I keep making daft decisions! This morning I got up, fully intending to go for a Park Run. However I felt, or imagined I felt, that things were still a bit tight after Wednesday's 13k. So I went for the low risk option of a run on my own through the woods/on the old railway line with a nice slow loosening up jog in mind.
I took the first 1k really steadily at 7:04, but then my legs had other plans, speeding up wilfully and ending with a 6:05 last 1k, missing a 5k PB by 10 seconds. So I could have enjoyed a Park Run along a route which is easier than the one I chose this morning, and it would have been fine. 🤔
I am pleased with the run, but I wonder if I am being too conservative as a result of a couple of injuries this year. I guess you only find out whether you have made the right call when the run is over (or sometimes the day after!). Maybe it is time to be a bit braver; watch this space for an IC report! I think the problem is more in the head than in the legs sometimes.🤕
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Beachcomber66
Graduate10
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Oh BC. 😂 But I do know how you feel. I am always ultra cautious after an injury/niggle, always worrying about if it will come back, will I make things worse etc? It really is a big ole learning curve, listening to your body and knowing how to react to its cues. But, I dunno, always better to err on the side of caution I think. But look on the bright side, you had a fantastic run nonetheless! 👏👏👏 x
You are right SR, it is all about learning. I am not wound up about this; it is more a question of trying to work things out. Sometimes you learn more from the bad experiences! My daily exercises are definitely much better as a result of advice from physios.
I think that the truth is that I am now strong enough and fit enough to up both speed and distance; the problem is, I don’t quite believe it! Maybe look for a sports psychologist 😂
So much is mental, it's a case of recognising when it really is physical. Either way you had a decent run, you may have felt more pressure in a group setting to start faster which may not have been a good idea, this way you started steady and finished with a bang 👍🏻💪🏻😁
You are dead right GG. At Park Run I would have started faster and worried about it. That prompts another thought. Maybe my C25k 5 minutes warms up walk needs to have a few minutes jog added to up the heart rate before starting the run proper. That way I will have a better idea of how the old legs are feeling before upping the speed and the slow start up won’t affect the run time. A plan! Thanks 😊
Thanks Stephen. See above... maybe(only maybe though!) this is a risk management issue rather than a case of risk avoidance. Maybe an additional 500m warm up jog will give me a better idea of how things are pre run. My latest physio trip included a new exercise to encourage me to pick up my heels and engage knees and upper legs and glutes more. It seems to be working.🤞
I don't think it was a daft decision at all. You felt good, upped the pace and had a great run. If you hadn't felt so good, then you could have just cut the run short or kept it slow and steady. Obviously, it's POSSIBLE to do that at Parkrun too but would you have done that? Or would you have got caught up in the atmosphere and pushed on? Anyway, great stuff, must have felt good.
Very true. Park Run involves sacrificing some control in exchange for the fun of running with others, but if I am ultra cautious I will only be able to run on my own. Just a question of finding the right balance. 😊
Maybe next week’s Park run could be a PB attempt at that rate! Not that I am getting carried away or anything😂. Today was a really good run and I should just be thankful for that👍
Going just fine thanks BC, no running for me this weekend because life got a bit busy, but I'm going to get back on it in the week. Hopefully. Yes to that pb next time, go for it! (Carefully 😂)
Victim of peer pressure, that’s me! I was happy to pootle along on the first run, but the desire to push things a bit is infectious. At the back of all this is a desire to crack 30 minutes. Having Park run flyers around might just provide the extra push😊
It is JP. Trouble is the “ just go for it” heart gets involved too, and the three pull with equal force in different directions! I defaulted to safe mode this morning. No probs though; a good run, great chat with a really interesting guy I often see walking his dog at the end of my run and cafe to finish off.😊
You had a great run anyway Beachcomber66. I can see you getting sub 30 soon. I’m still trying to get sub 31. Did you gain a flat white and triple choc brownie by not doing parkrun. Maybe it’s your stomach making the decisions, not the head or the heart!! 🍮🍫🍪
Thanks Dexy. I did indeed gain a flat white and triple chocolate brownie! Looking back I have had one real lay off this year with my calf, the rest of my problems have been fixed or have fixed themselves fairly quickly. I definitely over react to relatively minor setbacks and am over cautious as a result of trying to avoid injury. Time to take the brakes off I think😊🚀
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works for me, on top of my pre-run warm up walk.
There are runners and everyone else 😂
Nike Run Club! who would have thought it? 
Finally... a first... a last... and a heck of a lot of faffage...
