Help for distraction... for week 5 coming up..

[Parkgirl]

So im on week 4...and i have been struggling massively to run for 5 minutes, but I got up this morning and made myself.. so in the middle of doing my wk4 run 3 .. I wasnt feeling it, I was slow and out of breathe...and then the worst happened... I guess my legs were too heavy and I tripped went flying... never felt so silly!! Grazed all my hands, thigh and leg... ouch!!! So I picked my self up off the floor. There were people around the park all staring at me... so I got up and carried on running. My hands were stinging and bleeding so bad and I kept looking at them and strangely i didn't feel the pain of running, like i normally do.. it deffo helped me to run as I was focusing on the pain in my hands instead of the run. How strange is this?

I'm not suggesting it for anyone else to fall or myself again...obviously..lol... but the distraction deffo helped me to run better.

Has anyone any ideas on better distractions to help not focus on been out of breath (lol) ??

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

First of all..ouch! Next..huge well done to you...and now..slow down. Yes, I know you say were slow, but there's always slower.

Try to relax and take it all in. If you are on the park..give names to the trees...bushes and even folk you see...

Just breathe gently, land lightly and embrace how awesome you are.

Heal soon xx

[GrampaSimon]

Probably two things going on here. First, the shock of the fall and perhaps also the awareness of others staring will have given you an adrenalin shot. You feel pain less when this happens. Second, the stinging pain in your hands was a sharp acute pain that distracted your brain from focussing on the more diffuse pain in your chest. Something similar used to happen to me if I fell when offroad motorcycling. The dull aches and bruises from effort are masked by the sharp pain of a bang.

I’m not sure either of these can be replicated for regular running. Adrenalin can come from focus in a race perhaps, or if you were running to save someone. Maybe if you can visualise something to focus on outside of yourself you can disregard the other aches.

Anyway, well done for picking yourself up and carrying on once you knew you were not seriously injured! Amazing how our bodies work to recover and protect us 💪👏👏

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on your progress.

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

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

In respect of W5 this may help healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Enjoy your journey.

[Knightrider_28 Graduate]

Hiya...try listening to some music via headphones or think positive thoughts while running.good luck

[Sonicgirl Graduate]

My advice is to listen to a podcast rather than music, I get caught up in discussions and it passes the time more!

[Parkgirl in reply to Sonicgirl]

Yes I was thinking about doing that Instead. Thanks for that