Towpath 8k

[orangeguy]

I have to admit I have not been doing any great distances this last month or so, mainly I think due to life being busy but mostly fatigue. The longest I've done is 5k recently, I tried to maintain my weekly 20k but it has been broken down into quite a few runs over the week. The downside of this is it has meant not many rest days but I just didn't feel that I had the energy to do longer runs. I decided today I need to get myself back to my normal run schedule of 3 or4 runs a week but so I still maintain my 20k a week target do longer runs. It was pretty grey and dull here in Northants about 7 o'clock this morning when I headed out along the canal towpath. I didn't really have a distance in mind except I needed to break my 5k mental barrier. I slowed my pace and managed 8k, not too bad considering its a while since I've done that distance. They say running is 90% mental, I really think its true, if you think you are too tired to go further, you are, if you think you can you can. Have good running weekend everybody 🙂🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️👍

[GailXrunning]

I sense quite a few of us have felt fatigued in recent weeks. I’m not equipped to advise, and others might have better suggestions, but I sometimes find that a break (or step-back) is positively helpful to general progress. I have read about this being part of some training plans too - properly built in every few weeks as a week where the body ‘resets’. The point would be also a mental one… actually allowing yourself the short ‘break’, doing it guilt-free, and seeing it as having a serious training purpose.

Still, well done on breaking through your recent barrier and enjoying today’s 8k.👌

[orangeguy Graduate10 in reply to GailXrunning]

Thanks, hopefully I can continue with some longer distances now 🏃‍♂️🙂

[Irishprincess Graduate10]

Good for you! 8K is a great distance and shows you are clearly over your “break”. The warm weather doesn’t help and I always feel lethargic when the temperature rises so it’s no surprise you felt fatigued.

And having a lovely place to run must help 🙂

[orangeguy Graduate10 in reply to Irishprincess]

Yes it was nice and quiet too, mind you it was just after 7am, one other runner and a dog walker was all I saw 😁

[Week7 Graduate10]

Sounds like your plan to get out for longer runs is off to a good start. Hopefully now that the weather is getting cooler it will be easier to set off knowing that you are going to very able to achieve the long run .

Love 8k runs best when I call them 5 mile runs-makes it feel like more of an achievement!

[orangeguy Graduate10 in reply to Week7]

That's so true!, have got so used to thinking in km its to convert back to miles sometimes 🙂

[Week7 Graduate10 in reply to orangeguy]

It's only worth doing when it sounds more impressive!

[H4CS Graduate10]

I have been hodge podging my runs too but seem to be getting into the swing of things again, I think it was an adjustment for me to be running in a normal less covid world as opposed to when I done couch to five k during lockdown, i run along a river most times and often think i would enjoy running along a towpath too

[orangeguy Graduate10 in reply to H4CS]

Yes its a nice location, some boats, few ducks and some swans do make it more interesting 😁