Struggling to fly solo

[Cc26]

I graduated a couple of weeks ago and my motivation is still strong, I look forward to run days and will definitely keep going. The first two weeks after graduating I felt stronger and was getting a little further along the nature trail I chuff along each time I ran. But this week I have struggled and for the first time since starting this running malarkey I have had to resort to walking. I don't understand it! Nothing hurts, the breathing is ok but my legs feel like lead weights and I just can't get into a running rhythm. I've tried slowing down a bit. I started the strength and flex programme yesterday - partly because I want that feeling back of working through a programme and seeing progression and also because I thought it might help the leaden legs.

The only difference over the last week has been that I have had time off work and I'm much more relaxed that's unsual- maybe I run better when I'm powered by getting rid of the stresses of the day!

[Hidden]

Or have you been moving less because you aren't going in to work so your legs are less warmed up? I walk quite a way in my normal commute and always wondered if the 5 minutes warm up was strictly necessary when I just did 15 minutes from the tube station to home.

Might just be a bad run and you will be fine next time.

I am also sure I will miss the programme now I have graduated. Good luck next time you run.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

It is a bit like being a new parent.......all of a sudden you are on your own with this precious thing, which is a bit unpredictable and you don't know where it is going to take you.

Embrace it. Your journey has only just started. You will slowly appreciate that your running affects everything in your life and that everything in your life affects your running........sometimes good, sometimes not.

You might just need a break from your running. You should always programme in a run free week a couple of times each year. You will come back stronger.

[KimLoulou Graduate]

Sometimes I think it feels like this but often they are my best run times. Sometimes your body is just out of whack.

I need the motivation of tracking so love strava and I am going to do a few non programme runs and concentrate on running then I am going to do 5-10k programme. I think if I push myself I can do more.

[misswobble Graduate]

Nothing wrong with taking a break during a run. I do'it all the time. It can make all the difference, e.g. Finishing a run, or not 😃

[Withitmum1 Graduate]

I've been feeling that way too...think maybe the heat and humidity have something to do with it. Even at 6 am although it's not too hot yet the air can feel heavy to breathe. I have learned not to beat myself up for slowing down to a recovery walk when my legs feel like rubber. The funny thing is that sometimes my time is better with some walking stretches than if I had run the whole way! Oh well, onwards and upwards

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to Withitmum1]

That's another method of running...... Google Galloway.

[Hidden]

I had a little crises when I graduated and I know many others do too. I decided I needed a plan of my own and although I have wandered off it now, it helped me to keep focussed. So I aimed to do 2 x 5k and the stepping stones podcast to try and speed up a bit. On a couple of occasions I have kept running and have got up to 6k. There are also monthly challenges on here that you can sign up to or maybe think about parkrun or a running group; that seems to work for many.

I think that the warm weather is quite tricky and if it's humid, it seems to leech the strength out of you 😎

[Maddee_6333 Graduate]

You might just need to give yourself a recovery week. It shouldn't impact on your fitness at all, unless you stop moving around completely.

[Cc26]

Thank you all for your brilliant comments. I've had a quick look at the Galloway Method, which looks really interesting. I'll have a proper look later this evening. I think I might have been overdoing it without thinking it through - while I wasn't working I was running every other day which is actually a bit different to 3 times a week! And also running at different times of the day. So maybe a break is needed and then a more structured routine .....