Disappointing run...

[ClarePF]

So I set off early for a run yesterday morning and thought I’d try the Stepping Stones podcast. It all started ok and it was nice to hear Laura again, but... around about 15 mins in (possibly less) I decided I needed to stop.

It was the first time in all the runs that I’ve had to stop but I told myself I’d give myself a minute or two and then get going again. I didn’t. I switched off the podcast and walked the rest of the route...

It was a lovely morning so good to be out but still rather disappointing.

I think Stepping Stones is just too fast for me and I should just concentrate on running for 30 mins for a bit.

Trying not to feel deflated!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Nothing to be deflated about. You tried it, it’s not for you at the moment. And you got a fast 15 in, which will help you along a bit more.

[Anthie Graduate]

Hello Clare, I understand your feeling: I had a very disappointing run yesterday: I could only run 20 mns when I ran 35 mns on Sunday and achieved 6 kms... But we're still learning! I graduated from C25K last November and then I've run regularly apart from the odd breaks when I was ill; I even managed Ju-Ju's 10k programme last May (on the Bridge to 10k forum) and yet I've never finished the Stepping Stones podcast. It's too fast with no slowing down in-between which I find very difficult to follow.

But thanks to this wonderful community, I then heard about fartleks (not as gross as it sounds!) and when I feel good enough, I try to practise on one of the runs in the week: no imposed distance there, just enjoy running as fast as you want for as long or short as you want. You can start speeding up for 30 sec, then slow down and get a 60 sec rest jog, then speed again for 60 sec... I usually practise on tracks lined with trees and lamposts: the visual landmarks are more motivating than the time limits. Here's an article with a programme if you want to try (thank you to the member who posted it months ago) : runnersworld.com/advanced/a...

Whatever you do, a run is still a run, bad or not.... Just enjoy yourself!