Back to work struggles.

[Kipper-78]

When I started c25k it was May and I was well settled into the workIng year and within a few weeks I was due a summer break that gave me time and energy to give to running. I’ve been back in work a few weeks and things are now getting hectic! I’m sticking to my 3 runs a week, but by God it’s more difficult! On Monday it had been a long day, but out I went straight from work and although I struggled I got through 5k.

Run 2 mid week was a whole different ball game, my feet seemed to refuse to lift up, I tripped over loose stones and couldn’t seem to shift myself at all. I was thirsty so drank sips of water, which in turn made me feel like a washing machine as I jiggled about. I had to stop and walk a few paces 4 times and I felt like I did when I first started - like it would be the death of me, I wanted to stop and give up; but I kept going through lots of grizzling and inwardly (I hope) shouting at myself to pick my bloody feet up and finally I made the 30 mins, but nowhere near 5k, although I was rewarded by nature when I caught a glimpse of a Kingfisher!!!!

By Friday I was due to do run 3 and after my lack of energy mid week I was not looking forward, but I forced myself out. I did a lot of analysing (ranting about) my running struggles after run2 and tried to slow it right down and it sort of helped. I ran the 5k more comfortably and although my legs were doing their usual screaming I was able to lift them up this time. I even made friends with a whippet who wanted to race me, obviously it won 😆 I took it slow and steady and hopefully this next week I will be more energised, but this work lark is very disruptive to my running.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Well done getting out there and doing it. You could shorten a run and extend another... could build endurance and speed and maybe fit around work better?

[sunshinefish Graduate]

Appreciate your struggle with work! I am on W6r2 due tomorrow but have had to put it off due to work/children commitments. I guess just doing any run at all is progress and good for us, and hopefully things will settle down and some sort of routine develop. Maybe the more you stick with it, the easier it will become?

[Kipper-78 Graduate in reply to sunshinefish]

I think I’m going to change my running days and do one run on the weekend to give my exhausted self half a chance of completing the 3 runs a week that I’ve got used to.

[Jundal Graduate]

Have you thought about changing your days? In the situation you describe, I'd probably go for Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Even though the first two may be difficult, with the lie in, good night sleep and rest on the Saturday, you should sail through it on Sunday.

[Kipper-78 Graduate in reply to Jundal]

I certainly need to change days, I ran this evening after work and had zero energy, so I’m going to try and do Friday and Sunday cos I’m off and try an evening in the week when i finish slightly earlier. I’ve got too used to having time to devote. Lol

[sunshinefish Graduate]

I'm cutting down to two a week, Wednesday and Sunday, then there's a chance to do Friday too if I can..... with you doing Fri and Sun it opens up Tues - Wed as an extra run and still getting in the rest days. Love the phrase "time to devote" that was me over the holidays!