Yesterday I did my belated 12k, carried over from last weekend’s forecast of freezing rain. As noted on Strava I did a rather good impression of a pirate with one leg cramping up after 3k and the other joining in after 6k. I kept going through it, determined to finish, and it passed enough by the final k for me to do a mini sprint finish. I enjoyed the sense of achievement but I didn’t enjoy most of the run.
Hot soak in an Epsom Salt bath made me reflect on things. Getting up this morning and struggling on my stairs made me reflect some more.
I’ve only been running for nearly 9 months. It was late June before I made 5k. It was late August when I struggled to 10k once and it was mid-November before I managed it again. I’ve managed 5 runs of 10k or more. I was exercise free for over 20 years before Couch started in late March. And here I am trying to do a half marathon programme over winter!
You can see where this is headed.
I’m going to step back from the HM programme for now and concentrate on runs up to 10k. I may do the odd 11k or 12k, but they’ll be rare. I managed so far to avoid any injuries and yesterday was clearly too far for me at this stage.
It was the same in August with the 10k but I’m now much more comfortable doing that distance, so I know over time I will improve.
For the rest of the winter I’m going to focus on “just running” - a couple of shorter runs and a longer one each week. Probably increasing 7, 8, 9, 10k at weekends each month with the occasional parkrun for good measure.
Those of you on the programme, keep on doing what you’re doing and I’ll come and play catch-up when I’m ready.
Enjoy your next run x
Written by
Jay66UK
Half Marathon
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Sounds very sensible to me. 10k is a great distance, long enough to really clear your head, give you a sense of achievement, keep the weight off and it does not use up too much time out of your day.
It’s nice to have a goal in life (like training for a HM) but it’s also equally nice just going for a run because it makes you feel good. It’s nice e to be free of an agenda.
Run happy my friend, your posts in your running career have often lifted my day, so please keep posting.
Merry Christmas Jay and a Happy New Run Year to you!
Good idea to step back a bit and let your legs recover. I’m feeling the same as well, but will keep aiming for the 1/2 in March by planning longer rest periods and consolidating my pace instead of trying to get faster. So now to take a rest for a few days and see how those legs feel on Boxing Day...🏃♂️🎅🏻
Hi Jay, I can relate to your post. I’ve been running since November last year after 20 years of not much and have built up from 5k to HM. I’ve run 21k several times but last weekend just seemed too much and I was feeling sore after my long run. I think the cold weather did not help. Like you an epsom bath and sore on the stairs suffering from runners knee. So I just eased right off this week from my HM plan and just did a 5k plus parkrun yesterday. Still not 100% so will skip my long run today and have short runs planned for this week to keep things ticking over whilst giving my legs some recovery time. Will revisit my HM plan in the new year as I have an HM early Feb. I hope a few days recovery helps you too and you will be able to get back to the plan when you are ready. Good luck! 👍
You do what feels right for you at the moment, Jay, and please keep us posted here and on Strava. 10k is still a great distance and a great achievement. HM isn’t going anywhere, so if you feel like heading in that direction later you can always do so when you feel ready. Many of us seem to keep picking up injuries as newbie runners, and I’m sure listening to your own body is the safest and most sensible approach for all of us.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and many Happy Runs! 😊❤️❤️❤️
Just reflect on how far you’ve come! I’m still pottering around 5k so you’re doing so much more than most of us! Celebrate with family and just enjoy running with no pressure. Have a very Merry Christmas and a healthy / injury free 2019. (I’ll always look up to you!)
A very sensible plan, Jay. I think we get so caught up in our achievements, reaching 5k from the couch then 10k that HM seems like the next reasonable goal, but it is a huge jump. Enjoy your runs, whatever they may be, and the HM goal will be there when and if you are ready.
So sorry to read this Jay, but totally understand where you are coming from, as others have said, you have achieved an amazing amount this year and should feel very proud. Bask in the warm glow of knowing you can run 10km, I bet you never thought that was possible a year ago?! 😍😍😍
Sounds like it’s the right decision Jay, and after under 9 months of running there’s all the time in the world ahead of you to get up to whatever distance you fancy!
I may be be joining you too... I still hope to resume my (now truncated) HM plan in the new year after my spell on the IC. But the slightest further niggle/complication will see me pull out of the planned HM in Reading (March) and instead build up through the summer to the Cardiff HM in Oct. We’ll see...
That's a shame Jay but totally understand the decision - you've got to do what's right for you.
You've come such a long way in a short amount of time and achieved so much. Looking forward to continuing to follow your posts which are always entertaining and inspiring. Your write up of your experience at Lyme Park parkrun would win my personal "Greatest Post of 2018" award 😁
I'm really impressed at your recognising where you're at, and more importantly being resolute enough to stop and take appropriate action. I have no doubt you will get to HM distances - and most likely sooner than you think too.
Enjoy whatever distances you choose - that's the most important thing for sure
Thanks, BBR. One of the advantages of being older is knowing you only have yourself to motivate you and to be answerable to. I’ve already got a plan! Merry Christmas.
Sounds sensible Jay. Injury is not where we ever want to end up. Sometimes the hardest thing to do is the sensible thing. I have dialled my plan back a bit as well for similar reasons. Best of luck on your Christmas Eve run and with all the ones that follow.
Hi Jay, Well done to you on your running journey to date! You have had masses to contend with and still managed great things. Brilliant! 😊🏃🏻
I also ran my first 5k in June. I have only run 10k once and my current plan is two runs of 30 minutes and one of an hour per week. Although I will not manage this while we have visitors. We have all heard many times that it is our personal journey and it up to us what goals and patterns we wish to follow. There will always be HMs waiting if and when you decide the time is right. In the mean time all the very best with your onward running journey. 🏃🏻🏃🏻🏃🏻😊
Brave decision Jay! But, at the end of the day, we all started running to get fitter, to feel better about ourselves and to enjoy ourselves. If it isn’t doing all three, much better to go back to the place where we were. Happy Christmas 🎄
Yep. Only do it if it feels right. You do seem to have rocketed through c25k and over 10k quite quickly. No rush. I bet your legs will feel like coiled springs after a week off though! I've done nothing for a week and so all my micro niggles and aches are now gone. Take it easy and progress at a rate that feels right.
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I've done nothing for a week and so all my micro niggles and aches are now gone. Take it easy and progress at a rate that feels right. 
GSR and the niggles on the way
Trot 4 of 32 Marathon Building Programme.
My HU Spring 10K
