This morning was a struggle :(

[loisamelia]

I had a 7.2k run scheduled according to My Asics so I got up early and set off. It really didn't go well from the start. Even before 7am it was really hot and I forgot to take some water with me. That played on my mind the whole way round and meant I really found the mental side of it hard today. I ran a route I've done loads of times before, it's lovely, a mix of trail and road and I usually really enjoy it, but not today I stopped and walked 3 times which I wouldn't normally do. I got sunburned at the beach the day before so am probably feeling extra hot and uncomfortable because of that. I am now worried about Sunday's run as I'm meant to be doing 13.7k. I had to abort last Sunday's long run too and get my husband to come and pick me up so now I'm doubting whether I can do this at all (the half marathon I mean, not running in general). Sorry for the whinge, I know there are others out there pushing through all kinds of tough things, much worse than I have to put up with

[runningnearbeirut Graduate10]

I'm guessing you might well have been dehydrated if you'd been in the sun getting sunburnt the day before a run.

Be kind to yourself, don't do yourself down. You got round, didn't you?

Bad runs are always better than no runs according to Laura, so you're doing better than me because I was too tired to bother to try to run yesterday and I have no idea where the time would have come from to fit it in if I'd wanted to!

Try to eat/hydrate sensibly on Saturday and don't worry about Sunday. I think you'll be fine.

[loisamelia Graduate10 in reply to runningnearbeirut]

Thank you, you are probably right about dehydration as I have had a killer headache all day. I've been glugging water all day long so hopefully I'll be OK!

[JaySeeSkinny Graduate10]

You've got till September to get to your HM distance! That's ages and you'll find suddenly it will all come in leaps and bounds. In my first year of running I managed exactly 4 x 10k, one every 3 months. I could not get further and I couldn't do it more often. Then in March this year the willpower took over, plus probably more mileage and power in my legs. One week a 10k, the week after 11k, then 12, 13 - all the way up to 21.1km. There wasn't a long run every week, but every fortnight I added one or 2 km on to my longest run. It was never easy, it was never fast, but every time I set myself a distance I ran it. Your time will come, you may need a bit of consolidation, but don't worry. You are a strong runner and you will smash it!

The hot weather doesn't help of course!

[loisamelia Graduate10 in reply to JaySeeSkinny]

Thanks JaySeeSkinny Maybe I should ditch the Asics plan and just go on instinct?

[JaySeeSkinny Graduate10 in reply to loisamelia]

It depends how your brain works. Some people need a plan, or a structure. They work for a lot of people, but not necessarily everybody. You are quite speedy and ambitious, but maybe a plan puts too much pressure on you. Wing it this weekend with Paul46-ipswich . Just enjoy - then go back to your plan. You've got plenty of time!

[loisamelia Graduate10 in reply to JaySeeSkinny]

I've never been described as ambitious before lol! Maybe I'm in danger of being too focused on the plan and sticking to it come what may.

[Paul46-ipswich Graduate10]

Don't worry Lois, you helped me last time when I was struggling, we will smash this training. Let's do a nice really steady run on Sunday, forget the 13k let's do a 12k with some walk/jeffing thrown in. Xx

[loisamelia Graduate10 in reply to Paul46-ipswich]

Thanks Paul46-ipswich are you up for a really early start on Sunday

[Paul46-ipswich Graduate10]

Why not

[poppypug Graduate10]

You will be absolutely fine for your HM .

If its any comfort to you I had some absolute stinkers in my training up to mine last Sunday. Its all ebbs and flows and sometimes it just doesn't click , and the sunburn definitely wouldn't have helped .

I hope you have a lovely run with Paul on Sunday , cut yourself a bit of slack here . You are doing just great xxx

[Paul46-ipswich Graduate10]

How early is early?

[Anniemurph Graduate10]

I struggled with the heat and no water last week. I think if you take water with you and drink beforehand (and that means the day before as well) you will feel better. If it's warm, I soak my buff in cold water and wear it on my wrist so I can wipe my face with it - that cools me a bit.

I hope you have a lovely run tomorrow

[misswobble Graduate10]

Nothing wrong with stopping for a walk. You walk if you need to, it's how to get the job finished. I do it all the time.