I have a tick box system for my exercise that I am going through and I'm getting through it but my runs are going wrong,. I just can't seem to find enough power to keep on going.
I don't mean to moan but I haven't found my feet since my HM it seems to of knocked me out of my running. I know I've had a cough and chesty thing as well but I'm not bouncing back.
I have booked a free 5km event on 14th August for decathlon (no bling but good goody bag) to see if that can help get me motivated. I have been Stregnth training at the gym and while there I am doing continuous running on the treadmill which is something I haven't done for ages but it's just for 1.5 - 3km runs.
I know there is a lot going on and menopause hitting suddenly (stress of last year doc says) doesn't seem to help but I really need to get a grip and get some energy. Hay fever and a sharp rise in weight without changing my food might have something to do with it as well.
Things I am doing
1) still going out to run even if it dosent go to plan (I'm still covering 20km a week)
2) beconase nasal spray
3) active 50+ vitamins for women
4) joined weight watchers for a one month trail online,2lb lost this week
If any one has seen my mojo kicking around please tell it off and send it straight back to me tell it I won't be mad but we need to work together.
Wishing you all a happy Healthy running week.
Written by
Realfoodieclub
Graduate10
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I felt just the way you are now feeling - after my HM last year. And I expect it to happen again now. But I have decided to go back and restart my training. Going way back to the 30 min runs we all did after we graduated C25K . Going to do them and slowly increase time running only in Zone 2 of my HR monitor. I need to get rid of these Galloway run/walk intervals out of my head and body!! After that will concentrate on 5 and 10K distances.
Its like holidays there is a post event slump. I think it's all the endorphins the event creates. I would of thought I would be over the slump by now, this is the first time since graduating I haven't got a big event planned. I am hoping the 5km I put in for at the weekend is enough to give me my training buzz back. I walk in zone two, as soon as I start running it jumps to 4/5. It's Just me. The doctor says it's fine as long as I walk when it gets over 170 bpm in training to bring it down, hence the fact I will be run/walking for a while yet. I run so much slower On The treadmill which is why I can run constantly and I think it's good to keep up with that as well. Good luck at your new distances.
I don't think that you are any different from anybody else in the way that your heart operates - except that you have a resting heart rate and a maximum heart rate that IS different to everybody else. You simply CANNOT do heart rate training until you have a VERY GOOD IDEA of what these are. You need to get these right!! So - first of all what is your resting heart rate ?? You can read how to get this on the internet - take a week to sort that out and get back to us Then the next task will be to find out your max Hr. But in the meantime - could you try this out -- go for about a 20 minute walk - on flat ground- slowly build your pace up until you cannot possibly walk any faster (then record your HR, preferably without stopping) - then while walking as fast as you can , then start to jog at a pace that is no faster than your maximum walking pace. You will find this to be physically uncomfortable and psychologically embarrassing to be seen doing this - but you need to know what increase your HR has between the two actions - walking and jogging at the same pace.
I have my resting heart rate and maximum. If i speed walk my heart rate is good I can speed up till a pace of 9min\km but my pulse will be at 130-140. If I then run at this pace it jumps up to 160-165. And just continues to rise without levelling off. My doctor and a physio have both agreed run/walk is best and try not to train too long over 170 but for one off events or speed training I can do little spurts. After checks they think it is to do with years of an undiagnosed thyroid condition, my body has adapted. My resting pulse can go down to 56 and my max is 188.
My hunch is that you may be doing too much. Remember how you said before that you get poorly after big events, even though you love the structure and motivation they provide?
I agree. Hence only putting in for a 5km and not training over that. Found out last week that my immune system has to be tip top on transplant day (whenever that will be) and if it isn't they won't go ahead so even more reason to keep myself as heathy as possible. I think it's time to admit as much as I love HM they probably don't love me as much back.
That sounds a bit of unhelpful information in a way (except that I guess you do need to know that your immune health could stop the transplant going ahead) Not unless they have some magic wand for you to ensure your immune system is indeed in tip top condition. Only so much you can do (although I do recommend not unblocking hospital sluices with your bare hands, learn from my idiocy...)
I don't know if there's any research to back this up but personally, I'd stay out of gyms for the nonce in your position (I'm still using the Florence Nightingale model of nursing which promotes fresh air)... or investigate all the marginal gains stuff British cycling got into, all the wiping stuff down and handwashing.
And looking after yourself emotionally, catching some nice Vitamin D boosting rays whilst you can and being really kind to your body (by which I don't mean the sofa and a big bag of crisps or cake). Perhaps a bit more focus on 'being'? There's a really interesting menopause yoga programme with a teacher I like on Ekhart Yoga - you have to have a paid subscription but I think you could probably find a fortnight's free trial link on the internet somewhere.
Sorry you're in a slump RFC. It's tough, the HM planning, training, and running probably provided some much needed distraction from so many stressors and provided a necessary running routine. I can imagine feeling empty after one, I felt that way when I fell off after my distance PB. Is there a favorite 'type' of running you could get out and do? Or run with a juicy audiobook? Or full exercise swap-out for a week or two? It's a tough feeling to shake.
I'm trying to convince my head that working on speed is rewarding as distance. My head is fighting the fact. Maybe I should still do distance but at a gentle walk pace as my body really seems to respond to that, it might help? It just dosent feel the same.
I wonder if a few of us have gone off the boil because of hay fever as well. I'm waking up every morning and my eyes look like I had a right drinking session the night before even when I didn't touch a drop. I've cut right back compared to what I was doing and taking days off if I feel under pressure. I'm finding a gentle walk for 5km is a good mood boost when I don't feel like running which helps.
Out of interest do you do anything with your fit points, I got 133 of them last week.
No I don't do anything with them I just use them as a guide for how active I've been. But they do let me be a little less strict with myself/ my points if I've done loads and it makes me hold back a bit if I've been a lazy sod ☺
I think you might be right about the hay fever. It seems to me that the pollen is really bad this year - especially tree pollen. I never usually get hay fever but when I've been running in our local parks I feel the pollen really burning inside my nose.
Ok- I have a few thoughts because you are so similar to me!!! You have given yourself a long list of expectations there which is great but doesnt leave much room for YOU. Dont underestimate the cough and chesty thing - these viruses often have added 'extras' that can leave you feeling low, lethargic and devoid of energy and as they are the only symptoms we conclude that we are therefore just failing!!! My suggestion is for a week:
Take the multivits
Take the nasal spray ( I have this and its very good)
Do something just for you
run but only if you feel up to it.... or just the one, then start again next week
As for the menopause thing- urggg its grim. I had a 'mini' menpause in my 20's as I had to have Zolodex injections for endometriosis. I felt like sh** frankly and the hot flushes were just horrific.
Big hug for our leader, we all think you are amazing ( because you are) and give yourself a well deserved hug too.
Aw thank you JU-ju, a hot flush while running is an experience I tell you, it feels like your burning from the inside out then after a couple of mins feels like someone has poured ice over you. It's easier to cope with now I know what it is, I thought I had a terrible infection to start of with. We are trying to get a couple of days away soon just me and the other half, I was going to take running stuff but maybe I'll leave it behind and just have some nice walks with my other half and have a cooked breakfast ( that someone else has Cooked) in the morning, I can always go back on WW when I come back. Like you say go easy on myself.
Oh I do sympathise Rfc, I am going through the menopause too , and its the flippin' pits ! I have days when I just want to run away, I feel as if I am losing the plot and am so flippin' nowty with everything and every body.
The hot flushes were really getting me down. I used to wake up in the early hours of the morning absolutely soaked with sweat and then it took me ages to get back to sleep and I was so tired and felt awful. I used to have lots of hot flushes too during the day.
I have started taking 3 x 50g Sage Leaf tablets and 2 x 1000 mg Evening Primrose Capsules. The difference has been absolutely amazing. I maybe have one or two hot flushes a day now and there are no way as intense as they were . I feel so much better now and sleep most of the night now.
You have got a lot on your plate at the moment, be kind to yourself xxx
Thank you PP. your right I haven't factored in the disturbed nights, I'm waking up every two hours at the moment. During the day I have got them mainly under control with the Alive 50+ women's vitamins, a bit pricey but I think it's worth it. I'm going back to my sleep hypnosis to see if that helps any .
It may be no coincidence that I started C25K *after* my 'menopause year' - which for me was a piece of p*** given my normal state and my circumstances. I had to buy cotton shirts and some cardigans though and I remember gasping my way through the Summer (although my menopausal hot flushes are different to the 'ill' hot flushes I've had for years... but my Mum is in her 80s and her glasses steam up)
A first I thought I had a kidney infection again but luckily it was just menopause. I spent years running hot with sub clinical hyperthyroid, they told me it was Cfs/me so there are so many cross overs in symptoms now when it comes to hormones, my main thing is I'm less worried now I know what it is and that helps a lot. Hehe my glasses always steam up when I try and read my stats when I get in from a run, the heat of a beetroot face.
At last.. a bonus for old age.. the Menopause.. so far back, I cannot remember it
No. seriously, I have no great advice, as a mere beginner.., what do I know about stuff.. and all the chums on here have got the experience and know-how to support you.
I do know, the air quality is dreadful and lots of us and others are suffering with it! I know also, that it seems to be the season for the mass exodus of mo-jos and I will keep my eye out for yours and send it right back to you.
Apart from that, I just echo the lovely poppypug , be kind to yourself, you do so,so much for everyone else... and for what it is worth I am sending a big hugx
Your not a mere beginner your one of the gang. We are all still learning and probably will continue to if we are lucky.
I know one of the reasons I am on beconase all year round is because I live in london and the pollution aggravates my sinus so its probably a double whammy of pollen and pollution. Thank you so much for the hugs it's much appreciated.
So many people losing their mojo at the moment, could it have something to do with the weather? I can't run when it's hot and that means anything over 20C. I'm a puddle of sweat when there's snow on the ground and really fear for my health if it's too warm. So it's quite depressing - and de motivating - when the sun is blazing. Everything is slow and heavy - no fun. Menopause won't help and is also no fun. I've just about got through it but can remember waking up in the morning and feeling myself break out in a sweat, literally as if a motor had been switched on. Very strange and not pleasant when it happens during the day.
Hope things sort themselves out, running might help you sleep better and exercise helps balance your hormones.
I think the Changeable weather throws people off their game as well. Even if don't want to run I find a 5km gentle walk helps with my mood. Got to love those endorphins.
One thing that I do KNOW!! - and that is if you stretch a rubber band far enough and often enough - it WILL break!!! - and a balloon will pop!!!!!
The one thing about running that I really dislike - and it seems to be endemic to running, a biological part of it - is this constant urge by everybody , including ourselves, to keep stretching our personal efforts. The old adage "no pain- no gain" is often discredited these days by even expert trainers. It is time for the adage - "always do your best" to also be discredited as being dangerous and ultimately futile!!!
It sounds like you have a good plan to keep it together. Congratulations on the weight loss too. I haven't seen your mojo around here, but I'll keep an eye out. Maybe under the bushes...All jokes aside, you are doing well to keep going. Just keep running. Eventually you'll remember what it was that you liked about it. 😊
Oh Rfc, I think there's a gaggle of mojos who have gone awol at the moment and they really need to head on home! I am equally frustrated by my lack of energy and niggly hip at the moment! Perhaps if we all shout loud enough, they will hear us and come home, tails between their legs! Take care.x🙂
I had a slump like that for about 10 days after my Race for Life. I'm only just coming out of it now.
You sound as if you are doing a reasonable distance per week. You do need to make sure you have enough rest as well, though.
Also, if you have had a sharp rise in weight with no change in diet, have you asked your doctor to check your thyroid levels? Low thyroid hormones can leave you feeling really wiped out and depressed.
Sorry - I didn't see your comments above about having sub-clinical low thyroid levels. I hope the doctors can do something to remedy that. Other than that, just be gentle with yourself - especially if you are coping with the change as well.
Thank you, I had radiation treatment 6 years ago for an overactive thyroid growth, now only have half a thyroid and am on thyroid replacement. I am lucky that my doctor listens to me and I have manageable levels with medication. I think I do need to ease up a little while my body adjusts. I agree with your comments above I'm hearing so many people suffering with hay fever this year who have never had it before, I am Sure the strange weather is throwing Nature out a bit.
I'm glad they're helping you with your thyroid issues, RFC. I think taking things gently is the answer - try not to subject yourself to too many stresses at once.
I think you might be on to something with the weather this year. There does seem to be a lot of energy in the atmosphere at the mo - if it's not blazing heat, it's furious storms and roiling clouds. Weird!
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After that will concentrate on 5 and 10K distances. 
Lost my mojo. 
Waiting ‘impatiently’ for my next run - on the IC for now. 
How do I get my mojo back?
Getting rid of my Gremlins
