It seems quite a while since I posted on here - but I do nip in and out to read the various posts still ... sometimes popping in the odd comment here and there.
I was sitting at my laptop this morning reading one such post and thought to myself ... why not!! So here I am!
I entered the Derby HM earlier in the year only for it to be pushed back to the end of November. So I started training nice and early (originally it was meant to be June or July I forget now) - come March I had managed to get my distance back up to just over 10k and was enjoying getting out and extending my running sessions.
Fast forward to now and it is all a bit of a struggle....! I came down with something end of March which knocked me off running for a month and then left me struggling to get any distance back into my running. I have managed one or two longer runs (cough) of 5k but mostly have been doing runs where I do run/walks of around multiple 1K runs.
To top this off my feet hurt whilst running. I think staying inside so much and not getting out has resulted in my feet not liking the running so need to be strengthened to cope with the longer distances.
All in all it is a bit of a pain - I look at the longer run routes I have done and question when I will be able to do that again.
So it all ends up being a bit "depressing" ... !!
On the positive side ... I am not giving up ... with my new Half Marathon date at the end of November and now hitting August I am beginning to wonder if I will get there ... but I keep trying to improve my distance each time I go out.
I have started to embrace the fact that I need to run in bursts and so have built some deliberate structure into some of my runs similar to using the C25K plan. At the moment I have done some 3 x 10 minute runs with rests between and once I am comfortable with that I will extend that up to 3 x ?? something else. My last run was more of a recovery style run with a warm up and cool down sandwiching a 15 minute run spell. So I hope that in the next few weeks I can extend my 3 x 10 to something a bit longer and eventually build back to a consistent 5k run without walking.
If I can do this then I see no reason why I cannot extend my distance further still ... so fingers crossed.
For anyone else struggling at the moment ... you are not alone ... keep going ... find out what works to keep you going ... find the problem and work on it. Don't give up.
Written by
Richard7
Graduate10
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You are coming back strong, it’s inspiring to read posts like this to know we can all increase over time and we all go through times where we can’t run so much
Sorry to hear of your set back but you seem to be getting back into it in the right way: bit by bit. Perhaps 3x12 minutes next then 15. Or go through weeks 6-9 of C25K. Good luck 🍀
Brilliant mindset Richard. Even though you’re finding it tough, you still have your sights set on your goal, and that’s what will get you there - plus us! So if you fancy some encouragement, post about your runs more often and we can cheer you on! 🏃😀👊🎉
Haha doesn’t stop me! I have to restrain myself from posting every single run, and I have definitely become better at only posting those which are noteworthy (then it’s an epistle!!) 😅
I dislike FB, and only use it for birthdays now as a rule. 😀
That sounds like you have good plans laid out, dont push yourself to fast to reach your targets and risk more disappointment, surely it's as important to be actually running regularly and enjoying it than reaching a random distance for a race which may once again be cancelled/postponed. Happy running 🤗
Richard, there’s a good determination vibe from your post. This sounds like a challenge and it’s impressive to read how you’re tackling it. Keep up the good work! Your feet though - your trainers ok? If they continue to be really sore after/during running maybe a quick trip to a podiatrist? But overall, keep up with the effort and keep posting. Helps with accountability and encouragement!
Thanks for your response. The Podiatrist is a tricky one!!
I have orthotics that I have been using for around 6-9 months but as my feet have been aching recently I am trying without for a few runs to see if that helps.
I must confess to not being 100% sold that they are doing my feet any good despite the good intentions of my Podiatrist!!
I have an arch problem which is why I had the orthotics. But the Podiatrist wants me to have a deeper support but I find that to be very uncomfortable. So we settled on a lighter one. The gait should be ok I doubt it has changed that much since I last had it done, but thanks.
I think the problem is that with reduced walking my arch has kind of softened. If I use a pedi roller or massage ball on it, it makes the run a lot easier so I think this is the way forward and then reintroduce the orthotic.
Hey Richard7!! 🙌🏽🙌🏽🤗 Nice to see you pop back in. You’re not alone either in thinking the longer distances seem...well...long ago. I don’t have any event planned, but I have started a plan too, to get me out there regularly. That’s my only quest for this month. Like you, I hope to improve as time goes on. Right now, I don’t want to make it too pressured. Just go and flow!! The body will catch up with the will when it wakes up to....it’s going to continue!! 💪🏽😂😂
Hello Richard7, It's good to see you back again. It is not at all surprising that the running has fallen off for you with everything that has been going on this year and being ill yourself.
I had a ski injury in March which kept me out for 11 weeks with physio exercises after 3 weeks. my return to running was gradual starting with 10 minute runs and then increasing slowly to reach 5k. All went well until (not) parkrun came along and I started going faster than my body was ready for even though it was slower than pre injury, and I ended back on the IC again. This means the chance of doing 10k in the New Forest in September is getting more unlikely.
So my advice would be to build up your running , with no fixed agenda, just take it slowly and once you are happy with 5ks, look at something like the magic plan to get you to 10k. Consolidate at 10k and then see how long you've got until the HM. You will probably be able to defer until 2021 if you don't think you can make it by November.
The important thing at the moment is to enjoy your running and allow your body to catch up again. I'll be looking out for your posts.
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A long slow 60 minutes
Winter running
Running end to end: the Wales Coast Path
My first 10k run
