Hi! I finished Week 5 Run 3, and I have to admit, I was pretty skeptical, of course, but mainly because these weeks I've been feeling a bit disappointed with my lack of improvement.
I mean, the first run ever (W1R1) wasn’t difficult for me: breathing was normal, my legs felt fine, and I didn’t feel tired at all. The only issue, that I was very concerned with, was my back pain.
That doesn't happen anymore, and I'm happy about that. I watched videos daily about position, and techniques, and yes, I do dynamic stretches and static stretches pre-run and post-run respectively.
I felt so excited the whole week 1, even felt like a Runner, so I was excited to see my improvements for the following weeks, but lately I feel like I run worse, even worse than in week 1. I now feel heavy while running, my legs get tired easily, and an overall feeling like I'm not in my best shape, I don't feel like a runner anymore.
I'm excited I did it. Week 5 Run 3 was completed just this morning, but this was definitely my worst run. Since second 1, I felt the heaviest I ever felt. It improved during minute 6, although I have to say I wanted it to be over the whole time. Well, right now nothing hurts, I feel alright, so that's good, the issue is during running, I felt my legs like I already run for 2 hours, very heavy, not what I had in mind.
Also, how do you keep yourselves thinking about other things? I thought this was going to be easy for me, since I'm a very always-on-the-cloud type of girl. It's very easy for me to think about many things, thinking or saying out loud scenes from TV shows, movies, songs. I literally do all that all the time and when I take my dog as well. But during running, I mostly think about the minutes. I have to try to think about other stuff. Maybe music would help, but I only have AirPods, and that will fall off, don't have the money to spend right now on another kind of earphones. I thought I wouldn't need to, because I'm good at thinking about many things.
I do enjoy running, so comments like "If you don't enjoy running, maybe take a rest for some days" is definitely not the comment I'm seeking. Just feeling discouraged and venting here.
I have the 5K Barbie Run 2024 on September, 22nd. I hope I can make it, don't feel that confident anymore.
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I couldn't run without music and it definitely helps to take your mind off some of the discomfort. I have over ear headphones, which stop the problem of air pods falling out whilst you're running and there are some really cheap options on Amazon etc. Hope you find your rhythm and start to enjoy it again. You can do it!
Well, there could be many reasons for your sluggish, heavy feeling, but as the runs get longer, the support your running body, mental and physical needs increase.
Your runs are getting longer and the strength and stamina work that you are , hopefully, putting in, on some of your rest days may need ramping up too .
There are so many ideas to support you on the Strength and Flex Forum ,ideas to help every single part of your running body and support too, for your mind set!
How we feel when we run makes a huge difference to the run.
You say you are good a thinking on all sorts of things, but you have got into a mind set now, of focusing on the run, and the time ticking by. Well, maybe use that in a positive way, focus a bit on your body as you run . Yo have watched videos on techniques etc, are you using that?
Do you, during your run, do a body check now and then? Do you focus on whether you are relaxed, is your posture good; how is your breathing, are you smiling? Just doing that can take up a fair bit of those passing minutes. In other word, ask yourself, how are you feeling.
If you are doing that, then take in everything around you... name the different plants, bushes, trees on your run... if there are none, where you run.. give the folk you pass, funny names, ( only on your head), listen, look, smell and feel. Work out in your head how you are going to write up the run when you get back. Log your runs keep a running diary.
You have a hard copy of the excitement you say you felt as you moved forward. The posts make great reading on a dark cold winter day! I have all mine form when I began in 2015!
You sound like me in many ways, with a head full of wonderful things, ( although the voices in my head sometimes can get overly loud at times), use that to fuel your enthusiasm.
Once you have sorted out those heavy legs with some supportive exercise, which are really impacting your running, the rest may follow.
But and there is always a but... sometimes the runs are just hard. I ran one on Sunday. I ran with a guided run podcast... and it was called , oddly...Suckcess Run, The title says it all. It did the trick... sometimes the run's joy, is simply reaching the end of it. For me, the motivational commentary worked, I listened but, whilst listening took in everything around me, and stored it... ready to write up, two days late, today!
The positive thing to take away from the runs that are not what you would wish, You ran. It was a run. You are running despite the lack of joy right now. But it will return.
All you need to do, is work on the physical bits and believe that you can and will come through this. We are here with you to help
"there could be many reasons for your sluggish, heavy feeling" -> Yeah, I've noticed now that they felt heavy because they hurt, when I jog, in my thigh.
So in week 5 run 2, I had I don't know where exactly, I think pelvic pain? During my run. First time, so I rested one extra day for week 5 run 3. During that run, I didn't feel any pelvic pain at all, nothing, just the legs that were hard to keep them moving. At the end of the run, I did feel a bit of pain in my thigh (I thought because first time I jogged that much, it would pass), especially in my left leg, and in my right shin (Now that surprised me, I guess because of the heavy legs, I run weirdly? Because on my first week, I used to have back pain and shin pain, but since then I was constantly correcting my posture and technique, and from week 2, that was no longer an issue).
Today and last night taking my dog out, I noticed my legs actually do hurt, still in my thigh, that's why I can't really jog normally.
I do strengthening exercises. When I was in weeks 1, 2, and half of 3, I was doing 3 times a week the strength exercises, but nowadays I'm doing once a week, I'll try to make it 3 times between runs again.
"Do you, during your run, do a body check now and then? Do you focus on whether you are relaxed, is your posture good; how is your breathing, are you smiling? Just doing that can take up a fair bit of those passing minutes. In other word, ask yourself, how are you feeling." -> Yes, when I said my mind is very focused on the run, that's what I meant, and no, that doesn't relax me. I don't want to be too self-conscious about my running.
"If you are doing that, then take in everything around you... name the different plants, bushes, trees on your run... if there are none, where you run.. give the folk you pass, funny names, ( only on your head), listen, look, smell and feel. " -> Yes, I do that too, but it's like having two voices, one that I force in looking at all those details and stories behind people, and other voice that is saying what else to keep my mind out of running? You know you're doing this to stop thinking about the run itself 😅.
"Log your runs keep a running diary." -> I do have that. It's very fun.
Those links look great! I will take notes, thanks!
Reading all your replies to me and others..as MissUnderstanding mentions, there may be too much overthinking going on. You are doing everything you can, but to little avail.
I feel too, with the combination of aches and pain and awareness of that in thighs, back and maybe pelvis, that you mention..it could be time to get checked out. A GP or Sports Physio. There may be a physical reason why your issues are happening. You will at least have a starting point.
This is how pretty much my entire return from covid feels. It’s not fun, but I know it will pass. You might have run enough to know some runs are just turkeys for no obvious reason. Sometimes you get a bunch (flock?!!) of them together which is miserable. Keep reminding yourself that this too shall pass and every step is getting you closer to where you want to be.
I also find music really helps, or sometimes podcasts depending on my mood. Then the focus is on whatever I’m listening to instead of the run. I’ve got shokz bone conduction headphones so I can still hear traffic. They’re not the cheapest but I love them.
I wouldn’t try and overthink this-accepting it’s just a not particularly enjoyable time, you’ll get through, and you’ll be a stronger runner at the end of it is what works for me. That usually means running strictly every other day (barring illness/injury) rather than taking extra rest days. If it’s harder than usual, I just need the discipline of getting it done.
I hope that doesn’t sound too negative. This will end and your runs will feel sweeter from having endured this tough time. Wishing you all the best and hoping your next run feels better.
You've really done well to get to Week 5 Run 3. That can be an especially daunting run to think about doing.
I wonder if what you are describing is the 'toxic ten' - those first ten minutes or so of a run where you just feel like turning around and giving up. It's been described as the transition the body goes through to move from walking to running. I definitely had it during my C25K experience.
Glad to hear you are stretching. Are you also hydrating before you go out?
Lastly, what about your pace? Could it be that you are going too fast? Around here there is a motto of 'slow and steady'. I used to laugh that my briskest walk was faster than my running pace during the programme. Maybe you are pushing a bit much?
Keep going, the consistency will pay off. Week 6 Run 1 can be a bit surprising for some, so look out for that. Lots of info here if you do a search for 'toxic ten' or 'Week 6'.
All the best and do keep us posted on how you get on.
If it helps, I too have AirPods and was convinced that running would make them fall out - in 2 years, they have never fallen out (and I have small ears). Give it a go. Worst case scenario, if one drops out, the music/podcast stops playing so you’re immediately aware. Good luck.
well done for getting here. Are you drinking enough water ? Music helps me a lot I have some cheap ear buds from Amazon and they are great don’t fall out they are like AirPods. Music really helps me.
Stick with it even if you repeat some runs. Don’t feel pressured. Good luck
I wonder if you are drinking enough every day? That can give heavy legs. I have run without music but much prefer music, if your air pods might fall out how about getting a cheap headband to put over your ears to hold them in? Good luck with your other runs and let us know how you get on
As the runs on the plan got longer I often took an extra rest day to recover, I wonder if that might help you? We are all so different it's a bit of trial and error finding what works
Run 5 week 3 was a tough one. To be honest I hated it. Made it to the end but thought my legs were falling off by the end. So was dreading week 6 run 3 as that was a full 25 minutes. I started to do more leg strengthening exercises and to do a bit more walking between run days and a longer warm up walk before starting to run. That seems to have worked for me. But listen to your body and keep going you will get there. I just finished week 7 run 2 feeling great. I find the first 10 minutes the most tiring by the time I get to 15 minutes it all feels normal. You got this.
Thank you so much! I'll try to walk more between runs. I do strengthening exercises. When I was in week 1, 2 and half of 3, I was doing 3 times a week the strength exercises, but nowadays I'm doing once a week, I'll try to make it 3 times between runs again.
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