Lockdown is having an adverse effect on my running.

[Runningfit67]

Since lockdown I have been out running 3 times a week and, going for brisk walks the other 4 days ( in the allotted hour). Because I’ve been furloughed I assumed I’d have more energy and my running speed and distance would improve if anything, the opposite is happening. My speed and distance is both slower and shorter. I’m definitely getting more exercise than I’d get if I was working but this seems to be having a negative effect on my running. Is anyone else experiencing anything similar or is it just me.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

I've seen - but not read - a couple of articles headlined 'why we feel fatigued when we aren't doing as much as normal' so you're probably not the only one. I think stress affects us more than we realise, sapping us of energy in the most stealthy way. I also think everything slows down when we have time on our hands - maybe just enjoy the luxury that that is, relish the fact that you don't have to rush to fit everything in?

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

It is hot out there atm. I was crimson when I got back this morning 🥵

But as Linda says, I think this is such an unusual change for us that we might not feel stressed but our bodies might tell us otherwise. Don’t be hard on yourself, we can only do what we can do.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

It was hot wasn't it! I'd quite forgotten how horribly sweaty I get 🙄. I didn't run fast or long, but I knew about it when I got back. Digging the shorts out for the bike tomorrow ...

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Yes I was sweating buckets! My route had no shade and it was uphill so my heart was going like the clappers!

Time to get the summer kit out ......🏃‍♀️🙂

[mrrun Ultramarathon]

This is the time of enormous stress. Yeah, you've had more free time than before, the weather is fine but still, you can't get the results that you've expected. You don't need to hear the news to know or feel that something's not right. That will affect many a thing, including your ability to run. That's normal. My life has been interrupted and as a result l have 5 days of running and two days of cross training at my disposal but l had to take walking breaks during my 16k run yesterday. I don't stop or even take drink breaks during half marathons but this is a different ball game, the mind is playing games with us. This will pass and you'll (we all will) get back to normal. Run as much as you can regardless!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

It’s such a weird time isn’t it Runningfit? Our bodies react to abnormality in all sorts of ways, so it’s not surprising that you’re finding it tough at the moment.

I’m (very fortunately) not in a stressful situation with myself or my family, and my distances haven’t been affected, but I really can’t be doing with pushing my pace at all at the moment. I’m naturally slow at the best of times, but I have it within me to speed up every so often. Right now I really don’t feel inclined to, but that’s fine by me. 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

Just run for fun, and enjoy being out.

Stay safe and well. 👍😀

[Runningfit67]

Yes I think the best thing to do is to keep plodding on and take advantage of the hours exercise everyday.

[Run46 Half Marathon]

Yup, I'm exactly the same!

Before furlough I was reasonably active throughout the day considering I do an office job. I'd walk back and to from work including at lunch time and usually was around 6500 steps by the time I got home from work.

Now I'm sitting around a lot of the day reading, watching telly, online, and even though I have done a bit of cleaning or whatever I can find to get me up and about, it's not much.

I feel like when I start out running my heart and lungs are in shock about it for the 1st few minutes, then once they settle my legs seem to be feeling the strain.

I forced myself to do 10K last weekend and it was a struggle, I was shattered when I got home and boy were my thighs aching the next day...and though I took it slow my heart was in zone 5 almost the whole time!

It was only 4 weeks ago I did a 10K race in a much faster time and no feeling drained or achey afterwards, and not long before that I'd been doing 10 miles with less aching!

I don't think my body likes being inactive throughout the day.

I'm persevering and trying to move more regularly at home, my body will get used to the new normal, and soon I hope 😉

[Runningfit67]

I’m supposed to be running the GNR in September. The person I’m running with as had to take 6 weeks of running due to a broken toe and now her doctor as told her to not run for another 6 weeks. I was doing quite well with my training program but, since I’ve been off work it’s not going to plan!!!

[Sqkr Half Marathon]

I am not furloughed but currently at home anyway, and am filling my days with lots of projects I've been meaning to do for ages so I'm finding I'm shattered 😂 I have done barely any running, but it doesn't matter. It's a weird time and there's no right way to handle it. Getting out and doing any running at all is good, so I say relax and enjoy getting out the house, even if it's not what you'd intended!

[MadDave]

For me I’m running further and getting faster. But then the pandemic coincided with the end of a 2 month recovery programme, so I’ve been able to push harder.

Having said that, my form, especially on tempo runs on trails, has never been better.

Just need some races to see if the training’s paid off!

[Decker Ultramarathon]

It’s a strange time for sure. It’s not surprising it affects us oddly. I’ve tried to maintain my base long runs, and tried to run more trails since they are usually much less populated than the walking paths and I enjoy them more. I know that if they locked us down further here that it would be very stressful to change my habits. I believe a big part of running success is tied into daily routine, and when routine is upended, you have to find a way to make it work somehow. Habits are so powerful. Right now I have a big October goal, but if that shifts then things may be very different. Just adapt and keep moving forward, right? We can do this.