Finally had an enjoyable run this morning!!! I was on the verge of putting up a "lost the joy" post but after reading other folks' posts and answers came to the conclusion that I need a change - and a "rest", ie a slow run. I have been pushing myself quite hard the last few weeks - two 10k races (good times but found them tough) and have moved up from the beginners group in my running club to the "improvers" group, so my club runs have been tough too. Also have not run with music for a while as I have been doing all the runs with other people/in races.
I decided to run early this morning for the first time - I usually run in the evening or at weekends. So was looking forward to running as it gets light with my cheesy dance music in my ears. Then it occurred to me that it's nice and cool now, and as I'm not worried about speed today, I can take little mutley with me on my run 🐕😁🐾. I started C25K jog/walking with him and we built up together to 5k. He even came on a Park Run with me but even back in May the sun was a bit warm and he struggled a bit so I had to slow right down - he is 12 years old after all, got to cut him a bit of slack!
After that summer got HOT ☀so poor mutley had to stay home when I ran - his real name is Digsby so I'd better call him that or you might get him muddled up with me! Anyway to stop rambling on and get to the point, I really enjoyed our nice SLOW jog around the park, running on the spot every time Digsby wanted a sniff/wee/poo and bouncing away to my tunes! I hadn't run there for a while so it was really nice to see the slopes I struggled with during C25K I can now sail up (ok trot up in baby steps!). Digsby seemed to enjoy it too, now it's cool he's quite sprightly and could easily outrun me - he had to wait for me on the slopes!
So pleased to actually enjoy a run again felt I had to share it - I was worried I might never enjoy it again! Happy Running everyone and if you've lost the joy/mojo, hope you find it again soon! 🏃🏃🏃🏃
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MutleyShuffle
Graduate10
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21 Replies
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So lovely to read that, especially that the joy is back with you. Joyless runs are no fun at all (obviously!!). You are doing really well and are an inspiration, you know that?
Oh how lovely MS! You sound so happy, as will as dear little Digsby! Bet he loves being out with his mum as much as you enjoy having him with you! ❤️🐕🏃♀️
I’m doing parkrun with mine again tomorrow. She absolutely loves it! And she pulls me up the hill, or sometimes just walks alongside me running (the shame!!) 😅🐕🏃♀️🐌
Hope your runs continue to be joyous. Sounds like you’re coming on in leaps and bounds! 👏👏👏👏👏
Thank you so much Cheeky! Enjoy Park Run with doglet tomorrow! I am volunteering tomorrow as I have my club's 5k race on Sunday. Next week I'm volunteering too (another 10k race that Sunday!) - I am going to be Tail Walker so Digsby can come with me. I'm thinking of getting him a little hi-viz vest with "Tail Wagger" on it! 😁🐾
No I haven't done any club races yet - in fact I don't do anything except parkrun 😂 I was considering tomorrow but I've got an awful cold. Was in bed all day yesterday and went back to bed straight after pacing this morning and have only just got up. I thought the fresh air this morning might make me feel better but it definitely didn't 😔
Aw poor you, well done for pacing when you're under the weather - you are hard core! Hope you're feeling better soon. Maybe see you next week - I will be Tail Walker with my little dog 😊🏃🐕
Well Mutley, it sounds like we’re going through the same process- and finding the club running pretty demanding stuff! Although my club accommodates a range of abilities, I find often their ‘easy’ is my ‘tempo’, and their ‘tempo’ is my ‘pace’🤤
Although I’m seeing the benefit of training with the club in terms of speed and endurance, I sometimes think it would be nice to do a run at a slower, more enjoyable pace, without feeling I have to ‘push’ myself to do more all the time.
I’m inspired by your idea to take a break from that and getting back to running with the dog, at their tempo not ours! 🐶
Yes I like the running club and I push myself more there - don't want to get left behind! - but it's nice to take a little break from all that effort! That's nice if I've inspired you to do the same 😊🐕
Hey mutley, I have to say that I was ever so slightly concerned about all those back to back endurance 10kms that you were doing. No wonder you got a bit tired and disheartened. (I do of course recognise the tendance to always push onwards). Lovely to read about your mutley and mutley happy run. Don’t lose the joy 😘
Thank you Paula, that's sweet of you to be concerned 😊 Yes I am pushing it a bit with all these races - I will be glad to see the back of them! Just two more to go - a 5k tomorrow and another 10k next weekend. But I will make sure I do some nice slow mutley jogs in between! 🏃🐕🐾
Glad you've rediscovered the love. I run in a very fast group on a Wednesday morning and used to kill myself trying to keep up. After running my first non stop 10k last Monday at my own pace I completely changed my mindset for this Wednesdays run and made it my aim just to keep going at my own pace. I have to say it worked really well and I really enjoyed it.
It's definitely a good idea to mix it up. If you're ever around on a Friday morning Steve's group that runs from Dordrecht Way is a nice (but hilly 😂) slower paced run x
Thank you Marie, yes definitely going to cut myself a bit of slack (in between races!!). I often see a group of runners gathering on the corner of Dordrecht way (look out for my bright green Mutley van!) but I am very rarely free on Friday morning. I will give the Improvers group another go on Weds eve and if I find it tough again I can always go back to the Core group. I had a bit of a dip in blood sugar last time so I struggled but will try to manage it better next time.
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