Struggled today.

[Jiw1968]

How can the same run be so different??

I did Week 8 run 1 a few days ago and actually enjoyed it.Today I have done run 2 and just felt the whole run was a struggle-from start to finish.

I feel as though I should be feeling a bit fitter by now and finding a bit of a running rhythm but just didn't seem to be feeling it.I know I will complete the programme because I am so close,but am worrying a bit that I will lose motivation once I have finished and I really don't want to do that!

I hope everyone has a happy running weekend!🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[ArthurJG Graduate]

Because you’re alive, that’s why. You’re not a machine: your body changes all the time. So does your state of mind, now I come to think of it. That’s before you look at factors outside yourself, like the weather and underfoot conditions. When you see how many different factors come into play it’s not surprising that no two runs are the same. You are getting fitter: that doesn’t mean every single run will be better than the one before but it means the trend over time is in your favour.

[Jiw1968 Graduate in reply to ArthurJG]

Wise words,thankyou.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Well done, you did it.

The difference is the 24 hours before your run............how did you sleep? Was your hydration adequate? What was your diet like? What strenuous exercise did you do? What time of day......weather........ temperature....... mental preparedness etc. etc.

I always find it fascinating that so many runners expect to be able to bolt on three runs per week to their timetables with no expectation of natural variation of performance as a consequence of everything else going on in their lives.

Think it through and you can then prepare for your runs, or at least lower expectations, if circumstances are not perfect.

[Jiw1968 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thankyou,

I honestly don't expect to be able to bolt on 3 runs a week,I just felt a bit despondent that there was such a big difference between the two runs.Maybe I do need to lower my expectations slightly and not be too hard on myself.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to Jiw1968]

I think you have missed the point of my reply.........you need to look at all the other things around your running which influence performance and enjoyment, so that you can reduce the incidence of bad runs.

[Jiw1968 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thankyou.

I haven't missed the point of your original reply.

I was just commenting on the part of your reply where you mentioned so many runners expecting to be able to bolt on 3 runs per week.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

You did it though... wasn’t long ago 28 minutes was far beyond impossible... good job.

[Jiw1968 Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thankyou.and yes,just a few weeks ago,28 minutes would have seemed like a miracle!😂

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Jiw1968]

It’s strange... W1D1 left me thinking there’s no way this plan would get me running any time soon... 5k still seemed a million miles away. Now, well... I know the 42.2k is possible with work.

[jiggles7 Graduate]

You did it though so you can flip run 2 the bird. Some runs are just hard, no rhyme or reason to it. I’m still having good runs and bad runs but even the tough runs like today are doing you good. We are very new runners, we are not following elite programs, where everything is considered and measured. So great that you got through it despite the body gremlins. Well done!

[Jiw1968 Graduate in reply to jiggles7]

Thankyou!

[creativesquirrel Graduate]

I am only at Week 3 but I have had days like this! I found some days to be easier than others, where I have questioned if I have actually done the run because it finished that fast! I think it depends on your diet for the day, how you feel that day and such like. Just think that you've got to Week 8, that in itself is a massive achievement!!

[Jiw1968 Graduate]

Thankyou!

Well done to you too-the weeks fly by and you will soon be through the programme too!

Happy running!!🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Hidden]

Hello! Well done on your run! Im with you on this one. For myself I just get out there and sometimes my run is great and sometimes it can be hard,so I start to question it. But my thought on it is that it’s a run and I got out there and did it,whatever way it goes!👏👏👍🤗🤗

Happy running!😀😀🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

[Jiw1968 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thankyou Peggy59!

You are right....I still got out there and did it!

Hopefully run 3 tomorrow will be a better one.

Happy running to you too......🏃‍♀️😂

[Hidden in reply to Jiw1968]

👍❤️

[Hokitika Graduate]

Don't beat yourself up over it - tomorrow (or day after, remember to take a break) is another day. Well done on getting so far & good luck k with journey.