CAN'T DEAL WITH THE REST DAYS...

[runsandknits]

Any one else have this issue??

Just back from W8 R1 - fab run covered loads more ground by the 25min mark than last week so that inspired me to up my pace for the final three minutes and I really felt great at the end - hurrah!! The wind was just perfect to keep me cool and I loved running through the countryside dodging the now gorgeous autumnal leaves throwing themselves off the trees in a sacrifice to me as I ran past! Still about 1k off the 5k mark but I'm not overly worried about that as I can see how much I've achieved and I know that will come (hopefully a week on Friday when I've booked in to do a twilight Race for Life 5k to celebrate graduation)...

Now my issue is rest days. I am really struggling with them. 2 days a week I swim (only one of these is a rest day - the other I have a double whammy run and swim) and I feel great on those days too but on the days when I neither run or swim I'm feeling really low. I can totally convince myself I'm never going to run again, that I can't run, I feel really fat and flabby (even though I've now lost just over 20kg since April and should be really proud of myself), I get tetchy with my toddler and just feel crappy... It's such a total contrast to my exercise days and I hate it! My problem is that I have a 2 year old at home so I can't just go out and swim those days (though I'd love to). I bought myself a Davina DVD to do at home and thought that might help but so far I've felt a bit too low to motivate myself to do it on the rest days. Bonkers I know! It is the 6 month anniversary this week of a tragic event for me so don't know if that's just making everything worse (I suspect it is a major contributor) but I can't believe the difference on days when I run or swim - I want to feel that good all the time!!!!

Am I getting addicted to the endorphines??!! So tempted to try and squeeze some extra runs in with my toddler in the buggy... Anyone else solved this/any suggestions??

[Beek Graduate]

Dear runsandknits. You are still recovering from a tragic event in your life. One which is going to take a long time to learn to live with and I feel this is the root of your negative feelings on the rest days. What happened is enormous and will take a long time to heal so try to be kind to yourself. Live just for the day. When you go to sleep try to find 3 joyous things that happened in the day and thank life for those good things, no matter how tiny they are. I hope you are in touch with your GP about your situation, they should be a big support to you.

I hope life soon feels greatly better for you.

Keep on running!

[runsandknits Graduate in reply to Beek]

Thanks Beek. I'm very lucky that my 2 year old is a real comedian and sweetie and always gives me joyous things to think about It's the swings from the endorphins that I find hardest!

[Miss_T_Ide Graduate]

When I did this last time (just over a year ago), I found myself wanting to get out and do the next run and resenting the rest days (despite never really enjoying running - it has always been the "having run" that I enjoyed.) This year, starting again after a slipped disc, I'm finding I'm taking more rest days and I generally (but not always) run better after two rest days than one. Do you have a bicycle with a toddler seat? That could give you some exercise on your rest days. Well done for all you've achieved so far.

[runsandknits Graduate in reply to Miss_T_Ide]

Been thinking about a toddler seat for my bike - time to invest maybe

[schizo12901 Graduate]

Sorry to hear of your loss. I would find dealing with it overwhelming and yet you are doing positive things!! Keep that up!

Are you able to put the toddler in a buggy and take brisk strolls. Through parks etc would be ideal but on quiet streets would be nice also. Good to stretch your legs, good fresh air for the little one?

Just a thought.

I also do a few DVD's. Have found The 30 day shred by Jillian Michaels a little addicting. Love kick boxing ones also, but make sure the little one isn't playing nearby!

Mommy and me swim times are a thought?

[runsandknits Graduate in reply to schizo12901]

Thanks good ideas but I never feel like I've done much exercise when I take him swimming and he's at the stage when he'd rather walk than go in the buggy so we have short walks that take a looooooong time!!

[DH164 Graduate]

are you doing the 5K twilight in Watford on 26 October?

[runsandknits Graduate in reply to DH164]

Nope I'm doing the Norwich one on the 18th - so close :-S