Ran 5k now struggling to run

[TannyG]

At the weekend I ran park run. I loved it so this morning got up to go running for 30 mins and it was the hardest yet.. I thought it would be easier?? X

[Rammy75]

Sometimes there’s no rhyme or reason to it, Parkruns are great so solo running can be dull in comparison!

[Jay66UK Graduate]

Sorry to hear this. Hope the next one is better.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Unfortunately, just doing a longer run does not mean that all subsequent shorter runs are suddenly going to be easier. If that was your first parkrun it may well have taken more out of you than you realise.

I still have 5k runs that are hard, followed by a 12k run that is gloriously easy. Mainly it is down to pace, but alongside the other physiological and physical variables there is your mental approach too. I have had very many hard runs but only classify one run in five years as bad. Even that run taught me many lessons and I am now far more aware of hydration, nutrition, restedness and my general body condition and state of mind, on a daily basis, so I can balance all those things with my expectations.

Running is an integrated part of my life, meaning I control as many of those variables as possible, so they maximise my running enjoyment, rather than just expecting my body to play ball when I make demands of it.

Learning to run is so much more than just making your legs move fast.

[TannyG in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thankyou for reply. To be honest i do have a bit of a dodgy tummy and sore shin they probably played a part in my run this morning. I just couldnt move lol

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to TannyG]

There you are, you have answers your own questions. Lower expectations when you have a dodgy tummy and sore shin.

[Claireednet in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Love this post thank you

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Although I have not done a park run it might be that the reason some people are more tired afterwards is that they run at a pace faster than usual when they are alone just to keep up with the other runners around them, of course, they don't want to be left behind or be last, a park run should be fun, it's not a race although some new runners might think it is.

[Running59]

Just finished run 1 week 5. It felt amazing, but very very warm.