Feeling downhearted...

[Saratamsin]

Hi everyone,

I’m feeling rather deflated - I graduated last month and have been continuing to run for around 30 minutes 3 times a week since - I love it and felt rather pleased with my self. My husband loves hill walking and, ‘now that you’re much fitter’, took me on a short 4km hill walk. It was horrendous - I couldn’t breathe and it felt like I’d never done any running I was so unfit. It’s really given my confidence a big knock.

[Oldgirlruns Graduate]

That’s a shame Saratamsin and all I can say is you’re not alone! I’ve only ever run on the flat but assumed that running regularly would help with walking when I went out with family who live near hills. And did I puff as I went up! But with regular running I know my overall fitness is better so I don’t puff as much as I once did and recovery time is much quicker - with fewer/shorter stops ‘to admire the view’! Carry on with both - walking uphill has got to benefit your running as much as running will help your hill walking!

[Saratamsin Graduate in reply to Oldgirlruns]

Thanks so much, I think it just came as a shock that I wasn’t better!

[CherryCore Graduate]

Hi! I have noticed the same. I do like photography and nice views, which are best in fair weather and typically from above 😁

I still do run out of breath on ascents, fairly quickly, but I've noticed a generally positive change since starting the programme 😊 so I just keep trying when weather is fair (typically, at least once a week). It's easier for me to compare as I've done hiking before I picked running back on.

And I use hiking poles (they're not only fashionable accessory, but also a great help!) 😁 so I just keep trying on a weekly basis, slow and steady.

Best of luck!

[Saratamsin Graduate in reply to CherryCore]

Many thanks. Good to know it’s not just me! Will definitely think about walking poles.

[Mobiliseandmove]

Hi Saratamsin ,

This is what exercise nerds like me would call a different stimulus. Running is not the same as hill walking. Therefore, you can't expect to perform the same on each task. Yes, there will be some carry over, but they are effectively two different types of exercise.

You've been working really hard on your running and you've done amazingly to keep it up in the weeks since graduating!

Your eyes have now been opened to a new type of exercise, so consider this an opportunity. If you're upset because you wanted to be better at hill walking, maybe start adding a hill walk into your week. If you never want to suffer through a hill walk again, you can politely decline to go next time

There is no failure, only feedback!

Take care,

Adam

[Saratamsin Graduate]

At the moment feeling like I never want to suffer another hill walk! However, I’ll see how it goes and keep on running. Thanks for the support.