W9R2 - running in sand 😫😫

Last night my legs were still a little achey from Monday's run so I wasn't sure running today was a good idea.

However when I woke there were no more aches and thought I was good to go.

Seems my body had other ideas and on reflection I think I should have given myself an extra day.

I had already decided to stay close to home and avoid trotting around the racecourse. First mistake I reckon.

Instead, I opted for the lanes and bridle paths across the fields at the back of my place. I'm so used to walking them every day with the dogs and don't pay much attention to the incline that leads up Cleeve Hill. Today however I'll admit that I struggled. The wind was in my face heading up the first field and I found myself catching my breath when it hit me full force. My breathing ended up all the over shop and I found myself really panting which I haven't done in a long time. As a result, I found the first 15 minutes tough going today. I felt like I was running in sand and just couldn't find my stride. I was all over the place.

I had also forgotten about the numerous stiles that I had to go up and over aswell so I didn't do myself any favours at all.

I couldn't wait to get back onto the flat of the lanes which allowed me to adjust my breathing and settle down for the first time in this run.

Amazingly I did feel better towards the end of the run and then felt like carrying on.

But today definitely wasn't a day for pushing it. Learned my lesson.

I was a lot slower today than on Monday and have decided that unless I feel 100% on Friday then a two day rest might be better.

Definitely lacking the Burkey energy today. The force most definitely was NOT with me. 🤨

However, let's find some positives here!

I still finished the run.

I recognised the signs my body was giving me and knew I needed to sort myself out.

I didn't give up mentally so another battle won.

I recovered quickly in the end.

One more run to go to graduate. 😱

Good luck to everyone out there today, keep the faith. Remember it's usually your mind that fails you, not your body. You're stronger than you realise xx

[nowster Graduate]

That photo has a really confusing perspective. Not something you'd expect to see in the UK.

(Yes, soft sand is very hard to walk on, never mind run.)

[Hidden in reply to nowster]

That picture was taken on my first solo adventure 2 years ago. Took me out of my comfort zone and made me realise I'm capable of far more than I think I am. That sand dune reminds me that anything is possible when I put my mind to it. C25K was another solo adventure I didn't think possible but looks like I've climbed that mountain too 💪

[Instructor57 Graduate]

Well done today completing your run today !

And there's nothing wrong with having an extra rest day , as you say, go with how you feel .

So, onto the last run of yhe program 😁

Enjoy your well deserved Graduation run 😁👍

[Hidden in reply to Instructor57]

Thank you so much!

Been a very inspiring couple of months 😁

[Instructor57 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Yes it is isn't it !

I found my graduation run quite emotional thinking of my journey from not being able to run a minute, and all the support from this forum ,

Enjoy the run 😁

[spongecat Graduate]

Well done for finishing the run. A run that is hard work but completed gets a platinum star! ⭐

[Hidden in reply to spongecat]

I'll drink to that 😁

(Actually I'll save that drink for run 3)

Thank you for the positive words x

[LottieMW Ambassador]

Cleeve Hill 😱

You *are* stronger than you realise 😉

Well done on persevering...good to see that once you got back on the lanes you recovered quickly. Shows how good your fitness levels are 👍

One more run to graduation...exciting!!!

Go you! 👊🏃🏻‍♀️

[Hidden in reply to LottieMW]

Thank you Lottie ❤️

[carolinestanford Graduate]

well done you some runs are just harder than others I find, without sometimes there even being a reason ... keep going!! You're nearly there

[Hidden in reply to carolinestanford]

Thank you Caroline,

Yep today was a bit of a struggle but I'm glad I persevered. I'm doing things I never thought capable of, no giving up now 😊

[Kish247 Graduate]

Mixing things up is what this is all about and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't but it's all part of the learning - it's nice to see that you're being honest with yourself, I've realised that it's really important when it comes to this and not injuring yourself.

Running up an incline definitely is something that will help you build stamina as I did this the other day and although my legs were tired, I knew it was only going to help me if I do these inclines occasionally

One more run to go and I'm really excited for you.

Good luck and please enjoy it !!!

[Hidden in reply to Kish247]

Thanks a million Kish.

Yep I plan to use those inclines eventually to build up some strength and stamina. Walking up them seems a lot easier than trying to run up them 😁😱

Today just wasn't the day for trying but it will come. Kinda sad that I only have one run left in the actual programme but looking forward to progressing 😊

[Kish247 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

No problem I completely agreed, the incline I did the other day I've walked up loads, similar to yourself.

I didn't know how I felt after I finished and I told myself I'll just start walking more and that hasn't really happened. I wanted to finish my C25K before I went on holiday so I was smashing the program every other day and as soon as I finished, I did some runs on holiday and lost the motivation a bit so getting another program is something I still might do.

Once you've finished, I would recommend the Nike Running App. They have programs which I will start to look in to soon but they also have loads of 'guided runs' where you can download various run. I've been using the distance runs mainly which is where the coach will appear every now and then when you've ran a certain distance and they wont say anything about time or pace so it's a nice change to not have a time reminder

[pete1212 Graduate]

Well done on run Burkey46 it must mean you better on the flat than those fences 😂🤣but don’t worry we all have runs like that and one more run and tour will graduate 🎓 🏃‍♀️👍

[Hidden in reply to pete1212]

Definitely better on the flat haha! Not graduated to fences just yet but maybe in future. 😂

[Birdlady64 Graduate]

Well Done!

Yes you are right. We need that self belief, and we are capable of much more than we think. Your run today showed that.

The fact that you have just one run left until graduation proves that.

Take the extra rest day if you think you need it. The graduation run will be waiting for you, and you will enjoy it so much more if you are properly rested.

There's a shiny graduate badge with your name on it waiting for you! 😁

[Hidden in reply to Birdlady64]

You'll have to educate me on what comes next 😁

And thank you so much for your words and support, means a lot x

[Ian5K Graduate]

Just one more to run!

I bet it’ll take some resolve to have an extra day off in between but do what’s best. 🙂

[Dodgylungs Graduate]

I thought that photo was a clip from The Martian. Well done on completing the run! Having to run over/through stiles must have slowed you down and added a bit of anxiety to your run, so a double well done for getting through. You’ll finish this with room to spare! Hopefully we’ll run it together!

[Sussex13 Graduate]

Firstly well down for finishing. I so know how you feel about running in sand, my last run was very similar as I mentioned. Also stiles are a nightmare to stop the flow, I have a couple of routes with stiles and so annoying.. but of course it means running in the countryside which is beautiful so swings and roundabouts!

I’m giving myself at least 2 days before my next run..

Well done for getting through it! 👏

[Hidden in reply to Sussex13]

Thank you Sussex and yep, completely relate to your last run. Once I've graduated I'm planning on giving two days between every run whilst I'm consolidating. My Monday runs are always great after a two day rest so that could be key to carrying on and making progress.

I do love trail runs, just wish it was a bit flatter in these ere Cotswolds 😂😂

[Sussex13 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I hear ya! Speaking from the beautiful, but hilly Sussex Downs!!

[Maxi80]

You’re doing so well 👍👍👍👍

[Hidden in reply to Maxi80]

Getting there Maxi 😁

Finish line looking a lot closer!

[Maxi80 in reply to Hidden]

To even get to this stage you have done incredible. The mental fortitude alone is inspiring. I’ll raise you a beer when you do it!

[Feltip Graduate]

This journey is very much a battle physically and mentally isnt it

Well done on getting through it. It's great when you can reflect and see the positives in a tough run, shows how far you've come.

Good luck for your graduation run, warning theres probably gonna be tears 🥰😊

[Hidden in reply to Feltip]

Tears and I'll be sending off for a t-shirt 💪😁

[Hidden]

Well done on digging in deep Burkey46 👍

[Hidden]

Great job finishing your run and great post about listening to your body. Really useful advice.

[Roxdog Graduate]

Well done for digging deep and doing this run. When I saw the photo I actually thought you'd run in the desert today! 😂

[Hidden in reply to Roxdog]

It certainly felt like it 😂😂😂

You never know, might be one of my solo challenges one day

[VPOLLIE67 Graduate]

Wow Burkey, well done!!! Only 1 run to go. You have been amazing and sooo motivating to me at least. I hope your final run is a total blast. You totally deserve it. Have a wonderful week xx

[acountrycabbage Graduate]

Well done for getting through it Burkey. I definitely feel way more energised with two days rest. Plus I want to eke out the rest of Week 9 so I enjoy it, 😃 I don’t want to feel drained crossing that finish line.

Best of luck for your final run! 👊🏼✨

[Hidden in reply to acountrycabbage]

Yep when I move onto running beyond this programme then I'll be taking two days between runs as standard I reckon 👍

[CazzaW Graduate]

What a fabulous photo...I wondered if that was you on the side of the dune 😲

Well done, you’re doing sooooo well and even taking stiles in your stride now (no pun intended 🤣)

Only one run to go, how amazing is that 😃 Rest up as much as you need so you can truly enjoy it 😊 can’t wait to see your graduation post, you so deserve it, you’ve been a true inspiration for so many of us 🥰

[Pnegirl Graduate]

Sorry to hear that this run was a tricky one but overcoming the stiles and an incline with a couple of niggles definitely can be added to the list of positives in my book. I had a couple of tricky runs in weeks 7 and 8 and I think it just goes to show that we are still pretty new at this running thing and we're still going to be learning more about what our bodies (and minds) can do even as we graduate. I hope you feel fully rested by your last run and that you can just thoroughly enjoy it. You're in the home straight! 🙂