My first failed run: Well, it took until Week... - Couch to 5K

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My first failed run

Spike75 profile image
Spike75Graduate
19 Replies

Well, it took until Week 7 before I’ve had to admit defeat on a run. Run 3, but I think I may have overdone it on lunch and it just made carrying on impossible. You may have seen my jubilant post following my birthday/holiday run on Wednesday. Pride comes before a fall, as they say. Will try again over the weekend.

My last run in the lovely Northumberland coastal countryside. Shame it ended on such a low.

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Spike75 profile image
Spike75
Graduate
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19 Replies
tiggs1 profile image
tiggs1Graduate

There is no such thing as a failed run, this one just didn't go as good as the others. Don't let it dishearten you, take a rest day then try again. :)

Wenderwoo profile image
WenderwooGraduate

I fully expect to have an incomplete run, probably well before W7. So well done you for getting so far and I’m sure you’ll smash it next time.

Grannyhugs profile image
GrannyhugsGraduate

What a brilliant practice run you squeezed into the end of the week before you conquer your w7r3. That was a great plan. Have a good weekend.

Buddy34 profile image
Buddy34Graduate

Definitely not a fail that would be not even leaving the couch. Sometimes there is no reason . Enjoy a rest day and try again . Be careful when you eat and make sure you're keeping up with hydrating that so important. Good luck 😊

RunningMigster profile image
RunningMigsterGraduate

I'm expecting a fail or 2 too.

If I can get to week 7 before it happens, I'll be very happy!

I bet your next run is a great one :-)

Grannyhugs profile image
GrannyhugsGraduate in reply toRunningMigster

Read Annieapple post below. The only fail is staying on the couch

RunningMigster profile image
RunningMigsterGraduate in reply toGrannyhugs

100% agree :-)

Annieapple profile image
AnnieappleAdministratorGraduate

Glad you enjoyed the Northumberland Coast, my home!! This was a practice run!! If you don’t complete a run.. it becomes a practice for next time! You are still building up strength and resilience. You are continuing the discipline of running on a run day!! All good!!! Don’t give up celebrating victories!! They are all the more sweet after the harder, practice runs🙂

2Tired2Run profile image
2Tired2RunGraduate in reply toAnnieapple

As always, super response and just had to comment as the Northumberland coast is utterly breathtakingly beautiful.... you are one lucky runner Annieapple 🏃‍♀️

Smelliepoo profile image
SmelliepooGraduate

You absolutely did not fail! You got up and out and have learnt for next time when you will smash it: Don't overdo lunch on run day!!

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate

The only failed run is the run you fail to start. You’ve already highlighted a reason that this one was tougher than it should have been, so you can add that learning to the extra fitness that the run you did has added.

No matter what level we are at, even elite athlete, tough runs come.. and some aren’t completed... that’s life! What I always do at this point is look at the run I did, not the run I was trying to do... and I look back at when that bit was impossible... then I smile as I can now run that disappointing run even on a bad day... and then it ceases to be disappointing.

You’re doing great, enjoy a rest day and then go get week 7 closed out.

Couchpotato2 profile image
Couchpotato2Graduate

Not a fail Spike, you tried and it was a run, which counts as well a run. The run 3 will be there another time and from it you've learnt when it't not best for you to run. You're doing great!

Fatgirlslim19 profile image
Fatgirlslim19Graduate

Ahh don't be down! Everyone is right - there is absolutely no failed run, ever. You got out there, you ran. We all have runs that don't go to plan, but they're still better than sitting on the couch eating an entire bag of Doritos, watching repeats of King of Queens. You are totally smashing this plan! Have a rest day, hydrate and go out again. 😊

Spike75 profile image
Spike75Graduate

Thanks everyone. I’m back home now, and yesterday involved 5 hours sat in the car, and a walk just shy of 2 miles with my husband. Here goes for Run3, v2.

Spike75 profile image
Spike75Graduate

Oh crikey, it was horrible. I hated almost every step. Why do I feel like I’m back at the beginning in terms of capability? Should I not be feeling re-inspired at having done the run following Friday’s practice?!?! I feel like I faked it somehow, but I really did run for 25 minutes. Maybe I’ll feel a bit better once I’ve revived a bit.

Mummycav profile image
MummycavAdministratorGraduate

Hey Spike75 ...you’ve got to week 7 without a struggle!.!? That’s brilliant! Lots of us dread week 2...week 3...and there’s the dreaded week run3!! I can’t even remember the runs i had to repeat...or the weeks I’ve repeated either, so look at the positives....there’s no such thing as the f word on here...

F - first

A - attempt

I - in

L - learning

I think those gremlins have got in your head and they need a kick out of the door. If you haven’t already click on this link, you never know you might read something that will help you nail this run.. healthunlocked.com/couchto5...?

Spike75 profile image
Spike75Graduate in reply toMummycav

Thanks Mummycav. I’ll take a look.

2Tired2Run profile image
2Tired2RunGraduate

Sounds like you are putting a lot of expectation on yourself that might not be helping. I recently got to and completed w7:r2 and hit a brick wall ... ĺegs felt achy, overtired, painful even and the effort had been off the scale. I was sooo disappointed in myself too. I decided to temporarily step off the c25k week plan and regroup. I redid some earlier runs from w4 & w5 so i was continuing to go out and 'run' and enjoyed 3 holiday runs in a different environment and now I'm back on track. I've ticked off w7:r3 and w8:r1 and they felt much more comfortable and enjoyable. Easing up and refocusing has enabled me to get my mojo back. Also, it has become evident over the last couple of weeks that my fitness and ability really has improved in leaps and bounds that i was not really aware of as I was too focused on ticking off each run and moving on to the next. Don't be hard on yourself and maybe look at this in a totally different way. It will come together for you, I'm sure.

Spike75 profile image
Spike75Graduate

Thanks for your support. It is definitely appreciated.

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