Really struggled this morning - W7R2

[dorarunning]

This was the first run that I felt like I really struggled. I've done pretty much the same route throughout the course, but because it was raining yesterday I altered it slightly in case a 100m grassy stretch that I usually run through was muddy. Which might have thrown me off?

At one point I thought the run was almost over so I made my way back home, only for Laura to say I still had 5 minutes left! Turned back on myself, and slowed to a walk for 5 seconds, got my first stitch and then tried to slow it down for the last few minutes.

Now that I've looked at my fitness tracker, I think I might know why. Usually I run at a consistent slow pace of 7:30 mins/km. Today I was going more at 7:00 mins/km. Still not fast, but the fastest pace so far. I was in my peak heart rate zone for the whole run. So I'm glad I know the reason now, because when I finished I felt really demoralised.

My boyfriend thinks it's good that I pushed myself as it means my fitness will increase. But I have to slow down if I want to make 28 mins and 30 mins over the next couple of weeks.

Still chasing that high of Week 5, Run 3!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Slow down... this is for enjoyment and not endurance...There is no need at all to push yourself... you should be running at a comfortable conversational pace and at this stage, speed does not enter the frame

Just take it gently... relax into the runs and let your legs find their own happy pace...

Pushing yourself is not necessarily the way to increase fitness..and is not the advice we would give Pop in some extra strengthen stamina work now on some of your rest days... there are loads of ideas on the Strength and Flex forum.

As the runs get longer, you need that extra stamina...this is your C25K..or the 30 minute runs, and you are doing well...

[dorarunning Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you! I def need to slow down, there's no need to race at this point. But I think my body is getting ahead of itself.

I had done a bit of Strength and Flex towards the beginning of lockdown, but they have now taped off all the benches in the park where I was doing it and I don't have a garden. But I'll see if I can find somewhere else which is suitable for the exercises, because it was a good way to occupy myself on my rest days.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to dorarunning]

Lots of other exercises on the forum which don't need any equipment.. it us our sister forum and not just strength and Flex exercises..

healthunlocked.com/strength...

[MoliJ Graduate]

I agree with OldFloss you need to slow down. After that first 20 minute run and you get told you are a runner you are on such a high that you race in the subsequent runs. I struggled in a couple of runs because I was going at a faster pace. I am graduating on Friday and I don’t care if I am a snail. I can try to speed up afterwards.

[dorarunning Graduate in reply to MoliJ]

Yea definitely, I'm going to check my pace while jogging next time and make sure I don't go any faster than 7:30.