My first terrible run: Well I suppose it had to... - Couch to 5K

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My first terrible run

Anewrunner profile image
15 Replies

Well I suppose it had to come at some point, week 4 day 2 - and I could not manage it! I completed week 4 day 1 no problem in a different park with my mum as a running partner. Today I went back to my normal park with some inclines and only my music and the occasional dodgy looking teenager to keep me company and I could not manage the run!

I felt absolutely exhausted throughout the whole thing, I managed the first 3 minute run, 4 minutes of the 5 minute run and then literally walked the rest! I was so so annoyed at myself. My legs felt like lead but it was more mental, I just couldn't motivate myself to do it at all!!

I'm really disheartened that I didn't manage all of the running segments and a little worried for the next run! I think I might change where I run to somewhere a bit flatter? Just to prove to myself that I can infact do it, does that sound like a reasonable idea?

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Anewrunner profile image
Anewrunner
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15 Replies
Miles_Yonder profile image
Miles_YonderGraduate

Hey. 😊

Try not to worry too much, as there could be many reasons for 'bad' run, from not fuelling correctly beforehand, not hydrating properly or just being tired. Odds are the next run will be much better. We all get runs like that; even now I get the occasional shocker and while never pleasant, I don't worry too much about it, and nor should you!

If you've ran the same route before with no issues, I'd say it's just one of 'those' runsruns, and not the inclines as much.

Don't be annoyed with yourself as there's no need; be proud of yourself for coming so far, and be determined to have a much better run the next time! x

Anewrunner profile image
Anewrunner in reply to Miles_Yonder

Thanks Miles :)

You're probably right I have never even considered hydrating properly before running, that's something I will try to do next time! X

Rignold profile image
Rignold

Sure. What works is king. But don't panic. We all have bad run days, whether its week 4 or week 40 or week 400. Don't over-analyse it. One swallow does not a summer make.

tomatopincushion profile image
tomatopincushionGraduate

At least you got out and tried, and you managed a decent amount! You can definitely do it as you managed it last time 😊 But maybe try a flatter route so you can start with a positive mindset. Good luck for next time x

Anewrunner profile image
Anewrunner in reply to tomatopincushion

Yeah that was my thought just have a flat run and convince myself I can do it then go back to the inclines! X

AndyD profile image
AndyDGraduate

There's no such thing as a terrible run... think of it as a RUN that didn't live up to your expectations. Getting off the sofa and only doing a warm up walk is far better than nothing at all... so you have nothing to beat yourself up about :-)

Snowgoose profile image
Snowgoose in reply to AndyD

Yep. I agree with this one! Xx

Like you said, it was bound to happen at some point. Don't let it get you down, it happens to all of us. Put it behind you and move on. You can do this :-)

runswithdogs profile image
runswithdogsGraduate

Don't feel disheartened, we all have bad runs. The next one should be just fine. That being said, after any bad run I like to change it up myself, with some new tunes, a flat (or downhill) route and/or some new scenery. It's just a little pick-me-up that way and setting yourself up for maximum success.

davelinks profile image
davelinksGraduate

Don't worry! Most of us had that, me included, the thing is, you got out and had a go, just keep it up! be determined and you will get through when the going gets tough.😉

davelinks profile image
davelinksGraduate

Keep hydrated, but you don't have to overdo the water with what your doing at the moment and its not exactly boiling out now..

Ugifer profile image
Ugifer

Others have said it, but I'll say it again - we all have bad days. Sometimes you can understand why (if I eat heavily even 2 hours before then I know I'll have a shocker) and sometimes the reason is obscure but it happens to everyone sometimes.

Just chalk it up as a bad day and carry on. You did a good run! Sure, it wasn't quite the run that you wanted but it was still 12 minutes of running and will still help your fitness for the next run.

Try to make sure you have eaten, but not too recently, you've had your rest days and are well hydrated. That way you stack the odds in your favour and the chances are you won't have another bad day for a while.

Good luck with the next one - I'm sure it will be better.

Ugi

Bozsky profile image
BozskyGraduate

Any incline is a killer, in my opinion! Just completed Wk4Run1 with one bit of the route having a small incline (and I mean TINY!) . That incline but was SO hard compared to the rest. Remarkably I enjoyed the first 5 min section (on fully flat pavement) so was a bit alarmed that I found the next 3 min segment so hard, but that was the bit with the incline😂 will plan my route better next time and have the incline during a walking phase!

sTrongFuse profile image
sTrongFuseGraduate

I think that was the first one to trip me up too. It happens sometimes. Mood, hydration, poor sleep, weather, stress, hills can all play their part, but sometimes we just have a bad run every now and again. The only thing is to put it behind us and move on to our next one. It might not have gone as planned, but it still counts and it's still further than not trying would have been.

Don't worry too much; it may just be your body's way of saying you need an extra rest day, and there's nothing wrong with scattering a few of those into the plan.

Good luck with the rest of it.

PandaCory profile image
PandaCoryGraduate

I've had a couple like that & they can be really demoralising if you let them. I think the best thing to do is to put it behind you, and definitely don't let it put you off. The next outing will be better -as Coach Michael says, "you can do this". (And even a crappy run is better than becoming one with the couch 😁). As others have suggested, make sure you hydrate, stretch & rest properly & it should all help. Good luck!

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