Stuck in a week 7 rut

[mayattacksfat]

I’ve managed to get to the third run of week 7 but after struggling with ongoing pain on the top of my left foot and left knee, I haven’t been able to run the full 25 minutes without stopping for a few seconds or even up to 2 minutes, during the runs both due to my foot and it feeling a lot harder with the weather recently. I took a few days off to rest it and tried again, with the shoe tied looser on my left, which helped. However the pain set in again in the 2nd kilometre. I’m also trying my best not to track myself and focus on pace but I feel it tends to dictate how my run goes and I end up feeling very defeated if I haven’t stuck to a consistent pace, or if I give up. Worried about taking another week out to rest the foot! Not sure why I’m posting this specifically but hoping to get some advice about the pain I’m experiencing and whether I need new shoes? Or really, if anyone else is experiencing the same thing as me!

[Daisy-runner Graduate]

I had a similar problem, I didn't much like Wk 7, found it a bit of a slog even though I much preferred the running with no breaks. I think it's the transition to long runs takes a bit of getting used to maybe?? I also started getting knee trouble and had to take a 3 day rest then a 2 day rest, I kick out a little on that side so know my alignment is out so plan to get gait analysis when I can to help with that. Maybe gait analysis would help you?? Ive had a great week 8 though, so keep going 😊

[mayattacksfat Graduate in reply to Daisy-runner]

Thank you! You’re right, I think it is. I’m relatively fit but have never been a runner and I find my lungs bursting about halfway into the 25 minutes. I’ve managed to complete them at a 7 to 7.5 min per km average pace so far so I should just try and accept a slower pace and focus on getting the runs completed, once my foot feels better. I think it’s the competitive nature in me that’s stopping me from taking enough rest days. Will definitely be doing a gait analysis once running stores open! Good to hear you’ve had a good 8th week. I look forward to getting back on track! Injuries are such a bummer when you’re in a rhythm.

[Daisy-runner Graduate in reply to mayattacksfat]

I'm the same in the competitive way lol I also got through all the runs but was annoyed I struggled so much. I noticed that the runs I was struggling with my pace was around 7-7.5 aswell but when I slowed down to 7.5-8 I found them much easier but weirdly I did my last run of Week8 today and average pace was 6.45 😳 I was well chuffed although I was on flatter ground than normal lol. But it means you do improve over time.... Running is hard and to keep pushing on is hard so to get to the point we are is really good going I think. And yeah rest days are a real downer, I'm scared I'm going to loose all my hard work but it's better than weeks off. Keep going

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

It sounds to me that rest is needed... I know you don’t want to, you’re determined to get to the end of this plan, but sometimes the best run is no run. There’s lots of seated cardio out there to keep your fitness rising, so all we are looking at here is leg conditioning, which won’t deteriorate rapidly, and won’t go at all in a week or two. New shoes? Maybe... I’d hang on to the 15th if you’re in England as running stores might be open then.

Running at a consistent pace may be good, but not doing so is probably better to be honest, especially early on. I still aim to run my first mile slower than the rest rest of the run... and when I recognise that I’m going to struggle towards the end, I start to slow down as it’s better than stopping. Not tracking runs has served many elite athletes well over the decades... and I found it interesting that Paula Radcliffe doesn’t record her runs at all these days (I think it was on the “At home with... “ podcast). There’s no set of numbers that any tracker can give you that are more important than how the run feels or what it does for you.

[mayattacksfat Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Hi, thanks so much for this helpful and detailed response! I definitely think I need to accept that I’ll need to rest it more. I’m quite active and have always been good at anaerobic activities.. I think I will focus on upper body strength this week and just accept I’ll need to try again in a few days. Yes I’m in England - thanks for the update on the running stores! Definitely will look at doing a gait analysis then.

I’ll have a listen to the podcast. Definitely agree with you, I should be focusing on getting the runs completed over pace. I do tend to start my first kilometre very fast and then drop the pace when I realise I’m getting too exhausted. Thanks for the advice! Really needed to hear it! X