Just a quick post from me this morning. I'm delighted to report that this runner is still a runner and back in the game
So what was I going to do? 5K? 10K? Try for 15? Nope! For once I was very sensible. Given the amount of water that has descended upon our poor canal towpath in the past few days, I decided to run down the Middlewood Way instead. That's been re-surfaced recently, and is lovely. It's a longer walk to the start too, which I thought would be great given that it was slightly chilly and I hadn't run since last Wednesday. Before I set out, I had decided that 4k would be an ideal distance. I had also decided to go sloooooow.
So off I went. The start was downhill because I set my app going before I reached the closed railway line, so the first time check at 0.25km said my pace was 6:15/km! That was not what I had intended, so I consciously tried to rein in my pent up enthusiasm a bit. Once out on the trail proper though, I settled into a nice pace of about 7:00/km, which felt wonderful. I wasn't getting out of breath, nothing was hurting, it was cool but not cold, and not raining. I almost didn't turn back at the 2k mark, but being good I did. The last section was uphill, and I chose to alter my route slightly so that I could end up at the shop to buy some milk (very important), but I was fine. No calf or shin pain, no knee pain, not out of breath, and more importantly I was back in the game!
I was even good when I got back and did a full set of the C25K stretches, even if I did keep overbalancing doing the ITB ones
Not running for that long was starting to affect my mood again, and I don't ever want to go that long without running again. I was considering giving up because I wondered if maybe running wasn't for me as I keep hurting myself, but this morning's adventure proves very much otherwise. I remember ages ago telling my lovely running buddy Sadie-runs "You ARE a runner", and I could well imagine Sadie saying that very same thing to me.
Thank you all for your wonderful encouragement over the past week or so. I could not manage this running journey without you!
You, Neil, ARE a runner! And before you ever consider giving up - post here, call me, GET A GRIP! 😂 Getting a few niggles is not a sign for you to stop my lovely, it is a sign to rest, to change something, to regroup and re-evaluate. Also very pleased you stuck to a 4km today too. Very sensible. I am learning lots from my recent blip...and that is to be kind to ourselves, rest, dial back but keep running a little until back up to full strength.
🤔 Funny. Just after completing C25K, I had a period of around 2 months where it was one niggle after another. It settled down for a good long while, so I did B210K. Now I am experiencing a few niggles again. It’s kinda cyclical, and may be linked...just something to ponder.
Can I be honest Sadie? I'm not normally the sort to get silly and emotional, but as I was running along I realised that's exactly what you'd say to me, and I did have to hold back a few tears. I keep thinking of my friends at church who are admittedly slightly younger than I am (not hard these days), who are training for the Manchester HM. They are currently running a couple of times a week doing somewhere between 5 and 15k each run, most of which involves hills of the type that I wouldn't even contemplate, and they never seem to have these problems. The silliest part of it, they didn't run at all over the winter.
Then I get to thinking, my running journey is just that, mine. I don't have to be like another person, I can just be me. That makes me feel better. As does hearing from you, obviously And yes, I know exactly what you mean by the cyclical thing, I was thinking much the same. It's all good though, it is what it is!
Thank you Yeah - I think it did me good actually, having the break, hopefully I can manage a lovely longer run next time. Seems a bit pathetic talking about 4k on the 10k forum, but... whatever lol!
4K is still brilliant. I’ve pulled back to shorter runs to so I don’t aggravate my calf again. pinkaardvark is right that many have niggles and can get you down. Got me down. But it’s about coming though it which you have. 😊
Glad to see you back Neil I think a runner without niggles or pains is a pretty rare thing, learning to embrace all that and move through it is as much an achievement in endurance as is running 10k. I have been having issues myself lately and it's easily to get hacked off or fall by the wayside, but i'm determined to just be methodical with them and keep moving forward where I can. I'm so glad you are as well
Thank you! I was so happy to get out there this morning I have to say, and so happy that I could run without something hurting. And that's a very sensible attitude to coping with the niggles etc. I can learn much from you I hope things sort themselves out for you too.
Back on it largely due to your inspiring last post, actually Thank you for that, and for your encouragement too Tomorrow I'm taking my eldest, her sister and two friends to Blackpool Pleasure Beach for a birthday treat. I'll certainly have a few aches and pains after that!
Pleased all is well Neil, gosh you are a runner alright and some more.
So is the other half of the terror twins and so, so many on here.
Running the golden thread that holds this forum together.🤔
We are all unique and have different needs and different solutions to problems.
The good thing Neil there are no problems only solutions.
The overuse and sustainability argument and not just keeping safe and sensible within the experienced guidance rules is interesting.
I view this not so much a cycle, but rather a direct correlation with the extra demands we choose to put on ourselves.So it is controlled by us.
If we choose to run at our go all day pace,and everything else being equal our maintenance needs are reduced.No advice intended.🤔
Hey Neil I have gone off on one again,not a downer, not boring , not picky,not directional 🙈maybe just more cautious with this old frame and minimising downtime.
Have quantified loss of fitness for me and 4 weeks out and that was without injury.
That is my only interest and I am glad you are back and here.
I think you are tough on yourself and your ability re your credit to examples given.
Believe it my running friend you can do anything you choose to do.
Great run Neil, you ran and enjoyed it😊...I believe this forum is for all of us to share our running experiences..post Graduation, regardless of what distance we run or how fast we are going...
I'm really pleased to hear that you are out there, just running, no bells or whistles required for me to enjoy reading your report...
Hi Neil, great to see you are back in your running shoes. 😄
Of course you are a runner - blips come and go in the running schedule, but they pass.
This summer I discovered cycling without any free wheeling on a slightly lower gear than usual a good substitute when I couldn’t run. (Having said that, I did free wheel down steep slopes rather than my legs going like hummingbird wings!) 😄
Thanks Elfe, yes back in my lovely clouds it’s funny actually, I work in a bike shop, but doing the website not any actual bike stuff. We used to sell single speed bikes with no freewheel, and the purists hadn’t brakes either. That could have got exciting!!
Thanks Richard, sound advice there. The mojo is intact I think
Great to hear you're slaying those demons Neil. I have to just say, having been around the forum for a while now, I have witnessed the beautiful relationship you and Sadie share and the support you have for each other, so I'm just going to say, listen to your VRB, she knows you so well and she knows best!! Don't EVER consider giving up without deferring to your running mates to talk it through and get the necessary support and kick in the proverbial when required!
You've always been just ahead of my graduation group and we all look to those ahead for inspiration, so don't you dare give up. By all means dial it back and do some maintenance (my new fav term thanks to Mitch LoungeLizaard !).
It's been said above that many of us are hitting similar setbacks and it seems it's all just part of the package.
As Sadie says, just be kind to yourself. Take the pressure off and remember why you started this. Speak to your former self and tell him how far you've come, he'll be so impressed with you!
Half of this advice is to myself as I too put too much pressure on myself, always have. I know the answers are relatively easy: more rest as and when my body tells me, strengthening, some Pilates/yoga to get into those deep tissues now feeling the mileage, massage whether self, stick, roller or spa and perhaps walks on active recovery days. I know what we runners need to do, but if it's not running ...
I wish you all the best in getting over this blip and would encourage you to come here to vent amongst peers who "get it" as often as you need it. That's a big part of what the forum is about, not for comparing and competing.
I also don't think you should worry about your distance and whether it merits being reported in Bridge. You are a 10K grad, this is where your friends are and this is exactly where you should be.
Oh my goodness, what a lovely thing to write. Yeah, I’m a little bit teary too, might have to go for a run to sort myself out!!
I’ve said this before, but everyone should have a Sadie, someone who is a good encourager, but also knows when to be a little firm. I honestly feel quite humbled to be in a group of such genuinely lovely people. I’m going to stop writing now or I’ll cry
Absolutely agree with all that’s been said above. Giving up is never an option, we just need to allow our bodies to catch up with our much younger minds!! (We’re not 21 anymore!!!)
I had to give up at this mornings Park Run, due to being in so much pain - in my whole body! At 47 I decided it would a great idea to start HIIT training (first session yesterday), in time it’ll be brilliant and will do wonders for my form and running a ability - but today I can barely walk or lift my arms!
I’ll take some nurofen later and do a short maintenance run!
Keep going - Sadie-runs has my email address we can arrange some running councilling “off forum” lol
Errrrr, Hidden ...how can you even DOUBT that running is for you??? It suits you more than the queen suits a hat!! I am glad too that you were a good boy & didn’t over do it, I ought to take a leaf out of your book...sounds like the perfect recovery run by a very sensible runner
One thing I’ve learned when dealing with depression is to recognise the chain of thoughts that can lead me downwards. I did feel that, but at the same time I knew it didn’t make sense, which is why I posted really. And you lot being you lot, knew exactly what to say ❤️
Such a nice post Neil, i felt like I was out there with you. As so many people have said already, injuries and niggles are all part of this running business. Think how much we learn from those periods - patience, perseverence, self care (doing our stretches and exercises), buying implements of torture (hand rollers, massage balls...). And then there's the joy of getting back to it. You're a runner Neil and I'm so glad you share your experiences.
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Hey thanks Hidden , yeah, I guess I am a runner after all. I do realise that running isn't all going to be problem-free, and I know we'll get niggles and injuries etc, but at a bit of experience shows we can get through it, hopefully stronger and with some ideas to improve technique/guard against further injury. I went for a little jaunt this morning (in lycra, scary!!!), I'll post about that later when I've had a much needed coffee
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An Early Morning 3K Recovery Run 
Bad run day but hey so what? A walk is also good for you.
Running happy to 6k!!!
