Miserable Run

[TotalNewbie1]

I ran W7R1 yesterday and I was miserable. I didn’t want to do it, I was already tired before I went out, would have preferred a nap on the sofa. Normally at the end of a run I feel really good, yesterday I just felt fed up. I was so slow. Did anyone else feel like this and manage to pick themselves up from it? Feel fed up thinking about the next time I have to do it 🙁

[Hidden]

There are good runs and bad runs and progress is not a straight line (as with most things in life). I wonder however whether it would help to work on your mental attitude. At the end of a run, try and find the positives. So, I would try and think 'well I didn't want to do that one, but I hauled my butt off the couch and did it anyway. Go me!' and see what you learned from your run and then 'let it go'.

Also try not to predict the next run, you are adding to the pressure. In mindfulness you can learn to focus on being 'in the moment'; no point dealing with negative memories of the past + negative anticipations for the future; just cope with the here and now. I find that this is helpful in running. Don't wonder 'can I run for 25 minutes (or whatever) but rather 'can I run for this minute?' The answer is usually 'yes'

Running is at least as much about psychological resilience as physical stamina and strength

Good luck!

[Roxdog Graduate]

Oh this is so common I thunk. Just not a good day! Try not to over think it your next run will probably be great.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

You don't have to do it!

Everything going on in our lives can impact on our performance as a runner. Restedness, hydration and nutrition are at the top of my list of variables that need to be optimised to enable enjoyable running.

If it makes you miserable then you would be better off finding some other way to keep yourself fit.

[Evi2020]

I have felt like that and decided to skip running that time. I really think this is is so hard for the body in terms of the energy required that the mind has to be on board. Week 7 was actually really hard for me, no fun. But at the end I always did feel better, like a huge sense of relief and pride which I guess cheered me up. Hope it goes better for you in the next sessions. Best of luck!

[SandraY1 Graduate]

Each time we go out for a run 🏃‍♀️ it’s always a learning experience. You have just run for 25 minutes nonstop. Think of where you was on W1 R1. You’re amazing. Running for longer is now mental challenges that we are having with ourselves.

Try and take joy from something that you are doing as you run. You got out for the run, your moving, the birds or nature all round you. What about how much healthier you are.

You can do this. You’re a 🌟

[Bloomsbury22 Graduate]

I think, like most people have said, it was just a bad day. None of us are feeling quite ourselves right now are we? I'm certainly not sleeping well. So, maybe I am taking two rest days between some runs, rather than one, or one I even took three. You know what, the world did not stop, and when I went out for that run I actually did it well and had a huge feeling of accomplishment from it. Don't beat yourself up. I do find that most of running, for me, is in my head though. So I went through my running playlist and deleted all the songs that drag me down, and filled it up with things I could sing along to, that were more upbeat and distracting. That made a huge difference to me as yesterday was my big leap up to my W5R3. It was definitely the music that got me through. Though my neighbours probably thought I was a right loon slowly jogging by their houses singing a weird mash-up of Lizzo, Taylor Swift and The Ramones off key! It was a bad day. Try again in a day or two and see how you feel. x

[TotalNewbie1 Graduate in reply to Bloomsbury22]

Thank you all for your replies. I picked myself up and did put it down to a bad day. I have also listened to what my body is saying, if really too tired it is okay not to run. Now just completed W8R3

[Bloomsbury22 Graduate in reply to TotalNewbie1]

Well done!