The All New MSE Running Club.

Lizling

BunnieJ wrote: »

Hi, beginner here :wave:


Question: how do you keep yourself motivated? I'm really struggling!

The only thing that really works for me is to pick a long term goal that’s really important to me, plan how I’m going to get there, then put it first. So in C25k terms, that’s deciding you’re going to run on the set days, come what may, and simply getting on with it regardless of any reasons not to (except illness or injury.) It doesn’t matter if there’s a thunder storm, you’re on holiday, you’re tired, you’ve got work to do, your phone’s low on batteries, whatever. If it’s time to run, you get your trainers on and go. No decisions to make. No sitting around and thinking about if you actually want to go or not. You decided that when you started the plan, so now you just go.

Playlists, intermediate goals, new kit, telling other people you’re going to do it and ticking runs off on a plan all help too, but imo they’re tinkering around the edges.


Re feeling self-conscious, remember that most of the time, people won’t know if you’ve only been running for a minute or if you’re on the home stretch of a 20 miler or on a recovery jog home from a brutal track session. Just assume they think it’s one of the latter and feel awesome.

Ok, so if they know you, they'll know, but why wouldn't you want them to see you working hard, doing something positive?

Alias_Omega wrote: »

I see people running who think its a fashion parade, you dont need a massive phone, stuck to your arm. You could have a cheap little MP3 player or iPod Shuffle, tuck it away somewhere and run free.

Even though they’re obviously not essential, phones and GPS watches have their uses (maps, emergency phone calls if something goes wrong, apps for timing intervals, HR monitors, timed interval sessions, measuring splits, running to a set pace…) that are nothing to do with fashion parades, so let’s not judge people for using them (or for not using them), eh?

BunnieJ

The only thing that really works for me is to pick a long term goal that’s really important to me, plan how I’m going to get there, then put it first. So in C25k terms, that’s deciding you’re going to run on the set days, come what may, and simply getting on with it regardless of any reasons not to (except illness or injury.) It doesn’t matter if there’s a thunder storm, you’re on holiday, you’re tired, you’ve got work to do, your phone’s low on batteries, whatever. If it’s time to run, you get your trainers on and go. No decisions to make. No sitting around and thinking about if you actually want to go or not. You decided that when you started the plan, so now you just go.

Playlists, intermediate goals, new kit, telling other people you’re going to do it and ticking runs off on a plan all help too, but imo they’re tinkering around the edges.


Re feeling self-conscious, remember that most of the time, people won’t know if you’ve only been running for a minute or if you’re on the home stretch of a 20 miler or on a recovery jog home from a brutal track session. Just assume they think it’s one of the latter and feel awesome.

Ok, so if they know you, they'll know, but why wouldn't you want them to see you working hard, doing something positive?

Thanks! Well said :T


I'm a well known "buy all the kit but never follow it through" kind of person...but I'm trying to work on that!

I've rejoined my local gym and last night I used the treadmill to do a c25k run (not quite the same as outdoors) but I felt alot less self-conscious surrounded by other sweaty, tired looking people! :rotfl:

I've got a lot of work to do if I'm going to be able to jog my 5k without stopping! I've got about 6 weeks left to train!

Lizling

Well done BunnieJ! 6 weeks to 5k is totally doable as long as you keep up the training. Come back and let us know how you're doing!

Don't forget to take a few days off from running before your race so that your legs are nice and fresh and you're raring to go. It'll do more good than any last-minute training.

BunnieJ

Don't forget to take a few days off from running before your race so that your legs are nice and fresh and you're raring to go. It'll do more good than any last-minute training.

My legs are so sore right now! I'm debating a rest day now, then back to the gym this weekend

Indie_Kid

BunnieJ wrote: »

My legs are so sore right now! I'm debating a rest day now, then back to the gym this weekend

It's something you get used too. I was told to run through the pain if it's something like DOMS.

Ran for an hour this morning. A tad slow for me, mind.

I am 2km from beating the total amount of kms I did last year. If I'd known that, I would have done the extra 2km this morning.

weesmiler

My first half marathon is a fortnight away :eek: and I've been battling shin splints. Training had been going well, did a 9 mile run about 2-3 weeks ago and the shins flared up again. The physio I saw had advised me to do plenty do strengthening work (squats, lunges etc) as well as running, so while I can't run I've been doing plenty of other work on my legs and bum and other cardio in the gym.

I reckon I'll just need to take a stab at it on the day and hope for the best, but I know I'll suffer afterwards! On the plus side, my shin is feeling loads better, I just don't want to run on it now and be unable to do the race!! Running dilemmas!

Must say, I'm enjoying the variety in my exercise at the moment

BunnieJ

It's something you get used too. I was told to run through the pain if it's something like DOMS.

My legs are feeling a bit sore still, but much better than after day 1 of the gym

My first half marathon is a fortnight away :eek: and I've been battling shin splints. Training had been going well, did a 9 mile run about 2-3 weeks ago and the shins flared up again. The physio I saw had advised me to do plenty do strengthening work (squats, lunges etc) as well as running, so while I can't run I've been doing plenty of other work on my legs and bum and other cardio in the gym.

I reckon I'll just need to take a stab at it on the day and hope for the best, but I know I'll suffer afterwards! On the plus side, my shin is feeling loads better, I just don't want to run on it now and be unable to do the race!! Running dilemmas!

Must say, I'm enjoying the variety in my exercise at the moment

A couple of years ago I started a bootcamp 4 days a week, after the first couple of weeks I got shin splints and they told me that I had to stop coming to the class I'm hoping this won't flare up again.

Did another session at the gym this morning, but used the cross trainer and bike as well as the treadmill. The PT at my induction told me to stay away from the weights as I'm not fit/strong enough yet.

Any advice for somebody with almost completely flat feet? I'm currently just wearing my old trainers (not had much use previously) which are New Balance ones.

Indie_Kid

BunnieJ wrote: »

Any advice for somebody with almost completely flat feet? I'm currently just wearing my old trainers (not had much use previously) which are New Balance ones.

Get your gait analysed. Any decent shop won't sell you the most expensive shoes. It would be worth going in with a realistic budget too and go from there. You should also be able to get advice regarding your flat feet from them too.

Lizling

BunnieJ wrote: »

A couple of years ago I started a bootcamp 4 days a week, after the first couple of weeks I got shin splints and they told me that I had to stop coming to the class I'm hoping this won't flare up again.

Sounds like you tried to do too much too soon. I'm pretty sure they meant that you just needed to stop going to bootcamp until the shin splints had disappeared though, not permanently. Shin splints are a really common problems for beginners who are increasing the amount of running they do quite quickly. If you get them, the standard advice is rest, ice and elevation. Don't run through it or it can lead to more serious problems. You might do well to switch a day of running for either swimming or weights instead to build up the muscles ready for running but without the impact.

BunnieJ wrote: »

Did another session at the gym this morning, but used the cross trainer and bike as well as the treadmill. The PT at my induction told me to stay away from the weights as I'm not fit/strong enough yet.

Ok, now I'm not in any way qualified as a PT, sports scientist or anything like that, and in addition, I don't know you or your medical history so maybe there's something I'm missing. BUT, this advice to stay away from the weights because you're not fit/strong enough yet goes against everything I've ever heard from any PT or anyone who does know what they're talking about, ever. It rings alarm bells the size of Big Ben. All the weights can't possibly be too heavy for you. Don't they go right down to 2kg or so little hand weights, or about 5kg on the machines? Frankly I'd look for another PT. Otherwise, ask about doing some bodyweight exercises (press ups on your knees etc.)

BunnieJ wrote: »

Any advice for somebody with almost completely flat feet? I'm currently just wearing my old trainers (not had much use previously) which are New Balance ones.

What Indie Kid said. The running shop people should have a good idea which trainers will work with low arches. They'll probably ask you about your mileage and what surface you run on, then fetch a few pairs for you and stick you on a treadmill to try them out. Then you can watch a video of how your feet strike the ground when you run in them. It would probably be worth bringing your New Balance ones along for comparison and it might be useful to the running shop people to see the wear patterns on the sole.

Indie_Kid

Lizling wrote: »

Ok, now I'm not in any way qualified as a PT, sports scientist or anything like that, and in addition, I don't know you or your medical history so maybe there's something I'm missing. BUT, this advice to stay away from the weights because you're not fit/strong enough yet goes against everything I've ever heard from any PT or anyone who does know what they're talking about, ever. It rings alarm bells the size of Big Ben. All the weights can't possibly be too heavy for you. Don't they go right down to 2kg or so little hand weights, or about 5kg on the machines? Frankly I'd look for another PT. Otherwise, ask about doing some bodyweight exercises (press ups on your knees etc..

I agree with this. I have been advised not to use weights. I have a reoccurring shoulder injury.:(