Post graduation... ups and downs... why does this happen?

[Auntiecake]

Hi everyone

I graduated about three/four weeks ago... with 3 x 30 minute runs and achieving something like 3.8km.

Since then I've run 2-3 times each week and I've extended my time to a maximum of 35.5mins and just under 4.5k - I am so going to crack the 5k barrier!

But what intrigues me is despite all this practice some days are great and other days I just want to turn around and go back home...

Last wednesday I did 35.5mins and just under 4.5k and if I'd realised how close I was to the end of the lake I would have kept going another minute or two - serious HIGH, feeling great, I've got it - I'll be at 5k in no time...

Go out on Saturday morning for my run... hoping it'll be like wedensday's... 1.5k in I'm "knackered"... having to haul myself around by the landmarks and telling myself that I can stop as soon as I hit 4k - real LOW

Does anyone know why this happens?

In the meantime next week I'm away on a training course in Nottingham - with 7am starts every day and probably things on in the evening - I'm going to try running in the evening if there's a timeslot free and in an unknown location.... it's going to be interesting! wish me luck!

The other HIGH though - I never thought I could run - so even the bad runs are so much better than I expected and I still want to go out and hit the 5k... so for everyone who's not graduated yet - keep going, you can do it and you will do it and it's definitely worthwhile

[Sofabunny]

I guess it's same reason why we have days where we have loads of energy and achieve lots at work, home, go out socially and feel invincible and then for no real reason have days when we drag ourselves around and fall asleep in front of telly..we have so many day to day variablesvariables..how much sleep we got, how many bugs we may be fighting off, pressure at work, family stuff, domestic chores, social life.. My reference point is a colleague, 15 years younger than me and conqueror of numerous marathons..she has can't be bothered or can't back it run days too..and she advises do whatever run you can manage and forget about it..

[Auntiecake Graduate in reply to Sofabunny]

Thanks Sofabunny That makes sense and is helpful. I'll stop beating myself up then

[Elfe5 Graduate]

It seems that the highs & lows of running is something that we all experience. There are lots of reasons why some runs might feel better than another- e.g. how well hydrated we are, tired or energetic, well or under the weather, etc. I think sofabunny’s colleague has exactly the right attitude.

Mr E has been running for decades & at the age of 64, he still frolics through a Parkrun in under 25 minutes, but there are other days when he returns from a run and groans “That was a tired old man run!“ It hasn’t put him off! 😀

[Odibrack]

I finished the course on Thursday, having not had any real problems throughout and ran my first 'lone' run on Sunday. Feeling quite good I was determined to run 5K for the very first time but I had to give up at halfway point as sweat was dripping from me and I mentally was not prepared. If someone had been present to err me on I would have made it. I am 74 years old and I think, after due deliberation, that it is great that I actually did run on Sunday and that we must all realize that there will be days when your mind is not fully at rest and you are in need of other stimulation. The main thing is to keep running or doing other exercises on a regular basis and eventually it will work. I had not run before and have a dicky back but this has revitalised my life and I would recommend it to anyone of any age group.

[monkeyannie Graduate]

I'm exactly the same never reached the 5k but like you didn't think I could run but graduated and seem to have good and really bad days but what keeps me going is some thing I read on this forum

any run is better than no run

so if i set off and I'm not feeling it I turn round or walk my route go home and forget about it and run another day just remember how far you have come ! you done an amazing job so far x

[Traynor6]

Hi

I graduated about the same time as you, I'm now using the Nike Run Club app, you can set the distance or time you want to run for, and it will count you down. So you'll know how close you are to 5k and keep going. I used it last Sunday for my first 5k, it worked a treat.

[southlundon Graduate]

I was away on a conference last week and got three runs in! I asked a reception and they had a jogging map and I did use that route but they also told me of nearby parks and playing fields and I just used good old google maps too. I found that I really felt like a runner when I was out in an unknown place, just doing my thing 😁

[Auntiecake Graduate]

Wow! Thanks everyone for the great tips, encouragement and inspiration. You are all amazing. So appreciate the help. Thank you