Completed run 2 of week 7 last night, which proved to be the hardest I’ve done to date. I thought after doing it twice before it may have gotten slightly easier but I seem to be going slightly backwards in performance. I did mange to complete it without stopping but really struggled at the end.
I made sure I’d eaten early enough and drank a fair amount of water throughout the day but everything seemed off after the first 15 mins. Is this normal?
On a plus point, I still can’t believe I’m actually doing these times given that I did struggle with 90 seconds several week ago but it’s still a bit disappointing. Think I’ll have a couple of days off before the next one.
Written by
Skel68
Graduate
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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.
Hi Skel68 ...firstly congratulations for getting so far in the programme, you are doing so well!!! “I thought after doing it twice before it might have gotten slightly easier”....this sentence makes me think you’ve probably started the run too fast...I think because, like you said, you’ve done them before you probably just automatically expected that this one would be easy so wasn’t thinking about speed and maybe set off too fast...and yes, this is very normal!! It can happen on any run...whether you’re on the programme or not...believe me, bad runs are part of being a runner 😉 but they make the better runs feel even better...an extra rest day, not just for your legs but for you might just be the ticket...put this run behind you and move onto the next...You’ve come so far, those first few runs in the early weeks are in the past...you did them and you’ve done harder ones since then...remember...slow and steady, these are your runs, no-one else’s...you’re nearly a graduate with a shiny badge to prove you’ve worked hard 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Many thanks for the response and advise, its very much appreciated. To be perfectly honest your right, I did start off slightly faster than normal but realised after about 5 mins and rained myself in. I'll make sure a keep the pace for the 3rd one.
Just be proud of yourself, very proud! I did W7R1 this morning and found it a bit harder than previous run. But honestly all I kept thinking - what an achievement!
I felt exactly the same about run 2 of week 7. I took a longer rest than usual and then did run 3 the following week which was much better. This morning I did week 8 run 1 and it was absolutely fabulous! It’s funny how some runs are just better than others. Keep going and don’t be discouraged. And well done on making it this far!
John_W, Many thanks for the link, it really helps. I need to focus on my overhaul progression rather than just one bad night and as you say, its potentially more of a mental test rather than physical one. The similarities with other runners experiences are uncanny and also a big help.
Don't compare yourself too harshly to your last run. There is often a reason. Iannoda says there is always a reason to analyse why some runs are better and some worse. Analysing runs can make you better. But don't get too hung up on progress run by run. It is probably best to make comparisons between, say, one month's runs with another month's runs if you want to see positive progress. I bet a couple of days rest and you will fly through your Run3 - especially if the weather gets better !
Hello Skel68. I found week 7 really, really hard, and I only managed through sheer bloody mindedness! So don’t worry, it’s not just you. But it will get easier I promise. And a few days off will make all the difference - I find fresher legs are always much more fun to run on! All the best 😀🏃♀️🏃♂️.
Cheers Frenc, it’s good to know I’m not the only one. I should have been out again tonight but having a extra day off, I’ll see how I get on tomorrow 👍
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