I know what you mean, I lost a bit of motivation this week, considering myself (in my head) a rubbish running person, couldn't seem to get the energy to do anything, although by the end of the week I have actually run a total of 30km.  Did three 5km runs, which were not in good time, about 35mins each, about 5 minutes off  my usual pace, and then just thought I'd go out yesterday and see how it went, telling my husband I'd probably be back in half an hour.  Started running, felt good and managed my longest run ever .... 15km, took me 1hr and 36 mins, which is probably to slow to all seasoned pro's,  but boy does it re-motviate to have a really good run, without really intending to.  So my motto to myself is enjoy a bit more and less pressure and the results are usually better, which I have found over the 8 months since I took it up.  

Hi Sam,

Well done on trying to get back into running, remember we were all novices at some time (and I consider myself still one) and it doesn't matter how slow you may consider yourself just think that the vat majority of who you meet could not even contemplate walking 5k let alone running.

Just take it easy in your running, you can build up quite a mileage by just gentle jogging, it can take me a good hour to jog 5 mile on my easy days as my heart rate dictates the pace not the time to complete the circuit.

As always the main thing is correctly fitting and appropriate footwear, this is doubly important if you have had an injury like yours and the cost is the last thing I consider when purchasing.

Take care, results will come over time, with me it's been nearly a year to even get to a position where I think I have started setting good goals.

Hi Rebecca,

Good luck with the hill training it bulds confidence in attacking hills, when going down try not to brake with your feet and lean into the hills otherwise it can wreak your quads, control is everything.

I have a 1/2 mile 1 in 12 hill near us which I use and it does take some control on the way down. On another point I have now been 4 times to the track and the times are showing good progress, I have dropped 10 seconds per 200m run from 50 seconds down to 40 seconds which is pretty pleasing. Next Saturday I am going to run the 10k race route at race speed to benchmark my time for the week after, I am looking at around 48 minutes or better, watch this space.

Hi Derek,

thanks for the advice, I've now put some hill training into my programme.  I've a short hill not far from me and I read in a running magazine that you should try to run up and down it as many times as possible in 30 minutes, so I'm going to give it a go, hopefully this will build up some stamina, and I'll keep on with the long runs and some short runs mixed in.  Sounds like you're doing okay with 10km at 53mins.  I don't think I've any athletics clubs near me, but it's a good idea and one I'll look into a bit more, will help with getting more structure into the running, which can be tricky to do on your own, it's often easier to just "do a run".

Hi Rebecca, welcome to the group. I for one have been running for 10 months and like yourself I have built up the mileage but not the speed with 10k coming around 53 mins.

I have my first ever 10k in 3 weeks time and I've heard it's a fast flat 10k, but that doesn't worry me as finishing in one piece is more important. What I am now doing is concentraiting on speed based on heart monitoring and alternating easy days with hard days and dropping the amount of miles to 3 - 5 each day for a 6 day week.

I have also just joined an athletics club and once a week we do trackwork. It works out around 3 miles for a 30 minute session combining all sorts of different runs, like tonight we done 12 x 400m with 1 minute rests in between. Ok so I am at the back of the pack but I am running a constant 6 minute mile which is unheard of on my normal solo runs, I have set a goal to get this down to 5 1/2 minute miles over the next 2 months.

Try short interval runs of not more than 3 miles, or some hill work to build up stamina, don't try to run 10k fast as you will probably fail. The speed will come over a period of time.

Good luck.

Derek 

Hi,

I've just joined this site and it's good to know I'm not alone.  I started running about 7 months ago and did my second 10km a week ago, not very quickly, but I did finish.  Yesterday I ran the furthest I've done yet, just over 13km and it killed me, but the satisfaction at the end was worth it.  I'm now going to enter my first half marathon for September, scared but optimistic.  I'm not very fast at running, about 60 minutes for 10km.  Has anyone had a break through and been able to go up a notch in their speed, how did you do it?  Does it just depend on natural ability, or can everyone speed up eventually? 

Well done Nkonye, that's very impressive. It's really tough when your starting out but it's so worth it!!

Jon, we must of crossed the line at the about the same time at Cardiff!! I also did 2:23 and my quickest 10k race was 56 mins!!!

I've been running 6 months longer though, so think your doing very well. I blame my slow progression on my knees:-) had to stop for the whole of August

I started running this time last year, before that I went to the gym from time to time but nothing major, but last October I joined the local running club and haven't looked back since. I'm certainly not a fast runner but I've just done my first half marathon in 2:23, something I could never of dreamt of last year and next April I'm doing the big one, the Virgin London Marathon. I love the fact that with GRG I can track everything I do and keep up with my times, as everyone else said I'm never going to win a race but I love beating myself!!

These are already some great motivational stories. I've been running for 20 years but still need uplifting stories and goals to keep me motivated. I've always said even if we are not winning at least we can eat (and drink!) what we want..within reason of course!