Well, I didn’t feel like running this morning. The gremlins were doing their best! 😈. “Ive left it too late” “I’m tired” “I just don’t feel like it” “I haven’t really been enjoying my runs lately”.
But the morning was sunny (if a little chilly) and I knew I’d feel better after my run, so I forced myself to put my running clothes on. Once I started with the preparations, I knew I’d go. Long sleeved top, back in the running tights again, gloves & sun visor. Quick look in the mirror, yes - gorgeous again! 😊
Music today, one of my favourite playlists, ELO, Pink Floyd and Queen. I start the music and my watch. And I sing. I start off steady. I need to follow my own advice and slow down a bit more. First km done and slightly faster than I really wanted today. I’ve had trouble with the 2nd kilometre ruining my negative splits since I moved here. It’s slightly uphill on the route I’ve been taking, but nothing dramatic. I try to speed up slightly and it works. I’m singing along to Queen and greeting other runners as I see them. My watch buzzes the pace for the second km and it’s faster than the first! Other than that, I don’t care what it is, but I’m encouraged so I decide this run will be short and sweet, so I increase pace more for the last km. The first 300 metres are slightly uphill, so I take shorter steps and repeat my mantra “Hills are my friends” 😊.
Then it’s downhill all the way! I end the run. For the first time in weeks I enjoyed a run. It feels good! I made the right decision to keep it short. ‘Home’ for stretches and coffee ☕️ followed by a big bowl of porridge 🥣
Splits: 8:01, 7:39, 6:43
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Jools2020
Graduate10
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I had the opposite problem yesterday. My middle kilometre (with the hilly bits) of the three was faster than the other two, probably because I have been working on trying to keep the same pace uphill as on the flat.
3km is a great "kick start the day" distance. It sets up a nice buzz which lasts much of the rest of the day.
(As per advice from pretty much everyone here, no running for me today. You might not realise how much of a steadying effect you all have.)
Thanks, nowster. It works both ways; the encouragement I’ve received when things haven’t been going so well has kept me going.
You’re right about the shorter distance being a kick start to the day. Today I felt great both during the run and afterwards, for the first time since I’ve moved. My fitness has definitely suffered over the last weeks but I’m confident now about regaining it.
I’m glad you are resting today; it’s a wise decision.
I've been for my walk this evening, which has given me a clue to what I've been doing wrong. I felt the area "pulling" when I did my usual long legged stride (think John Cleese).
I'm going to do a very sedate jog tomorrow, with shorter steps, done at my 10k pace. If anything feels wrong, I'm walking.
First time I’ve managed negative splits since I moved here. Even on the shorter runs! Yes, the gremlins were there in full force, but the sun was beckoning, which helped a lot. I’m going to have to start my runs earlier, I think, to avoid the kids going to school.
At leas they are going to school and not playing in my park on their bikes and scooters 😀but i know what you mean, at school time there can be droves of them
That's great your now enjoying the runs, which i guess shows that you must be more settled now, after the move, and that last km, well you were flying again!! 💨💨😀
Give it time Julia, that's all you can do, but you'll get there!! ☺
Well done for beating those gremlins! I know all about the 'I just don't feel like it' gremlins. They are baaaaaad (sounds like a sheep now). But you went AND you enjoyed it! Well done!
Sounds like my run on Wednesday! Same as you, I just didn’t feel like it, and did just over 3k. But well done for getting out there, and I’m sure you’ll be raring to go next time. Running’s a funny old thing really when you think about it 😊. Have a great Friday! 👍🏃♀️👏🏼😊
Sounds perfect. Sometimes you get more out of a short run if you increase the speed. I did a similar thing yesterday and feel stiff today even though I ran 3k less than usual!Enjoy the sunshine x
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Short and sweet
