W9R2 - Failed second attempt

[Hotheels]

I've really missed running......(I know!!! I am as surprised as anybody else!!!)

So, after failing W9R2 the other day due to not wanting to push too hard due to my right knee niggles.....I felt the need to attempt W9R2 again today.

I've been wearing my knee support thingy for the last week or so and figured that the niggle was a lot better, hence all should be ok.

I was wrong!!!😕

I'm not sure why but I can't seem to get my head around running on the treadmill. I gave up after 8 mins.😫

Instead, ended up doing a full 30min cross-training session.....which I had no problem with.

Maybe I have a mental block.....I don't know. I couldn't attempt outdoor running at 11:30am in 30C + 78% humidity.....hence hit the hotel gym.

I'm worried I've forgotten how to run....so I am now planning to wake up at crazy o'clock tomorrow morning and go for an outdoor run to try and get past W9R2 a third time.

Until then......determined to not let this setback have a negative impact on my holiday.....so will eat well, drink sensibly, stay hydrated and most importantly, relax and enjoy myself whilst on holiday!!

🏝🏊‍♀️🤽‍♀️🏄‍♀️🍸🍹😉😊

Happy running everyone!!! xx

[cheekychipmunks Graduate]

Ahhh Hotheels, never mind. You gave it a go and didn’t get on with the treadmill. Not sure I would either.

Press the reset button and head out nice and early in the morning. Bet you’ll be all over it, no challenge! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

Glad your knee is behaving! 😀 Enjoy the rest of your holiday! ☀️🏖🥂❤️🏃‍♀️😀

[Hotheels Graduate in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Will be posting when I try W9R2 tomorrow......so, #watchthisspace!!

I will eventually have to work out a relationship with the treadmill.....this is actually a good test run to help me figure out how to integrate running into my schedule during the winter months.......hopefully, I'll be able to say aye or nay by the time I head back to old Blighty......lol!!!

[Equi-geek Graduate]

You’ve got the right idea there about resting up some more Hotheels. That temperature and humidity is ridiculous for learning to run in! Don’t worry, you haven’t forgotten how to run. It’s an unfamiliar location, unfamiliar surface and you’re testing the limits of a knee problem - it wasn’t a failure because you found that limit today and now you know. Otherwise, you would still be wondering and nagging at yourself, that would have been a failure! Next time just start gently, forget about the total time and just focus on your landing foot, your breathing, keeping it slow, playing some tunes or listening to a podcast and exploring how you can change your technique to keep your knee from hurting. You’ll get there! 🙌👏🏻

[Hotheels Graduate in reply to Equi-geek]

True. Very true.

I have indeed felt like the oddball who is focussed on trying to run.....when everyone around me are simply swimming or lazying about. The gym is practically deserted save one or two gym-regulars.

But....as my knee is feeling better, I do want to test it out in "outdoor running" mode.....so crazy o'clock beware, I'm coming to get you tomorrow!!!😊

Thank you for your kind and wise words! xx

[Flaraflarkin Graduate]

Hey Hotheels theres no way you're going to "forget" how to run! Listen to your body and rest up if that knee is still in niggling mode ~ these last 2 runs on the programme are waiting for you indefinitely, you don't need to rush after them! The worst thing would be for you to make that current niggle into more than a niggle and then have to put your post grad runs on hold 😱 That's when the real fun starts!! 😬 Keep listening to that knee, it's talking sense ~ and go gently 🤗

[Hotheels Graduate in reply to Flaraflarkin]

The knee is much better....which is why I've been itching to give it a go.....I just can't get my head around treadmill running.

The stats display on the treadmill make my mind go into OCD mode......lol!!!

I much prefer tuning into my body and running than a machine tell me how I'm doing while I'm running.......I'm very happy to not look at stats during a run and simply check them out after a run to understand my progress......

But....I can't let this restrict me as I have to find a way to keep running during the winter months......I really want running to be part of my normal lifestyle.

I guess I can't forget how to run.....but having a week long break has me worried that's for sure!

Notwithstanding......I do wish to not let this frustration ruin my holiday. So, trying hard to be patient....lol!!!

Let's see what happens tomorrow!😊

Thank you for your support xxx

[PaulaGullett Graduate]

Oh no joe frustrating for you! Problem is with a niggle it’s huge when you start running. I do wonder if you need to give it a while longer to recover before you attempt again. Why not try swimming 🏊‍♀️ won’t put as much strain on your knee? It’s not easy on the treadmill... not many distractions. Good luck... you will smash it x

[Hotheels Graduate in reply to PaulaGullett]

Aqua aerobics has been my fall-back these last 3 days along with swimming.

Problem is.....I'm not a water person....lol!!!

Many will find this daft....but I'm my happiest when I'm on firm ground amid nature......hiking, trekking, cycling, walking, running.....all my kind of activities.

My husband and kids love swimming......I join in to simply do a family activity, but it's SO not my thing....lol!!!🙈🙈

[PaulaGullett Graduate in reply to Hotheels]

I’m not a water baby either! It’ll keep you ticking over until your knee is stronger though x

[Hotheels Graduate in reply to PaulaGullett]

Very true. If tomorrow's early morning outdoor running attempt fails, then I'm going to simply stop fretting and focus on dancing, swimming and cross-training while on holiday!!!! 😁

[Vix_yp Graduate]

I know how difficult it can be to run with pain, but you can do it Hotheels! You’ve done brilliantly, try not to be too hard on yourself and most importantly, enjoy your holiday. 👍🏃🏽‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃🏽‍♀️🏃🏿‍♀️

[Hotheels Graduate in reply to Vix_yp]

Yes....trying hard!!

🍸🏊‍♀️🏝❤😁

[Flaraflarkin Graduate]

Ahh ok, sorry 🙈 ~ reading between the lines it sounded as though your knee was still partly the reason you couldn't make it through the treadmill run. I've only ever been on a treadmill once for a gym induction~ at a gym that I never returned to! I didn't like it either... best of luck for tomorrow then 😊

[Hotheels Graduate in reply to Flaraflarkin]

Thank you.....god knows I'll need it...lol!!!

[telford_mike Graduate]

I've not tried running on a treadmill, but I suspect I wouldn’t like it at all. Fingers crossed for you in the morning - it's just a nice, relaxed half-hour jog 😀👍🏃‍♀️

[Hotheels Graduate in reply to telford_mike]

Yes!!! 😁That's how I am thinking about it......my knee feels much better so it's simply an early morning half hour jog ( because jog is all I can do for now.....lol!!!)🤣🤣😂😂

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

It’s hard to get on, or indeed off the treadmill. I certainly, and I’m not alone, run completely differently when my feet are keeping up with the ground rather than pushing along it, and I tend to go to heal strike, which has never been my natural running style, not even close to it. Others coming outside from the gym tend to struggle to pace, as they’ve never had to do it... I imagine that changes their form too. For me, treadmills will always be about ticking over until I can get back outside. Matching the pace of the treadmill to your usual running pace should help a little, if you haven’t already done this. Otherwise relax and maintain until you’re back home and outside.

[Hotheels Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thanks UNM!

[Fabulous450 Graduate]

Hey Hotheels so sorry to hear that this second attempt was aborted, but I wouldn’t say you’ve failed. You went for a run and if you remember we started off at 60 second runs. You haven’t run on a treadmill before and the first time wasn’t enjoyable. I think that probably had some effect and pressure in your thoughts for today’s run too. You will no doubt find that your early morning run is just what the Dr ordered to boost you right up. Best wishes for a great reviving run!

You’re on holiday too Hotheels! Remember to run for fun!! 🤗❤️

[Hotheels Graduate in reply to Fabulous450]

Yes, I'm imagining tomorrow's run outdoors and already feeling positive.

I'm on holiday and I'm looking to keep active.....30mins on the cross trainer and I'm not giving myself enough credit for how different my approach to fitness has become!!!

Thanks Fabbie xxxx

[Fabulous450 Graduate in reply to Hotheels]

🤗🤗🤗❤️

[Berksrover Graduate]

Running on a treadmill and running outside are different, but in my view, not that different physically, maybe more so mentally. If you really believe your knee niggle is behind you then try an outdoor run tomorrow but be prepared to pack it in if needs be, will have fingers, toes and everything else crossed for you.

[Hotheels Graduate in reply to Berksrover]

Thank you......!!! I'm going to give it my best shot.....at least I know I would've tried!!

[Irish-John Graduate]

I felt like slashing my wrists with boredom the very few times I tried giving the 'dreadmill' a go. I literally run in 30 below during winters here rather than the 'nice warm' gymn and treadmill.

Keep it fun, else it's just torture. -30F is MORE fun for me than 'nice warm' treadmill, and thus I keep on running which is the important thing for me If something 'aint fun on SOME level, it will rapidly become 'not at all important' after all

Wishing you the many happy (outside) miles that await you in your future

[Hotheels Graduate in reply to Irish-John]

That's it!! I know I'm never going to be a gym girl.....but I'm definitely going to be a running girl 😃

At 5am....the weather is cooler, humidity less.....so I'm hoping I'll be able to move beyond W9R2.....finally.

Fingers crossed!!!!😉

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Hotheels]

Honestly, anyone who makes it through week one - unless qualified medical diagnosis says differently - will graduate. Probably won't be in 9 weeks or with 5K - we carried out a survey here about a year ago that showed less than ten percent do - but slow and steady and in your own time you will graduate.

In addition, I was on the IC for three months with a Hip problem, I did the entire programme again and was glad of the motivation because a few weeks after my graduation I had realised that laying a really firm foundation would have helped me in my progress to 10K etc. I had been so eager to graduate the first time I kind of rushed it a bit.

So - you are definitely not terminally unique in having a problem at any stage ( heck I barely lashed out 5k yesterday and had set out with the firm intention of doing 10! LOL) so don't lose hope or faith in yourself or the programme

[Hotheels Graduate in reply to Irish-John]

Thanks for sharing your experience.....it really helps keep things in perspective!!!

I'm going to give it my all tomorrow.....if I can't do it (for whatever reason), then I will simply stop making it such a big deal in my head.

I will cross-train in the gym, swim in the pool and do lots of walking while on hols......and hopefully the break will do me good when i resume my running routine once im back home.

Like you say, that I'm active and having fun staying active....is a step in the right direction!!!!

Here's to a life of positive changes to I'm going fitness!!🍻Cheers!!

[GeorgiosA Graduate]

Well done for getting on the treadmill and trying again - it doesn't matter that you didn't do the whole duration, you had the courage to start and that's more than half the battle.

Perhaps trying to go a bit slower, or even going back to a previous week may be the ticket. Keep at it - you will make it!

PS: I wonder how you manage to run in these heels - perhaps this is the issue???

[Hotheels Graduate in reply to GeorgiosA]

I have to make friends with the treadmill at some point to enable me to run when the "Beast from the East" visits us again........lol!!!

That's my motivation......I'm going to keep trying!!!😉

[GeorgiosA Graduate in reply to Hotheels]

I find that the issue with the treadmill is that it doesn't allow for micro adjustments in speed, it takes a while to speed up or slow down, while outside you got full control.

I guess that's why I kept on running during the beast from the east, in fact my graduation run was in the middle of it! I only use the treadmill while traveling for work (mostly because I don't want to run in an unknown city and end up in the wrong neighborhood...)

Best of luck with your next run, and all the ones after that

[Hotheels Graduate in reply to GeorgiosA]

Haha!!! 👠👠 Heels are my only indulgence........it's the one thing that hasn't changed size/shape since my "younger and fitter" days......lol!!!😂😂😂

[Runip Graduate]

I'm sorry the treadmill run didn’t go as hoped, but look on the bright side...there you are, itching to get running. If that’s not a win, I don't know what is.

Like you, I'm concerned about how I'm going to manage in the winter, as I don’t fancy the treadmill at all.

Anyway, good luck for tomorrow's run, but don't push it too hard. It's just a matter of time until you graduate.

[Hotheels Graduate in reply to Runip]

Yes.....slow and steady!!!🐌🐌🐌🐌