The run that never was.

[Honorsmum]

Gah.

So cross with myself I could kick myself (if only it wouldn't damage my running legs).

Today was the start of the new school term for my 2 children...the first day to myself for 6 weeks. I decided to go for a run, I was looking forward to it and the sun was shining - no pressure after my triumphant 10k on Sunday, just a nice easy 5k or thereabouts.

I looked back over my Runkeeper routes and picked one that was 3.2 miles (previously done in 30 minutes) - perfect.

Heading out, within the first 5 minutes, my lace came undone and was flapping around my ankle. I did consider running on regardless, but common sense told me otherwise...so I had to stop.

Less than 2 minutes later, I inhaled a fly and had to run while gagging and trying to spit it out. Eeeewwww!

Throughout the run, my headphones were playing up, so that I had music in both ears, then one ear, then no music at intervals throughout. I had to keep fishing my phone out of my back pocket and fiddling with it, trying to retrieve the album I was listening to. It confirmed what I think I already knew - I am a running music junkie and actually can't bear to hear the sound of my own breathing and my feet slapping the ground.

After all this palaver, I got to what I thought was the end of my route, looked at my watch and realised that I'd only run for 24 minutes. Now clearly, there was no way I could have knocked 6 minutes off my previous effort on the same route (wishful thinking!), so I'd obviously misread the route on Runkeeper. I walked home, cursing myself for the waste of a good run, only to discover that I'd missed an extra lap of my village - meaning my run was 2.64 miles, not the planned 3.2 miles...the shortest run I've done since June.The only redeeming feature was the speed - just over 9 minutes per mile (although that's hardly surprising over such a short distance).

So cross with myself - what a waste of a good opportunity. It feels like a non-run, and to stay on track, I can't run again until Thursday now.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Runner's rule number one: double knot your laces.

Put it down to experience, Honorsmum and as you said, you were happy with the mile time, so keep smiling, at least for your children's sake.

[Beads Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Even double knotted I had one come loose on Sunday!

[Honorsmum in reply to Beads]

I always double knot my right shoe, but the other lace is quite short so I've never bothered before - lesson learnt!

[Beek Graduate]

It wasn't a waste - you did 2.64 miles! Good job you had the additional protein fix to keep you going! Don't be so hard on yourself - you had a good run!

[Honorsmum in reply to Beek]

It tasted 'orrible!

[Beads Graduate]

As has been said, 2.64 is better than no run at all. I do though understand your pain in that it seems like the opportunity for a long relaxing run wasted. But there's always Thursday, you won't have the kiddies now 'til Saturday.

[Honorsmum]

I know you're all right, and a short run is better than no run - just frustrated because it was all set to be a good run, and would have been if I'd only prepped it better.

Thursday is a round of various health appointments with my boy, so I'm not sure what time I'll have available to run...it may actually be a blessing in disguise, as I'm having to see a podiatrist for a biomechanical assessment on Monday, due to the on-going problem with my left foot and leg. Very much hoping they won't put a stop to my 10k training.