Why on earth was that so hard!?!: Last week I... - Bridge to 10K

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Why on earth was that so hard!?!

BLEWI profile image
BLEWIGraduate10
11 Replies

Last week I ran 5k on Sun/Tues/Thurs/Sat two days off and started Ju-Ju’s plan with a 2.5k run tonight.

Not sure if it’s all the chocolate I’ve consumed, the fact that it was evening instead of morning, or whether I just took it for granted it would be easy but I really struggled! 😩

My times show I was well behaved and went slow but the map shows that my heart rate was up for more of it than any of the 5Ks last week 🤔

I’ve got so much to learn!!

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BLEWI profile image
BLEWI
Graduate10
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11 Replies
ancientrunner profile image
ancientrunnerGraduate10

Well, I think that is quite a lot of running when you have graduated so recently. Maybe need to consolidate a bit more and stick with 3 x 30 min runs/week for at least a couple of weeks before moving on. It's great to feel you're off the leash but if you push it too fast and don't stick to the 10% rule you run the risk of an injury. Don't mean to sound negative and put a damper on things but you've done the important stuff and made running a habit and you honestly have lots of time ahead. Good luck

BLEWI profile image
BLEWIGraduate10 in reply to ancientrunner

I’ve been doing x3 runs since October (apart from an injury blip and flu) so figured this was actually pulling back rather than consolidating!?!

Having been injured once I actually take things like 10% rule and rest days very seriously

Sandyscroll profile image
SandyscrollGraduate10

I always find I am much more sluggish of an evening than in the morning. The Easter eggs won't have helped, but mostly I think your body just puts on the brakes sometimes...and it's up to us to listen. It's most likely that your next run will be fine and it's just a blip, but if you start finding consecutive runs a struggle it may be time for a week off. I've learnt that one the hard way. Take it easy. ☺

Lordi profile image
LordiGraduate10 in reply to Sandyscroll

The body putting on the brakes is a great analogy Sandy! I had a crappy run last week when everything hurt from the first moment till I packed it in at 3k. Took the whole long weekend off and things seem back to normal now so I'm glad I listened and didn't push it last week.

BLEWI - Bad runs happen?

BLEWI profile image
BLEWIGraduate10 in reply to Lordi

But I want to be superwoman... 😩🤣

Think also I went out not really knowing what I wanted to achieve which didn’t help. I’d thought about doing some sprints and slow jogs but picked my favourite short route which actually happens to be hilly and I didn’t think sprinting up, or down a hill at this stage would be particularly wise 🤣

See I am trying to be sensible!!

I’m blaming the Easter Bunny 🐰for giving me too much chocolate and will take it slow on Thursday!!

Sandyscroll profile image
SandyscrollGraduate10 in reply to Lordi

Glad to hear you're okay Lordi. Well done for looking after yourself. I think, mentally, it's often as difficult to stop running when we should, as it is to start.

I've given up wondering why some runs are amazing and some are pants. I guess we are organic machines, not mechanical, and so subject to so many variations: food, sleep, biorhythms, stress, mood. Three lots of 5k in a row just might have triggered a digging in of heels from your body, even if it usually happily does the same - who knows. I do find it harder to run when I haven't eaten wisely, or during the day, or when my sleep has been disturbed (that's most nights at the moment). As several wise people said to me a long time ago (well, October I think), it's still Ks in the bank; it was what it was, put it behind you, next time will be better - it seems it always is :)

Fifitat50 profile image
Fifitat50

I know how you feel,I started ju jus plan on Monday...I almost ended up walking half way through!! Must be a mental issue!!

Didn’t you only just graduate?

Maybe take some time to enjoy running 30 minutes 3 times a week, smelling the flowers and having fun, before setting out in the next challenge. I hear your enthusiasm but consolidation is an important phase. There’s plenty of time after all😊🏃🏾‍♀️👍

BLEWI profile image
BLEWIGraduate10 in reply to

Booked in to do a 10k at the end of May!! I’m prepared to walk some of it but following Ju-Ju’s plan to prepare.

I may sound quite driven but I’m actually loving every moment of getting fitter, watching the magnolias bloom and listening to the birds while I run!

Just amazed at what I think should be easy feeling tough and the tough runs feeling great! Never knew how much running takes place in the mind (or how bad chocolate is for energy!!)

davelinks profile image
davelinksGraduate10

You only graduated about a week ago, so would be better to consolidate 30 min runs x3 for a few weeks first, instead of doing 5ks, overtraining just a wee bit at the moment probably made your run feel hard, need to cut back! 😊

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