First failed run :( - Week 8, run 2

[Avalikespink77]

Hi everyone, I feel I have lost all my mojo for running, the last few runs have been hard and it's a while since I have enjoyed them. Today I just ran out of steam and stopped at 23 mins. I was supposed to run for 28 mins. but just could not do the last 5 mins. Just not feeling it and really worried I am going to give up running completely and go back to couch potato! Does this phase pass? I am so close to finishing the program and I really really want to do a 5k park run before July! I have even signed up for the 530 run on 11th July so I am keen to get my motivation back.

[Mbubbles Graduate]

Sorry to hear you’re not enjoying running lately. Are you perhaps trying to go too fast? Or have you been unwell?

Don’t think of it as a failure. You still managed 23 minutes, so you did well. My advice would be to take your rest day, as always and then just redo it as many times as it takes to be able to complete it comfortably. Or you could even go back a week.

Do you listen to music. I find it really helps me. You could take your time to put together a playlist of your favourite music to help motivate you. Maybe try a different route, anything to keep you going. It would be a terrible shame to give up when you have come so far.

Would love to know how you get on, so keep posting and remember that parkrun goal. You will get there!

[Sandraj39 Graduate]

I agree with the comment above…slow it down even more ( speed will improve naturally as you get stronger). Maybe take an extra rest day and go again. I also agree that a new route or playlist can work wonders!

There are lots of reasons why runs can be hard, from pushing too hard too soon to maybe being a bit under the weather - the secret is to accept them for what they are and just keep turning up!

As the runs get longer, we also need to develop the mental strategies and stamina to keep going - something which isn’t an issue during the early shorter runs. Try finding a mantra to help you fight those gremlins off when runs get hard - my favourite is simply ‘I’ve got this!’ We definitely all have the peaks and troughs but as you progress the good runs definitely outweigh the bad!

Always keep in mind your reason ‘why?’ - and you are well on track for that Parkrun in July!

Good luck!🙂

[Jancanrunagain]

Okay tough love coming up! You didn’t have a failed run you ran for 23 minutes non-stop, way to go Ava.

I’ve stopped started and almost given up over the years. But a run is a run is a run - you’d have thought at one stage that 23 minutes was a huge achievement and it absolutely is.

For whatever reason sometimes it doesn’t come together as they say in all those cheesy problem columns it’s not you it’s the run!

Put your big pants on, look in the mirror and tell yourself how fab you’ve done and how fab you will be doing.

Mr JCR always says that his long distance cycling is always done in the head and not the legs. My coach Jo Whiley aka Jo Cool also says the longer runs aren’t about your capabilities but training your mind to accept you can do it.

Remember Week 1 Run 1 and how proud you were at having started ? You’ve just run 23 minutes non-stop…. That’s 23 times better than then .

23 times better - did Usain Bolt improve his record 23 times? No idea! But I know you’ve run 3 minutes longer than I can …

Go Ava - next time out you’ll crush it

[Yesletsgo Administrator]

A little reminder - we don't use the 'f' word here. When a run doesn't turn out as you planned it's not a failure, it's part of your learning about running. One important lesson is knowing when to stop, so your run today taught you something.

You're experiencing today's run as a setback, but it's not very long ago that even running for 20 minutes was incredibly daunting. You managed 23. There's probably very good reasons you didn't carry on for another five minutes. Don't fret about it, try and identify the reason (as the other replies suggest).

Sometimes we just need a little bit more rest to recharge our batteries. Have a couple of non running days. You might, as has been suggested, be going down with a bug, in which case take as long as you need to recover. If not, the chances are you'll be raring to go when you try this run again.

Good luck

[mrrun Graduate]

Amateur/recreational running is about health and fun but sometimes it doesn’t work out that way. It could get tough, frustrating, injury prone and plain hard but that’s how anything that’s related to physical exercise works - whether you’re running, swimming, cycling or doing gym work. The point is, what motivated you to start running? Is that push still there? If it is, that’s you motivation.

[T2runner Graduate]

There is no such thing as a failed run! A 23 minute run is still a long run and you will be fitter and stronger for it. As others have said, slow down, speed is where we can improve later, Drink plenty leading up to the run and make sure you are doing your deep breathing, I find both those have helped me. A run is a run and you will have benefited from it no matter how short, it will have improved your muscles, your heart, lungs and stamina. Weirdly I have found picking up the pace at the end helpful to me, pushing myself a little bit harder, knowing that it is adding to my fitness, if I struggle I then slow down again and the slower run is easier.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

No, f. words here please... just blips or dress rehearsals.... some are easy some feel harder...but the run is there....

The advice you have already had...it works. Ease off.... ease more... slow and steady and relax. Try not to overthink... just relax and let the new running legs carry you.

So many reasons why that run felt like a struggle.... and for everyone like that? there will be double or more that feel wonderful. So be kind to yourself. take an extra rest day and pop in a tad more strength and stamina work.. so important as the runs get longer for us all!

On you go!

[Mollydex Graduate]

I personally go back a week if I find that I really struggle. It seems to work for me. 23 min run sounds good 8 weeks ago you were doing nothing. Be kind to yourself. Well done you got this

[walkingit]

Sorry to hear this, I am also battling with W8 at the moment. It does seem like a particularly tough one. I just keep focusing on a couple of things my coach Steve Cram says. It's just one foot in front of the other, and it's not a race- especially relevant for me as I'm walking it. I have frequently taken longer rest times and repeated walks as they didn't feel right. Just regroup think of that park run and go again.

[Tremby Graduate]

Hi, I did exactly the same as you- on the same run. I decided to refer to it as a "practice run" and while it did dent my confidence at the time, I managed it fine a couple of days later.I agree some upbeat music keeps me running better and longer. A few weeks after this, I have run 45 mins. I think just remember why you started. You will be able to do it, you already have once. Slow and steady

[hamit Graduate]

Ha, well running is somewhat like leaning the guitar. You have to embrace "the bad notes" and get on with it. So just keep at it, slow but varied pace kept me going and at 77 it still does. Good luck.

[dieOR5k Graduate]

’experts’ are people who’ve allowed themselves to fail, not finish, come back from injury. The more you run, the more setbacks you’ll experience. The more you’ll learn that after many bad runs you’ll have that one run that makes you glad you’re alive or just proud to have barely 😥 finished. You can do this, even if it takes many weeks. Running isn’t a sport of perfection, but of perseverance.