First post

[Skeenobeener36]

Hi guys - I'm an avid reader of these emails daily and you all inspire me to keep running.

However, I've just started Week 8 Run 2 - and flopped majorly. Got to about ten minutes in and then felt dead legged, breathing was all out of sync and I had to stop. I think partially this was due to lack of preparation - few beers last night, not enought water before running. What do I do now? Try again later or give it a few days off?

The other question I have is how do you cope if you go on holiday - is taking a week off the plan a bad idea?

Keep writing the posts though as although this is my first post it truly is helpful to read everyone elses comments. Especially considering two months ago I was counting every ten seconds and panting terribly to get through Week 1 Run 1.

[Whatsapp Graduate]

We all have an off day. I would say the beers were definitely a factor and contributed to the dehydration. It is important that we hydrate well the day before the run, not just before the run. However, next run will be different

Leave it a day and go out and run it again. If you go away for a holiday, then a week off will not hurt. However, why not take your running shoes with you and see if there are nice places to run whilst you are away.

[Skeenobeener36 in reply to Whatsapp]

Thanks Whatsapp - yeah I definitely didn't prepare properly. W8R1 was difficult but this was just silly. I'll give it a day or so and plan better.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Hydration is almost definitely your problem.

You will begin to lose condition after a fortnight of dissolute idleness.

My running shoes are priority on my packing list.

[Skeenobeener36 in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Ta Iannoda - going away today hence why I wanted to get the run in today. Agree I think I need to at least get in one run whilst away - just hope it's not too hot and I can stay relatively hydrated.

[Razouski]

Definitely pack your running stuff. I absolutely love tourist runs. It gives you a whole different setting to enjoy and is a lovely way of getting to know a bit of your holiday destination. You can use mapmyrun or walkjogrun .net to look for other people's routes or to create your own route before you go, or before the run.

Sorry about your morning after run, but the next one I'm sure will go better if you lay off the beer the night before.

[Skeenobeener36 in reply to Razouski]

Thanks Razouski! Yeah the beer definitely didn't help - I do usually run in the evening so perhaps better to stick to that if I have had a couple the night before. Will give the running a crack whilst away as I don't want to be inactive and then struggle majorly on my first run for over a week.

[swarley12]

I'm just back from two weeks away and amazingly managed my 6 runs in that time. I kept telling myself that maybe if I only did 4 or 5 then that wouldn't be too bad but I knew I was returning to the UK in time for week 9 and I really wanted to get there.

I ran along a promenade next to the beach and it was nice watching the sun come up while running although the same route became a bit boring but the alternative seemed to be a load of hill running which I wasn't up for!

I came back feeling pleased with myself that I'd stayed on track and it didn't mess with the holiday at all.

Enjoy your hols!

[Skeenobeener36 in reply to swarley12]

Thanks Swarley - I had planned on maybe only one run while away (going for a week) - but being as today was a mess I think I'll aim for perhaps 2 or 3. We shall see - glad you are still on track and good luck with week 9.

[Langley-Loper Graduate]

Regarding the holiday break - I missed 3 weeks due to a holiday when I had just completed week 6. I decided to repeat that week when i started up again and it felt like i hadn't been away. I am sure i could have gone straight into week 7.

I guess it depends what type of holiday you are having - hiking in the alps or Club 18-30 in Ibiza - as to how much run fitness you will lose!!