A disappointing w5r1

[Amandana]

Went out after work yesterday, was feeling good ahead of my run, aside from being a little less than thrilled to be getting out in the damp cold weather - it was 3 degrees, windy and drizzling. I previously ran as long as I could at the end of w4r3 and went beyond 5 minutes so my confidence going into this run was high. But it was awful - my legs were heavy, the gremlins were non-stop... it was tough to get through all three 5 minute runs. I don't understand why... sigh. Not feeling great going into r2 and beyond. It left me questioning if there is a runner in me... it sure didn't feel like it yesterday.

[Jay66UK Graduate]

I don’t know which coach you have but Jo Wiley warned me of days like these. They just happen.

The weather won’t have helped and being unhappy at the start may have spilled over into the run?

If you’ve reached Week 5, there’s definitely a runner in there. Do one run at a time - forget the bad one, make the next one better. Good luck with it.

[Amandana in reply to Jay66UK]

Thank you. Hopefully the next run is in some sunshine! Our temperatures are meant to be very up and down (from 0 to 21) over the next couple weeks... hopefully my runs start falling on the nicer days! I was also a bit bummed at the start of the run as I'd planned to run on a trail near my workplace but had forgotten my shoes so went home and ran on the road instead.

I use the podcasts - so Laura? When the intervals are consistent I programme them into another app and run to my choice in music, but yesterday at the last minute I couldn't find my headphones so that might have contributed as well... I ran to just my intervals being announced from my pocket, none of the usual motivational beats in my ears.

Will do my best to listen to Taylor Swift and shake it off!

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to Amandana]

You have just given a great long list of reasons why this run wasn’t going to be a great one. It was clearly fated to be a bad one this time. Next one you will have music and the right shoes. Enjoy!

[Jullaly Graduate]

I am sorry to hear you had a difficult run ..the old head can really battle with the legs sometimes. I had that really really bad run at very end of week 4, a very low point that left my confidence in pieces but then the next two runs W5 R1 and 2 went very well, hopefully your gremlins will run off in a different direction and you will be back to happy legs again

[Amandana in reply to Jullaly]

Thanks!! I hope so. Gosh I really hadn't counted on the emotional rollercoaster that can accompany c25k... I've had some lovely highs and thankful for this community here to help with the lows.... which have been quite manageable so far. There are such inspiring stories here of people up against quite the challenges. I must keep things in perspective as my challenges thus far are really quite minor.

[ToniCR Graduate]

We all have bad runs, and sometimes for no good reason. I often have 1 bad one every week! It's frustrating, but when I get out there again, I usually have a great run and I remember why I love it so much. Don't let it get you down. W5R2 is a new day, new run and you'll do great!

[Amandana in reply to ToniCR]

Thanks Toni. Perhaps I should build in an expectation that each run might be one of these bad ones. I am very much affected by expectation vs reality - I think if I set my expectations low (this is going to be hellish but I'm going to do it anyway), it would make me quite happy if I have a good run and likely I'll just feel neutral if it is as expected.

[Horatio_McSherry]

We've all had those runs, sounds exactly like mine: lead legs, lungs refused to work properly, every run felt like an hour... Afterwards I felt slightly demoralised after a good start. the great thing is the next run was really enjoyable.

[GingerBohemian Graduate]

No such thing as a bad run. There are just runs. There will always be that run where nothing comes together so great that you got it out of the way in W5.

Next one will be fine. As a little routine when you know you are going to be running the next day, have your stuff ready the night before so that there is nothing missed in the morning.

Onwards and upwards.

Enjoy the journey.

GB

[Amandana in reply to GingerBohemian]

Thanks for the encouraging words GB.

So frustrating as I had the clothes packed the night before but the shoes didn't fit in my bag, had them right in front of the door, so I literally stepped OVER them to get out the door.... lol! SMH moment when I realized. Today I've got them in my car where I plan for them to live, and will head out for a nice little walk on the trail!

[SaskAlliecat Graduate]

Sorry to hear of the tough run. Sounds like there were many reasons behind it. We’ve all had tough runs so can definitely relate. I found with winter being so long, I struggled for the last few months. Hopefully the sun will be shining on the next run, you’ll have your headphones, proper shoes and get to hit the trails. Shake it off and start fresh on your next run.

[Amandana in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Thanks Alliecat!