Fighting your demons?

[Piaffesal]

How many runners HATE running? Many? I've been doing Park Runs since New Years Day but that's the only run I can do. I suspect that's not frequent enough to gain fitness so it's not getting any easier. I fight my demons all the way round - the competitive part of me pushes me to run faster, the other (sane?) part of me is telling me I must walk & never do it again. My brain is so negative, I feel like I'm dying but I've managed a personal best every week because I am pushing myself so (too) much. I'd probably enjoy it more if I slowed down so wasn't struggling so much, but I can't

I'll be back there again tomorrow knowing if I'm 9 seconds faster I'll be into the lower minute so have to try - risking virtually throwing up at the finish... Not good.

Is this unusual? It's clearly dysfunctional - I feel Iike I need to speak to a counsellor!!!

[Corarun Graduate]

I agree that doesn’t sound ideal! Have you done the couch2 5k programme? It builds you up gradually and slowly.

What happens when you try to go for a run on, say, a Monday or Wednesday? Can you set yourself a challenge to just go out no matter how slow or short a distance?

I think you’re right, you’d enjoy it more and have less risk of injury if you try some slower runs.

[Piaffesal Graduate in reply to Corarun]

Makes sense, thank you!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Why can't you slow down... ? Did you finish C25K... i know you reached Week 4?

[Piaffesal Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Hi OF. I got as far as wk7 (so 2 x 25 minute runs) before the clocks changed then couldn't run in the week any more so dropped down to 20 minutes once a week as I thought 25 mins may be too much. A friend then persuaded me to try Park Run on NYD which I did slowly (34 mins) & really surprised myself as I wrongly thought I could only run for 20 mins. Since then, I've done every PR, doing a PB every week but no running in-between.

To be fair, I've not enjoyed any run I've ever done, at least at PR there's something to run FOR, if you know what I mean. But I must be virtually all out of PBs now, then what?

A running friend of mine said that most runners don't like running (!) which is what prompted my question. She believes that all runners get the negative 'I have to walk' voice in their head on every run...

It would seem being unfit and overly competitive isn't a great combination!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Piaffesal]

I love that...unfit and over competitive.... a real oxymoron!

Hopefully as the days lengthen you could get some more runs in...then shake the runs up.

A short a longer and a weekend really long slow, see where you get to, run... they are the ones that build up distance and speed... they really do. I got my first really great sub 30 minute time a few weeks back...but that was as with most of my running a personal challenge...

Also new routes too they can be really great fun...

Normally unless I am training, as now, for my HM...I will do a 3 or 4K then a 5K and then anything up to two hours out on Sundays

I actually would disagree with your friend. I love it... it makes me feel amazing, I run, I write about my runs.. it clears my mind and keeps me feeling well...I still get a buzz, every time I lay my gear out the night before a run... and I celebrated my 4 year Runniversary the week before Christmas!

I would say just relax... maybe even leave the park run for a while... and get out there just for the sheer joy of running

[Piaffesal Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Oxymoron indeed...😂

I’m not sure if me not enjoying it (it’s boring & hard at the same time - I’m always thinking ‘when will this be over?’) will ever change☹️

I’m enjoying being fitter, but I’m not enjoying the process...

Do u actually RUN for two hours???😱

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Piaffesal]

I think it will change...or you will stop running...

Yes I do....most Sundays... my first HM was 2 hrs 45 and I loved it... my long runs are a joy because I take every single thing in and then write about it... and I have nearly every single run logged since 2015

E.g

healthunlocked.com/couchto5....

My short runs are great, but over too quickly!

[Piaffesal Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

That is mind-bogglingly long!!!

I envy you, I want to love it. I shall try harder...

[Wenderwoo Graduate]

I found this a very interesting originally posted by Speedy60

m.facebook.com/story.php?st...

[Piaffesal Graduate in reply to Wenderwoo]

Yes, very interesting! I am currently only running once a week but hoping to get back to 3 times a week once the clocks change or I can afford a decent treadmill - whichever comes first. Then I could make the mid-week runs slow, which would help to make a PR easier presumably... Thank-you

[misswobble Graduate]

It’s not the only run you can do What’s preventing you doing a jog elsewhere? Move yourself away from that venue and run somewhere new. To break the cycle if you will

Running is enjoyable but not if you’re flogging yourself to death to prove something to yourself It should be relaxing, calming and fun. You would then lose weight and get fitter and get stronger - if that’s what it’s about for you 🙂

Try it out Try out a gentle job along the trail on a Saturday morning instead

Or, you could VOLUNTEER as rear gunner at Parkrun. See what happens at the back of the pack. The reasons for peeps being at the back are many and varied. It’s certainly an eye opener and a job well worth doing. It would probably help you see things from a different angle

Good luck 🙂👍

[Piaffesal Graduate]

I got as far as wk7 (so 2 x 25 minute runs) before the clocks changed then couldn't run in the week any more so dropped down to 20 minutes once a week as I thought 25 mins may be too much. A friend then persuaded me to try Park Run on NYD which I did slowly (34 mins) & really surprised myself as I wrongly thought I could only run for 20 mins. Since then, I've done every PR, doing a PB every week but no running in-between.

To be fair, I've not enjoyed any run I've ever done, at least at PR there's something to run FOR, if you know what I mean. But I must be virtually all out of PBs now, then what?

A running friend of mine said that most runners don't like running (!) which is what prompted my question. She believes that all runners get the negative 'I have to walk' voice in their head on every run...

It would seem being unfit and overly competitive isn't a great combination!

[Fatgirlslim19 Graduate]

Ahh it does sound like you're pushing a bit too much, yes. When I was trying too hard I definitely didn't enjoy it at all. Not one bit. I was doing c25k religiously but spent each and every run section wishing it would be over. Once I was told about the Japanese slow running technique I began to realise that I wasn't hating it anymore. Slowly it became that I liked it, then loved it.

Don't get me wrong, I'm the queen of excuses and sometimes don't run for a few weeks before getting back out there. I'm never fast, I plod. But I've got a few pbs none the less!

As hard as you might think it'll be for you, could you try to slow it down? Feeling like I was going to throw up and then die each run is something I don't miss!

[Piaffesal Graduate in reply to Fatgirlslim19]

Ok, I’m going to try for another PB tomorrow, one last time (for now!), then I’m going to really, really try to chill out & enjoy it. Gotta be worth a go! 😀

[ju-ju- Graduate]

I think most of us runners love running. From what you’ve said it sounds like you totally love parkrun, so go enjoy it 😎

[Piaffesal Graduate in reply to ju-ju-]

Ha ha! Maybe I just need to dig deeper!

[ju-ju- Graduate in reply to Piaffesal]

You’d benefit from running in the week too if PB’s on parkrun are your thing ( which they seem to be!)

[Piaffesal Graduate in reply to ju-ju-]

Agreed!