About six weeks ago I failed to complete a run and it shattered my confidence. I didn’t run for a week or so and then I got pneumonia which knocked the stuffing out of me. It’s taken until today for me to feel physically and mentally ready to get running again. I’ve been building up my strength slowly by going for longer and harder walks each week but it’s nothing like running. The experience has made me think and I’ve had a couple of thoughts which I think are going to help me and they might be of use to others.
I remain fascinated by how much this running malarkey is in your head. It’s amazing how worried I was about whether I could do it when I was on the programme (just like most other people!) and it’s brilliant how confidence builds up when you think positively. I should have shared my failure to complete that run here straight away because I missed out on some great advice. I still would have been ill but I wouldn’t have been so nervous about starting up again. When I was doing the Couch to 5K programme I posted once a week and the feedback I got and the posts I read about others’ experiences were really motivating. I intend to make more of this community as it helps me to feel like a runner again.
As for today, it was tough. I struggled all the way and it was a short run but it felt great afterwards. I’m looking forward to my next run in a couple of days and I will gradually build up the distance again. I won’t worry if I have the occasional glitch, I’ll come here and share it with you because the best feeling of all is that I’m back in the game.
21 Replies
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Welcome back! 😊 We are all here to cheer you along.
Not finishing a run isn't a fail it's just a practice run for when you do it again . Hope you are feeling better and go slow when running you can do this 😊😊
Welcome back. There is never a failure with running... since graduation I have a few incompleted runs... my first 5 mile attempt wasn’t completed, it was a whole mile short... that F word tried to get in my head, but then I figured the mile I couldn’t run after 4 was all by itself impossible when I first came here. So I decided to celebrate the 4 complete miles instead... there’s always another run. Yesterday I had a wonderfully smooth 5 miles, and that 4 was part of the process of getting there.
While it’s great that we all cheer the successes, the biggest thing we can do is pick you up after a run that doesn’t go to plan. We all have them... I know I will have many more... just think back to W1R1 when they do come and look at what you did achieve before you stopped.
That’s such good advice. Everyone should reach out if they have a wobble, or feel disheartened - the forum can really change things & cheer us up. Another good point someone made was reading the forum if your unwell, or have an injury as it helps to keep motivated even when you can’t run. Welcome back!!
Wow thats such great advice Poole4752. Reminds me of a mindfulness running podcast I listened to recently. The coach said running is like life. Expect setbacks but like life if we expect these we can brush ourselves off, get back up reset and go again. The setbacks make us stronger
Amazing that you’re starting to run again! It doesn’t matter that it was short you put your running gear on got out and ran! I’m new to running and wanting to post every time I run as a personal blog for myself to refer back to but like you said for advice and support!🏃♀️👍
Great to have you back n glad you’re feeling up to getting back out there after such a serious illness. Just take it steady n we’ll all be here to cheer you on 😊
I remember your post as I had started this journey and was flicking through reading various posts as I felt a little worried to be fair about even attempting it, but came on the forum and read the encouragement to others also starting out and thought my god this is an amazing place for getting the boot up the bum I needed. I still post on here, sometimes replying to other fellow runners such as yourself but also asking questions of others. I am always amazed at the amount of responses from all levels and I truly love this forum. You are right keep on here whether you are running, not running because you are injured/poorly it is a fantastic place and full of amazing running buddies
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