No I can't, Yes I can

[Nannyshirl]

So today I decided to do 8K around our local beauty spot. I have been struggling since having COVID in July 2022 and had needed to go back to basics by redoing C25K which I completed in the first week of January. Since then I have been slowly building back up to 10K and as I said completed a 8K run this morning. It absolutely amazes me that even though I have been running for 3 years and had run 10 miles back in 2021 it has been hard to build back up to the longer runs and I have felt quite tired after these longer runs and all I can think is that COVID has left some lasting effects.

I am hoping to complete a Half Marathon in May and hope that whatever COVID has left me with, I will be able to continue to build up the runs and be triumphant in May.

And the title of my post refers to the fact that I spend most of my run saying to myself " I want to stop, no don't stop you can do this, you have done it before"

But besides all I have said it was a beautiful morning this morning and the triumphant feeling of completing the run makes up for all the negative thoughts during the run.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10]

Yes, you can indeed! That’s a lovely run to have done today-congratulations. You must be thrilled. ❤️

Just wondering if you’ve found the marathon and race support board? There are many others training for half marathons over there (including me!) and you’d be very welcome to post there too. There are even pom poms for race day!

healthunlocked.com/marathon...

Really good luck with your training. Are you following a plan?

[Nannyshirl Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Yes I am following a Half Marathon plan which I start w/c 21st Feb. This is 12 weeks before the race I have entered. I really hope I can do the HM because I have shied away from it for the last 2 years and I really want to complete it this year.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Nannyshirl]

I’ll have my fingers, toes and everything crossed for you. I had a long and slow recovery from glandular fever a few years ago-the fatigue is miserable. Really feel for you post covid. Take it steady and you’ll get there.

My event is at the start of may so I’ve got about seven weeks to go. I’m using the Nike Run Club app again. The distances have crept up quite quickly and it’s ten miles for me this week (plus some other short runs). I’ve done one HM in October but fell over not long after and have been returning slowly since new year. All on track so far with minor moments of panic! I think that’s par for the course!!!

[Nannyshirl Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Yes every time I add a kilometre I think "and I think I can run 21K , who am I kidding" but as they say onward and upward. Good luck for May MissUnderstanding

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Nannyshirl]

If you had been in my head before I ran 15km this week I’m sure you’d have laughed at all of the nonsense. I got in a right pickle. No idea why. I’ve even run that distance before. I ran over 13km recently. Honestly, it was gremlins all over the place and I didn’t plan on actually finishing the run until I was most of the way through it. Running is such a strange mental game sometimes. I’ve now got myself in a pretty good place of being able to start and see what happens. A lot of my self talk is challenging what my brain is saying-when I’m thinking “you can’t do this”, I try and be objective and remind myself that I am doing it right now! I’ve let myself be ok with not enjoying every part of every run and sometimes it’s a grind. We are so much tougher than we think we are!

[Nannyshirl Graduate10]

Absolutely, well done for your 15K run, I am hoping to do 10K next week 😮😮😮😮

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Nannyshirl]

10k is such a milestone. I love that distance. I’ve been building up for a little while now. You’ll get there too-one step at a time. A bit like couch to 5k, sometimes trying to picture what it’s like to be doing the longer distances in future weeks is too hard! I’ve done one HM and I can’t quite figure how I’ll get round the course in seven weeks time but I know I will. You will too.

Cheering you on! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Nannyshirl Graduate10]

Thank you so much lovely to speak to you

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

Well done on your run and great that you are starting to build up your distance again. Covid has impacted the running of a lot of folk I think - so good to hear that things are getting better for you. Good luck with your HM training.👍🙂

[Nannyshirl Graduate10 in reply to Sandraj39]

Thank you Sandra, fingers crossed

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

That blessed Covid has left a few bits behind!!! Impacting so so many of us... But, you are getting there... well done you...Take it gently and listen to that body! x

[Nannyshirl Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you Oldfloss i do enjoy the rest days 🤗🤗

[Beatlesforever Graduate10]

Yes you can! 💪👏👏👏👏 Very well done on that 8k. I've had a few breaks from running and I always find it so strange (and frustrating!) how distances that I used to think of as a short run feel so challenging. And that's without having had covid! You're doing great. Enjoy building up to your HM! 😃🏃‍♀️

[Nannyshirl Graduate10 in reply to Beatlesforever]

Thank you Beatlesforever onward and upward 😃😃😃😃

[Mumpark Graduate10]

Nanny Shirl

You sound just like me I say those things during every run.

I have been running for nearly 14 years now and after an operation to remove a bunion in May last year I have redone the C2 5K finished in October I really struggled this time and even though I never redone any of the runs I found it so hard.

I am trying to get back to running as I was but not sure if that will happen I am on the 4th Week of Bridge2 10K, And have found it exhausting as we both say we know we can do it.

I am determined to do the Virtual vitality 10000 as I have done it for the past 5 years

Best of luck

[Nannyshirl Graduate10 in reply to Mumpark]

Thank you Mumpark, i will be doing a virtual 10K in March hopefully 😊😊😊😊