Tough week

[Clairecandothis]

So I did 10k last Friday then my first event run with the 7k in Blenheim on Sunday. I am way too influenced by others pace; runnf faster to keep up but also slower as people walked the hill. I find it harder to start again if I stop - it's a mentality I adopted when I first started the 20 mins runs - and so getting stuck behind the crowd was tricky but it was a fun atmosphere. 10k run in Oxford next weekend so I need to ignore others pace and just run my run lol.

I've struggled this week though after Sunday's run. Tuesday I just couldn't do my run, it was the first one I've just stopped and come home from. I was tired and had blisters but I just think I wasn't in the right head space. I gave it a day and went out this morning, a little late as it is already hot at 8am here. I managed to run 5k but I had to to really push myself and find my positivity to keep going rather than stop. Once I've run for 20 minutes I seem to feel better and everything just kinda slots into place but until then some days I struggle. Maybe longer runs will suit me, once I get that 'just keep going mentality back'! I want to aim for a half marathon in October but that is still a maybe at the moment. I think once I've ran 10k on my own and in a planned run lol I might feel like I graduated here.... at the moment I feel like a bit of a fraud as I only did it once so far! I need to remember that running is what gets me through my stressy, difficult, emotional times and stop worrying about my pace too! 🤣 I feel better for my run today so let's see what Saturday brings. 🏃‍♀️

[Hidden]

I wish i had done Blenheim. I shall be at Town and Gown 10k as my daughter is entered. I might come in running gear and run up to Headington after as it's my partner's dad's 90th.

I have the 20 minute thing. Once in a while i also get the have to stop and come home thing. you were probably more tired than you realised after Blenheim - for which, BTW, well done x

[Clairecandothis Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. I went out again last week which I was nervous about and then again today and I seem to have got my running mojo back kinda! I'm getting quicker I think, but the heat is killing me so running longer is harder. I need it to be either cold or drizzly next Sunday lol. I'm not great in the heat and 10am if it's not it will be hot in Oxford! Yeah do come and run. Headungton hill is steep!! 😲🤣 x

[Hidden in reply to Clairecandothis]

I think 14 degrees by 10, so not too bad. Haha, I was thinking of heading up Morrell Avenue, then cutting off right past the Warnford and running through the Churchill Hospital complex, which will cut out the steep bit higher up. They live behind the hospital, so not the Headington Hill route, thank gawd!

[Clairecandothis Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Lol ok! Because that hill lol! 🤣 I've just come back from a run and it was too hot for me but I think I overheat in the cold! 🙈🏃‍♀️😂 x

[Hidden in reply to Clairecandothis]

I can manage the hills if I've warmed up running for at least twenty minutes. Up to that point my lungs sound like Thomas tank engine! I haven't run in the heat yet, mostly because my runs during the day are crap, I really do run better morning and evening, but I'm looking forward to a warmer run soon (yesterday's was only 6 degrees!) x

[MikeJones68 Graduate10]

Well done on doing Blenheim, and I admire your HM goals. I've still not even done a Park Run!

[pinkaardvark Graduate10 in reply to MikeJones68]

if you do, make sure you start near the front Wouldn't want you having to mow any pensioners down hehe

[Hidden in reply to pinkaardvark]

Eff off 😜😜😜

[pinkaardvark Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Your years away from being a pensioner surely?

[Hidden in reply to pinkaardvark]

Enough of the soft soaping young man 😍😍😍

[pinkaardvark Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

I have some carbolic and some coal tar soap somewhere

[Hidden in reply to pinkaardvark]

All you need then is some Bronco toilet paper to comp,ete your hankering for past torture 😲

[Clairecandothis Graduate10 in reply to MikeJones68]

Mike I've not done a park run either. I'm now excited I'm reaching under 7 for my pace but i'd still be behind you! Go for a 10k somewhere, you'd be out front I bet. 😊

[pinkaardvark Graduate10]

Everything you said sounds very familiar. I share those struggles about not feeling it certain days but then it feeling better after 20 mins. I hate to stop also and found it hard during my 10k race to be behind others as you get kinda stuck with their pace rather than setting your own. It's easy to belt past someone but hard to overtake when it's a 5 minute maneuver a bit like two lorries passing on the A1 hehe. I also find with the longer runs that although I know I can do them and have done them that they still seem like a long way so can be daunting and hard to approach from a mindset point of view. In that I think doing an organised race helps as the structure is laid down for you and your turning up to 'do it' so any tempation to stop is lessened. Hence I now have a 10k booked every month until October where I have a HM

[Hidden in reply to pinkaardvark]

Wow, go Pink, go😊

[Clairecandothis Graduate10 in reply to pinkaardvark]

This makes me feel like I'm a runner feeling all the normal reactions rather than a fraud as I was feeling so thank you. 😊 I totally have to be in the right mindset for a run. When I was following the 0to5k it was easier goals I guess, now it's personal motivation and maintaining the longer runs. Your aim is like me then, half in October, except you are already running 10k each month! That is a good strategy. Hopefully I enjoy the Town and gown next week and don't get stuck behind people lol. I need to just stick with my own pace. I've been out twice since and I'm back on track with 5k.... I need to do a longer run but this heat is a killer! Thank you for understanding 😊😊

[TedG Graduate10]

Well done Claire, It was difficult to keep to a steady pace on Sunday.....too many holdups, especially the bottleneck at the woods with the mud and puddles. Too many didn’t want to dirty their trainers! 😂I was going well up to that point and struggled to get back to a even pace.

Still it was really enjoyable, even the climb to the finishing line with lots cheering us on 🏃🏃‍♀️🤗

If I don’t see you, good luck in the Town & Gown 😊

[Clairecandothis Graduate10 in reply to TedG]

Hey Ted. I know lol so many people did not want to get muddy! I think I started too quick and so once I had to stop behind people it was harder to get going again. I'm hoping I enjoy the Town and Gown more..... the atmosphere is great though. I will look out for you. You are still quicker than me though lols 😊

[TedG Graduate10 in reply to Clairecandothis]

I’m really looking forward to Sunday...it’s flat 🤗

Hope it’s not too hot 😅

[TedG Graduate10 in reply to Clairecandothis]

Quicker than you?? Not after your run this morning! 😬😊

[Nictwit]

Well done on the 7k!

[Clairecandothis Graduate10]

Thank you