getting back into running?

[UntamedWisteria]

I took up running 3.5 years ago. I am old (57) & a bit overweight, but I joined a running club & loved it. Went once a week to club & usually 1 or 2 times a week on my own. Not fast, not competitive. It's the first exercise I've really stuck to.

Continued during lockdown 1. All good. But in lockdown 2 I've completely lost my mojo. Don't want to go in the cold (even though this was never an issue before) & have missed the first 2 club meetings.

Don't want to start C25k again - that got me in the first time. Have put on weight & feel really bad about not going, but just can't make myself.

Do walk dog every day so am getting some exercise.

How can I get my running mojo back?

What about giving yourself something to aim/train for?

Since completing C25k last year I've had tofind all sorts of reasons to keep running. My current one is to take part in the virtual runners Guiness World Record attempt of most people running 10k in a day.

I'm not at 10k yet so have to keep popping the trainers on to train for it (I'm at 8k so not unrealisitc). This one is currently enough to get me out there. Same approach might work for you?

Lots of options ..
1/ Fake it till you make it - force yourself out and hope you’ll start enjoying it - high risk
2/ Mix it up - Try trail running, efforts sessions , lamposts etc
3/ Do it differently - great music or audio book amazing location. Maybe a different time of the day ..
4/ Run with a friend - maybe someone from the running club
5/ Sign up for a race or challenge
6/ run without a watch ! Literally take the pressure off and enjoy the freedom

If you’re not running at all then tell your self to put your trainers on and go out with the promise that if you hate it after 10 minutes you can come home guilt free . 95% of the time you’ll think its not so bad and carry on.

I feel the same about running in the cold now. Used to love it, much more pleasant once you get going than sweating on a hot day.

I think it’s because we spend so much time indoors now, the cold seems to much worse.

You just need to suck it up, stick your running shoes on and get out there. Where do you live OP? It’s going to be nice where I am tomorrow. Perfect running weather. Why don’t you commit to all of us that you’re going to head out at a certain time and then report back?

Op I’m glad you posted this. I feel the same but for me it’s been a year

parkrun will be back in a couple of months. It’s awesome. Free, weekly, timed- just register yourself and print a bar code before tie first event. Running + community + a fixed start time so you can’t put it off and put it off.

Thanks for the suggestions & support. I've done a park run once, but the nearest is a 20 min drive from me.

I'm going to commit to going out with the running club this week.

Well done! How about trying a short slow run today to get back into the groove? Maybe just a mile or so, but if you're enjoying, you could stay out?

I'm not really into running, and I don't like the commitment of having to run more than once a week to improve, so generally I don't! But I've also entered the virtual Guinness World record 10k event mentioned above (it's free!) in September, so I'm trying to get out at least once a week, and will gradually up my distance. You may surprise yourself at how far you can go without the regular training - I can usually knock out a 5km without having built up to it (very slow, but I can do it). I've found all the lockdown walking has helped maintain some leg fitness as well.

I have been on a 10k hike this morning with DH & the dog ...