Bad run...or intervals?

[Sandyscroll]

I really wasn't feeling it this morning. But it was run day, so off I went. The plan was to warm up at home and start running from the front door...but I fff..found it too difficult to warm up at home, so I gave up and began the 5 min warm up walk. I started running at my usual place, but my legs felt like they had bricks tied to them, so I pushed a bit harder to make it seem like I was getting somewhere. 7 mins later where the canal towpath ends and the park parking area appears (along with a steep incline) I pushed up, counting under my lost breath in lots of 25 paces. Then up some steps, and all seemed okay. I followed the path round, under the trees, through the storm blown leaves, across the little bridge over the brook and past the waterfall, but I was getting slower. I knew I had a T junction coming up. Either way in a woodland/park is pretty, but one way is up, and the other down. I decided to abort the run, turn right, and go back down...so why on earth did I find myself turning left and continuing up? I hit snail pace. There was only one more exit before the 'loop of doom', I took it and trudged across the 13th tee of the golf course toward my escape. The path almost threw me back downhill, past the walled garden, down and down through the depths of the trees, running alongside the brook to emerge out in the open, at the bottom of another hill by Breaches Pool. It's all uphill then, back up to and across the car park...but I just couldn't keep going. I gave it all I had, but ended up walking up the hill to get back onto the flat canal towpath that takes me home. Once on the flat I could almost hear Oldfloss reminding me to go slow and slower. I did. I finally gave up fighting and just took it easy. I added a bit onto the end of my run to try and make up for my fff...floundering on the last hill. I ran behind a man walking his dog, but wasn't really gaining on him. He ended up stopping; it was the only way I would manage to overtake him! I've decided that, rather than call it a fff...fluffed up run, I'll call it an 'intervals' run. That way the next one will have lots of opportunity to be better. I'll console myself tomorrow by going shopping for some 'go faster' running clothing! 😂😂

[TJMazz Graduate]

I guess sometimes we will have runs that aren’t so great. The thing is you were still outside doing a run and not sitting on the couch. Be proud of yourself. Hope your next run is better for you 🏃😀

[Sandyscroll in reply to TJMazz]

Thank you. Yes, I hope so too.

[Wantorun2013 Graduate]

You did it a run is a 🏃 some days we have it some days we don't tomorrow is another day and it all builds your stamina in the long run. 👍

[Sandyscroll in reply to Wantorun2013]

Some stamina would be great, I'll look forward to that!😀

[rolysmate Graduate]

It certainly sounds eventful and well done for getting through it

[Sandyscroll in reply to rolysmate]

Could do better... But that's running for you! 😉

[Christene Graduate]

Oh no, really feel for you, but I like your thinking, it was definitely an interval run, next time .. 😎

[Sandyscroll in reply to Christene]

Haha! I'm glad you agree. There's nothing wrong with moving the odd goal post in my opinion! 😂

[ejvcruns Graduate]

Sounds like you were tired. Rest up before your next run and take care of yourself, OK? OK.

[Sandyscroll in reply to ejvcruns]

Hmmm, rest? I'll see if I can find some. Advice taken on board.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Don't beat yourself up.

Every runner walks at times and there is no shame in it. Planning does help avoiding the surprise walk.

Keep running keep smiling.

[Sandyscroll in reply to IannodaTruffe]

The planning is proving tricky since finishing C25K. Laura's advice is to run 30 mins 3 times a week and/or increase each week by no more than 10%. I'm trying to increase by 10%, so this week it's 36mins. But many training plans involve an interval run, a shorter speed/strength run and a long run each week. So now I'm wondering if I need to do that instead? Either way it's my happy place, so I keep going.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to Sandyscroll]

10% of your weekly total mileage applied to one run is the usual way to increase distance. This becomes your long run and allows two other runs to be intervals or whatever you wish. There are no rules, but I know some like structure.

[Sandyscroll in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thanks for that. 👍 I'll recalculate and try again.☺