W7r1 Not feeling it... Caution! Long read! - Couch to 5K

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W7r1 Not feeling it... Caution! Long read!

MuddledGardener profile image
MuddledGardenerGraduate
33 Replies

Well. Where do I start? I was really dreading going out today, as I’d had about four hours sleep last night, due to a family crisis. Needless to say, I’ve been feeling like a zombie all day. Thank goodness I’m retired!

Anyway, my fave running buddy came calling for me at 5pm, and off we went to meet up with another one. I was wearing my new running shoes for the first time, and was wondering how they’d be, ie, would I be able to walk tomorrow. 😁

I set up my choons - Mike Rutherford Small Creep’s Day, and off I went. Thankfully, the rain had taken some time off, so we weren’t getting soaked from the start. There was a brisk headwind, which I gulped down, in an effort to boost my blood oxygen. I was a little disappointed when Jo said I’d run for five minutes, as it had felt longer!

Anyway, I chugged on, a little faster today, I thought. My buddy thought so too, as I seemed to keep up with them better today, in fact, I led the group several times, much to my amazement! I think I must have purchased some magic shoes!

About ten minutes from the end of the run, it started to rain gently. Not a problem, apart from the fact that, as a glasses wearer, I couldn’t really see much! 😁 For the last minute, I sprinted off, again beating my buddies, however I could hardly draw breath at the end! 🤣

I feel tired, but satisfied. I know I am getting better, even if I don’t feel in the mood for exerting myself. I am so thankful for this programme and this forum. I would never have challenged myself and got fitter without either of them, plus, of course, my wonderful running companions. I did remind myself, at one point when I was feeling rather weary, that I was doing this for me, and that I really enjoy feeling fitter and more able to move freely. Although I am still putting on weight (damn you, heavy muscle! 🤣), my shape is changing, and I’m able to see some muscle definition in my legs. They’re beginning to look quite shapely! 😁

So for those of you who are struggling, physically and/or mentally, please persevere. You will feel so much better for it. Yes, you will have difficult runs (caused by a multitude of reasons), but you will also have great runs, where you are left with a terrific sense of achievement. The runs in between are also important, as they are your strengthening (physically and mentally) ones, which will prepare you for your great runs.

Anyway, enough from me, except to say that I went from feeling tearful, fed up and ready to throw in the towel this morning, to feeling calm, settled and happy. I hope you all have the same powerful transformation that I did. 😊

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MuddledGardener profile image
MuddledGardener
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33 Replies
Bluebirdrunner profile image
BluebirdrunnerGraduate

Hi, sorry to hear you had a disturbed night, hope things are sorted and ok.x

Pleased your run turned out well after all! It probably felt tough as you were pushing on a bit faster, but you did it and even finished in style! Kudos for going out in the rain too !😊x

MuddledGardener profile image
MuddledGardenerGraduate

Thank you! My daughter is going through a divorce, so it’s all very traumatic. Anyway, running gets my mind off it, as I have to put all my energy into it. The rain was quite refreshing actually! 😁 I love your dog, by the way. 😍

Bluebirdrunner profile image
BluebirdrunnerGraduate in reply to MuddledGardener

Ah, thank you. Sadly she has gone now, she reached the grand age of 15 and was such a super girl...I like that picture of us so haven't changed it.

Hope things settle for your daughter soon. x

MuddledGardener profile image
MuddledGardenerGraduate in reply to Bluebirdrunner

So sorry you have lost her. They break your heart when they go, don’t they?

Thank you. Xx

shesawstars profile image
shesawstarsGraduate

Thank you for this, it’s just what I needed to hear! I went out for Run 3 of Week 7 this afternoon but had to stop at 15 minutes and I’m pretty disappointed in myself :( Is the first bad run that I’ve had and the first time I’ve let my mind win.

MuddledGardener profile image
MuddledGardenerGraduate in reply to shesawstars

Sorry to hear you feel you’ve let yourself down. I’m amazed this is your first bad run! I’ve had several difficult ones! Don’t beat yourself up. You can always try again on Wednesday. I’m sure you’ll smash it next time. Xx

Toastedteacake1 profile image
Toastedteacake1 in reply to shesawstars

I know it’s disappointing when you can’t make a run work out but just remember how far you’ve come, there are still potatoes sat on the couch and you’re NOT one of them x

backintime profile image
backintimeGraduate

Sorry to hear about your family woes. As someone who has gone through a messy divorce in the not too distant past, trust me, it will turn out ok. Let's call it character building. Maybe she could do with a bit of running, I know it's helped me : )

Sport is a good distraction as it forces you to concentrate on something else, so keep it up. It can be your go-to place.

Hang in there and don't stop !

MuddledGardener profile image
MuddledGardenerGraduate in reply to backintime

Thank you. I’m sure she’ll be okay, it’s just she’s hurting so much at the moment. She does have a PT, but I think she has been too exhausted to go to the gym as she’s not sleeping well. 😕

backintime profile image
backintimeGraduate in reply to MuddledGardener

Yeah, the lack of sleep sucks, I had that for a couple of years, running helped me get regular again.

Cantstopmenow profile image
CantstopmenowGraduate

Well done.

😊😊

MuddledGardener profile image
MuddledGardenerGraduate in reply to Cantstopmenow

Thank you! 😊

GoGo_JoJo profile image
GoGo_JoJoGraduate

Phew!! 😄 I thought you were going to say you were giving up!

Well done on persevering regardless and pleased to hear you came back happier than you started. I frequently find the same. 👍

It is completely transformative and strengthening in so many ways. 👊💪

Big hugs. 🤗 Hope the trauma has settled.

MuddledGardener profile image
MuddledGardenerGraduate in reply to GoGo_JoJo

Thank you. 😊

Mbubbles profile image
MbubblesGraduate

Being a parent is for life, isn’t it? I’m glad you felt better after your run.

You should be very proud of yourself for getting out there at all under the circumstances. That’s probably where having some running buddies really helps, as you don’t want to let them down.

Well done and thanks for the post.

MuddledGardener profile image
MuddledGardenerGraduate in reply to Mbubbles

Aw, thank you! 😊

Toastedteacake1 profile image
Toastedteacake1

I too love this post it epitomises everything that I’ve experienced while running. I’m glad it made you feel better x

MuddledGardener profile image
MuddledGardenerGraduate in reply to Toastedteacake1

Thank you so much! 😊

nif100 profile image
nif100Graduate

hi muddlesgardner...no never throw in towels throw caution to the wind and rain haha and run. Wish I could get out there feeling low at the moment as this bloody sciatica is still my gremlin of the day. Still for the first time this afternoon it eased as I have been doing stretching so hopefully kicking sciatica's butt....no pun intended.

MuddledGardener profile image
MuddledGardenerGraduate in reply to nif100

Sorry you’re still suffering! Are you seeing a physio, etc.? Let’s hope you’ll be back running soon! Xx

nif100 profile image
nif100Graduate in reply to MuddledGardener

suffered with sciatica before sadly...but know the signs and the exercises I had given to me before. My hubby just reminded me that just before this came on I changed my running route to the seafront and there is a massive camber on the pavement which slopes dramatically so not going along there anytime soon...fingers crossed out there again soon

MuddledGardener profile image
MuddledGardenerGraduate in reply to nif100

🤞

Meedeb profile image
MeedebGraduate

Hi MuddledGardener just the post I needed. Thanks! Sorry about your daughter, it’s a tough one.

Did W7R2 when I got home from work today-also little sleep and very stressful day at the office. I must have started too quickly because when Michael said at 5 mins in you must be in a good rhythm by now I realised I had to slow down. Must have been running my stress away 😂I was proper running - 10 mins in I was done in and I was saying just 5 mins more just another 5, well I got to 15 then 20 and finally 25. It was super tough today. Hope you have a good nights rest. Happy running 🏃🏼‍♀️

MuddledGardener profile image
MuddledGardenerGraduate in reply to Meedeb

Thank you Meedeb, you too. 😊

Couchpotato2 profile image
Couchpotato2Graduate

Lovely read and glad you went out. A few people have mentioned how much faster they run with new socks so I’m looking forward to my new magic ones too :-)

Mbubbles profile image
MbubblesGraduate in reply to Couchpotato2

Ooo, magic socks? More details, please!

Couchpotato2 profile image
Couchpotato2Graduate in reply to Mbubbles

Haha love your enthusiasm for them:-)

MuddledGardener profile image
MuddledGardenerGraduate in reply to Couchpotato2

Which ones??? I need all the help I can get! 😂

Couchpotato2 profile image
Couchpotato2Graduate in reply to MuddledGardener

Well yours seem to be magic as you are straight away running faster and I think Saskie also had some new socks that made her go faster so I’m just saying maybe there is some magic there...

MuddledGardener profile image
MuddledGardenerGraduate in reply to Couchpotato2

My socks are ancient! They belonged to my late mother! 😱🤣

Couchpotato2 profile image
Couchpotato2Graduate in reply to MuddledGardener

Haha re reading the post, it was the new shoes, maybe they are magic or maybe your mum is carrying you along:-)

Lindsey-joy profile image
Lindsey-joyGraduate

Sorry to hear you had a family crisis. I do hope it's sorted and that you get a better night tonight.

Well done on getting out there even if you did feel like a zombie! I'm glad it perked you up and created calm.....hopefully you will sleep like a baby tonight after all that fresh air and oxygen!

MuddledGardener profile image
MuddledGardenerGraduate in reply to Lindsey-joy

Ha ha ha! I hope I sleep too! Got my granddaughter tomorrow afternoon until lunchtime tomorrow, and she is a very active nearly-five year old! Help!

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