If you've lost your exercise/running mojo, come on in for a Christmas countdown .....

[lechatnoir]

I've not done any significant exercise for the past 9 months, have put on 1.5 stone, taken up smoking again after years away and feel like shit as a result plus add peri-menopausal symptoms Working from home , lack of money and general feeling of negativity everywhere hasn't helped and I'm sure I'm not alone.

In a fit of madness I signed up for a HM for next March but need a kick up the arse and a serious overhaul before I can even start to think about following a running plan. Ive got 7 weeks before I start training but think 8 weeks is more realistic and will also tie in nicely with the festive season (right now I just want to hibernate not party).

So aims are:
Get basic fitness levels up and gently resume running
Build some strength and flexibility
Stop smoking (day 3 and counting)
Include some proper self-care - early nights, hair colouring more regularly, just a bit of pampering occasionally.

Get back in the habit of regular exercise with some sort of weekly timetable.

Anyone want to join me and post for support, encouragement, ideas and give each other a proverbial kick up the arse along way?

I've done a short, easy run to get back into it today after a low-impact recovery week following a race. Good to be out even if the fog was really minging.

Mmmmmmm Pret Christmas sandwiches are the best 🎅. Went out for a run at lunchtime today just a quick 5km but managed a short weights workout yesterday and longer run on Sunday (8km) .

I'm definitely getting there on the running but I think I'm going to look for a cheap gym or an evening class as I struggle to push myself doing workouts at home and space/equipment is so limiting.

I took the weekend off as visiting family. Back at it today with yoga & an at-home cardio workout.

I need to swim tomorrow so I can hit my target of 25km swimming in November

18k steps today, yoga, and GFWR. Day 29 of healthy for 30 ✅

2.8km swim today. And hit the 25km for November 💪

Healthy for 30, complete! 14k steps, which included 50 minutes of GFWR, and 10 mins of yoga.

Well done @FlySwimmer and @Judystilldreamsofhorses for meeting the November targets.

I managed to get out for a 12k Jeff today - logged it and my stats for the month are 145Km run in 15 hrs and 59 minutes - if only I'd been that little bit slower.... I've also managed 8km in the pool.

I'm thinking that I ought to include some weights/core/flexibility but I don't know where to go/look or how to get started on that. Any good tips?

@londonmummy1966 I found the guides in Women’s Running decent, like this one:

www.womensrunning.com/training/12-strength-training-moves-for-runners/

A lot of the moves are things I have to do as part of my rehab so that’s good to know for when I eventually get back running…

Mojo lost with no sign of returning.

Dark and cold after work and no time before. Excuses?

@londonmummy1966 wow- so major surgery then? I had a double bunion correction a few years ago and was basically housebound for 2 months as not allowed to weight bear more than absolutely necessary. It was v tough. I hope your daughter makes a full recovery.

Half hearted gym session yesterday. Will try to get out for a run today - DS off school sick but old enough to be on his own for 40 mins.

3.5 mile Jeff done this morning and set a new PR for a rather nasty uphill segment so I’m quite chuffed about that

21k steps today and yoga, but skipped a workout. Now #healthyfor30 is over I am going to do some “rest days” if my step count is high because my PF is not great at the mo.

6k run yesterday with a bit of a hill in it. Go to admit I did slightly grind to a halt half way but then gave myself a kick up the backside and just got my head down and jogged up it.

Gym this morning. Again, didn't want to. Don't know what's wrong with me this week. Just feeling blah about exercise. But just figure anything is better than nothing. Did manage to do 4 sets of 2 bar dips which I'd been putting off as worried I couldn't do them anymore. I used to be able to do sets of 6 so that's something to work towards.

17,000 steps today, and yoga. Happy Friday, everyone!

5K during kids football. Ran a different route from the last couple of weeks and got a couple of PBs for two Strava segments. Pretty chilly 🥶

I think this is the perfect thread for my question. Does anyone have any tips on how to get motivated to run today (this evening already!). It’s freezing cold, going dark and I’ve been running errands for other people all day. Got to get out as I’ve got two busy shifts ahead of me, tomorrow and the next day. I’d love nothing more than to put my feet up with a cuppa. Can anyone remind me of why I should go out for a run first please? Thanks!

@FlySwimmer thank you for that link some food for thought.

I managed a swim yesterday pm and a 15 mile Jeff today strategically planned to end at a Starbucks so I could treat myself to a gingerbread latte on the walk home.....

Slow day today - 13k steps, one GFWR, and yoga.

Probably a bit late now, but December is the nicest month of winter running as the Christmas lights go up.

Ooft, just sneaking in at 10k steps at 10pm! I did a 30 minute GFWR workout and my yoga today.

Left my Monday run a bit late and didn't get out till half ten, but glad I did - got a PR on a horrible hill and a couple of other segments were the quickest I've run them this year. Another 5K in the bag

Right- not a great weekend. I should just write them off really but I’m always optimistic. Did go for a 2k run with DD Sunday pm but that was it. Gym today and did get a good session in- upped the cardio a bit from my usual slightly lazy warm up and got through my weights. Got to do some gardening tomorrow- repotting and lugging stuff about so just a light run in the morning first.

Rest day yesterday which was very much needed although I did get my steps in as DD wanted to go shopping. Managed a 5k Jeff this evening - 30 minutes 45 sec which was gratifying as I've not been that fast for a while.

Does anyone have a smart watch that they could recommend. I'm eyeing up a Garmin as it would be good to have a watch with maps on as I don't run with a phone.

@Wishiwasinmalta hello. I can only inspire myself to get out for a run if I have something to aim for - as I have a place for London this time round I need to get the miles in so I made sure I told loads of people I was doing it so I will look really stupid if I dont....

Thanks both for your replies! Great reasons to get out there. I did manage to go. Difficult to get motivated so I just concentrated on getting ready, tried not to think about it. Funnily enough, it was a lovely run once I got going!

well done @Wishiwasinmalta - just tell yourself that it will be 10 minutes, after which most of the slog has gone and you can enjoy the run.