I only started running in September (with the C25K app) and it was/is the hardest thing I've ever done. For me, running is never easy - every run is a challenge, both mentally and physically. Very occasionally, I get that 'wow, this is enjoyable' moment during the run but it's pretty rare, and it's usually followed by, 'wow, my calves are hurting' or 'why am I struggling to breathe??' I know I'm sounding very negative here and it's for this very reason, that I don't post too often. Although reading other people's posts on the Bridge to 10K are inspiring, they also always seemed to be (for me) a distant dream that might never be realised - the idea of running for pleasure or relaxation. For me, it was always the opposite but the feelings of accomplishment (and knowing I was getting fitter) when I completed a run made me keep going.
However, today was a game changer for me. The furthest I'd ever run up until today was a 5K and some days, I struggle to even run a 3K. Today, I went running with a friend. She has a very similar pace and fitness ability to me and we intended to run 5K. We took it very slowly and consistently stayed at that pace. After just 1K, I was feeling that all too familiar ache in my calves and was trying to distract myself by focusing on the music I was listening to. By 2K, I was considering walking for a bit but my pride refused to let me. Besides, my friend was running in front of me and I had to keep up. At the 3K mark, I started to get into the rhythm and although I was still feeling really achey, my breathing was fine and under control. When I reached 4.5K, something suddenly changed. I no longer had any pain in my legs, my breathing seemed completely normal and I realised that I was actually ENJOYING it! I knew then that I wasn't going to stop at 5K. I can't really describe the feeling after that but I've never felt anything like it. I had a lovely soft breeze in my face, I had the exhilaration of knowing I was running further than I ever had before and I was absolutely loving it. I felt like I'd gained a superpower!
Noticing it was getting late and knowing I had to get home, I stopped at the 7K mark (although amazingly, felt I could have gone much further). I even had a little sprint at the end! The only thing which disappointed me was that I had stopped at 59.19 seconds! If only, I'd run for 41 seconds longer!! Ah well, I'll save that for another day.
I'm now actually looking forward to my next run - I want that feeling back! Anyway, sorry for the long post but felt I had to share it with someone and I couldn't think of a better place than here! x
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Purplepianist
Graduate10
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You don't need to apologise Purple pianist, that was a very good run for you today, congratulations, don't worry about those 41 seconds, you can do that on your next run.
That's brilliant well done, if your aching when you start every run I'd try to drink more water the day before and do some stretches before and after your run. Also make sure you do your warm up and warm down walk 👍🏻 it sounds like when you got comfortable your body was loose and warmed up which is where you want to be for running 👌🏻
Congrats on the new PB and I hope it continues going smoothly for you 😁👍🏻
What a brilliant post. I’m so pleased you’ve found that wonderful feeling running can give you, not only that but the knowledge that you stopped only due to time constraints, you ran a new PB distance and you have the desire to repeat the same again. Hold that feeling. Happy running 🤗
I'm in the same boat.... I'm a cyclist at heart, but started running to mix it up a little. I don't really enjoy running, it's hard, and it hurts, and I don't feel as connected to nature as I do when on a bike. I feel when running as if I'm concentrating on the music, on keeping pace, on aches and pains etc... I just find it a drag! The only thing that keeps me running is that I've said to my wife I'm going for a run later and so that means I've just got to do it! I rarely enjoy it, I get post run satisfaction, and nothing but 'get me home' during running!
Good luck with your goals 👍 ...that's a great time for a first ever 7k!
I saw your latest post with your PB and it’s amazing! Perhaps you don’t enjoy it because you’re running so fast-I imagine it would hurt running at that pace! I’m glad I’m not the only one who felt like that though-it sometimes feels like everyone is having this amazing experience except me!
So pleased you had such a brilliant run. My runs are very variable, some good ,some bad and some just ok.
Whatever happens on each run we just have to remember that those good runs won't happen without the others and know that there are more runs like the good ones waiting to happen ! (I ALWAYS struggle on the first 2k whatever the rest of the run is like)
Congratulations on your long run. Ouch 41 seconds! But as you say_that's for another day.
Thank you for sharing-it’s good to know that others struggle too, especially at the beginning of a run. Knowing that it can/will get easier if you keep going definitely helps. I just need to not allow myself to be discouraged when not all future runs are like that one!
Absolutely. I had a lovely run on Saturday with PBs for 5&10k in one run. Today I did a 5k 2 minutes slower than the final 5k of Saturday's run and every step was hard work! But now I always look forward to the next run hoping that it will be one of the good ones...starting to sound a bit like an addiction ( but a good one!)
Thank you PP for one of the most encouraging posts I've read! That's probably because I'm very similar to you , starting in September, managing 5 k but not much more. Since graduating, I keep on repeating steady 5k runs which aren't fast (about 41 - 42 mins) but can't find the sweet spot that let's me know I can run further still. My speed is increasing gradually, as it was 44 mins originally. I don't really ache too badly, sometimes feel a slight stitch but correct it through breathing.So thank you for sharing your wonderful experience, it's inspirational to others who are finding actually loving their running elusive for now and feel a bit stuck - feeling free tomorrow might just lie ahead!
Thank you for sharing your experience and your encouragement. I was beginning to feel like I’d never get any better at running and running simply to get a bit fitter was as good as it was ever going to get. Everyone else seemed to be doing it better and quicker and finding it easier. You are pretty much running at the same pace as me! It’s lovely to hear of others who feel the same. I would really recommend running with someone else-I find it much easier running with a friend. Best wishes for tomorrow x
I do run with friends (and their ultra fit German Shepherd) who are very established marathon runners once a week - one at a time due to covid. They are younger and I think that has helped me get a bit faster! For them my runs are just recovery runs and I feel like I'm holding them back - but that's what friends are for! 😁
Well done on your 7k, and a very inspiring post, just shows, if you keep going, you'll get there, in the end. Maybe running with your friend helped, as i run with my daughter, quite alot, which sometimes makes the run feel easier.
Yes, it was much easier running with my friend. She’s lovely and supportive and a very similar pace to me. That’s great you can run with your daughter. I’ve tried running with my children but they’re still a little young to run at a consistent pace! I end up chasing them down the road and then trying to hurry them up when they stop!
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week3run1 ✅. 3 x 17 mins with 1 min walks. 
How did your parkrun or (not)parkrun go?
