Hated this Run

[KevinFG]

Falt down all week but decided I needed to get out and at least do a Recovery 5k, felt hard from the start legs were like lead and at the 2k my breathing went to pot, heart rate far too high and felt like each step should be my last, just made the 5k but so hated it did not post it last night. I know it is all down to my head and want to beat this but struggling at the moment.

[Couchpotato2]

Sorry to hear this Kevin. Well done for getting out. I hear you, I’m not in a great place either. Let us be kind to ourselves and patient

[depechegirl]

Me too! Every run now since I completed the C25K is harder and harder, its really hard to keep your head positive when it doesnt feel like it is getting any easier! I only managed 25 minutes yesterday, yet am doing everything the same as the last 11 weeks.... onwards and upwards I guess!

[Grannyhugs Graduate10 in reply to depechegirl]

Is it time for you to set a new challenge for yourself? Are you doing the 10k plan? It mixes up long and short runs. Try looking for new routes or try a tough section like a hill 🤗

[Woollyweaver Graduate10]

Sorry to hear your run was grim. You don't say if you listen to anything whilst running? I find that the NRC guided runs are great if you are struggling - at the very least they help to pass the time, and they can be pretty motivational too - I'm a dedicated fan of Coach Bennett if I need cheering up 🙂

[KevinFG Graduate10 in reply to Woollyweaver]

I have used NRC but this time it was a podcast wich stopped working so went back to my usual music, I do like the NRC headspace runs but on the longer runs, this was supposed to be an easy run so did not think I would need much motivation. To be honest it is things outside of running/work that are causing huge stress and I am letting that get to me, also the breathing is wierd fell okay normally but while running get out of breath suddenly at 2k, not sure this is a physical thing or if it is in my head.

Kevin

[sTrongFuse Graduate10]

Sorry to hear that. It sucks, but bad runs happen. Stress, tiredness, mood, hydration, weather, phase of the moon (kind of joking with that one) can all have an impact and leave us feeling a bit meh! Those are the runs that the only good thing about them is that they are finished.They aren't all bad though. You still got out, you still pushed through and completed a good distance. The fact that you didn't give up is a positive. It's all really just miles in the legs and 10k, 5k, 2k, whatever you manage is still ore than zero.

Don't be too hard on yourself. Maybe take an extra rest day before heading out again and, when you do, maybe try another route, or just run your regular route in the opposite direction.

Even though I'm regularly running 10-12k+ on my runs, just to shake things up, I'll occasionally go back to the C25K podcasts and redo one just to show myself how much I've progressed (sometimes I use them as jog/sprint interval sessions instead of walk/run when I was following the programme).

Sometimes I actually don't bother turning on my watch. I'll pick a familiar route, have strava running on my phone in my pocket so I can get all my stats at the end, but during the run, I'm just going by feel and just not even thinking about pace/speed/distance but just being in the moment (I call these my headspace runs).

Just do what feel right at the time. It's good to have a plan of the run you intend to do, but don't set it in stone, and if the plan changes en route, that's fine.

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

Sorry to hear you are struggling, but we’ll done for getting out and doing that run, that was a great internal battle you won. You do need to keep going though, whether a walk or run, long or short, look around, harness the inner child and notice what’s going on in nature just for that short moment of time each day. 🤗

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

Ahhh Kevin we all get runs like that sometimes. The thing is, you hated it, but you did the full 5k. You won.

The next run will be better. Treat yourself to your favourite route, your favourite distance at your favourite pace. Listen to your favourite music/podcast/radio/nothing, treat yourself to something nice afterwards and win again. Winning is the best!

Good luck and have fun. 😀

[Jools2020 Graduate10]

I’ve noticed that my heart rate goes up if I’m having a bad time. On those days I slow right down and try to speed up just for the last km. I’m sorry you’re not having a good week, but well done for getting out there anyway. 👏👍

[backintime Graduate10]

You didn't let the gremlins win