Mile by mile 8 miler!

[MissUnderstanding]

I had a fun run yesterday. The longest one In absolutely ages and I had a full on attack of nerves before. I thought to distract myself, I’d try and remember how I was feeling at each mile of it. I’d recommend having a go-it doesn’t have to be every mile-it could be shorter intervals or time based.

Mile 0

This run too long. Won’t make it. What would be a good result? Aim for an hour? Argh what if the knee plays up. Weather is rubbish. Better to postpone? It’s still hot-need to take water? Where’s the hydration vest? Why didn’t I throw away the dates that were in it last time I wore it instead of letting them go mouldy over three months? Has it really been three months since the injury?! Warm up is so much better since physio.

Just get out of the door. Get it done.

It’s been ten minutes of faffing. Get out of the door!!!! Get it done!!!

[I leave house and walking for five minutes]

Why is my chest tight? Argh I need an anti histamine…which is at home. I am such a disorganised wazzock. Better go home again. Start run from home? That means steep hill so let’s just have an extended warm up walk. This is not the e best start.

Mile 1

Flip, it’s hot. I am so tired. Why does Coach B keep going on about how far there is to go?!! No way going to make 8 miles. No way going to make an hour. 8k would be a good result. Or 6k. Anything over 5k can count as a long run today. Just hang on and keep going.

Mile 2

I hate this. Toxic ten? This is going to be a toxic ten miles today. Just keep going. So hot. Maybe it’ll thunder? Are the more butterflies this year than usual? This hill is a stupid start to a run. Get it done. Knee is fine.

Mile 3

Ok this feels ok. Maybe a groove finally happening. How fast am I going? Forget pace. Long run, low heart rate today. Maybe a quick pace check? Hmm…that’s a bit quick. Slow down!!

5k!!! Woo hoo! Celebrate with a date. Think I can make an hour after all.

Mile 4

This route isn’t going to work. Bored already. Plus I’ll overtake that dog walker up ahead more than once and that’ll look weird. Divert through village and over the hill? Ooh could try rerunning where all the tech failed and see if it works today. That’s a great plan…

Mile 5

This is not a great plan!!! What was I thinking? This hill is vertical! Legs on fire. Knee is ok? That’s progress. Walking best? Probably safest way to eat another date. Definitely walk for a couple of minutes. Where’s the thunder? I am so sweaty. I hope that dog walker doesn’t know me. I look like a sweaty tomato.

Wow that’s a big mushroom (pictured). If I take a photo, I can catch my breath…

[Coach B talks about “quiet confidence”] Yes!! I can make it. Get it done. Just get it done.

Mile 6

10k! Yay I rock! Only 2k to go. Easy. Well, possible. What will the watch say? Think have sped up again. Thank heavens that hill is over. What’s Coach B thinking with these pace pick ups? Can’t possible run at 5k/10k/HM pace!! Oh, I did it. That was good. Go me! Wonder if that car thought I was weird legging it then suddenly slowing down?!

Mile 7

Wow, I’m tired. Think that hill and the sprints finished me off. Madness. Just hang on. Get it done. Hey, this is mile 7 and I’m nearly there. How did all that distance suddenly stack up?

Mile 8

Don’t stop. Don’t stop. Don’t stop. When will this be over? Get it done.

And done. Wow that was tough. I am a rock star. Phew. What a run,

Maybe the knee is ok after all? I bet I’ll get a fist bump from the physio tomorrow! [Spoiler alert? I did!]

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

Simply FANTASTIC !!!!! GO girl ! You certainly did that one !

I love the post and the thoughts as you ran...I think that many, many of us have thoughts that run in our heads... wouldn't it be great to have a series of posts where folk did a post like yours here.. with a running commentary theme !!!

Brilliant and I am so pleased for you ! x

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you! I had a lot of fun with this one! So nice to celebrate the faffing, and the grumps, and feeling like a hero, and all the doubts, the. The triumph at the end. This was a tough run and I was so pleased to have managed to get the whole thing finished.

I’d love to see some other posts!

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

Congratulations, great post and well done on completing that 8 miles run ✅✅✅✅✅✅✅✅👍🏃‍♂️

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

Thank you Al! I love all those ticks!!! ✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

I'll have 10 ticks even 40 tomorrow as I intend to run my 40th 10K in the morning. 😊

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

Good luck! Can’t wait to hear how it goes!

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Update MissUnderstanding, just back from my 40th 10K, I would like to say that I ran it in forty minutes, NO, my time today was 1:13:28, I am always happy to get a sub 75 minutes 10K and a sub 60 minutes split 8K which today was 58:30, I saw several other runners, one of which was running in the opposite direction called "well done" to me when I said 'good morning' to him. 👍🏃🏾

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

Absolutely amazing! Fantastic time too. Huge congratulations to you 🎉🏃‍♀️💪❤️

And here are your forty ticks!

✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️

✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️

✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️

✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

👍 🏃🏾

[Catalpa111 Graduate10]

I’m chuckling reading all that- thanks for letting your inner voice speak! And well done!!

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Catalpa111]

Thank you! I’ve been practising listening to my inner voices and how to respond to them so this was a really fun and useful run. At times it was more sweary that I’ve written, especially when I realised I’d have to make it all the way up that hill 😂

I’ve realised I respond well to having lots of options for what a successful run looks like, and allowing myself to ponder “do I want to stop or keep going” really helps with feeling in control and I’m more likely to end up with a longer distance.

[Kevin41 Graduate10]

well done - I find no run over 10K is ever easy and the only thing that is, is talking yourself out of it.

It must be fantastic after a spell of injury to be back to that sort of distance.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Kevin41]

Thank you so much! Every long run is feeling like I’ve won a race at the moment. I’ve run 10k twice and now 12.5km. It still hasn’t quite sunk in that I’ve actually recovered. Plus all the physio has made me a bit quicker which is an extra bonus!

I’m glad it’s not just me that finds it hard to get out for longer runs. This one was particularly tough at the start, particularly because of the heat. It was great to battle through and get that big tick at the end. I’ll enjoy a much shorter run tomorrow!

[Folkylass Graduate10]

Way to go girl!🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️👏👏You did it. You really are such a great inspiration to us all. I really felt as if I was there with you and I was trailing behind😂😂😂. You post was a joy to read and so funny. Thanks😂😂😂🥰x

Have a good week MU.🥰

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Folkylass]

Thank you so much! It was a great run and I loved thinking back over it and what I was thinking and feeling at different points. It was a great confidence boost to get to the end. Glad to have this lovely place to be able to share it! ❤️❤️❤️

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

And just like that, hard work, sweat, mushroom and butterfly's, and 8 whole miles run. Super well done 👍✅👍

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thank you so much! I had such a great time even though some parts were really hard and not enjoyed at all. Runs are so funny like that!

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

They are aren't they?

[chrisl72 Graduate10]

Amazing run, well done! Thank you for sharing!

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to chrisl72]

Thank you so much! I absolutely love this forum for all the support and the enthusiasm for hearing about runs! I really enjoyed thinking back over the ups and downs and highs and lows and grumpy patches and happy bits. That’s one of the things I’d really missed about long runs. It’s so nice to be back doing them again. ❤️

[chrisl72 Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

It is very encouraging to hear of more experienced runners overcoming the barriers. I've not had quite the difficulties you have had over the last few months - I'm sure there's time for that though - but I will remember stories like this post to encourage me when the inevitable happens!

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to chrisl72]

That’s so good to hear! Hopefully you’ll avoid anything like this. I wouldn’t have chosen it but it’s ended up being really good for my running long term. I’m in much better habits now. Hooray!

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10]

You ARE a rock star!🏃‍♀️😎 Fab post, loved reading it and chuckling....Totally how my brain talks to me on a run!

xxx

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thank you so much! Still feeling like a rock star today! A much shorter concert planned though…just a little pootle along the lane and back. Maybe with a bit of air guitar!

Brains are such funny things. It’s nice to share some of the weirdness that pops out when you push your body a bit! Glad it’s not just me ❤️❤️❤️

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

Wonderful in every way MU, you nailed that run because you told yourself you could. 👏👏👏👏 Don’t you just love being called a rock star? It’s a real boost somehow - but guess what? You are one. 👊 🎸🏃‍♀️

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Yes!!! It’s my favourite thing Coach Bennett says. I just love it. So many unexpected joys of running-who would have thought we’d be rock stars back when we were starting couch to 5k? Amazing to think of the progress. We are all rock stars!!! ❤️❤️❤️

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

🏃‍♀️🎸🏃‍♀️🎸🏃‍♀️

[Lumaca0112 60minGraduate]

That's fantastic MissU! Well done! 👏👏👏And what a great post to read 😊 Thanks for sharing

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Lumaca0112]

Thank you so much! It was such a fun run to do and I loved thinking about what I was thinking. It’s so nice to be able to post to so many lovely people here ❤️❤️❤️

[Frankenfoot23]

You are totally a rockstar! And a very funny aone too That's a brilliant post, cheered me up for the day. What a distance too ... I really would have the heebeegeebees setting out for an 8 mile run. Lots of pats on the back and high fives, and after an injury too. Amazing!

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Frankenfoot23]

Aw, thanks!! It’s amazing how what feel like a long run changes over time. I’m still at the point where anything over 10k is a little bit scary monsters. I remember when five full minutes had the same level of scariness! We can be rock stars at any distance!

I had a physio appointment yesterday and he was so pleased with my progress that I don’t have to go back. I ran today and almost literally felt lighter after that. It was rubbish being injured but it’s amazing having actually come back stronger than before. So grateful for all the wonderful support on here to get me through! ❤️❤️❤️

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Fantastic news! xxx

[Frankenfoot23 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

That's very true, the thought of a five minute run was really scary back in week one or two. Even running for a minute the walks in between never seemed long enough to get my breath back

It is awful being injured and it sounds like you were unable to run for a bit with it. A rest now and again will do wonders and the run has really lifted your spirits. I'm sure it feels ace to be running again and over that distance too - without issues Did you say it was IT band? I looked this up to see what it was. I've noticed the outside of my knee is really tender but only if I kneel awkwardly or on it. It doesn't bother me when running. My achilles tendon is improving so I might try a run today. I can't decide

Take care

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Frankenfoot23]

Thank you! I keep forgetting that not everyone was here on Bridge when it all kicked off in April…I had an awful time during a half marathon and had to pull out about 15km in when I couldn’t even walk because of the pain. I’d never had it before. Luckily I saw a physio a few days later who has been absolutely brilliant. IT band syndrome. Usually it comes on with increasing distance too quickly but he thinks I’ve just been unlucky because there was no obvious cause in my training. Two weeks no running at all, then a very slow build back with a few setbacks and grumbles along the way. The long term treatment has been getting stronger. I’ve been doing so much strength work! Squats, deadlifts, squat variations, deadlift variations, resistance band moves, lunches….you name it, I’ve done it!!! More stretching and stability work too. It’s been really good for me and it means long term I’m in a much better position to keep running the way that I want without getting injured again.

Mentally, it’s been really tough. Going from happily running ten miles to ten minutes again was really hard. Running has been my stress relief and had suddenly become a source of stress!! Especially bad was when I’ve had setbacks. There was a major low point a few weeks ago when I got off a treadmill in tears after it all flared up again after running for just a few minutes when I was aiming for 7km. The uncertainty has been the worst, with not knowing if I’ll get to the end of a run without pain or having to cut short. I finally feel like i’m through that now and even though there might be grumbles and bumps, I’m back on the right track. Phew!

Hope your Achilles settles down, and keep an eye on that knee! When I was chatting to the physio on Tuesday, he was telling me about how tendons can be irritable and if you’ve got pain, you’ll just amp them up more by running on them and you’ll end up not able to run for longer. It’s frustrating to pull back and let them calm down but it really is best longer term. If you’re getting grumbles around your knee, it’s really worth thinking about what sort of strength and flex work you’re doing to support your runs. It gets more important as you start doing longer runs. The stronger you are, the better position you’ll be in to keep running as you want to.

Seeing a physio was the best decision I made. I paid privately-I could have just had one consultation and a diagnosis/exercise program and that would have for me on the right track. I liked working with him so I had some more sessions doing different exercises. If you find you’re still getting pain, it’s definitely something that’s worth thinking about.

Good luck!

[wow-sorry that turned out so long!]

[Frankenfoot23 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Ah no, that was really interesting and thanks for the in depth reply. I was really curious as to what had happened. How terrible for you when you were up to that distance to then get the setback. I was going to say I can't imagine how that would feel, but I can. I would be completely gutted. Knowing you were going to be unable to run for a while - and being scared too that those first early runs after injury could maybe trigger it again, it must have been frightening. I'm loving running so much it's like an addiction, and I think you feel the same way - it's not just "running", it's your whole motivation and it would have been on your mind so much, and so frustrating not to be able to make a start again and get back out there. A real mental strain and I'm not surprised it then became a source of stress.

It sounds like your physio has really helped and those workouts you now do because of the injury will really help make you stronger and you might find that you will soon get back to where you were and maybe even improve at a faster rate beyond that. It may end up being a positive thing!

I've been doing a few warm up stretches before runs, not too much though after apart from warm down walk and a shower. I've been trying to fit yoga in each day as I think the stretches there will help, but not much else core wise. I maybe need to do more aerobic exercises and maybe weights.

Seeing a sports physio sounds a good idea and it's something I will do if these niggles don't clear up soon. Thanks so much for the advice, I really hope you are soon back to where you were and running those half marathons again

I'm going to try a fifteen minute run today and see if there's any issues - if there is I'll just turn around and walk back.

All the best!

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Frankenfoot23]

Thank you! The best thing about the physio was the reassurance that it would get better with time and really clear guidance about how much pain was acceptable, for how long and at what point during the run. That really helped me to feel like I was in control and I always knew what to do if I had problems. Changing my mindset that rest days and gym days were all about “recovery” really helped.

Physio has been such a positive thing and I’m definitely a better runner than before. I can really feel the effect of having more muscle now both in not having pain and also being faster. That’s a great feeling!

The support of lovely people on here has been invaluable too. ❤️

Good luck with your run! There’s a great strength and flex forum that’s a good place to go for some ideas for adding things to your routine if you’re thinking of going that way. You’ll see lots of familiar faces there! Yoga is great for strength, stability and flexibility too. There’s a lot of love for yoga there too…

healthunlocked.com/strength...

[Frankenfoot23 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

I was thinking that you may have been worried that it might not get better at all and you might not be able to run again. It's a terrible thought so it's good your physio could put your mind at rest. This forum is incredible it's been such a help to me too. Some lovely people on here.

Thanks for that link, I probably should check out more of that type of exercise... But I just want to run !

My run went okay today but still a little painful. Warm up walk it was fine, but as soon as I started running I was aware of it. I maybe should have stopped but I was enjoying it too much, and it was just a 15 minute run. It's not feeling any worse now I'm home, but I do need to take things easier. My planned first park run on Saturday is now out of the window but there will be other opportunities when i am properly ready.

Thanks so much for your help

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Frankenfoot23]

I think as runners we all just want to run! Unfortunately, for many of us (definitely me!!), we need to make sure we’re strong enough to not keep having to sit on the couch with injuries and niggles. Now I’ve got into a better routine, strength and flex has just become something that I do now in the way that running suddenly became part of my life. I’ve discovered a few fellow runners in my Pilates and body pump classes who are there basically just to support their running! I do enjoy other exercise like that though and it’s great to see progress. Oldfloss has put together some really lovely posts over on Strength and Flex all about how to make it fun and easier to fit into life. Squats while the kettle is boiling is a good example! Worth a browse around.

One of the most helpful comments I remember while I was recovering was that the timeframe of our goals might need to change but not that ambition. That park run will still be yours. Maybe not as soon as you wanted it but you absolutely don’t have to give up on that as an aim. It’ll feel extra sweet when you get there!

[Frankenfoot23 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

It's easy to set off all guns blazing on this running journey and focus purely on the running side rather than the stuff that prepares us for it. I was eager to reach my 5k goal and I know now that I haven't focused on the warm ups and the core exercises enough. I think what you are doing is fantastic and it should help prevent many of the niggles and injuries in the future. I'm going to take all of this on board and try and come up with a better plan for my 'rest' days You have even got me thinking about the gym now!

You are right, all my goals are still there, and I can still look forward to the day of my first park run. I guess I've a bit longer to pick the playlist to go with it

[GTFC Graduate10]

This was ace to read!! Loved it 😃😃😃

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to GTFC]

Thank you!! I loved writing it too! ❤️❤️❤️

[ablaikie]

Hi. Well done. Also, you mentioned “Coach B”, is that in an app? Thanks

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to ablaikie]

Thank you! Yes, it’s the Nike Run Club app I’m using now and Coach Bennett is Coach B’s full name! He’s the head coach. It’s a great app-a little marmite and cheesy at times but the best thing for my running since couch to 5k. You’ll see a lot of us using it here.

[ablaikie]

Thanks. Keep it going, one foot after another.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to ablaikie]

Thank you-step by step gets you where you want to go. ❤️

[Hedgehogs123 Graduate10]

I loved that step by step commentary, made me smile because that sounds like many of my runs!! And yes, youre a Rock Star!!!🙌🙌

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Hedgehogs123]

😂😂😂 I’m so glad it’s not just me. You must be a rock star too!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Hedgehogs123 Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Absolutely!!🤣🤣💪🤩

[RunBrianRun Graduate10]

Oh really well done Miss U. Great write up too. 👍👏👏👏

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to RunBrianRun]

Thank you! Still feeing pleased with that run-I love that this is such a great place to share. I don’t have a lot of real life running friend and they seem to appreciate the minute details of my runs so much less! 😂😂😂

[Sax64 Graduate10]

Inspirational to those of us just making an appearance on Bridge. You're definitely a rock star! 🌟 Coach B said I was a rock star today too.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Sax64]

Coach B knows what he’s talking about. If he says you’re a rock star, you’re a rock star! We should form a band!!!

Thanks so much for a lovely comment. Getting injured was miserable but it’s great to be able to share how things have got better and hopefully it’ll help others in the same position. Just believing that I could get better made such a difference.

[LottieMW Ambassador]

Well done you rock star! ⭐️🏃🏻‍♀️🎸

I want to know how you remembered all those thoughts though!

I think of a million and one things on a run…which have all totally disappeared by the time I get home 🙄

So glad you’re back up to your long runs again 💕

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to LottieMW]

Have only just spotted this! Sorry for such a slow reply. I find it much easier to remember my own thoughts than ones from podcasts. So often, Coach Bennett (it’s usually him!!) will say something great and I really try and remember but I’ve forgotten it by the end of the run. Looking back over my route on the little map NRC generates helps me remember where I was and that’s brings back what I was thinking. I occasionally make notes on my phone. I like doing that on interval runs where there are walking recovery breaks. Most of my thoughts for those are not suitable for pre-watershed reading because they’re so sweary and grumpy!

It’s so nice to be back in a good place with the runs and especially being able to share that. Thanks so much for the lovely reply and you’re a rockstar too! ❤️

[LottieMW Ambassador in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Aaw thank you 😊

It is usually CB’s pearls of wisdom! Being a snail, I find all the things he says about basically doing your own thing, and loving the run you’re in. There’s been quite a few where I think “this is ideal for those completing C25k”…when people are worrying about pace and not doing 5k in 30 minutes and so on.

There are some really good 30 minute runs on NRC suitable for consolidation runs…

I must post more…😬

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to LottieMW]

Coach B is just brilliant. He really helped me make peace with what my easy pace actually is rather than what I’d like it to be. I wasted so much time going out for chilled runs but still checking my watch to make sure I was still going fast enough (whatever that means!!).

Totally agree about NRC runs being great for consolidation. Always love reading your run reports and I’m sure I’m not the only one! ❤️❤️❤️