Comeback Run

[Frankel]

After graduating in July and doing a few Parkruns, i completely lost my way and stopped running!

I was getting too obsessed with my times and this really took the enjoyment away from my running, also i had a constant niggly shin splints injury which was always in the background.

Today i dusted off my running shoes and did a gentle lap, with no phone and no watch and no music, it wasn't as hard as i feared i reckon i did about 3.5-4k and have no idea how long it took.

i really enjoyed it and am planning to do just run 3 times a week not for time but just for me.

[Hidden]

Hey Frankel, good to hear from you!

Sorry that you ran out of steam. I think you are right to try and remember the joy of running, just because you can. Lovely to be out in the cold bright Autumn days too. Running a bit slower will be good for the shins too. Pop in here too for motivation and larks. It really helps with any problems that crop up- we are still novice's after all

[AstroJoe]

Well done - just go with the flow - we're programmed to do the things we LIKE to do.

[ejvcruns Graduate]

Yep, just have fun! I look at my times too but because I'm not fast (ever) I have avoided obsession. I like my narrative game (Zombies, Run) -- maybe podcast or something else would appeal to you? You know, be encouraging but give you something to focus on besides numbers?

[Wizziewood]

Brilliant, good for you.

Time, distance etc, they don't matter. You're only running for you so enjoy it!

Good luck and happy running!

[Bazza1234 Graduate]

Don't think of running as "running" - think of it as a form of cardio exercise. We can get cardio exercise in many forms - running is just one of them. According to the latest Govt recommendations we need 30 minutes of moderate cardio every week - and more if you really want fitness as well as health.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to Bazza1234]

In the UK the recommendation is 150 minutes of moderate cardio per week.........but we do need to keep warm.

[Bazza1234 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Yes - I meant to say 30 minutes per day for 5 days of the week!!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Well done for discovering the joy of the nice slow run, which will develop your body more efficiently than running hard all the time. You should only run hard for 20-25% of your running time, so maybe have a speed session every 3 or 4 runs.

Running fast causes shin splints and burnout...........but you know that now.

Keep running, keep learning.