Hitting a bit of a blip: Completed run 2 of week... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

132,652 members158,708 posts

Hitting a bit of a blip

Skel68 profile image
Skel68Graduate
14 Replies

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 profile image
Skel68
Graduate
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
14 Replies
IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

Well done.

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.

This post explores the issue in more detail healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Find a distraction for your runs...... podcasts and audio books work for many.

Skel68 profile image
Skel68Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe

Thanks IannodaTruffe and noted 👍

Mummycav profile image
MummycavAdministratorGraduate

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 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Skel68 profile image
Skel68Graduate in reply to Mummycav

Hi Mummycav,

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.

TwiggyL profile image
TwiggyLGraduate

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!

Mummycav profile image
MummycavAdministratorGraduate in reply to TwiggyL

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👍🏻 Exactly 😀

GoldenGirly profile image
GoldenGirlyGraduate

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!

Skel68 profile image
Skel68Graduate in reply to GoldenGirly

Thank you and yes, I think I'll be leaving it a couple of days before going for number 3 👍

John_W profile image
John_WGraduateAmbassador

See my reply to a post similar to yours - in fact, it was right next to yours

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Skel68 profile image
Skel68Graduate in reply to John_W

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.

Rennur profile image
RennurGraduate

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 !

Frenc profile image
FrencGraduate

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 😀🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️.

Skel68 profile image
Skel68Graduate in reply to Frenc

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 👍

Frenc profile image
FrencGraduate in reply to Skel68

You’ll smash it 👍😀.

You may also like...

A fail? or just a blip...?

C6 two days ago (after a week off on holiday) and found it tough. I had Laura on the C25k stepping...

Eugh! First Blip Run ☹

treadmill up until now why not take it outside? So I did. I wasn't going to run until tomorrow (yes...

Week 6 Run 3 plus a bit and I have hit 5K!

thoughts have got me to 5k in 6 weeks. I still want to complete weeks 7, 8 and 9 but can now do so...

Negative progress or just a blip?

I have just got back from W9R2 and I'm disappointed because it was difficult and my newly-installed...

A blip in the road

end I completed my course with a mixture of running and walking. In one respect I'm disappointed...