No gremlins this morning, I was up and out of the door at about 6.45 a.m. 😊
I do feel that my runs are hard work right now. My heart rate just goes straight up. Perhaps it will keep doing that until I become less anxious. I asked myself today “what would you advise if someone else asked about this?” And my answer would be to slow right down. I just have problems with doing that, of course!
I start off very slowly, but by the 3rd km I’m staring to speed up a little and I’m running at the top end of Zone 4. It’s an effort and I try to ease off a little. My body wants to speed up but I just can’t do it right now. Apart from the last km, but I always keep something in reserve for that.
My stats reflect how hard I was working, yet my overall pace was slow. I’ll keep on getting out there, hoping for a breakthrough, but perhaps as long as I’m anxious I’m going to get similar results.
Positives:
I got up and ran for 5K ✅
I felt good after the run ✅
I managed negative splits ✅
Last km time was pretty good ✅
Written by
Jools2020
Graduate10
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Well done Jools2020, glad to hear those gremlins didn’t drop in overnight 😊. I’m sorry to hear about the anxiety, it sucks and can definitely affect effort. Prob a bit out there, but I had really low iron levels and it manifested itself as an incredibly high HR and breathlessness, on top of general anxiety anyway! I’d be lying in bed ready to go to sleep and my heart rate would be through the roof, it was quite scary. It’s just a thought and I’m sure you’re on top of all that kind of stuff. Anyway, a great run, I like the look of that nice quiet road. All the best 😊🏃♀️😊🏃♀️😊🏃♀️.
Anxiety is really tough - and much tougher than many recognise. Sending solidarity and hugs as you work through this phase. Getting back to peak performance: that can and will wait, and will likely pop up when you least expect it. In the meantime, focus on those positives. Just how amazing are these? You run: i know this is a running forum (where we might take it for granted) but, in itself, that’s such an achievement!! You got out there today with relative ease: you just wanted that early run and nothing stopped you. It makes you feel good, and the good vibes come even (especially?) when the process felt hard! You can do perfect negative splits: such awesome control (despite the disjunct you report): oh, I wish! And look at that last split: you’re a rocket on that final stretch! 👌👌👌👌👌
Thank you! I listed the positives so I would realise that there were some 😊 and also because I know that there are other members who suffer from anxiety, too and it might remind them to do the same. I was surprised at how many there were!
This anxious time for me will end sometime soon - I hope that this is the worst time for me and I’ll come out the other side still able to run. I appreciate your positive post and yes, I was a rocket on that last Km even though it was downhill 😬.
It will end. You’ve taken the big step of recognising the anxiety and the courageous step of sharing that with others. You’ll come out of it running, literally and metaphorically - as well as stronger and wiser, knowing more of oneself and of the ways the human mind (and body) can work. I know this sounds odd - paradoxical - but there can be some huge positives from the negative experience itself. But, as others have said, for now it’s one step at a time, celebrating each small gain along the way.
Sorry things are so tough for you but it won't last forever- your negative splits and VRBs will long outlast the tough times .In the meantime one step at a time in life and running- don't forget you are running on hills now so it will take a while to get your times back to where they were in any case.
It's truly amazing that you are not only getting out and running but have such control over you runs that you are achieving the splits even in a hilly terrain!
Thank you, Week7. I really appreciate your post. I missed a lot of runs when I first moved back here and sheer determination has got me running for twice a week. I had forgotten how difficult it was at the start because of the hills and that , at least, is getting easier. I will keep on getting out there. I know I’ll turn a corner soon, perhaps when I least expect it! 😊
This running thing is all very symbolic isn't it? Virtually all the positives and negatives encountered work in life too: Hills to climb, one step at a time, corners to turn....and of course negative splits-or maybe not the last one-unless you do yoga?🤪
Look after yourself, wishing you a better week this week
Argh! I was replying when there was an expected flying visit from my son…at the time you had only one reply…and of course it’s now disappeared into thin air…🙄
Of course now all the amazing VRBs here have stepped up with some wonderful comments…and I can’t remember what I’d written 🤦🏻♀️
Love your positivity, despite the anxiety…beating the gremlins 😈 and getting out for a run, and feeling good!
Have you considered doing some deliberately slow runs? Maybe try and stick to 9 minute splits?
Great to get a visit from your son! Both of mine called me this morning. One about coming to see me soon and the other inviting me for Sunday lunch tomorrow. 😊 Good suggestion about an ultra slow run; thank you 🙏👍
Well done Jools 2020, it's good that the gremlins were nowhere to be seen this morning! 🎉 great negative splits and who knows, maybe working on running slowly is the challenge that you need right now. But good advice from other VRBs to have some blood work done, you never know if there are other underlying causes for HR issues that are easily addressed. Keep getting out there, one run at a time 🏃♀️ 🤗
Well done Jools! That's a nice run with a cracking last km!
My heart rate has also been rocketing on my runs recently - I'm sure it's stress related. I try not to worry too much about it as it only makes it worse
Following on from the reply by Frenc , I take extra iron because I know my iron levels have always been low when I’ve had my bloods taken. Annoyingly, I come back within range but always at the lower end so the GP is never bothered! I took it upon myself to make sure I take a supplement. (Shout-out for Spatone sachets) I also have an underactive thyroid which can effect iron uptake, I believe.
As for heart rate - despite looking in to hr training, I have returned to what has always worked for me - just running by feel!🏃♀️😀 I know I have a naturally high hr when running but I recover quickly from my runs and have a decent resting HR.
One thing I would say, is I know how tiring living with anxiety can be, so maybe this has impacted your running a bit?
Nice negative splits though - I had them as well today! 😀🙌
Thanks, Sandraj. I note your comments (as my solicitor says often 😊) I don’t want to take supplements without checking as I’m already taking other tablets for anxiety - which may be part of the problem,
Anxiety is so tiring I’m amazed you can get out fir a run at all and brilliant splits too! Have you tried Nike Run Club guided runs? There’s a lot about running easy, relaxing in to the run and how awesome you are for getting out there and running. I can’t do them every run as they are a bit repetitive but it’s relaxing every so often.
HR zones, my aim was to have more zone 4 than zone 5 and it took months but now they are zone 4 and 3 almost equally part of that is because I keep trying to sprint which pushes it up.
The possible low iron was a good tip so good you will get bloods done.
For all the rest I admire you for being positive and going for a run.
Thank you, Sola; the HR thing did seem to coincide with me moving back here. I’m spending too long in zones 4 and 5, no wonder I’m finding it hard work! I loved the NRC guided runs but thanks for the reminder, I will revisit them!
Sorry things are still making you feel so anxious, at least your still getting out there! 🏃♀️Hope it all starts to pick up, i'm really neglecting my running, hope to get back on it when work quietens down in a few weeks! 😀
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Unplanned Virtual 5k ... Old Bat Out Of Hell 
