Ugh.

[ruthharvey]

As the title of this post may suggest, I am not in the best of moods.

Starting back on Monday after a week-long break due to injury, I thought running would be easy to get back into - I'd only rested for 8 days, right?

Wrong.

I decided to do a W3 pod cast again, just to get back in the rhythm, and then move on to week four. My run however was not easy, or even anything like the ones before the break - I felt like I was back at the start. It's safe to say I chose not to move on to W4, but to complete another week of the third podcast before moving on, assuming I'd improve.

I came off the treadmill from doing W3R2 about an hour ago, and am ready to give up. I was still catching by breath 10 minutes later, and sweat was still poring off me violently - I felt physically sick. I'd managed to complete all the runs, sure enough, but to get to the end of 3 minutes took a Herculean effort - far worse than when I did week 3 the first time around. I'm finding impossible to even think about completing 5-minute runs on Saturday.

Oh, and my limp's back.

I just can't see where I go from here - I've been enjoying my runs the past few weeks, and I was pumped and ready to go at the beginning of this week. Now I just feel defeated.

More on Saturday.

[Gizelelezig Graduate]

Don't give up!

Had to stop for a week due to injury too, it's true the first run after that seemed tougher than usual. But I continued as planned and I'm back on track. I'm no expert but don't feel guilty, just relax and go for it without thinking too much about it. I find that if I don't drink enough water or eat properly my body really make me pay for it while running.

You can do it. Take care of your leg.

[Vivwestie Graduate]

Yes, as Gizelelezig says - 'don't give up'. You may find the next session is easier. Sweating and out-of-breathness will improve... honestly. Just keep going and follow the programme. If you feel you really have to then repeat a week - but not unless you really need to. Is the limp due to stiffness, soreness or is there acute pain? I've had a different part of my body hurt each week or more throughout the programme and found that if I run through it, the body adjusts and it goes. I'm not suggesting that you ignore extreme pain, but if you're new to running/physical activity, the body will need to readjust and the pain is the body's response as it strengthens and rebuilds itself.

[smhall Graduate]

You are fine, Ruth. There is no need to worry or to feel defeated.

We all have bad runs. As Giz said, sometimes it is from not drinking or eating correctly. Other times we haven't rested enough or we have rested too much. Sometimes, we just have bad runs. If I would have worried every time that it took me 10 minutes to catch my breath, I wouldn't have made it out of W1!!! Or for that matter, I wouldn't run now.

As Viv said, it takes time for our bodies to adjust. Your body and your performance will improve, no worries!!! If the pain is extreme or long-term, then it needs attention. They way our bodies build muscle is actually by tearing the muscle apart when we workout. The tiny micro-tears are then filled in with new muscle and that is how we gain muscle. There will be a bit of soreness or tenderness associated with this naturally.

You are doing fine, keep your head up!!

Keep us posted and most of all, Keep Running!!

Steve

[ruthharvey]

Thanks for the supportive comments guys, it's appreciated! I'm feeling better this morning, so I should be good to go on Saturday (hopefully). I can see this blog's really gonna help with the self-motivation! X

[Twiggytjt Graduate in reply to ruthharvey]

I have hurt my calf and resting for a week. Am convinced I won't be able to do my 25 min run again. I had one run that made me feel sick, felt very heavy and a complete failure. The next one after that was brilliant and I felt like a runner. I have a friend who has run for years and he says he still has good and bad runs. The key is not to let it put a halt on everything as when the good runs come you feel on top of he world. I moan to him all the time and he is always right in the end. Stay strong.