I’m writing this as I walk back halfway round a failed attempt at W6R3. Feeling like a complete waste of space - something I’ve kept at bay for the last 5 and a half weeks.
I was on a mile long uphill section which it’s been my goal to conquer since I started this running. I managed it in week 6 run 2 with the walking break but know I can do it without as well. What defeated me is a dog walker walking the same section and my brain’s complete refusal to be seen huffing and puffing past them. I know you will all say to slow down but the problem isn’t physical - I absolutely know I’m capable of it: I just can’t get out of my head!
Any thoughts?
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40mB7
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First, you're not a failure. You went out to run, and you did some running.
Second. You have to find a way to beat those mental gremlins. What's the very worst thing you could imagine happening? 🤔 how about the dog walker stops completely, points and laughs? 🤔 is that likely?
Chances are they will either... say good morning and smile, ignore you and keep walking, or say something like "gosh, rather you than me"
Only you can break down these mental barriers. It's possible, but you need to be brave 💪🏻😊
Hey hey, chin up. Your post is a demonstration of why your gremlins are successful "utter failure", "waste of space"; self talk designed to pull you down. How about some positive messages, "I just ran half a mile uphill", "I am on week six", I am a runner", I am making progress with every turn out". Running is as much about mental attitude as physical strength and stamina and I would really advise you to try and be kinder to yourself. The fact that you say that you have managed to hold this feeling at bay for 5 weeks, makes me wonder if this is something that is a part of your daily life too. Practice in running and then apply to other areas.
You went out and ran and we all have bad ones; move on!
Vanity is responsible for so many issues in this world..............relax and take on board the fact that most people you encounter on a run will not even notice you and they certainly won't be dwelling on it hours later.
Pick a different route, do more flat work to get over the mental side of the 20 mins. That hill will still be there to conquer, you just have to tell it that it got off lightly today but you will be back.
My first thought is, what a hero for getting out there!
My second thought is, be kind to yourself. A mile long uphill section? Are you kidding? I have a hill near me that's about a mile, but seems to go on forever. I've been trying it once a week since January and still can't get to the top without stopping. But I will do one day, and boy it will feel good!
You are at the beginning of your running journey; for now, run slow and run flat. There will be time for all the other stuff later. The hill isn't going anywhere, and you're improving all the time.
Firstly, you’re not a failure, it’s a practice run which goes towards building stamina and strength. I would suggest staying flat until after the plan is complete, or slow down, as you say you were huffing and puffing - it is advised that you should be able to hold a conversation. And don’t worry about what others think - most people either don’t notice you, or are encouraging - anybody else isn’t worth worrying about.
Absolutely agree with everyone you are not a failure.
Be kind to your self please.
I’m pretty sure you would never call anyone else a failure so why be so cruel to yourself ..
you’ve got to week 6 so a fab achievement ... my thoughts are bet the dog walkers would admire you and say wow such dedication for you being out running.
Firstly, well done for even trying to do a mile long uphill at the beginning. I feel your pain as I have one of those on my route too. In week 6 I thought I was getting there, I did a week 8 run last night and really struggled. Bad runs happen it seems.
As for the dog walker, we are very good at ‘second guessing’ what people are thinking and assuming it’s negative about us. Actually that dog walker (if anything like me) was probably too busy thinking ‘I hope the dog holds on to the field to poo rather than doing in in front of someone’s drive!’ They probably didn’t even notice you!
Completely empathise with this ! I find dog walkers very difficult ( not their fault ) but dogs run across on those long leads while owners chat etc plus there’s the feeling awkward as you describe . Don’t stop or give up ...
I changed my times and routes to early on non off road paths ( estates etc less dog walkers ) or after dark in the same places .
Just completed 30 mins run which I thought I never could as took 5 weeks out due to knee pain . You CAN & WILL do it .
I now try and ignore pedestrians who are looking at me , just focus on your aim and keep going no matter how slow . Good luck 😉
As my distance increases, I typically do my first run *downhill* and the second is predominantly on the flat. On the third I do a mixed route so I get some uphill, some downhill. I’m not upset with myself
I agree with the language. It’s self undermining. Recognise all the reasons to praise yourself instead. You know what else you can do if you’re running uphill and can’t keep going? Turn around. You’ll still be running. I do that, check my pace, reset my breathing, tick off the fact that my butt, thighs and calf muscles are really all ok. I come back to the hill for my walk home! 😂
It feels awful now but in fact you can be proud of yourself for putting on your trainers & getting out there over the last 5 weeks. Every run even the ones we don’t complete are helpful to our overall fitness & mental health as is the walking! You are doing great. If the dog walker put you off.. walk past her for a while & then start running again.
Repeating runs makes you stronger mentally & helps determination! Enjoy your rest day then go out again & nail that hill. All your previous runs have prepared you for this moment! You can do it 👍🤗
Thankyou all - I absolutely didn’t expect this when I wrote that self pitying post on the way back this morning!
You are so right about the language (I’m a teacher and preach this to children everyday! 🙄) and already with a bit of time between now and then, I can see that it was mostly complete frustration because of how much I’d been looking forward to getting out on that run.
I’ve achieved a huge amount in the last 5 weeks that I’m proud of and I’m not throwing it away over one failed run this morning.
I completely empathise and reading replies with interest - I walked the two hills at park run this morning and was really annoyed with myself as I know I can run them (I have before!) and feel better when I do, just have a mental block. Two things that spring to mind - 1) what helps me is to resolutely refuse to think about it, say a poem, plan a holiday but refuse to let my brain think ‘hill’ until I’m at the top 2) you are absolutely not a failure - you were out there running which is amazing...that was my first thought when I read your post, which made me think about how I address myself. If I had written your post and was feeling down what would you say to me? Say it to yourself and be kind 😊👍🏻
What would you say to your students if they told you what you just told us? You wouldn't be so hard on them! Just getting out there (especially, as a teacher, having time, don't I know it) is a massive achievement.
Running a hill? Aaarrghghg! Many of us go to great lengths to avoid doing that,so you should be very proud of how far you've got. You will get there in the end, as you graduate, consolidate and continue your running journey. Just enjoy it! 🧗♂️
We don’t use that f word here, half a run is so much more than no run and we all get tough runs rest and be ready for the next one you will smash it with us all cheering you on and ignore dog walkers or turn round and run the other way
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