Went out this morning and attempted my 5K route using a new tactic - (yet another bloomin' new tactic...!). To run the first 2 K's as fast as possible and then see what happened.
I set off like a rocket. Smoke came from my running shoes, my skin looked like I'd had a terrible facelift by an unqualified dodgy backstreet plastic surgeon, people out walking with their dogs leapt out of my way to avoid a high speed collision.....
OK, I wasn't THAT fast. But I went at a fair old pace and managed to keep it up (stop it!) for about half way round my route. Then disaster struck. My cheery podcast I'd chosen for the run (Radio 4's Friday News Quiz, which was hilarious) couldn't keep my spirits ups. I was hit by a cloud of misery and felt pretty low and generally bleuughh. My legs gave up. I still had 2.5K to go but I just couldn't face it. I slowed to a walk. A walk of defeat and annoyance.
I got home and moaned to Mrs Dan that I'd failed. That I was no longer worthy of my running gear. She told me to stop being a stupid idiot, and to shut the hell up! Her pep talk worked as I mused about how far I could have run this time last year.....er.....the answer was about 10 feet!!!
As I lay in my jacuzzi, the jets massaging my joints, I had a look at my Endomondo app and went "What the ****??!" Although I didn't complete an entire 5K, I had sloped around 4.7K and two of the kilometres were fast (for me) 5'31 and 5'41 with the added bonus of running my fastest single kilometre - 5'15.
I guess it doesn't matter how down you feel, if you just get out there and do something you'll burn calories, help your heart, lower your cholesterol and possibly end up with a surprising stat or two.
The fact was, I think I'd shot my bolt too soon. I went out too fast when I should've kept to my usual pace. I am still niggled by my PB way back in early July and want to beat it, so today was some sort of attempt to do that - but it backfired! Oh well, there's always the next run...
Thanks for reading.
Dan
On a more serious note, why not try that fast burst of speed but make it shorter, then recover by slow jog or walk. This is what I've been doing with Jog Scotland and although I puff and pant my recovery time is now quite short. 
I hope this is the only time Mrs. Dan shouts at you, though! (okay, sorry, my willpower isn't that great after all) I'd be seriously impressed by a 5'15km, personally - I think that's amazing. And yes, you are so right about just getting on with it anyway. I took my daughter out for Week 2, expecting not to do much, and we covered just over 4k. Have a happy next run 
Slowly but surely in every way I am getting better
