Just when I was starting to believe I could run; just when I was having enjoyable runs; just when I had mastered the art of running ...... today happened.
Not the greatest of starts when I had to fish my gear out of the dirty laundry. The magic washing fairy must have forgot !!
Anyhow, a quick sniff test determined i could stretch to one more run although admittedly any deer would run a mile.
It was certainly chilly and frosty but I was really looking forward to another fantastic run. That my friends just did not happen ....
After a thrilling 7km on Monday skipping like a spring lamb, today felt very different. I decided to run my route backwards and set off. The top of my leg where it joins my butt has been quite painful for about a month now but today I could really feel it nagging. After about a km I was struggling for breath for some reason and wasn't going fast just my usual new easy pace and my heart rate was straight into Zone 3.
This wasn't feeling good so at the turning to head up to the woods I cut back onto the estate to compose myself down the hill. I started to feel a little bit more comfortable but it just wasn't happening.
Of course, I couldn't end at 3km so just battled through to reach the 5km and during the last km my right ankle decided to give me pain. Holey Moley. Left leg, hips, ankle ..... I'm falling apart.
Just when I was enjoying running, it brings me back down to earth with a slap in the face. 😡😭
PS. Photo is from Parkrun on Saturday to cheer myself up 👍
🤣 thanks Ian and no, I'm not cool, I just can't dress myself properly 🤣
Now this sounds like a very typical example of a bad run! From the start (kitting up) things go wrong and the body isn't into it, letting this be known loud and clear. Just keep in mind, this does not mean you can't enjoy running! It just means you're a human and just like all of us. A bad run gets stuffed in between once in a while. And we SHOULD then say 'today it isn't going to happen' and cut the run short. But I know the feeling of being too stubborn to cut it short and wanting to reach at least some decent distance. I think your body has told you loud and clear 'IF I AM NOT INTO IT, I AM NOT INTO IT!!'. Wise lesson for a next bad run (which will NOT be every run, trust me on that ).😀
As for the pic, you were obviously enjoying your run there! Think back to that run and forget this one.
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Spot on Evy. Every word. Thank you.
I was feeling quite despondent and then thought back to the great parkrun on Saturday and the fantastic 7km on Monday.
I guess I was just shocked as I wasn't expecting such a battle.
And yes, you are right, sometimes from the start, things just do not happen as we are human and not machines.
Thank you for lifting my spirits.
in reply to
I know the feeling. Have been rather down myself when a run went bad and started to doubt myself. But then a really good run happens and I feel on top of the world again. I guess sometimes these bad runs are needed to put our feet back on the ground?
Yeah, the sniff test...me too this morning 😂 mind you I cleaned my teeth before I went out. Just as well neither of us needed an ambulance. Hope you're soon feeling better, maybe take a couple of days to recover. Oh, and use the time to wash your running kit
Oh no Alan I feel your pain. I’m slowly falling apart here too. I’m recovering from an ankle strain and last night on a jog I must have twisted my knee as I can’t even walk on it today. We’ll get better and come back stronger 😎💪 that’s the plan anyway.
Oh dear, that was definitely one of those runs! I did laugh, though, reading about the sniff test and I’m so pleased you love your man tights 😂
I feel your pain about the heart rate and working harder than usual - I have the same thing going on! I think mine is due to the Covid vaccine as it happened before.
Anyway, put this one behind you and the next run will be better! 👍
After all the stress of learning how to put my man tights on no-one could take them off me now. Ive been wearing them since October, even when its warm. 🤣
Just great to run in.
I'm not sure what happened today with my heart rate. I wasn't at all fast, just totally breathless and HR elevated. I was feeling a little "off" yesterday but nothing I could put my finger on.
I only noticed it my heart rate because, like you, I saw while I was running last weekend that it shot up into Zone 4 practically from the start and 45% of the run was in Zone 5. I was working far too hard which was why I abandoned the run at 2K. If you were feeling off yesterday, then it could easily have been a mild infection, anxiety, dehydration, lack of sleep, too much coffee, who knows! Hopefully all will be fine on your next run.
Now I’m imagining you spending all day in your man tights, telling everyone how cosy they are 🤣
Don't you just hate it when you get a meh run after such a high 😒 at least they make us appreciate the good ones even more! Well done for pushing to 5k. Hope the niggles go away soon
There are good runs and unfortunately there are bad runs every now and then.
Today was the day for that bad run. Give yourself some extra rest days and nurse your various ailments.
I know about the sniff test. Unfortunately most of the times I get back from a run, I take off my kit and it lands with a squelch on the floor. I sweat a lot when running. If I didn't put them in for a short wash immediately, but left them to fester in a laundry basket, it wouldn't be a pleasant experience trying to wear them again.
I have several pairs of man-tights now. I've gone past the point where I care what I look like. Today it was frosty and I was out in compression leggings under the looser running trousers.
Ah me if we didn’t have bad runs, how would we know the good ones are good I reckon! My worst run I didn’t even get 10 yards - my naughty hamstring just went out of the blue! I still have no idea how that happened 😁. Anyway, I snuck (limped) home, felt incredibly despondent, and had a good old rest for quite a few days, then da da! All good again. And you have magic tights - you shall overcome, best of luck 👍👍👍.
Oh, yes, the pain of a hamstring saying "no more running for you today". I had that back in April! I traced that back to my not doing stretches correctly.
It’s quite alarming isn’t it! I treat them with the utmost respect now although they can act a bit like naughty children every so often - they’re pretty demanding in the stretch department 😁.
"Not the greatest of starts when I had to fish my gear out of the dirty laundry. The magic washing fairy must have forgot !!" Love this.My usual route sort of circles my house. This means if I have to bale, on a run, it's easy. this works both ways, though. (Too easy to say, "I'll just cut up through there...).
You look so happy in the park run photo and deservedly so! I haven’t managed 7k yet myself.I rarely have a run which goes as I’d hoped, but sounds like all the evils stars lined up at once for you! I hope your pains are not serious and just a minor setback. Best wishes for recovery and a better experience on your next run 😁.
Some days are just like that, usually the days when you think you should be crushing it, after a particularly good run, say, so shortening a run when you feel like this makes good sense because there is always the next run and mostly it’s great isn’t it?
Oh dear! I do empathise as I had an injury in the same place. Sounds like a high hamstring issue. Lots and lots of bridges worked, building up to one legged bridges too. Take it a bit easy. It's annoying, but maybe an online physio appointment if it diesn't settle down will help. Good luck.
Yes, thank you. I think you are right. Either high hamstring or piriformis according to Dr Google.
I'm just a bit concerned that if I stop running now, after 7 months of battling to get off the couch I will sadly return 😞
I've already decided courtesy of the gremlins to put some more light fittings up for my daughter tomorrow instead of parkrun. It will rest my injury says Mr Gremlin. Arghhhhh!
If you listen to Coach Bennett on NRC, he says sometimes this happens to everyone and the important thing is that you join another starting line and don't give up! So, rest, sort out your injuries and don't think this is it!
Im still a novice, only started running last May 2020 and that was because I wanted to do Park Runs, so I did the C"5K and couldn't run further than 2 mins!!. Some days my legs felt like they are soooo heavy and sometimes I questioned if I would ever get better as I was getting various niggles, legs, hips etc. One by one I looked at what could be causing them, and along with lots of advice on here and research, I changed my shoes as they just weren't supporting me, I started doing more yoga and strength training in-between run days and I make sure I drank lots of water to ensure I was hydrated. Slowly it got better and I love running now and don't usually have those niggles anymore.
I just listened to the heads starts guided run on NRC last night, which was really helpful in making me look at my running a bit differently. Worth a listen if you use those.
Sorry to hear about the issues you had on your last run. Hope you aren't coming down with anything. Have you sought medical advice about why your leg has been so painful for a month? I hope you persevere with your running. It would be a real shame if you went back to the couch. Just remember that feeling of skipping like a spring lamb during your 7km run on monday!🤗
Hmm.... Can't sleep because of the howling wind so thought I'd take a look on here and spotted your post .I obviously missed it earlier 🙄
Haha made me laugh with the dirty laundry 🤣
Dare I admit to doing that ? Oh go on then haha .
I always throw them straight in the washing machine after a run but ........ I then forget to turn it on and then remember on the day I want to wear them again 😐. Sniff sniff 😬
Luckily I have several tops and shorts and socks but ATM only one pair of tights , and I do like my tights 🦵 😬
Hmm... You've really got to watch these niggles ! they can soon develop sounds like your in need of a little rest !
In hindsight you may have been better stoping at the 3k 🤔
I probably should have stopped when I done my 10k I think. I felt the pain during the first km but as I was feeling so good in myself I was determined to get my badge.
Oh, no. I can hear your disappointment. Others have sounded sage words. Maybe see it as adding narrative drama? Takes a bad one to make the good runs truly shine…
I hope to get back Gail. I would never have experienced some of the bizarre things which have happened during this running journey.
My encounter with a horse and donkey blocking my path, racing rats down a towpath tunnel, parkrun and finding so many green spaces I never knew existed and also finding a love for man tights to name but a few.
All fantastic.
I just need to pick myself back up; get back out there and take it steady. My brain says I'm still a youngster and invincible but my body speaks the truth
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Managed 11K today, but oh dear, pain! 
Oh dear! What have I done?!🤦♀️
Oh no!!!! 👟😫
O dear!!! O nooo !!!!
Oh What A Beautiful Morning!! 🤩👌🏽❤️
