Feeling worse not better

[Roslyncicely]

Ok so hi, new here... I'm in the UK and whilst under lockdown have still been working (retail) however given my menial and pointless job i found that going to the gym really improved my mind etc. I don't want to drone on about mental health but... any how... i thought i would start running given the absence of the gym. Despite reading hundreds of threads akin to the Nike slogan "Just do it" i cannot bring myself to run when people are around. I start work at 6am and so have been running (maybe jogging is a better word i don't know the difference really) at about 450am before work as oppposed to going to the gym after work at 4pm. The problem is that if anything my mood for the day is worse, i dont feel better for it and if anything my mood is lower. Any ideas why the cardio in a morning isn't having the impact of the cardio in an afternoon? I will, when i feel confident enough run after work but for now 5am is nice and quiet

[willbex19]

Do you think that you eat enough after your run?

[Roslyncicely in reply to willbex19]

Never one for breakfast so it's a protein shake after my run so that i have something... more than i used to have

[emilyb95 Graduate]

Are you sleeping well before your run? And keeping hydrated/eating enough throughout the day?

I used to be exactly the same about running when people were looking, but I forced myself to do it and now I’ve noticed that no one even notices me, and if they do then at least I’m out there getting fitter and pushing myself to be better and fitter. It’s so tough though I really do understand

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on getting staretd.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

and includes advice on minimising impact, stretching after every run, hydration and strengthening exercises, all of which will help.

How is your hydration? As a runner you need to drink 2.5 -3 litres of fluid each and every day, running or not, as mentioned in the guide.

Enjoy your journey.

[Roslyncicely]

But i never ate much before the gym before and that was after a 9 hr shift in which i would hit 15,000 fitbit steps and yet i always came home after the gym feeling amazing

[Roslyncicely]

I really can't. I don't know why. I got changed and ready to go the other evening and couldn't leave the door. Pathetic i know

[Issywhizz Graduate]

Ah is that true, re eating carbohydrates post run, I always thought it was protein (i know nothing about fitness btw). Is that why I feel so rough post runs and on rest days, constantly tired and just feel weird. I’m making sure I’m drinking lots. (Sorry to jump on the post)

[Issywhizz Graduate]

It’s just all so complicated isn’t it 😂😊

[Comfortnotspeed]

Know what? It’s a tough ask feeling ok right now. Things are rubbish.

Running? Yes it can help. I go out early too. I get up before 5 to run and love the peace. Every now and again that takes it toll and I get shattered and need a few days off. And, rest days are ok.

As for people looking? You know what, the people laughing and pointing? They’re in the imagination. People are too busy to notice. And rightly now many new runners are out there.

You are brilliant getting up and going out there at silly o clock. Well done 👍 Awesome 😎

[Roslyncicely]

So yeah I've been enjoying the 445am runs to be honest and the bad moods following them have eased. If i can't bring myself to go running during normal hours then i figured why stress about it- just go early. Up to about 4.5k now after a week and a bit but i suppose i got a bit of a headstart at the gym for a couple of weeks before lockdown. Thanks for all the advice