A toughed-out 5k: An investment in my future

[Gthants]

The duff stretch of bad sleep continues, but I have now started to sleep train myself! 😱 I managed just over 6 hours last night and did some stretching, warming up and walking round and round the garden whilst chiddler two was having breakfast. So I was ready to run after school drop off.

It was the route into and around part of a country park that I have done quite a few times now. I know I can do 3, 4 or 5k runs in that location. But today my focus was entirely on running for just a tad longer, so I set off very slowly and probably achieved a record for my slowest 1k! 🤛🥳😇

I was recording the run on my watch and on the NRC app, but wasn't following a specific plan or timescale. The second kilometre was very slightly faster, but by that time I was running without even noticing. It was an easy, comfortable pace and I decided it would be at least a 4k.

I'd been listening to music at the start, but took the bud out by 3k and ran silently. Still easy. I was going the reverse route to my usual to ring in the changes! 😄

I took the longer route back, committing to 5k as my watch buzzed the 4k. And I naturally speeded up. The last km was the fastest I have done. So I have a second 5k under my belt.

Much more importantly I ran for 37 minutes.

On the sleep I had, today was always going to be pushing at the outer limits of my energy supply. I still have to cook today and I have work on the next play, and I'll be doing more stretching and exercises, but I will be resting a great deal. My stamina has definitely increased with running, but I've some way to go. However, for so long it was half a step forward, one (or two) steps back. Running has taken me a couple of steps forward and today is half a step back. I am (slowly) getting there, I think.

Happy running, folks.

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Lack of sleep really messes the day up, well done,

[Sax64 Graduate10]

What a lovely post. It sounds like you did really great. Keep it up 🏃‍♂️ 🏃‍♀️ 🏃‍♂️

[Jools2020 Graduate10]

Well done. Slow running might be the answer for you with your energy levels. Easy does it 😊

[Frankenfoot23]

Poor sleep really does ruin the day. Do give those sleepy teas a try, they really helped me when I was having a bad patch with sleep. I have the opposite trouble now, I struggle to stay awake - very low pulse

[Gthants 60minGraduate in reply to Frankenfoot23]

I have always had insomnia and it's also a symptom of Long Covid ... though it has been very bad for the last month or so.

I'm not a tea drinker of any sort, but if I drank tea of an evening, I'd be up several times in the night! 🤣

[CBDB Graduate10]

Fabulous! Well done!

And yes, it’s some steps forward and then some back, isn’t it?

After my weekend with the extended, large-ish family, and my proud achievement of getting out of our self-catering accommodation Sunday early in the morning to run in a very new environment, we got back home for me to wake up Monday morning with a sore throat, sneezy nose and a fast intensifying exhaustion.

Just when I thought I’d start with my 10k plan this week.

Hum Ho!

Sending you patience and great sleep and good, deliciously slow runs!

[Gthants 60minGraduate in reply to CBDB]

And a soothed throat and less sneezy-ness right back at you!

[Frankenfoot23]

Hah, yes I found I was okay with one sleepy tea but two and I would be up for the loo at 3am. Very counter productive!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

More than getting there... keep it steady, listen to your body and be kind to it when it tells you too... eat well, drink well ( water), and hopefully the sleep will follow... x

[Catalpa111 Graduate10]

Good one! 👏👏👏And that is not so super slow anyway, at least not in my book. I was even slower and had to stop a couple times too. I tweaked my lower back doing nothing much at all on Saturday morning and it is still bothering me today, and I guess because I had not been moving normally over the weekend, my right hip and knee decided to complain too. When I started limping I stopped but a 10 second rest later I found I could go again. Was trying to “listen to my body” but also trying to keep going! 5 km at my slowest pace yet, but I guess I can spin this as my longest time running so far. I must have loosened up too- the first 2 km was soooo slow, but I did at least speed up to normal pace as I got into it. Hope the back gets over itself by Wednesday. Movement is definitely helpful.

[Gthants 60minGraduate in reply to Catalpa111]

I've managed more than expected in the rest of the day, but I am knackered!

[Folkylass Graduate10]

Lovely post and super run. Lack of sleep is awful but sometimes it’s surprising what you do when you’re tired. However plenty of rest is the key too and slow running is great too..👏👏😂🥰

[Gthants 60minGraduate in reply to Folkylass]

I know this wasn't particularly slow, but it was noticeably slow for me, so this may well be the way to go.

[Folkylass Graduate10 in reply to Gthants]

👍🥰🥰

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10]

I’ve already got a future Graduate’s club challenge over on Couch already planned-run as slowly as you can! I’ll make sure to tag you!!!

Great run. Sounds like you paced it perfectly. Really hope it’s a better night’s sleep tonight. ❤️

[Gthants 60minGraduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Thank you! 👍