It just didn't happen.

Today was going to be the day when I zoom majestically through the 9km barrier. Birthday morning and Im up at 05:30, weather dry and mind is raring to go. I am assuming at this point that this is normal behaviour for runners 😂😂

During my dynamic stretches little warning signs were starting to appear. My body was just not feeling very good for some reason. Maybe i ate one too many samosa's over the weekend or a few too many bottles of Newcastle Brown on Saturday. Either way, i was feeling rather lethargic.

When i was 30 seconds into the run, i just knew it wasn't going to happen. My body was just refusing to join in with the challenge. Both hips aching and bizarrely i found an ache in both buttocks. What the heck is going on now? How? As I continued, thoughts of DylanTheRabbit and yesterday's plankathon came to mind which may be the defining factor in buttock gate 🤣🤣

I quickly decided that the 9km attempt was just not going to happen and mentally rescheduled my route to do a recovery run. It was slow. I know I've been trying to slow down but this was properly plodding. My body just refused to go.

By the time i had reached 20 minutes i thought i may as well just complete the 30 and return but then couldn't resist the temptation to run for another 5 minutes to get another 5km in. At least i proved to myself i can do it slowly now :D:D

As one of the members on here has said somewhere - "not every run can be a good run, but there is good in every run"

So, key learning points for me - apart from don't stuff my face with samosa's ...

1. After a demanding run (Parkrun) - take 2 days rest

2. Schedule a nice slow recovery run post a demanding run as opposed to trying to bang out a 9km.

3. Ive found some hidden muscles in my buttocks 🤪

My family must also think i am a runner as i am now the proud owner of a Garmin Forerunner 245 watch (no idea how this thing works); head sweatband; wrist sweatband; running tops; running shorts; a subscription for Runners World and boat loads of chocolate - although i dont think these go together very well LMAO.

Hoping for a better run next time.

Happy running all 👍

[Actif]

Happy birthday 🎉hope you have a lovely day. You did well to run as far as you did when your body didn't want to.

[RunBrianRun Graduate10]

Happy birthday and well done for getting out there and completing the run even if it wasn’t as good as you hoped. My two boys have a weekend of celebrations planned for me in Manchester next weekend and tbh I’m dreading it. No way I’ll be running after that. 😅

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

Happy birthday and what an amazing bundle of presents. You are definitely a runner, especially if you get up so early for your runs, fantastic. Have you been doing hills? That can go for your hips and flutes - there are some great flute stretches which will help ease that off. Have a great day. Happy running 🤗

[nowster Graduate10 in reply to Grannyhugs]

I could never get the breath angle right for flute work. 🤣

[Grannyhugs Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

Oops 🤣🤣

[nowster Graduate10 in reply to Grannyhugs]

Autocorrect strikes again. 😆

[Ian5K Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

Piccolo hill to start with?

(sorry)

[nowster Graduate10]

The gluteal group of muscles is the set in the bum.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glute...

They're considered the ones which can actually provide a lot of the speed in running. It takes a lot of practice for us sedentary modern humans to get them to activate.

Happy Birthday.

[misswobble Graduate10]

There’s always a next time 😃👍

Did you have something to eat pre run? Fuel in the tank ?

Running at all hours is perfectly normal 😃

For your Garmin watch there’ll be a helpful video on Garmin website Read the pamphlet too of course 😃

[Hidden in reply to misswobble]

Ah yes, always next time.

Sadly I've just found the Garmin coach thingy so have got dressed up in my new gear to do the benchmark run.

I just can't help myself 🤣🤣🤣🤣

And definitely will be watching those videos. Its scrambling with my brain at the moment 🤯

[misswobble Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

😃👍🏃‍♂️

[Ian5K Graduate10]

Happy birthday, Alan.

We should compare notes on the garmin. I got mine last week specifically for running but looking at some of the data it requires, I’m not sure if I should wear it permanently. I haven’t worn a wrist watch since stopping work nearly three years ago; it’ll feel strange.

Evolution has given us well- defined glutes because humans run. Modern life has neglected them and demoted them to be mere cushions to sit on. 🙂

[Hidden]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

I like my cushions to sit on !!

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[Hidden]

Congrats and if you don't want the chocolate, I'm willing to sacrifice myself?

[swissfish Graduate10]

Happy Birthday Alan - I'm working up to my first 9k run next weekend. Hope you manage to get your 9k completed soon

[Hidden in reply to swissfish]

Thank you swissfish and good luck on your 9k attempt. I hope it goes well. Let us all know how you get on 👍

[GailXrunning]

Look at all that reflective learning!👨‍🎓 The on-the-run rescheduling was a wise move. That way, something became achievable and a positive gain. There’s no need to rush to 10k and the journey there has to be savoured along with the samosas. It’ll happen. And two rest days can be important, I find. The recovery runs, I’m learning, need to be super slow pace but quick little steps (keeping cadence high, so a bit like the hill climb) in ord to avert the ‘plod’ result. Takes a bit of practice and seems counterintuitive.

Many happy returns!! 🎊🎁

[Hidden in reply to GailXrunning]

Some really good points there Gail. Thank you. I always take on board feedback and tips on each run so really appreciate it

[GailXrunning in reply to Hidden]

👨‍🎓🌟

[GailXrunning in reply to Hidden]

😂

[doggytail Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

I'm late to the party but well done

Happy belated birthday

'm still aiming for 5k.

I also do 5.30am runs but finding a different route in the dark a but scary

[Hidden in reply to doggytail]

Another learning point for me today was its getting too dark to run through my usual wooded trail. I was trying to guess the turns 😄

Good luck getting to your 5k. You will feel great when you have achieved it 👍

[sTrongFuse Graduate10]

These runs happen, but they are absolutely, definitely still runs. Frustrating as they may be, they all count and the next one, hopefully, will go more to plan.Oh, and happy birthday. As for the chocolate, isn't that why we run?

[Hidden in reply to sTrongFuse]

Oh yes indeedy 🤣🤣

[DylanTheRabbit Graduate10]

Belatedly, Happy Birthday 🎂 I'm taking no responsibility for buttock-gate!

[Hidden in reply to DylanTheRabbit]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[Sulley101 Graduate10]

Happy Birthday 🥳. A sneaky 5k is still a great birthday result and you got some fab presents! Enjoy your new running gear! 😁