Why are some runs such chuffing hard work?

[JetsNanna]

So I went for my run. Hydrated, decent nights sleep, pre run stretches done and it was cool outside - all good so far.

Got to the park which was pretty much empty and off I went. I don’t think I got more than three or four minutes in before I thought “this is going to be the one that I can’t finish”. My breathing was rubbish and I was almost, almost, almost thinking of doing the unthinkable and stopping. I have not had to do that once in the C25K journey it since graduating nearly three weeks ago.

But.... I dug deep and carried on but goodness knows how I finished it. It must have been mind over matter and I have not a single clue why it felt so flippin’ difficult.

Anyone else have runs like this where it all looks good ‘on paper’ but it feels awful?

[nowster Graduate]

No idea! Could be the phase of the moon for all we know. Coincidentally, yesterday was the New Moon.

[JetsNanna Graduate in reply to nowster]

That’s what I mean, there’s no rhyme or reason to it. I like that idea though - maybe I am a lunatic in the very real sense of the word 😂😂

[acountrycabbage Graduate in reply to nowster]

Maybe..! I have two friends who live according to the cycle of the moon; when to garden, exercise, cut your hair, everything!

I am intrigued myself.. I used to work with them in hospitality and we would have periods where all the customers were impossible to deal with; we couldn’t do anything to please them and the girls would check dates and confirm the moon was the cause..! 🐺✨😁

[nowster Graduate in reply to acountrycabbage]

Many A&E nurses are convinced that the moon affects what types of things they see on an evening shift.

[acountrycabbage Graduate in reply to nowster]

That’s interesting to hear..! Definitely some cosmic powers beyond us then ✨☺️

[mgrds Graduate]

The body is a complex thing - It involved so many overlapping systems, mechanical, chemical, neurological.

Sometimes you don't get ill but it has diverted resources to fight off a potential infection or imbalance. There is a ebb and flow to so many of the bodies systems.

I think sometimes we just have bad days they are all at a low and those briliant days when we feel fit alert intellegent and full of energy. All part of being human I guess.

[JetsNanna Graduate in reply to mgrds]

So true. The body is a marvellous thing and should be wondered at rather than moaned about. I am going to consign the run to the “nowt special but I finished it” file 😊

[mezziejay Graduate]

Most of mine are a struggle but I just keep plodding on counting down to the end !!! Well done for keeping going 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[JetsNanna Graduate]

Thank you. Don’t misunderstand me - I am super slow and probably very inelegant when I ‘run’ but this one just felt harder than usual. Still, I’ll go out again on Sunday morning and do it again and, who knows, it may feel wonderful 😊

I’m sure that your runs will get easier as time passes. What week are you on?

[mezziejay Graduate in reply to JetsNanna]

I’m week 7 one run left this week but finding this week tough

[JetsNanna Graduate in reply to mezziejay]

Keep at it - everyone struggles. If we were all natural athletes we wouldn’t be doing Couch To 5k - thatbsayd, I am sure there are those lucky ones that find it easier than others. I wasn’t one of them 😂

Good luck with Run 3 and for next week. 😊

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

I believe that there is nearly always a reason for a "bad" run and identifying the reason can help us to either avoid the situation arising again or enable us to adjust demands and expectations should everything not be optimal.

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.

Alongside those issues we can control there are all the other environmental factors that we just have to accept......time of day, temperature, humidity, air pressure, pollen, pollution, ground conditions etc.

Beyond those, our psychological state can also have a huge impact on performance and enjoyment.

Did you track the run? Were you running faster than normal? Are you coming down with a bug?

Keep asking yourself and you may find the answer.

[Annenewrunner Graduate]

100% yes! Sometimes everything ‘on paper’ looks and feels good but then when you start running it all just feels impossible. For me I find it best not to dwell on the whys and just plough on ensuring that again next time I try to ensure I’m hydrated, rested and properly stretched etc and just hope for it to feel better. Often I have some of my best runs after one of these unexplained difficulties 👌

[JetsNanna Graduate in reply to Annenewrunner]

I’ll keep you posted. Thanks for the advice 😊

[acountrycabbage Graduate]

I feel your pain, I had my worst run yet this morning, though I think it was lack of breakfast that caused my utter lack of energy. Lesson learned. 😔

[Health2020 Graduate]

I know exactly what you mean. Sometimes a run is ok and I begin to think I’ve got this and then another time I do a run and think I can’t do this at all. - one step forward ....... !

[JetsNanna Graduate in reply to Health2020]

That’s precisely it. I haven’t given up on a run half way through yet but I really wanted to stop this time. Oh well, let’s see what the next one brings 😊