Wk 9 run 1 - Epic fail...

[Ucandothis]

I am sooo disappointed. I really struggled with week 8 - partly because I moved house and am now on top of a hill. I don't have to run up or down the hill as there is a recreation ground at the bottom that I run round, I just feel the course is harder. It is a bit monotonous but any more interesting route will involve hills, and I'm just not ready.

Today I felt knackered at 10 minutes in, the backs of my calves were aching and my feet felt like lead. I stopped very briefly at 11 minutes, then again at 20 and stopped altogether at 25. The first time I have actually given up and I feel desolate.

It just isn't getting any easier - surely I should be able to handle the first 20 minutes fairly smoothly by this stage???

[JoolieB1 Graduate]

Bless you, moving house is a major upheaval and a lot of work, no wonder you feel running is a struggle. I graduated some time ago and find sometimes I love a run but other times it is just horrible, just put the bad run behind you, just one of those things. Have a rest day and go again, slow a little maybe and make sure you are breathing slowly and deeply too. I find still, the first 10 minutes of most runs is tough, think my body is in shock and would rather rest but when it realises that I will keep going whatever, it gives up and gets into it! Julie

[Slowstart Graduate]

I agree with Joolie, sometimes a run just doesn't come together, and most runs start with a struggle. Forget about today, you still got up, went out and exercised and you got some fresh air.

Have your rest day, then go out next time knowing this was a blip, and that you can and will complete week 9, then after graduation you can hunt out some more exciting runs in the new neighbourhood.

[runswithdogs Graduate]

Happens to all of us, don't worry about it. It certainly doesn't help if your route is monotonous.

[Ucandothis Graduate]

Thanks folks. I am determined to get there in the end, but might take a bit longer than a week on week 9!

[secan Graduate in reply to Ucandothis]

So what? It's a run but it's not a competition.

Take all the time you need and enjoy it!

[JaySeeSkinny Graduate]

We all have bad runs. Maybe you're overtired from moving house? Maybe you're going down with something or slept badly? We're not machines.

Give yourself an extra day's rest and get out there again. Any exercise is better than none, so you're still better off than you were 9 weeks ago! Take the next run really slowly and in a weeks time you'll be graduating!

Good luck, we'll be rooting for you!

[MarkyD Graduate]

FAIL

First Attempt In Learning.

What you've learned is that we sometimes have bad runs. It's not a problem, just pick yourself up and W9r2 will be better.

[LisaGuy-Cowes Graduate]

Just have a rest and try it again, maybe you need some more hydration or you were going bit too fast. I had tough run last week, after having few days on fire fighting and sea survival courses. I just slowed right down and covered it. Managed little faster pace at the end. Much better run this morning. Ive also noticed running on grass although kinder on legs, absorbs impact but makes it a bit harder as well.

[Ucandothis Graduate in reply to LisaGuy-Cowes]

Thanks Lisa - I find the grass really hard going - I thought it would help but it slows me down a lot.

Really appreciate all the support on here!

[JackJack1 Graduate in reply to Ucandothis]

I did my week 8 run 3 on grass on Friday and really struggled with it. It was the first time I had run on grass. Was round and round a sports field. But tonight I did w9 r1 back out on the roads I normally do and found it easier. Is there anywhere you can run on level roads near you if thats what you're used to.

[mudrunner Graduate]

Don't worry - I felt the same half way through my graduation run last week. I completed it only because I was with my friend and I didn't want to let her down. I was almost crying and thought I was going to throw up! However, I then ran again on Saturday convinced I was rubbish and actually managed a personal best. It's weird - all of my runs have been hard (and I have to fight the running gremlins) but there seems to be no reason (for me anyway!) why some are less hard than others!

[Slookie Graduate]

I remember week 8 being the horrid one for me and that was without any personal upheaval like a house move. We only have hills here, so no option, but they are doable if you go REALLY, REALLY, REALLY SLOW. Why not try it but don't stress about how slowly you go or how long it takes or how much walking you do. I had to aim at targets like the next tree and then walk for a bit. The dog was stopping to wait for me because I was running slower than it was walking.

Once you can do the hills, the flat becomes so much easier. Of course I say this from memory cos I am now just about to start again!

Good luck, you have just about got to the tape so don't be disheartened, its really quite an achievement.

[Ucandothis Graduate]

Thanks - I think I might add in a slope at the start of the next run. I figure if I run uphill at the start, then the rest might seem easier!

[Running-scared Graduate]

Um... Ucandothis.... You CAN DO THIS! You had a crappy run, it most definitely happens, sometimes with no mega reason, it's just a bad day. As the others say, is better than no run at all and I think you're fab for keeping this up after a house move - you must have been crazy busy and are probably shattered. You will crack this next time, perhaps try to find a nice route in your new surroundings, take all pressure off yourself and go super, super slow... After you've had a nice rest. Don't feel down, you've come so far and done so well x

[Ucandothis Graduate]

Thank you so much for keeping my spirits up. I'm not giving in! I have always had very tight calf muscles and I think that is causing my leg ache. Might have to get exercises from a physio.

[secan Graduate]

Probably you just paid the price of a little stress for the moving; I am sure the next runs will feel easier and easier as you get accustomed to the new neighbourhood.

Remember a tough run is not the end of the world; don't worry about it and move on.

[yamiskoi Graduate]

I can't say anything different to what has already been said, but I think you ought to stop beating yourself up! Moving house requires a huge amount of energy. So what if you stopped at 25mins? Better that than being on the couch. Okay, you didn't do 30mins, but you were active and you burned calories and 8/9 weeks ago you couldn't even run for 2.5 mins, let alone 25!! Take it easy, you'll totally smash it next time. You're doing great

[evecanrun2 Graduate]

Having reached week 9 you can't give up all that effort and challenge you attained so far, give yourself a couple of days rest, and try again , 🏃

[Ucandothis Graduate]

Today was the day, but it is pouring with rain and we were woken before 6 by a brick being put through our front window. Only been here a week and just had sash windows renovated at great expensive. Don't really feel like running now as I am quite shaken...

Any motivation out there??

[Hidden in reply to Ucandothis]

What rotten luck.

I didn't fancy getting out of bed this morning, after hearing all the rain. But I forced myself out with the thoughts that I would feel worse beating myself up about not running than I would feel if I ran and got a bit wet.

Try to remember that any run is better than none, and that your day can only get better from here.

You can do it!

[Ucandothis Graduate]

Thanks. Will try and get some mojo for a large morning outing.

[Ucandothis Graduate]

Did it - the full 30!!! Yay!

[potato_jo Graduate in reply to Ucandothis]

Excellent! Perseverance Rocks! Keep it up. You've got this. You can do this, Ucandothis.