Week 4 Run 2 - EVERYTHING went wrong.... 😡

[HelplessSpectator]

So here it is the 'one' .. was looking forward to this mornings run, 9am sun was just about to start coming out I felt good and although I knew it may be hard from the last run I knew I could do it..

Just as I started my first run it started... my apps stopped working!!! Had forgot to switch to mobile data from wifi 😖 Trying to change this while still running/light jogging and watching where I was going and keeping the pace steady was not easy...

Then i had forgotten that today is bin day!! Oh my life can bin men not put them back properly..(no offence to anyone if your a bin man/lady but maybe a subtle hint) they were littered all over the paths, every few yards I was having to slow down to check behind me to step into the road to go round them!!

Traffic seemed heavier than usual too at a couple of zebra crossings normally I have no problems due to little or no traffic but not today!

Then I think everyone was out and about just to slow me down today, mothers with pushchairs, old ladies with shopping carts, young kids standing at bus stops taking all the path when they didn't really need too... each time I had to slow down(although didn't stop jogging) step into the road and try and pick up the pace again...

I would like to say that I have no problem with any of the above, seeing I am a father who has had little ones and have been known to pull a shopping cart or two 😜, and normally it would've been water off a ducks back and I wouldn't have moaned and taken it as one of those days but today it was just one thing after another...

I managed it though but my rhythm had been blown apart for 90% of my run. So much so that in the last minute I had nice open paths on a flat to finish and found myself really picking up the pace.. which felt good but also showed how slow I must have been going today..

Here's to hoping that my third run goes better...

Happy running all

Sorry it's been bit of a moan today

PS do you think I should change my route at this point? I have canals right by me but haven't gone down them as I'm worried that the unlevel ground (it has lots of sections that have been worn away by bikes) may cause more harm than good??

Or should I try another route on paths?

[nikkiwabit Graduate]

It just sounds like one of those days, so well done for persisting and finishing. The canal path sounds nice to me but the uneven ground could be a problem if you aren't used to it. There will probably be obstacles on some days wherever you run (but I have started to alter my course to avoid that flock of pigeons!)

[bareliz]

We all need a good moan now and again, and the important thing is that you finished the run. It sounds like your route is a tad crowded, maybe it's worse in the school holidays? Maybe go and have a good look down by the canal just to check how good/bad the surface is? I drive (about 5 minutes) out to my route as I live in a very hilly place. Or perhaps try going out at a different time of day? It may be a bit of trial and error getting your route sorted out but it sounds like you're determined enough to do it. Well done

[Lottie_C Graduate]

A good sense of humour just adds to your ability to smash this and sounds like you have it in buckets 🤣 Well done!

[SC1472 Graduate]

I think one of my week 8 runs I ended up in the road going around a lorry reversing into a driveway...nothing stops us!!

Doing a different route will give you a change of perspective - I have various choices when I leave my house - do I go into the fields, do I run down the valley to the old town, or do I run up the hill and then round the roads up the top.

Heading down the canal could be good for you - however, be prepared for the fact that you will run slower down the canal as you will probably be needing to watch where you are running (I run slower in the fields and in the woods than I do on the pavements).

Whatever you do - enjoy!

[HelplessSpectator]

Thanks all, I think I will go and have a look down the canal later this evening, or try and work out a quieter route by roads..avoiding the hills as much as possible of course.. maybe it was 'just one of those days' .. keep smiling one and all, run day is only a short time away 😁❤️

[Hidden]

hi helpless, today was your O25K day. Obstacles that is, we all have at least one of those, when everything seems to have conspired against you. But with a smile and making us smile too, you got through. So suss out the canal route, more for potholes than undulations, so you're sure of your footing. And have a great run next time, as you will be back to C25K, without pesky obstacles.

[RuthMargaret Graduate]

That's a real shame. Sometimes it feels like everything is going against you. At least you carried on!

Traffic and people are reasons why I try to go out before 8am or after 6pm. They really can interrupt the flow of things! Better luck next time 🏃

[Whatsapp Graduate]

Its runs like this where you really earn your stripes. Really we should be most proud of ourselves from completing runs like this, on days when it would have been easy for us to just give up and go home. Days when the world seems to be conspiring to stop you running.

It is runs like this that make the good runs feel all the more sweeter!!