This running lark is so up and down.

[Nwrkpak]

I decided a few days ago that I wasn’t going to keep stressing about improving time and increasing distance but that I was just going to start really enjoying my running. I’ve not really fully enjoyed any of my running since I started at the end of Jan. I enjoyed little bits of a run and I’ve been very happy when I’ve finished . I’ve also enjoyed looking back at the run a day or 2 later but some elements during the run hAve been excruciating.

Thursday night I went out and ignored my ionic, I did check or care about pace I just comfortably pushed myself until I wanted to stop and I did my first 6 km in an ok time . I thought I really cracked it . Found my secret weapon. Just run and you ll enjoy it and improve. Fabulous.

Cut to Saturdays parkrun and OMG .

Everything hurt, I found the entire thing difficult and just wished I’d stayed at home. I hated it, just a little. I did exactly what I did on Friday night. Thought I was in a good frame of mind when I set off and expected it to go well !!

I did finish , I did run the entire time apart from one very short very steep slope, and my overall time wasn’t too shocking but I wanted to enjoy it and I really didn’t.

And more importantly I have no idea what went wrong !!!!

[ju-ju- Graduate10]

We all have bad runs and it’s just in the learning bank. Reflect, learn and move on. Running is hard but getting your body stronger and finding new and exciting routes makes sure that enjoyment kicks in. All worth it.... well done for persevering through the tough bits too.

[Nwrkpak Graduate10 in reply to ju-ju-]

I think I forget that my body has to/ can get a lot stronger the more I do this. Thanks

[Hidden]

I'm by no means an expert, but, in my limited experience, nothing went wrong. it just was what it was. Who knows what goes on under the bonnet with our bodies and minds. I've had runs when I've had a naff time, then the next run is sublime, and vice versa. I think the bum runs get fewer and further between as we improve and strengthen, but even pro runners complain of off days. Your just enjoy the run plan is a good one xx

[Nwrkpak Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you . I need to hold on to the fact that although I 'll probably always have crap runs they will get less and the good runs will come. Thanks

[OlderThanDirt Graduate10]

Ok, so here’s a secret. I have managed to get myself up to 10k and I still frequently have “bad runs” it makes no sense or reason to me it just happens . Sometimes I’ll start out and all will be well and other times at the 3k mark it’s just not “there” either my legs don’t have it or mentally I just want out.

Park run is also interesting, I have now ran 14 of them ( one was a sub 30) but yet I still get very nervous at the start when everyone huddles up, I also , every and I mean every ,park run- get to the 1k mark and the doubts kick in (I can’t do this?!? Why don’t I just stop this madness!!) stopping would be very easy at that point. The stupid thing is , because it’s very pretty ( coastal route) it’s where I do all my running. Either 5k or 10k I run the same route somewhere between 15 - 20k a week, and every park run the screaming voice in my head is saying QUIT! QUIT NOW! YOU CANT FINISH THIS! THE OTHER FORTY TIMES YOUVE RUN THIS COURSE WERE A FLUKE!! YOUR JUST LOOKING STUPID!!.

Every park run and every run I do generally , at some point the demon voice in my head turns up. How I combat it is , I accept it’s going to turn up so I wait to see when it does ,and when it does I don’t find it a suprise or a shock I just shout back at it ( in my head obviously) f*** off . Oh and try slowing down. If I push myself for a fast one and the breathing becomes ragged or legs aching it gives the voice more power over you/me .

That’s the secret really I’m trying to share. You may look at my history or someone similar and think , look at him/her s/he’s graduated , s/he runs 10k, bet s/he has no problems or doubts . Why can’t I be like them .

Well that’s not true. That’s not the case. Everyone doubts themselves I reckon, just not many people mention it . your not alone, don’t be disheartened , how your feeling , I think , happens to every runner ( no proof though🤣)

just know your amazing for what you have achieved , you have the strength to carry on, when you learn a way to combat the doubt it becomes easier , and everyone at some point has a bad run .

Be strong 💪🏻

Take care

[Nwrkpak Graduate10 in reply to OlderThanDirt]

Thank you. You make some great points and I will practise telling the doubt to do one x

[misswobble Graduate10]

How long have you been running?

[Nwrkpak Graduate10 in reply to misswobble]

I graduated 5k at the beginning of April. Started c25k end Jan ish.

[misswobble Graduate10 in reply to Nwrkpak]

In the scheme of things that is no time at all! Running legs take from 18 to 24 months to get built. Go steady as pushing too hard at an early stage will lead to injury

Go easy!

[Hidden]

It certainly is!!!firstly...don't beat yourself up!!!easier said than done i know...running is blessing & a curse sometimes but just write it off as a bad run & move along.i usually find that if i am feeling under the weather(but not really aware at the time)that is goes wrong...tiredness & alot of other factors can affect it too.try not to worry...you are doing great 😊

[Nwrkpak Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. I had a Brain Injury 3 years ago and suffer greatly from fatigue. I now only work part time because of if but there is no way it is gonna stop me running. It does seem to be making it harder but it's not gonna stop the journey.

[AndG Graduate10]

I can really identify with this as have felt and still do feel very similar to you.. I have done 2 Park runs and if I am truthful I haven’t enjoyed them. I have come to conclusion that it’s competitive element of them that I don’t like. That competitive element is more in my mind than anything else, but it’s there and I have struggled to get rid of it. My local park run seems to be full of really good runners and on both occasions I am nearly always last to finish. Sounds like you finished in a good time and pushed yourself (I just plodded and came away thinking how everyone else was better than me!)

Realistically nobody notices or cares who finishes at the tail end of the pack and at least am doing it, but have decided that why put myself through something if it’s not enjoyable. I will do another at some time in the future but personally I would rather wait till I feel I can get more into the spirit of it!

I am happy plodding on my lonesome for the time being. Slowly and surely I can see I am making improvements I am covering more distance, my pace is improving and my heart rate is slowing down. It’s still an effort but it’s getting easier and whilst fortunately for me I didn’t need to lose weight, I have toned up and I sleep better. My mental health has improved too I have less mood swings (think I am going thru pre-menopause!) overall I feel much calmer.

I can run 7k now. It’s nothing in comparison to some of my friends who are doing 20k runs at 6k pace but it’s a big achievement for me who started running as New Years resolution for 2018.

Stick with it, run for you! You may have some up’s and down’s, when you get the down’s try some subtle changes, go to bed half an hour earlier, drink more water, change play list, eat something different things like that. They make a difference for me and see if those help you.

You mention you look back on a run afterwards and feel better about it. I do the same! During the first 15 mins I am thinking “why the hell at I doing this I hate it, am slow/rubbish etc...” somehow I persuade myself to carry on and when I finish I am pleased. Slowly but surely am seeing some reward for my efforts and I am determined that I will run 10K it will take me longer than others but it’s better than not doing it all.

Hope you get on well with your running and start to feel better about it soon.

[Hidden in reply to AndG]

I am with you there 😊

[Nwrkpak Graduate10]

Thank you. I think I need to listen and rest a little more in between my runs . Yes some earlier nights will probably help too.

Sound like you are doing fab. Why do all of us compare ourselves to others who are faster run further etc. It just human nature I think.

I'm gonna take lots of advice from here and run again by my self tomorrow and hopefully it will be a better one.

Take care x

[AndG Graduate10]

Every run counts as a run even a bad one you are taking steps to improve yourself! Which is brilliant thing to do.

We all know it’s silly to compare ourselves and does us no good but it can be difficult to not do this..

Thanks for saying I am doing fab😀 I am pleased that I can run distance that I can and my next goal is to run 10K. I feel closer to this than I did feel.

Hope your next run is a good one 😀