2003 at 21:00

Well DONE pud

DebtMan

07/04/2003 at 21:08

Poteries Hippo? Not a chance...well, not yet anyway.

I'm about to start the RW 0-5K in Six Weeks (targets, targets, targets), so we'll have to see where I am at the end of that.

Nice one Pud - I emailed a local club, got good advice, acted on it, got a foot analysis and some nice new shoes and I'm gonna go and join the club when my girlfriend finishes college.

Now then....I have to go and circuit train and clean the washing machine.

Plodding Hippo

07/04/2003 at 21:22

One day
and you have a nice half too
i walk most of mine, being a fat hippo