If at first .....

[first_mate]

It's been a crazy few weeks for life in general but I've managed to keep to running 2 - 3 times a week since graduation. However they have continued to be a mix of bad, rubbish and okish runs at least until today.

I wont regale all the ups and downs apart from my run last Wednesday. I felt good, it was mid morning and I wanted to go out, planning a 30 minute run. However after the warm up walk I trotted off and almost at once felt like I was in treacle! I managed 5 minutes running before I had to walk to recover! It only took a couple of minutes and I felt I could try again, and so I did. The same thing happened and again I only managed 5 minutes before I had to go back to a walk feeling dejected and fed up I thought to myself that I had lost it, I'd lost the ability to run! and so I decided to head home. Once I'd recovered, again just a couple of minutes, I thought to myself that the quickest way to get home was to run. So off I headed and this time it felt better!! so much so that although I headed in the homeward direction I took a slight detour up a road, then when I got to my turning I carried on and eventually ran for 20 minutes. I don't know what the difference was, maybe speed? maybe terrain? who knows but I felt a bit better than at the start of the outing.

Then today I decided to run this afternoon, it had just started to rain so it was nice and refreshing, and it was the best run I've had in a couple of weeks. 30 minutes non stop plus a little extra as I felt good

The moral of this story is ' if at first you don't succeed ...' well you know the rest.

On Tuesday when I'm next out I hope to emulate this run and get into a groove. Laura kept me company today and I think she might come out a few more times too. Once I can nail this part I hope to be able to extend my running time a little further.

[Jalapenolover101 Graduate]

A run is a run 🏃, don't be hard on yourself 😀 Everyone has off days, I'm sure this was just one of them❤

Good luck for the next one 👍✋️💪🏃❤🌶

[first_mate Graduate in reply to Jalapenolover101]

Thanks, yeah I know I keep telling myself as least I'm out there and moving lol. I will get into the flow eventually x

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Could it be a speed thing first_mate, remember you need to get that oxygen into your bloodstream to run efficiently. Those first few mins should be nice and gentle.

Have you thought about trying the stepping stones podcasts with Laura? Its 30 mins and helps with timing I think.😊

Keep on running.x

[first_mate Graduate in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

I think you've hit the nail on the head about speed Jan. When I'm out walking the dogs now I'm trying to break into a slow trot for a very short period just to get my head around starting off from a walk. With life being hectic these last weeks I haven't had chance to look at the other pod casts, however I'll definitely take a look this week while I have a chance x Thanks

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Well done you

Maybe, as Bluebirdrunner suggests C25K+ podcasts??? All worth a shot... Stepping Stones, Speed and Stamina... Stamina and Speed are my favourites, and Stamina could really help your running time

Just relax into your runs now... you are a runner...try a short run, a slightly longer and then a really get out there and go run. I aim for 3K ( a bit speedy if I am in the mood), a 7K ( one of my favourite distances) and a longer one.. maybe up to 10K Often though, although I may have an idea most weeks, of distance..I don't tend to focus on times.. and am quite often also, nicely surprised.

So, maybe take Laura with you and the C25K+ podcasts.. they are fun, and she is, as ever so helpful

Keep posting

[first_mate Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks for the suggestions Oldfloss, I'll definitely take a look at the other podcasts. I really do want to continue and feel good about running. I will get there xx

[newrunner56 Graduate]

So reassuring to hear that I'm not the only one with rubbish runs!

And the replies are helpful thank you, Old floss, Jan-now-runs and jalapeño-lover! Will look into the other podcasts

[first_mate Graduate in reply to newrunner56]

Same here x Seems a lot of people suffer the same x We can do this

[skysue16 Graduate]

Very well done for persevering. Some days things just don't feel quite right but any run is better than the couch! I agree with others, the Couch25k podcasts are great - sometimes I start with a podcast then continue running when it finishes to increase the distance. Stepping stones is good for learning to run slowly at the start rather than dashing off and giving your body a shock! All the best to you

[first_mate Graduate in reply to skysue16]

Thanks Skysue I'll certainly take a look/listen to the Stepping Stones one. With some of the runs the body has definitely been in shock lol I'll keep you posted x