W7, R2: Take that, Black dog!

[RunawayBetty]

So glad to be back! Did W7, R1 a week ago, although I was very tired and didn't feel like it at all, and it exhausted me completely. Don't know what it was, but the following week I had something that I couldn't even name. Black dog at its worst, and an extreme fatigue. Today I finally felt better physically and mentally and went out for R2. And it felt so much better than last week!

Learning from that, one of the things I will change in the future is that I won't speed up anymore when I'm on the last minute of a run. I used to do that because it gave me an extra kick, but now I've come across advice from an expert saying that if you are on a slow and steady run, you should end it slow and steadily, because your muscles are tired and because you wouldn't want to destroy the relaxed feeling you got by an extra kick of adrenaline. And in my case, I feel that he is right.

Also, from now on I think I will have two rest days regularly instead of one. It's a pity, because I would have loved to establish a routine, like running on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, but at the moment I feel that won't be possible.

But at least, I'm running again! Thanks once again to everyone in this forum, your posts kept me alive the last week, and special thanks to Annieapple - your reminding me that I'm a runner felt so good and helped to make me go out again today!

[Annieapple Graduate]

Well done Betty for working through what works best for you! We all need help & encouragement at different times especially those black dog moments. This forum is so encouraging & helpful when we need it most. However it takes courage to be vulnerable & many will be helped by your bravery! 👍😍

[Hidden in reply to Annieapple]

That's true, Runaway Betty has helped me by reading her post and it is kind messages like yours that keep me going too.

[Annieapple Graduate in reply to Hidden]

👍😊

[RunawayBetty Graduate in reply to Annieapple]

Thank you so much for your kind words!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Great news......just give that dog a kick!!!!

Having extra rest days is very wise and you may well find that you can revert to single rest days as you become more comfortable with these longer duration runs.

[RunawayBetty Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Ah, you're really giving me hope there, thank you!

[Buddy34 Graduate]

So great your feeling better and got out for a run. Do what's right for you when running and if you like 2 rest days between runs that's fine . Good luck and well done 😊😊

[RunawayBetty Graduate in reply to Buddy34]

Thank you, good luck for you too! And I will probably head to Decathlon this week and take a look at the longsleeves you mentioned in your post today - just to let Black Dog know that I will still be running in -10 degrees! 😉

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

That pesky Black Dog... he and his cronies really get around.. and a few grey friends too! Go you!

Slow and steady...it totally works,,, it is the mantra... I have it on my T shirt... It gets us where want to be !!!

Just carry on doing what you do... and enjoy every single moment..you runner you!

[RunawayBetty Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you so much! ☺️ Yes, slow and steady is the way to go!

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

Well done for getting out in spite of the dreaded dog. I have one following me just now too and they are hard to lose. Do whatever you need to to make the programme work best for you. No matter what, don't give in 👍🏻😊

[RunawayBetty Graduate in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Thank you! Yes, they are definitely hard to lose - sometimes mine will only disappear if I give in to it for a while ... But I'm sure in the long run you and I will be faster than our dogs!

[Annieapple Graduate in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

🤗 for you too Gogo_JoJo

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate in reply to Annieapple]

🤗 thank you 😘

[Hidden]

Well done on getting out and you've given me some great advice there. I always tried to run faster during the last minute but what you say makes perfect sense.

Oh the curse of the Black Dog. I'm low at the moment but it's my fault for messing around with my medication and not going out to run since Oct. I damaged my knees but was going to run on Thurs then didn't. I've done some walks but it doesn't seem to quite do it for me.

I'm glad you're back out there and I think you're doing great listening to your own body and doing what feels right. 😊

[RunawayBetty Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much! ☺️ And don't be hard on yourself - it's not your fault that you are low (that's only what the Black Dog wants you to think). You just took care of your damaged knee. But one of these days you will put on your running kit and just give it a try, I'm sure!

[Hidden in reply to RunawayBetty]

Thank you for your reply. I'm going out in about an hour and I'm not going to push myself.

[Speedy60 Graduate]

Well done on getting out there. I'm full of admiration. I like to leave two days between runs too. 👍

[RunawayBetty Graduate in reply to Speedy60]

Thank you! 😊

[ItstheMarchHare Graduate]

I stopped running a few months ago - and I think it was because depression was coming back with a vengeance. But then stopping running made the depression worse too. Now back on meds, waiting for some CBT and am repeating c25k - now on week 5 again 😊.

[Annieapple Graduate in reply to ItstheMarchHare]

Well done! 👏👍🦋

[RunawayBetty Graduate in reply to ItstheMarchHare]

Wow, that's really great! 👍 😊

[Wenderwoo Graduate]

So glad your back to it, and feeling better 😁

[RunawayBetty Graduate in reply to Wenderwoo]

Wenderwoo! So glad that you are back! 😊 😊I hope your tendons are a bit better now and that you enjoyed Barcelona. Can't wait to read your next post!

[Wenderwoo Graduate in reply to RunawayBetty]

We had a great time. But my tendon is still very sore, so not sure when I’ll run again. I’m going to leave it another week doing exercises recommended by dr, and if it’s no better next week I’m going to contact her again and ask for a physio assessment. I’m nervous to try running in case I make it a lot worse! Still supporting all of the pals I’ve made on here though - you’re doing great 👍😁

[RunawayBetty Graduate in reply to Wenderwoo]

Oh, I'm sorry to hear that! But you are being very sensible here, listening to your body and stopping running for some time. After all, that's what pain was invented for, wasn't it? To prevent us from damaging ourselves. Must be hard though for you to keep patient. So a big thank you for cheering the rest of us up! 🤗 And get better soon! 🌼

[Swim18 Graduate]

Morning, great to read you are back on it . I am one run ahead . However, I started in January but trained for a Go Tri event in April and then found running in the summer much more difficult.

I also have left more time between runs but I feel grateful that I haven’t injured myself .

Good luck this week . I have to say this programme is awesome.

[RunawayBetty Graduate in reply to Swim18]

Thank you, good luck you too! 🙂 I don't really see me running in summer either, so might follow your example next year ...

[pa259]

That’s brilliant. I struggle too and found finishing the programme weirdly made me feel worse for a while but I had some lovely advice from a lady on here about running free after you’ve finished the programme and also taking it easy if you need to. My first consolidation run was a lot better and I also bought myself some nice running shoes and wireless headphones (as I need my music). I think running will help me in the long run as I hopefully get fitter. Best of luck.

[RunawayBetty Graduate in reply to pa259]

Thank you! I can definitely relate to the weird feeling you describe, because at this point I can't imagine to run without Laura. For me, one of the great things of C25k is that you basically just have to press the start button and then do as you are told. No thinking required. And it's so great to stop thinking for a while! Good luck to you too, and happy running!