Not feeling 'The Magic' today. The gremlins almost got the better of me....

I can safely say I did not enjoy this 8k run one little bit; the gremlins were with me all the way and it was so hard.

I was a bit under the weather earlier in the week so, after running my 4k last Saturday, I gave myself a few extra days rest before doing the 5k on Friday and that felt fine. I did my usual yoga, pilates and plenty lovely dog walks on the days in between.

I can't quite say why this run was so hard. I was well warmed up and hydrated so my legs didn't feel heavy, but I was so hot and it just felt such a push the whole way round.

It is such a strange feeling to return from a run feeling flatter than I started, rather than having the runner's high that usually carries me through the day. 😔 I hope that the flat feeling and the gremlins, which are now hovering like little niggles in my head, disappear before my next run.

At least I have clocked up more miles on my LEJOG5, so that is a positive to take from today's run, as is the fact that I kept going; so the gremlins didn't quite get the better of me after all. 😌

[Sybilw Graduate10]

Some runs are like that and I think the trick is to accept that and look to the next run. Funnily enough I had the opposite today - no expectations and it went well 🤷‍♀️ This running lark is nothing if not unpredictable! Glad you could find the positive. Well done

[Hidden in reply to Sybilw]

Thank you - I guess I have been lucky on my runs so far. I haven't really experienced a completely unenjoyable run before as if a run starts badly it usually gets better. I shall do as you suggest and look forward to my next run. Thank you Sybilw ☺️

[Yellowshade Graduate10]

Hi Delly-Dot - maybe you’re still a wee bit under the weather without realising? Or maybe it was just too hot. I’m sure you’ll be back on form in no time.

[Hidden in reply to Yellowshade]

Thank you. Once I had driven the mum-taxi to drop off at the various sports fixtures and weekend jobs this morning I was later setting out than usual and it had got warmer than I had realised - I hoped it would be cooler in the trees but it didn't work out that way. I shouldn't knock the lovely temperature now though, as it is a treat to have it so warm in September.

[Cantsoimgonna Graduate10]

I think it felt hard because it blooming well is! 8k that is incredible! I can only dream of the distance. Well done you. That's amazing.

[Hidden in reply to Cantsoimgonna]

Thank you 🤗. That's made me feel better 😊

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

If its any consolation, my run felt hard today too! I think mine was a combo of a couple of hard runs (tired legs) and it was much warmer than of late . Heres hoping we both smash it next time!😀😉

[Hidden in reply to Sandraj39]

Thank you - wise words and you are probably right 😊 Here’s to our next runs 😉

[Roxdog Graduate10]

Oh it was just one of those days. Feeling under the weather all week can make you feel a bit low so try not to give yourself a hard time! You will enjoy the next run hopefully. Take care of yourself!

[Hidden in reply to Roxdog]

Thank you 🤗

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

We all have runs like that but you did it 8k on a hot day after being unwell, something to celebrate- fantastic. Mark it as a battle won against the gremlins and enjoy your next run. Happy running 🤗

[Hidden in reply to Grannyhugs]

A battle won indeed - I shall remember that. Thank you🤗

[Timotea Graduate10]

Oh DD I am so sorry to hear this. Happens to me too...start off and feel like a hippopotamus clumping along, hot bothered and mired in unnecessary thought. Am so far behind with my Lejog as another car weary journey this weekend with no running time. But you know how it is...your mojo will be found an you will be off again enjoying it all.

Sending you some virtual hugs.

[Hidden in reply to Timotea]

Thank you Timotea 🤗. Virtual hug very much appreciated 😊. I'm feeling a bit better now I'm home and relaxing, but it wasn't fun to be in the middle of an unenjoyable run - I've not really experienced that for a whole run before. Anyway, onwards and upwards.

🇬🇧You keep posting your runs and walks on LEJOG, those little miles soon mount up. I spent this week mainly logging walks. 🇬🇧

[Fionamags Graduate10]

Well it might have been unenjoyable and hard but you did it! So you showed those gremlins who's the boss in the end, didn't you?

I think those longer runs do take it out of you and having been ill would have added to that. It was 9k that got me feeling very weary but the sense of achievement carried me home on a high. You'll be back with a vengeance on your next run!!!

[Hidden in reply to Fionamags]

Thank you Fionamags. I did boss the gremlins!

[Allbarron 60minGraduate]

Those gremlins have picked the wrong victim!! You'll be back DD stronger than ever💪💪. Like you say you got those miles done for LEJOG next time the run will be fine I'm sure. Just put it down to experience and mentally prep for the next. Be as kind to yourself as you would be to others and remember

....you're running further than ever 🏃🏃

[Hidden in reply to Allbarron]

Thank you - that’s fighting talk and it made me smile 😃!

[HappyNoodle Graduate10]

You got out there and did it. You now know you can run a huge 8k even when you are not feeling the love. Maybe you are still a little run down. I for one think that you have managed an amazing achievement and while battling yourself too. Sometimes it s hard even when your tip top and your mind is supporting you, you got a double whammy and still did 8k. Super impressed 🤩

[Hidden in reply to HappyNoodle]

Thank you - lovely words and encouragement HappyNoodle and very much appreciated 😊. How's MiniNoodle doing? Recovered?

[HappyNoodle Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

All true 😍

She was okay but went out on her bike and misjudged a kerb both twisting and grazing her knee so has been off of running. I think she will be restarting the program as it’s been a long time now and her knee is still clicking. I’ve not been out much either

[Hidden in reply to HappyNoodle]

Poor MiniNoodle and she was doing so well. I hope you both get back out there soon 😊

[dijep Graduate10]

Well you may not have enjoyed it but at least you finished your run 😂😂

And 8k at that I can't imagine doing that at all!

I notice several people have posted about the unexpected warm weather I know that certainly was a factor for me. Plus even if you feel like you're better just feeling off it for a few days will probably still be a factor.

We'll both do better next time I'm sure 😊

But like you said I really missed that runners high and lovely positive feeling that usually last all day.

[Hidden in reply to dijep]

We will be back dijep - I'm gong to channel Arnie in "The Terminator" on my next run 🤣.

[a_in_gsr Graduate10]

That was me last week! Every step was a battle and I felt so self conscious with generally lots of negative thinking. The good news is that the next run is waiting for you -fast, slow, uphill, intervals... whatever it is you can try again

[Hidden in reply to a_in_gsr]

Thank you 😊. My next run sees me start week 6 of The Magic Plan, so a gentle 4k to get the fun back will be perfect.

[a_in_gsr Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

definitely! something you’re confident with is great to knock away any gremlins

[Birdlady64 Graduate10]

Just one of those runs.

The next will be totally different

My run yesterday was the same, I did not enjoy it one little bit. 6.5k became 5 and I almost stopped after 3k but forced myself to continue until I reached the 5.

The legs felt fine but what a struggle..

[Hidden in reply to Birdlady64]

Isn’t it strange when you can’t explain why the run is hard work. Well do you for pushing through to 5k. Here’s hoping our next runs are better 😊. Thank you

[Comfortnotspeed Graduate10]

Sorry it wasn’t the best run experience. You beat the gremlins in the end though! 🌸😊🌸

[Hidden in reply to Comfortnotspeed]

Thank you Comfort. I did beat those gremlins and I’m determined not to take them with me on my next run! 😊

[Runjilly Graduate10]

Delly-dot you've done so well. It's an 8k run and it's hard but you did it so well done, a great achievement! The heat and running later than usual probably contributed to it being tough. You've gone from the 60 minutes plan then shifted over to the 10k plan, that's hard going.

[Hidden in reply to Runjilly]

Thank you Runjilly for your lovely words. There's lots of lovely people on here to pick you up when the going gets tough. On the bright side I did complete my run, so must hold onto that. 😌

[Fabulous450 Graduate10]

You slayed those gremlins Delly-dot!! 🥋

Well done and doing 8k while not feeling it is a brilliant achievement too.

That run is now history and you get to put your pin down to rest in LEJOG until next time 😄. 8k is certainly a good bit forward and best of all, you’ll be back!! 🦾😉❤️

[Hidden in reply to Fabulous450]

Thank you Fabulous, wonderful pep-talk 😉 🤗. I shall go and log my miles 🇬🇧🏃‍♀️

[Fabulous450 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

😉 I like it...a lot!! Go, go, go!! 🇬🇧❤️

[Jennypenny2 Graduate10]

We all have days like that ,good luck on your next run .

[Hidden in reply to Jennypenny2]

Thank you 😌

[Hidden]

Sorry to hear you’ve been under the weather D-d, hope you’re feeling much better very soon. Be firm with those pesky gremlins, you know they’re all bravado and no substance, if they insist on following you we’ll soon lose them on Bodmin moor 👻 Take care and a nice easy run next time 🤗

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Mrs Jorge 😊👍🏼

[Scruff55 60minGraduate]

Those peskie gremlins need to be pushed off a cliff. Well done for carrying on and finishing. As you say 8 km further on LEJOG. 👏👏👏

[Hidden in reply to Scruff55]

Thank you Scruff 😊🌷