A series of unfortunate events,..

[Plinth]

Today was slow, but was determined to complete. Apart from a nice moment when , going up the hill, a much faster bloke told us, "this is the worst bit" as he shot by, which was meant and taken in an encouraging manner. I just felt pooped all the way. We were quite late tonight which I guess didn't help. Then my "friend" the stitch came back. Then Madame runkeeper stopped playing my music. I think us come to the end of my playlist and it didnt loop back. She did keep updating the distance (so I could hear us getting slower) but I didn't like it quiet. It meant we got even slower , then hubbie also got a stitch. But, we did it! We finished the 5k. Slowest yet though. It seems Saturday late morning after a lie in is our best time to run! I can't get up any earlier. We are thinking maybe we ought to try the speed podcast on nights when we are late?

[Hidden]

Plinth, I wonder if you just had the misfortune of experiencing a bad run? I have sometimes gone out at 10pm dog tired after work and had the sweetest run and weirdly enough a first-thing in the morning run ended up being the worst. So I guess what I am saying, being tired doesn't always result in a difficult run. I have yet to figure out why these bad runs come along but come along they do unfortunately.

I was reading a lengthy article about effective breathing the other day and there was a little throw away line about a stitch happening because of shallow breathing, i.e. the lungs need to be used from the bottom up. Can't quite understand why that would cause a stitch but perhaps you can trial the concept and let us know whether there is merit in deeper breathing or not?

[lola465 Graduate]

I agree with the "bad run" comment - they come along with no rhyme or reason.

You'd think today I'd have a bad run: I had about 4 hours sleep at most and woke up with stiff knees (age related thing, I think) but I still went out at 5.am and had a lovely run. Bit slower than usual but I thoroughly enjoyed it and I did the full 40 minutes (I'm starting the bridge to 10k programme).

Other days I'm fully rested and in the mood but it's a slog from the get-go and I don't enjoy it at all. I usually abandon these runs and try again the next day: I REALLY admire those who fight through the miasma and run even though it's grim.

As for a stitch: I get one from time to time and when I do I follow Laura's advice about breathing in deeply and expanding your diaphragm/stomach when you do so, then pulling the stomach back in when breathing out. It seems to work rather well, so might be worth giving a go.

I must admit I'm lucky though : I naturally breathe slowly & deeply so getting the hang of running breathing wan't too hard.

[Run2go]

I am only week 7 so am full of admiration. Early in week 2 or 3 Laura explains about the stitch management by deep breathing. I haven't had it yet as I go so slowly I guess. On the hill today the dog powered past me just as I was thinking I can't do this then she slowed down a meter in front tail wagging like having a motorbike outrider- made me laugh. My "how I feel" varies too so i jut keep plodding on but so far I always go before breakfast so have no experience of running after a days work. Hope you both find a great routine that works

[Plinth Graduate]

Yeh, it was a bad un!thanks guys for your suport. I was determined to finish. I did try various things with stitch and it didnt go as bad as on my one painful session - I just kept breathing slow and pressing it! But it did lead to a slower one! As for the tummy breathing thing- I can do at home but still find it tricky whilst in the move.

I suspect my state if mind at the time didnt help - rather worried hubbie won't get leave for the holiday we've booked and paid for (long story)