After a week off sniffling I returned to running this morning. A nice little 4k to get me back into it I thought. Perfect weather conditions, crisp and quite chilly, exactly how I like it.
So I was surprised how hard I found the run. I guess I underestimated how little energy I’d have even though I hadn’t felt bad at all with my tiny cold. Of course I didn’t walk (perish the thought I’d give myself a break) and my time was only a little slower than my last 4k, but my legs were full of lead and I didn’t have any oomph to help them along.
I’m going to give 8k a go on Thursday, so I’ll need to get fuelled up. Any recommendations for maximum energy between now and then after feeling a bit meh?
Thanks running friends! 🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃🏃
Written by
cheekychipmunks
Graduate10
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
At least you did what you planned. I've found in the last week or 2 that going to bed an hour earlier than usual the night before a run seems to help. Apart from that it’s the usual hydration and eating some 'good' carbs the night before. Good luck with your 8k, I'm sure you'll smash it 😀
Pasta for me - spuds are good too I think. You don’t need loads - it’s not like carb-loading for a marathon, but I find it helps. This may be because I'm combining my running with a diet so I usually try to keep the carbs low.
Thanks Mike. I suspect I wasn’t hydrated adequately so I’ll definitely make sure I drink plenty. And yes some good carbs. Any excuse to eat them! 😈
Thanks for the good wishes. I know telling you guys I’m going to do 8k will spur me on! No point telling husband. He does 8k just for fun on his lunch breaks! 🏃🏃🏃🏃
Build up to my first 8k was similar, so I went really slowly. This week I felt much better and did the 8k 9 minutes quicker. I just did the “listen to your body” thing. I am sure that the slower run provided the foundation for the quicker one.
Ahhh interesting Beachcomber. Well done on your speedy 8k! 👍
I remember finding a previous 4k much harder than I expected too. I wonder if I was anticipating the finish rather than zenning out and settling into a rhythm?
Well done to you cheekychipmunks! I do think if we have had a period of feeling not completely well, it obviously takes a while to feel fully well and able to run again as we had before. Take your time, slow and steady, feet kissing the ground ( if you have learnt exactly what this means, let me know, but does sound so good - I'm sure that it one of oldfloss's mantras). Enjoy your 8km run! 😊
Thanks 61! I think I underestimated how even a small cold would sap my energy and didn’t take that into account this morning. Never mind, got through it and another 4k logged in the leg bank!
I think I found my feet ‘kissing the ground’ out of necessity during my longer run last week. My foot (I’ve had PF in it) began to feel very stiff, and there was no way I was going to give in to it! So I tried to make my footfall as light as possible to help it out - and it worked! Yay! 👍
Oh sorry, plantar fasciitis - heel pain basically. I tweaked it during my first ever run wearing inappropriate trainers, although it didn’t stop me running.
It’s all ok now, and I was lucky. It can take a while to go in some people.
That looks really good to me! The beauty of this site is that our only relevant comparator can be found by using a mirror. Sure you will nail the 8k to your satisfaction next week if not this. 🐆
Very true BC. I’m fiercely competitive with myself I’ve discovered, since starting running! But I’m NOT going to even consider speed on Thursday. My goal is to complete 8k, and that’s it. 💪🏃♀️
Eat well, stay well hydrated all week and be kind to yourself. When going for your 8k, start out super slow, slower than you think even possible, to allow your body to adjust and once you get past the toxic 10 (or 20, which is my usual), enjoy the run. Remember to keep the run at conversational pace. If you can't sing along to your music, slow it down. Most importantly though....Have fun!
Thanks SaskAlliecat! Sound advice, and yes I’ll be taking it super slow. I usually feel tons better after about 8 minutes, so I’ll time it so my hill comes after that. I can start my parkland loop anywhere which is helpful.
I am looking forward to it, I must admit! 10k creeping ever closer! 🏃♀️😳🏃♀️
Thanks Beanjo! I need to cut myself some slack sometimes. I also need to remember that ‘just going out for a quick 4k’ wasn’t anywhere near my vocabulary back in June! 😅
Good luck with the 8km cheeky. You know we all have bad runs now and then. Sometimes for no reason. Lots of good advice here. Tootle along and enjoy Thursday 😉
Thanks paulanoo. I will, I’ll just tootle. When I did my 7.25k run last week I could have carried on, so I know I can find a happy pace.
I guess I underestimated how little energy I’d have after having a cold. I’m pretty hard on myself sometimes! Really, I ran 4k! I was struggling running for a minute back in June when I started C25K! 🏃♀️😅
Glad to hear you're back out there cheeky and hopefully feeling better today. I can't add anything to the excellent advice already offered but I'm sure you'll smash that 8k! Good luck! 😀🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
My first sub 30 🎉
Afternoon run but it was hard work 😓 
Phew, what happened there?
