Struggling!!

[Mumof2lauralou]

Hi everyone, I completed week 8 run 1 this morning but I'm finding it really tough since the long runs started! I've been doing some strengthening exercises for my hips and bum on rest days (as I knew I was week since the babies) and was coping fine but the last week or so I feel like jelly around my hips quite often and sore which is making me feel quite demotivated I'm still managing the runs but perhaps not recovering so easily- could it just be I'm under the weather and coming down with something if I'm sore and low energy or am I risking injury do you think?

Not feeling very confident about running at the mo!! Sorry what a miserable post!!!!

[SC1472 Graduate]

The first thing to remember is how well you have done so far. It could be that you have a bug and are not on top form. Take it easy and have a nice warm bath to relax the sore muscles. Take an extra rest day to make sure you are recovered, then set off slow and steady for your next run.

[Mumof2lauralou in reply to SC1472]

Thanks I think I'll try this

[Tomas Graduate]

You could easily be a bit under the weather.

It's also worth remembering that the strengthening exercises work by overloading the muscles you're strengthening (so that they grow stronger). So if you're exercising hips and bum and it's a relatively new habit to do so, then it stands to reason that your hips and bum will be sore. When you then go running that's going to exacerbate the soreness.

This is not to say that strength exercises are making things worse. Quite the opposite. They're making things better. But there is a short term pain to pay for the gain. Sadly with exercising there are very rarely any free lunches or shortcuts.

Hope you will find your mojo again soon and go out there to prove to yourself what you can do. You have already come so far, week 8, you're nearly there. I know you can do this!

[Mumof2lauralou in reply to Tomas]

Thanks I won't give up then!

[Whatsapp Graduate]

We all go through a bad spell and you have been pushing your body further each week for two weeks. As SC1472 says just take extra rest days - two instead of just one between runs.

[Mumof2lauralou in reply to Whatsapp]

Extra rest days may be tricky to fit but I may have to try

[Hidden]

I too vote for extra rest days. There’s no hurry to get to graduation. Better to arrive enthusiastically than tired and demotivated. This is a habit you are building here! Good luck 😉

[FlossnCharlie Graduate]

I struggled but have just run 2 of week 8 and it was much better. I’ve been taking 2 days between the long runs and it’s helped.

[Mumof2lauralou in reply to FlossnCharlie]

Well done! I think each of these long runs is a great achievement I may have to rest more