A bad run - 45 min (5K)

Hiya,

Yesterday after work it was time for a run, but I was not feeling it. On Tuesday it was raining, so I did not go out and yesterday I was just feeling bleh. Not in the mood to run and I rather wanted to crawl on the couch and watch tv.

But I did go out, taking courage from the fact that I actually love running. So kit on and out the door. It felt hard from the first minute. I had a toxic ten, my legs were not in the mood for running and I felt it. But I kept going.

I did not check my watch to see my pace and just kept going at the speed my body wanted. Unfortunately it might have been too slow. Whenever I run too slow, it feels a lot harder. I really struggled to keep running and I felt as if I was dragging myself forward.

Reaching the 5K I checked my watch and was disappointed to see 44:32. My best time on 5K is in the low 39' and I can't reach that every run because 39' equals nearly dying. But nearly 45 is a bit disappointing.

I have to admit though that after my last run I was feeling as if I was only having good runs and no bad runs anymore. Did I curse myself? I proved yesterday that I still can have bad runs.

Hopefully the next will be better again!

Cheers, Evy

[Hidden]

Hi Evy,

We all have those runs where we just aren't feeling it which can be down to so many different things.

What makes you special is that you didn't just throw the towel in. You still went out there and battled through it and put a few more miles in the running tank.

Jolly well done to you. 👍

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Yeah, I can be stubborn that way. If I go for a run, I want the kilometers done that I thought about, whether it goes good or not. If it goes good, I might even add an extra kilometer 😂

[Frenc Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Ah well done Evy. I know what you mean, we have some really good runs then all of a sudden we hit a bad run! It’s really annoying. I’m off on my first post holiday run in a bit and I’m not expecting it to be easy 😊, we shall see. All the best.

[Hidden in reply to Frenc]

Good luck on the first post holiday run! That can be a bit of a bitch too, having to run when you have time instead of when you feel like it.

[Frenc Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Hidden]

Ah thank you! And I should have said well done for doing your run - it’s not always easy to keep going, we have to be really stubborn sometimes 😊.

[Hidden in reply to Frenc]

But stubborn I can be, just ask my folks 😆

[dijep Graduate10]

Well I think you did brilliantly for overcoming the "bleh I'd rather be on the sofa" feeling ( I know it well 🤣)and getting out there. And then to keep going when you still weren't feeling it and getting to 5k is a win I'd say 👍✅

[Hidden in reply to dijep]

Thanks and well, I often have a 'I want my sofa' feeling... I think it's a constant with me. But I also know that if I do end up on the couch not having done anything, I also feel bad for nothing having anything! So it's a bad feeling vs a bad feeling. Better to end up on the couch with a feeling of 'at least I did a run' 😀

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

I get a lot of runs like that, I sometimes wonder why i bother let’s hope your next run is more enjoyable

[Hidden in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thanks and too bad you have so many bad runs ☹️ hopefully it will change one day!

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Hidden]

If i wasn’t working such long hours i’d probably be less tired

[Woollyweaver Graduate10]

Hey Evy, in my book 'bad run' is an oxymoron! You ran, didn't you? That makes it a good thing 👏...even if you weren't feeling it. So we'll done for getting out there! You've been increasing your distance quite a bit recently - do you think that your body is trying to tell you that it is just a wee bit tired? Do you deserve a few guilt free days off so that your body can recover and come back stronger and happier? I know that works for me sometimes - if I have a 'run' of good runs I can find myself increasing distance/time to the point that my body just shouts NO! And I know I need a rest.

Be kind to yourself 🤗

[Hidden in reply to Woollyweaver]

You might be right... I was really enjoying myself on my 13K run last weekend and I felt sooo proud and I actually also felt good physically. But I was famished for 2 days! It made me realize that running for almost 2 hours does take a toll on your body.

My original idea was - once I reach 10 miles - to keep my week-runs on 5K and to have my weekend runs as 10K - 10K - 13K - 16K. So to have a 10 miler every month. But now I am doubting whether that is a good idea. It will take me 2,5 hours to reach 10 miles, that is as long as many people run a half marathon or more in! That is HEAVY on my body! And I am not the healthiest chick in the coop either. So maybe I have to rethink that idea.

I would like to get to 10 miles, just to be able to say to myself that I reached that. But maybe afterwards once reached, I better keep it to 10K on the weekends. That's 90 minutes, that's not bad to do every weekend...

[Woollyweaver Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

I know what you mean about being hungry! As my runs have got longer I'm like a crazed woman ransacking the cupboards looking for something/anything to satisfy my insatiable hunger! I guess this is a sign that we need to look to our nutrition - make sure we are getting enough of the right foods (I'm still trying to work out what these are 🧐). But I have been reassured that our bodies will get used to the longer runs. It looks like you have given a lot of thought to your 10 mile plan, and I am sure you are going to get there very soon (and well before me 😅) - maybe you just need to fill up with 'premium unleaded' fuel rather than just basic...is that 97 in Belgium, instead of 95 octane ( or 93😱) ?!🤪

[Hidden in reply to Woollyweaver]

I think it is 98 😹 I take this in my car, but I always forget what the number is exactly. Luckily there aren't many options at the gasstation!

And indeed, I fear my fueling is not appropriate to the time I run. I only take water and 1 jelly per 30 minutes (1 jelly is 1/5th of a regular gel-gel). I definately have to give this fuel thing some more thought.

[acountrycabbage 60minGraduate in reply to Woollyweaver]

This is an interesting chat. I’ve been off the forum for several months so maybe I’m wrong - but we don’t seem seem to talk about the nutrition side of running much at all.

I had built up to 1hr runs last winter and I was the same as you guys - I noticed I’d suddenly be ravenous after those outings. A banana as a pre-run snack just didn’t feel enough and I became much more conscious of everything I was putting into my body for the rest of the time - and I’d definitely notice the difference when it was junk!

I can’t be doing with recipe books but you’ve got me thinking now.. I wonder if admin would allow us a pinned nutrition thread for inspo. That would be fab!

It sounds so simple - give your body the right fuel - but personally speaking, I struggle with the reality of it.

[Woollyweaver Graduate10 in reply to acountrycabbage]

I agree - a pinned post with nutrition tips would be really helpful! I don't know about you, but I find that even though I have a well balanced, healthy diet I think I am ill-prepared for the extra nutritional demands that running puts on my body. I am SO HUNGRY - just like Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors 😅

[Hidden in reply to Woollyweaver]

Amen...

I now ordered 4 running gels to use 2 gels in a 2 hour run (13K to 14K) and another 2 gels in a 2.5 hour run (16K). I hope these will help and that I can reach the 10 miles in these 2 runs. Very curious...

[acountrycabbage 60minGraduate in reply to Woollyweaver]

Ha ha. It’s just things like porridge that seem to get banded around but I’m not a huge fan. I’ve notice I can feel sick during a run when I’ve had milk (in cereal-sized quantity) before a run. Even 3 hrs beforehand. Can the choc milk thing be a post-run booster?

I think I’ll check in with the powers that be and ask about the possibility of a pinned post.

[Hidden in reply to acountrycabbage]

I read about the chocolate milk on a running website. No idea if it helps, but I keep drinking it after any run. I also like chocolate milk. So whether it helps or not, I just keep doing it cus I like it and then have an excuse to drink it, haha.

[Instructor57 Graduate10]

You got out and ran when you weren't feeling it .Well done for that 👏

And it's all miles on the legs , and as we know, it's not about pace , it's time spent running so well done Evy 👍

[Hidden in reply to Instructor57]

True, true and I do am glad I got out and did the run. If I hadn't, I know I would have felt disappointed in myself for having hit the couch instead of the road. Now I was tired and feeling as if I could drop down, but at least I ran!

[acountrycabbage 60minGraduate]

You’re literally an inspiration to all of us. We all have those days where your body and mind just goes ‘nahh’ 👎🏼 But you went anyway - and a got a full 5K no less!

I know what you mean about running too slowly. You can feel even more uncomfortable and out of sync! It can be a hard balancing act.

I’m sure your next run will be better. Maybe if you wait one day more than normal I bet you’ll be itching to bound out the door! 😄

I can’t remember the last time I had an amazing run. Probably January 😟 Don’t get me wrong, I’m enjoying my journey to get back up to 10K but I’m generally only feeling good after a run, not during.

Fingers crossed for more awesome runs for the both of us!

[Hidden in reply to acountrycabbage]

BLUSH

I am taking an extra day between plus going to do a 10K instead of 14K or so. Will continue my build up to 10 miles during my week off work. But now going to take it easy with a 10K tomorrow. Can only run again on Thursday after, so thought to wait an extra day to have the run more in between the 2 others. And I am brabbling...