Psychological Aspects of Running

[Sparkleandsprint]

Hello again

I’m missing all the lovely people on here and being in the swing of running each week. I had shin splints and had to rest up for around 2 weeks or so, prior to that I was sick and had to stop for around the same amount of time.

I went out last week and did week 5 run 1 again. I was super slow because I didn’t want to hurt my shins again. I’ve also bought a half decent pair of running socks to give me some extra support. After doing some research I think I have weak ankles, something my Mum also suffers from.

Anyway... I’m going off on a tangent! Basically, I thought I was doing so well and got right up to week 6! Only 3 more weeks to go and I would have graduated.

For me it’s now become a bit of a physiological slog. When I go out my thoughts are “why am I so slow”, “I’m so young and this is such a struggle”, “I must be super unfit and overweight”, “I don’t want to hurt my legs again”, “to people walking past, I look as though I’m dying”. I end up feeling worse about myself, if that makes any sense? Perhaps it won’t to a lot of people.

I’m not sure running is even for me but I was enjoying it. I noticed my stomach was flatter when I was going out running, although the number on the scales increased, I had noticed my clothes felt slightly looser.

I’m very much an overthinker (if you can’t already tell 🙈). Just looking for some general support if anyone has any, it’s made a real difference to me previously.

Thank you x

[Archerygoddess Graduate]

Hi, S&S.

I've been where you are and it's not fun, but I think you're being far too hard on yourself. You say you're slow, but I suspect you're actually trying to go too fast, You will see this repeated constantly on this forum SLOW DOWN. You think you can't go slower? Yes you can. At the moment you are building endurance until you can run a continuous 30 minutes.

Be kind to yourself. Remember week 1? On week 5 you ran TWENTY times as long continuously! You are amazing to have done that in 5 weeks.

Keep on lacing up and getting out. If a run doesn't go as expected put it behind you and move on. I'm looking forward to seeing that graduation post in a few weeks🥇🏆

[Sparkleandsprint in reply to Archerygoddess]

You are lovely, thank you x

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Can you speak aloud, clear, ungasping sentences as you run?.........if not, you are going too fast.

Slowing down to the recommended easy conversational pace makes it more achievable and for most, more enjoyable and is the best pace to develop your body.

Why do you want to be faster?

[Sparkleandsprint in reply to IannodaTruffe]

It’s not that I want to be faster, I guess I just wrongly associate it with being fitter.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to Sparkleandsprint]

An easy conversational pace equates to approximately 75% of your maximum heart rate, which is the perfect zone to build the solid aerobic base required to run faster and further, which is why it is the pace at which elite athletes spend up to 80% of their training time.

[Oldlady57]

Slow is the way to go Sparkle, so your going at the right speed!! It also reduces the risk of injury. Your doing a fab job getting out there when it would be easier to get back on the proverbial couch!!!

[Sparkleandsprint in reply to Oldlady57]

I try to remind myself of that, thank you!