Do you know the one about the little polar bear?

[TigerBiscuit]

Well, he kept asking his mum, "Am I a polar bear?" "Yes you are dear," she'd reply. Then again, "Mum, am I a polar bear?" "Yes, darling, you know you are." "But mummmm, am I really a polar bear?" To which she replied, quite frustrated now, "Of course you are a little polar bear. Why do you keep asking?" And the little polar bear said, "Well if I'm a polar bear, why am I always so bloomin' cold?!?"

Now I could ask the same, "Am I a runner?", cos I certainly don't feel like one since I graduated. I've been continuing my consolidation runs, of 30 to 33 mins covering around 4 minutes - but I'm feel physically exhausted afterwards. Almost until I have to go out there an start all over again!!! Is this normal? Will it get better? I hope so, because, occasionally, I get a scent of what it might be like to run and really enjoy it, but mostly, it's bloomin' hard.

Now, I'm very happy that I am running - in my head I know it's the right thing to do - but I was hoping to to feel less like a sack of potatoes in between.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Okay small polar bear... you graduated five days ago... ?

So... time to chill out and be kind to yourself.

Consolidation yes... but.... take some runs for pleasure first... just because you can...head out and just run... when you have had enough stop...

Try then to mix it up... short runs.. 30 minute runs... ( slow and steady) and some lovely longer, see where you get to, runs... New routes too... move steadily and forget distance and pace... just run and enjoy...

You need also, to keep up with your rest day exercise... stamina and strength.. if you carry on running , the body has to keep up with the legs

It is early days... so give yourself a chance, and give yourself time...fast enough to get there...but slow enough to see...and it will evolve

[TigerBiscuit Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Oh, I never thought about running for shorter distances, longer distances - mixing it up as you say, Olsfloss. I would have been worried about losing the progress I’ve made so far. But, yes, that sounds like a great idea. Thank you 😊

[Debston Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you Oldfloss - I'm going to remember your words when I graduate (hopefully in the morning!) and run for pleasure for a while!

[TigerBiscuit Graduate in reply to Debston]

Oh you will, you will, Debston. Go girl!

[Yogaandrun Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

I hadn't thought of doing shorter and longer runs in the week, I have been struggling to get out of the house this week, really another run day ? Once I'm out it's good. Maybe I'll try this , just fun for fun! Thanks for your wisdom oldfloss.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Yogaandrun]

It does help..I gave a pattern but you choose your own..and don't be afraid to change your mind mid -run..I set out to do 1K, but ended up doing 3K..changed my mind mid route and went a completely different way

[TigerBiscuit Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Love that approach. It’s even a sound one for life in general. We never know where it’s going to take us, really, do we.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to TigerBiscuit]

We don't..indeed..sometimes its lucky we don't..but we can,also... get to the most amazing places if we just relax and let it happen 😊🙃🐌

[Yogaandrun Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks, new rule for me "do what you fancy!"

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Yogaandrun]

A little bit of what you fancy does you good

[Jogunlikely Graduate]

Have you had a check up recently? It could be you are low on vit D (lots of people are and it makes you lethargic) or low iron (only just learnt running can do this - there was an article linked on the forum) or you may need some electrolytes - that's an easy if mildly yucky tasting one to sort out. I'm not a Dr, just know from personal experience how each can make you feel pooped in some way.

Hope you get sorted soon

[TigerBiscuit Graduate in reply to Jogunlikely]

I’ll look into that, Jogunlikely. It’s not like me at all. I’m generally a bizzy lizzy🤪

[Hidden]

It certainly does get better/easier, but I'm intending to mix it up a little when I graduate. Maybe 2 x 30 min runs to consolidate and then a sprint session or some hill running to make it all a bit more interesting and work some different muscles.

Or you can just forget about the watch/time/distance and just go out and enjoy running for a week or two... go and explore! Run fast, slow, walk, stop... You have such a beautiful place to run. Enjoying it is the most important thing.

[TigerBiscuit Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I’ll do that, clubberlang. You sound much more adventurous than me. I try to steer clear of hills, but that’s hard where I live. Really, to see me ascend a hill, it’s hilarious. Imagine, “Carry on running”🥴. But maybe, I can walk the hills fast to practice. Not giving up though 💪🏻

[Debston Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Ugh, hill running... yep, I'll be doing that too... once a month, maybe!

[TigerBiscuit Graduate in reply to Debston]

One day, we’ll relish them, Debston (won’t we 🥴🤪).

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to TigerBiscuit]

I was told, that we learn to embrace them..like the weather.. and do you know what ..it is true

[primaballerina]

Read my recent post about consolidations... I enjoyed a slow one today!

[TigerBiscuit Graduate in reply to primaballerina]

I will 👍. Thanks, primaballerina🙏🏻

[Greenfingergran]

Yesterday I ran 5k in 35mins and it felt different. Like you I have often felt like a sack of potatoes but yesterday I really did feel like a Runner. I started in February and ran my first organised 5k, in 43mins, last month. It was hard but the memory of achieving it has spurred me on. So don't give up.

[TigerBiscuit Graduate in reply to Greenfingergran]

Wow! That’s impressive, GFG. I totally get what you mean by “it felt different “. I ran 4.4km in 33 mins on Wednesday, but perhaps that’s pushing myself to hard and why I am feeling exhausted. I think I’m going to vary runs now and do some play running to consolidate and build stamina. I think that what I’m missing.

[pogol]

What does ‘ feel like a runner’ mean to you? I sometimes run round a track and pretend I am Mo Farah sometimes I feel like a tortoise, in a parkrun I feel old, if it’s windy I shuffle along but running doesn’t come naturally and needs regular practice. A bad run is still a run as they say. I also try mindful running this is looking up and enjoying the experience while batting the negative thoughts out for a bit. I also value rest days. Happy running!

[TigerBiscuit Graduate in reply to pogol]

Thanks, Pogo. I’m a long way to feeling like Mo. Less running, more trundling, like Poo 🧸. Practice makes sense. It’s certainly helped with everything else I’ve done in life. Do it more and it becomes part of me. And I’m lucky to live close to the water so my runs can be happily mindful. Feeling that I’ll soon want to get out there and have another go 👍

[Runs Graduate]

I hear you. I have done six consolidation runs so far and it's still hard. But it's also wonderful to know I've run x/snailpace distance and it's good to feel the blood pumping. In my case, I know patience is definitely a virtue and I'll just keep going, slow and steady. After next week, I plan to add a modest 2 minutes per run, and so on and so forth (I read all the very helpful consolidation advice on the pinned post). I'm glad I have my Mon-Wed--Fri running routine, and I walk a lot as well. Celebrate your achievement, every time, and be kind to yourself!

[TigerBiscuit Graduate in reply to Runs]

Be kind to oneself- good advice, Runs. Wise for more than running - wise for life 🎇

[ThermoWoman]

I believe it never gets any easier but you do get faster 😊 I am on W9R3 but have been unable to complete it for various health issues! So I take myself out anyway even for a brisk walk, old gal shuffle, sashay around the park. And I always come home aching and wishing I could run like I see others do. But my times, whether it’s a jog or walk, are getting faster from when I first started this journey. Good luck x

[TigerBiscuit Graduate in reply to ThermoWoman]

You are so right, TW. Three months ago, I was struggling to run 5 minutes, not to mind 5k. Wow, all your replies have so perked me up 😀

[robew88636 Graduate]

Your first paragraph reminds me of this scene from Family Guy:

youtu.be/FU66Tlp-vpI(Not working as expected?)

[TigerBiscuit Graduate in reply to robew88636]

🤣. That is so funny. I miss those years a bit. Small ones saying “mum”, just to reassure themselves you’re there, even if you’re right in front of them 🥰

[BaddieThePirate Graduate]

I felt the same. If you think how much building up your body has done over the past 9 weeks, that's probably why you feel tired! Keep slow and steady, even have an extra rest, eat well and go again. They will get easier. Good luck.

[TigerBiscuit Graduate in reply to BaddieThePirate]

Thanks BTP. My next run will be ALL about enjoying the experience and nothing about pace. I will aim for running at least 30 mins, but I’m not going for any PBs or the like. My problem - no won’t call it a problem, rather a challenge - is that I’m pretty competitive with myself. I also find it hard to admit my body won’t do what it could 20 years ago (though I’ve never been a runner). Anyway, enough of the self analysis and let’s get out there and run 🏃🏻‍♀️🤪

[Tippyrunn Graduate]

Well done on graduating. I haven't quite managed this. On my third attempt. TBH I'd settle for feeling like a sack of potatoes. I actually look like a sack of potatoes. 🙄🥔🥔🥔 Hoping I will loose the lumpy look eventually. .

[TigerBiscuit Graduate in reply to Tippyrunn]

Thanks, Tippyrunn. Had a better run yesterday, but had to run really fast - about one km for a bus today and I’ve just stopped coughing 😆. Just keep going steady, and you WILL get better, I promise. Well done for embarking on the adventure anyway 😁

[Tippyrunn Graduate]

Well done on running for a bus. Sounds a little like me, I puff and pant my way round, then when I get home can't stop coughing. Apparently for some of us with asthma it can be like that. I will keep going and must not give up. It has to get better, I'm just impatient. 🙄

[TigerBiscuit Graduate in reply to Tippyrunn]

There with you on that score, TR🤪