First failure - w7r2

[runningmummybear]

I’m devastated. I’ve done every run up to this point without stopping and now today my legs just stopped 16 minutes in. I can’t even tell you why! I walked for 1 minute then picked it up again but only for a minute again. I had had 2 days rest and had been very low in mood the last few days. I’m doing this both to get back to fitness after two children but also to help my health anxiety. How did other people respond when this happened please? Should I wait a day before I redo the run? Thank you

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Failure? 16 minutes running? Did those words belong together a couple of months ago? You may not have completed the run you started, but that’s not a failure. You have lots of victories in every run, only one of them is achieved at the finish line. Crossing the start line is a big one, maybe even getting through the door is bigger. Your 16 minutes will have made you stronger and fitter for next time, so there’s no negative about the run you did but your expectation not being reached. We all get runs that don’t work out how we intended them... a couple of months back I set off on a 5 mile run and managed 4... I was spent, and a little dejected... but then I thought about it. When I started here I couldn’t run a mile... and here I was not being able to run a mile after a four mile warmup. I smiled and decided to celebrate the 4 that I did run, and not worry about that mile... and even that mile brought me positive memories of first getting past a mile of none stop running in W5R3. The only failure is not crossing the start lines.

Relax, celebrate what you have done, go easy on yourself and come back at that run knowing that you can do it... you’ve done it twice before. Tough runs are usually followed by much smoother ones. Enjoy.

[Topcat09 Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Well said. A helpful perspective for us all to remember for when we get similar tough runs.

[Hidden]

Excuse me! No failure talk allowed Time to change the way you think....

You went out and you ran, that is a success in my book. We all have days when things don't work out. When you are a new runner that can feel catastrophic, but as you gain in experience you will learn that this is just part of running. When you are feeling low and with the demands of family life; its not always easy.

So put this one down to experience, dust yourself off have a rest day and try this one again. Run nice and slow and make sure you are well rested and hydrated and you will be fine.

[backintime Graduate]

You may not have achieved what you set out to do but you did not fail.

You added kms to your legs, your lungs improved, your circulation improved, you burned calories and you got stronger - that is not a failure

[runningmummybear Graduate]

Thank you everyone. I know I shouldn’t have been so negative, it’s just I have loved the buzz of completing each run. As you have said it was just a different run to the one I meant to do and I will put my trainers on again on Friday. Feeling a bit more positive now, thank you.

[Debston Graduate in reply to runningmummybear]

That's the spirit! If every run went brilliantly, wouldn't life be boring? We'd have nothing to moan about... 😂 Good luck for Friday, I think you're going to enjoy it.

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

That sounds like a lot of running to someone who has just completed W5R1 be proud

[misswobble Graduate]

Devastated is a strong word. In the scheme of things it’s just one run out of many There is always tomorrow. Your legs can quit for various reasons, but don’t sweat it. Just head out again after a day’s rest. Make sure you’re nourished, well hydrated and have had some sleep 💤 🙂

Stop worrying, this is going to be fine Just take things slowly 🙂

[Hidden]

I know how you are feeling. I tried jogging in the heat (110 deg F heat index) and stopped at the 7 minute mark panting. I was so mad at myself but you just have to look at where you are coming from and see the progress. You have to stop beating yourself up. You are building yourself up. Everyday you hit that pavement/ treadmill for 30-40 minutes you are doing great no matter the outcome.