I have found running over the past couple of weeks really difficult, body, mainly legs just fatigued and breathing rubbish. Work has been it's usual relentless, pressure cooker self so all in all a bit of a blah time.
I took Sadie-runs advice and found comfort in words from Ripcurlrana71 and icklegui and took a week off running, though scared I would end up back at w1 c25k.
I am really pleased to say that I went out today and had the best run I've had for a long time. Not speed/pace wise just pure simple pleasure. I did 10k without a muscle making any noise and breathing was perfect, no inhaler no panting.
I was happy throughout the run and actually had a Forest Gump moment wanting to just keep running and feel this good for longer.
Although I will continue to have my goals and want to improve (high expectations of self can be very debilitating and has the ability to rob and deny simple pleasure) I am trying to re-focus on enjoyment as the primary goal.
I accept that I will never be able to alleviate the pressure cooker situation and stress of my work however I can make a conscious effort not to impose that on my running life.
I have a 5k race next weekend in Shifnal and entered the Leicestershire 10K end of October and I am doing some "head work" that if I cross the finish line last ..so what. Bit of a foreign concept for me to just accept that but working on it!
After today's run I feel very happy and positive going forward. Have joined a local running club, first time next Tuesday which I am hoping will just add to my running development.
Well that was a bit of a waffle and although naval gazing is not something I have a whole lot of tolerance to, just this once is ok.
Thank you to the lovely supportive running buddies on this forum for your advice and words of encouragement last week.
Hope everyone has a great weekend and happy running.
Written by
Lorijay
Graduate10
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Well done Lorijay , that week off has def worked magic! Sounds like a perfect run, sometimes we forget to enjoy runningsomply for the pleasure, always pushing ourselves for more...thanks for the reminder 😉
That's just lovely to read Lorijay. Not a bit of navel-gazing or if it was, I certainly enjoyed it. I was watching out for you on Runkeeper and wondered if you were injured I must have missed your last week's post. That was such a good idea to take a break. You've achieved your 10km goal, now you can run for enjoyment and of course the fun of a 'race'. I'm taking a leaf out of your book and I'm only going to do one long run (9.5km) between now and my own race in 2 weeks time. Dying to hear about the running club - Good Luck!
Oh Lori, am so so pleased for you. Lorks, we are having a bit of a parallel journey right now; I could have written this post! I too have been so much happier since easing off the pressure on myself, and had two very energising happy runs this week, with another planned for tomorrow.
Had an interesting chat with my sports massage guy yesterday - told him about my recent fatigue during/after long runs and he asked me about my diet, and if I was still eating the same amount/types of food since I started upping my distance (he is also qualified in sports nutrition). I said, well yes. He suggested trying upping my carbs a few days before my long run to see if that helped, as he thought my diet rather low-carb for a runner. Funny I had never thought of that; he suspects I was running on empty a bit! So, as well as work stress ruining my running, maybe my diet was not quite right too. Sheesh.
I wish you many more happy runs to come dear Lori, and that you enjoy your upcoming races. A week off is such a great thing to do, and I am really happy it made a positive difference for you!
Aw thank you Sadie. You're advice was spot on and your words of support really helped, you are such a valuable member of this forum!!
I too think diet may have been a factor as I haven't seen 10k as needing anything special intake wise but maybe given my age and work stress robbing nutritional bank I will pay more attention to it.
I am so pleased you are finding pleasure again in your running too and look forward to hearing this continue. Big virtual hug and thanks 😊🤗
😘😘 He said I didn’t need to eat much more, just more of the ole complex carbs - jacket pots, sweet potato, pasta now and again. I will try that and report back.
Big virtual hug to you too. We will be fine with a little patience and kindness to ourselves. xxx
When I am really busy with work and stuff, I sometimes can't run all week. It always turns out well. I think that it is important for us all to recognise our limitations and not push hard all of the time. Most training plans are about gradually increasing; pushing at times and consolidating at others.
Glad that this worked for you and that this is another important step in gaining experience
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time. 
I must have missed your last week's post. That was such a good idea to take a break. You've achieved your 10km goal, now you can run for enjoyment and of course the fun of a 'race'. I'm taking a leaf out of your book and I'm only going to do one long run (9.5km) between now and my own race in 2 weeks time. Dying to hear about the running club - Good Luck!
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