Had a few gremlins recently having to keep taking unscheduled walking breaks and my legs refusing to keep going. Also found that my legs were aching more than normal. I really felt like I couldn't complete C25K if I tried again, but i know I have run for 30mins without stopping at the end of week 9 C25K.
So... gave myself a bit of a talking to, had a few days off to rest and decided to totally ignore pace, speed, PB's and just run for fun!!! I then did 30mins non stop on Wed and I have just done 50mins non stop tonight and I dont give s**t about my pace, I just know I kept running throughout.
I'm not against taking walking breaks, intervals, fartleks and all that stuff... but now and again its just great to run and run and run without gasping or sweating like a pig!!
So i think I might ignore trying to trim microseconds off my already slowish PB for a bit and just enjoy each run for running sake.
Written by
AndyD
Graduate
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Great post Andy. It really helps to remind us we can get too focused on beating our last time, running further, faster etc. Sounds like you managed to find your mojo again. Glad you enjoyed it - it's why we run!
Thanks... I'm sure we all go out with some form of plan in our heads... but even if its just to run for a short distance then its better than vegging on the couch... which i'm doing now without guilt
Amen Andy. It's good to run for the love of it and s*d the time. Keep on enjoying your running. Unless you're Mo Farrah or Jessica Ennis-Hill, that's all that really matters
I hear you! I am slower now than I have ever been, and for some reason my legs ache like mad once I stop moving and sit down in the evening. Thank goodness for nurofen! I still want to do 10k, and I will, but it will be very, very slow!
Yeah, my legs were really aching.. I think it was a combination of trying to do too much, too fast and my legs got cold due to the weather... school boy error!! Slow and steady is my new mantra
Absolutely right Andy. I find that often after managing a personel best my times get worse for a week or two. It doesnt bother me, as I've seen it several times now and I know that my body will recover eventually, and I will start getting quicker again eventually.
This week is no exception. 2 weeks ago I did 10km in under 60mins. Since then I've struggles with 10km in under 70 mins and even 75 mins.
The important thing is to just enjoy your run in the certain knowledge that speed, stamina, and distance will all improve in time. Every time you push your body hard, you damage it, and it gets stronger during its recovery. But that recovery takes time, and is as important as the running itself.
Good plan, Andy. Totally agree - I'm loving my long, easy pace runs at the moment. They are so much nicer than worrying about pushing the pace or getting through the dreaded interval runs.
Well done you. I did exactly the same one run last week. Instead of stressing my self trying to get faster I just ran, slowly too! But really enjoyed it. You're so right, it's great being out there and not gasping for breath! Feeling like a proper runner!! Well done for sorting those pesky gremlins!!!
Yes, you'll know when you have the itch to push or mix it up.
For me it is at least as much about *where* I run as how long. I realised I'd been staying closer to home and not varying my locations as much and, although I like my nearby spots, I needed to widen my horizons a bit. 30 minutes at Chatsworth in the sunshine yesterday. Not a significant contribution to my current goal, but lovely.
That's true about where you run being important, I find some routes I feel like I'm flying and could run all day, others I feel like I'm wearing lead boots and there are magnets in the ground dragging me down, what's that all about then? I just try and remember back to the early days when I couldn't run faster than about 10 minutes per KM. Like Useit, I'm trying to get to a non stop 10KM, just to see if I can, but after that I imagine I won't think too much about improvement but just go and run for the sheer hell of it!
I'm the same. The last few weeks I've been really struggling to run for the whole of my 4.5k loop, but this week I have given myself a real talking to and seem to have found my mojo. This week have managed to run the whole way every time and felt great! It must be a sign that spring is coming!
Thanks for the great positive replies Its great to know that there are lots of us that just get out there and run.. fast or slow.
So all you guys and gals just starting out, just get out there and run for fun and the health benefits it brings us all... it seems a week never goes by without another report into the benefits of regular exercise, especially running.
If you to train to run faster and further or both then that's great to... but the good thing is that there are no rules.... just get out there and have fun
great stuff Andy ,well done you have found your mojo again really pleased for you
That's what we should all be doing Andy, just getting out there and enjoying it. That's what I'm managing to do. I'm not a big one for going for great achievements, so luckily am always pleased with doing whatever it is I manage to do.. having said that, I'm aware I'm being left behind, what with Curly and Useit going great guns with their strive towards 10k - I have that in the back of my mind.. may be, just may be.. one day..
So let's go and have a great enjoyable run next time we step out hey xx
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really pleased for you 
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