Fellow runners - Please help!

[fruitandbarley]

I started running a few years ago, and did c25k, and then did 10k for charity, I used to enjoy it. I still run occasionally now but not with any regularity. In the last 18 months I've had two miscarriages which I don't think have helped but I've lost all motivation. I have a vision in my head of how I want to be, but really struggling at the moment. Just getting out the door is hard, and not happening most of the time. I've also put on weight. Anyone have any tips? Ideas??
Thanks

Firstly, I'm so sorry to hear about your miscarriages, and sometimes going easy on yourself for a bit is the wisest thing to do.

How far do you run when you do go out now? Hopefully it should mean you're not completely out of practice, which is good.

Two tips I would have are sign up for a race in the next few months. I would suggest a 10k. You'll probably find the training not too bad, but having a deadline will force you out the door when you're not feeling motivated.

The other thing I find helpful is having a weekly run with other people that would make me think twice about cancelling. For example a running club, Parkrun or running with friends. One of the hardest things for me about running is because it's flexible it's very easy to say 'I'll go out tomorrow' and never get round to it! Having at least one run a week means you stay on top of it a bit.

Good luck!

sorry for your losses.

1. Find a time when you are most motivated. For me this is the morning. Others vary.

1. Get everything ready ahead of time. For me this means laying out phone/headphone/keys/all clothes needed the night before. If I have to go searching in the dark for headphones I won't get out.

1. I often tell myself, after the first mile I have 'permission' to stop if I still don't want to run. I never actually do but this often helps get me started.

1. I have music/podcasts I only listen to when running (generally my favourites). If I want the next episode I have to be running.

Hope some work for you!

OP - I've been there - but for different reasons. I know how hard it is to start again. I have had a serious back injury and have gone from being super fit to being overweight and unable to do anything. It's humbling and the thought of starting again from scratch is really depressing.

What has helped me is taking each step at a time: I'll just put my running kit on (not committing to anything). I'll just start out and give myself permission to stop if it's really awful. I'll just keep going a little bit longer. And because I haven't put pressure on myself, inevitably, one step has led to another and I am now on the path to getting back to where I was. It'll take a while but each run makes me feel a little bit more like my old self.

So my advice is to lay your gym kit out one night and tell yourself that you'll just put it on in the morning. Don't negotiate with yourself about that step - and then take it from there.

Good luck. You CAN do it.

Would it help you to join a regular running group, something like ParkRun?

Remember why you ran in the first place. It takes nothing for fitness to drop, especially after what you've been through and its frustrating to only feel like you can do a fraction of what you used to. Running is fickle, some days a mile will feel like 20 and other days 5 miles will feel like 1.

Get out and give it a go, I second what PP have said about giving yourself a goal to train towards.

Thanks all. I'm going to try all your suggestions. I did download barcodes for parkrun but never actually got there. I'll try this Saturday. It's silly as going out really makes me feel better and I eat better as a result. First day is today. I'll make sure I go out tonight. Thanks

Good luck! Let us know how you get on.

Oh definitely get to parkrun if you've never been before. Maybe run/walk it if you're struggling or run the first half and run/walk the 2nd. Listen to your body. Let us know how you get on