So work got a bit hectic lately and I've forgone running for 4 days . As a result I found it *much* harder to run today (I ran slower and feel more tired).
<delete>My advice to all is only take time off if you *really* cant make it and/or are injured.</delete>
Edit: After having read all the replies on here I must say that perhaps it has something to do with not having slept well a few nights ago (even though I slept well last night; maybe it wasn't "repairing" enough). Cheers!
My advice would be look at your stress levels, your sleep and your diet - they could all be a big factor in how that run felt.
4 days without running should normally be fine and in fact, maybe refreshing for some.
I often had 3 or 4 days off due to BLS (busy life syndrome) and I was fine. You cant really draw conclusions from one run and I agree with John_W . Also maybe psychological: 'I haven't run for 4 days, this is going to be tough'.
Next one will probably be fine 
I find that forcing myself to run every other day regardless doesn't work for me.
Having spent most of my life believing that I was useless at pretty much every type of sport, and carrying painful memories of school PE classes, I'm still astonished at how good running makes me feel and how much I can enjoy it.
So I'm giving myself permission to take more than one day off when that suits me, so I can run because I want to, not because I have to. 🙂
I took 2 weeks off due to an injury and came back stronger than ever! Maybe it was more mental than physical? I hope your next run goes better, good luck!😊
I wonder if "mental" / state of mind can translate into "physical"? Namely, imagining that it's going to be a tough run actually translates into becoming a tough one. Mind over matter and all that....🤔
Oh 100%!!! There’s definitely a lot of factors that can affect the outcome of your run, but I 100% agree that if you’re mentally not feeling it, then this impacts you physically!
I think also after having 2 weeks off it was either a case of coming back thinking “I’ve had 2 week off so my fitness levels will have suffered” or “I’ve had 2 week off to recover and come back stronger”, I chose the latter and I completed two 5k’s- which was a first for me! It would have been 3!!! but on the 3rd run I had quite a big fall 3 minutes in and had to stop- third time lucky obviously doesn’t work for me🤣
I read through some of your earlier posts and it seems we graduated around the same time but I havent been able to run more than 3.5k though.. I think it's because of my short legs or something, haha.
Hope you recover from your fall!
You will get there!! Try to aim for 4k on your next run? Just take it one step at a time and run at a slow/steady pace- there’s no rush and before you know it you’ll be at 5k!😊
I’m all good now (my legs just look an absolute mess🤣) I went for a run yesterday and it went great!
Yes, well I'm considering joining juju's magic 10K plan... Just need to work up the courage 😬
I've been finding the Magic Plan easier and more motivating than consolidation! Remember, too, that you can do the time or distance variation.
Totally agree that what's going on in your head affects your physical performance. I'm currently on holiday and ran yesterday morning before it got stupidly hot. Was hoping for 4k, to fit in with the Magic Plan, but decided less would be fine, and I'd just enjoy the views... tiny villages, sunflower fields, and the Pyrenees in the distance.
Result: I did 5k in my second fastest time ever. It's not all in the mind, but a lot is. Happy running!
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.
As stated in the guide to the plan, healthunlocked.com/couchto5... you lose no significant condition in the first two weeks of non running.
W9r2 stupid running apps
Still not running
Still not running.... :-(
3 times a week or every other day 
Not to run every day?!? 
