Hello again! I've really appreciated all your support so far, so I'm hoping you'll be able to help me over my latest hurdle!
I ran W7R2 today against everything in me that didn't want to go. I was tired within the first 5 minutes and ran as slowly as is possible without being stationary. I did manage to keep running for 25 minutes but my calves hurt, my feet hurt, and I honestly thought I was about to stop several times. When I finally finished and started walking, my feet felt fuzzy and a bit numb which I have never experienced.
This is the first time I've felt this bad on a run but can't work out why it was so horrendous! I've run for 25 minutes twice before so shouldn't my fitness, endurance etc. be increasing?
I would appreciate any encouragement or advice as much of me just wants to quit!
Written by
NJA95
Graduate
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Sounds like it was a mindset thing, I’ve learned that it’s ok to say ‘nope, not gonna happen today!’ And run on another day - no-one will tell you off!!!
However, against all odds, you did it!
If you’ve made it to this stage you’ll graduate and go on to whatever you want to achieve. My advice is not to over-analyse it - some runs are good, some bad with no rhyme or reason.
I often feel knackered within the first five minutes and wonder how I’m gonna carry on... but it definitely is more mind over matter at this stage. I’m now on the final week and believe me if I can do it anyone can! You may feel pains that you’ve never had before and that’s probably because you are pushing yourself, not too hard just above the normal.. keep at it and we’ll done!
Maybe also water. There are also some days we don't want to run so delay see how the next one is. I am on week 7 run 3 as well next so keep in touch! XX
Very well done for finishing ... that's another run ticked off.
We all have bad runs from time to time, often for no obvious reason. All you can do is struggle through, put it behind you and move on.
So on your next run you can start out knowing however you feel you can definitely get to the end.
Keep up the good work ... you CAN do this.
Good luck and happy running!
The usual suspects to work through are:-
fatigue - general or specific to the legs - had you rested enough prior, especially towards the end of the programme an extra day’s rest helps as the cumulative impact of the plan starts hitting you
hydration- drink water today for running tomorrow
Illness/under the weather
Change of your ‘normal’ running conditions - time of day, route etc.
Lacing your trainers - - don’t giggle it can be thing if you do them too tight!
If these were all fine - this is a classic ‘crap’ run - we all get them - don’t forget of course the toxic 10s, when you’re feeling rubbish at the beginning -the toxic 10s can really affect your run mood.
Take an extra day’s rest if you can, fitness and endurance does improve its just not necessarily linear on the programme.
You’ve done fab so far - 2 weeks to go to you beaming widely on the podium. Happy running next time out
Well done on getting this far without a bad run 👍. Does tend to knock you for six the first time it happens. On a practical note are you hydrating all the time, not just before, during or after a run. Were your laces too tight? That could account for the fuzzy numb feeling. Well that or maybe running heavily on a hard surface. I'm sure your next run will be better.
Well done for running to the end despite all the trouble!! Trust yourself and trust the programme: the toughest runs are the ones building up stamina. Now for the causes of your pain, to Jan's fantastic list (the way you lace your trainers is extremely important just as the thickness of your socks...), I would add stress and tension because you felt reluctant to run in the first place. If your body tense during the run, then it's awful as it impacts all your muscles. And to share my own experience, W7 was very tough for me. But it got much better with W8 (and I just ran 9,5k today...). So don't worry! Take an extra-rest day (even three if you feel tired) and slow and steady you go. You're not that far from the podium. Keep at it!!
Hidden and Anthie have pretty much covered it. There are so many things that can cause a bad run, and then there are those runs that just don't seem right for no obvious reasons (the gremlins perchance), so just put this one down as a meh run. Taking an extra rest day or two is sound advice and making sure you hydrate well the day before would be good too. I often end up having my laces to tight as I've had blisters before when they weren't tight enough and also a black toenail on another occasion when I was running a longer distance and my foot was slipping forward in my shoe. So now my tendency is to do them up to tight, and then once I'm out running my feet start to go tingly and numb and I have to stop and loosen them off. My last run had me messing with my laces over three times before my feet were finally comfy.
If your calves are still aching it might be worth using a foam roller on them (we have them at the gym) and having a long soak in a bath. Have you been stretching. It might be worth doing dynamic stretches before your run and stretching afterwards too.
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Week 7 run 2 - hit a wall mentally
Week 7 Run 2 imminent
Week 7 run 2...getting cold feet
Week 7 Run 2 Done! 😀😀
Week 7 Run 2 at the coast!
