Forums > Running 101 > Need encouragement please!!
I just started running in December and have loved it. I ran through the cold dead of night and did my first 5k in feburary. Even since then I've been running about three times a week. I wouldn't even dream that was possible when I started.
However, over the past month time has not cooperated with me. My usual running schedule was shot to pieces. Unexpected trips out of town, no good/safe place to run, funeral, etc. I didn't get runs in like I wanted to and have probably only run a handful of days this month
This week I am back on track time wise and got in my 3 mile run. I thought I was going to die. Seriously. After 20 seconds I had to take a walk break. After I fought inch by inch to run 5 miles just a few weeks ago I coudln't even do 3 today. I'm trying not to beat myself up over it...but damn!!!
So to avoid the pity party, any words of encouragment or stories of how you were in a similar situation and a week later were back on track?
Hometown AG win.
Bad runs happen. The ratio goes down the more you run. At least for me.
That bad run could have happened even if your schedule didn't get messed up.
We all have to make room for running (the amount we want to) despite what life (or death, in your case) throws at us.
I managed to run the day I got laid off, not too long ago. I managed to get mildly drunk, too.
Smaty - April sucks. I'm pretty sure it's a well documented fact (somewhere). For me, I'm going to be down on mileage too.
Just keep going and know that May is going to be warmer, drier & more productive.
Just like you will always have the occasional $h!tty run, you'll have the occasional $h!tty month too.
If you get out the door and put one foot in front of the other you will be OK.
For me, that month was last October; injured, travel and well down on mileage.
Getting back into it at the end of that month really sucked but in November I ran more miles than I ever had before and got a new HM PR in early December - 6 weeks later.
You can and will bounce back.... hang in there.
2012 Goals 1) Run 1243 Miles (2000km)
2) Run 100 Miles a month... every month.
3) Break 1:50 in a HM (PR 1:52:19)4) Break 4:00 in a Marathon (PR 4:20:39)
I look my best blurry!
baby box jumper
I wonder if you just didn't psych yourself out a bit though? Maybe you were worried you had lost some fitness and that affected your head, which then affected your running? I find running to be a very mental activity.
Usually when I start back up again, I try to keep that first run back on the short side (not that my runs are even that long to begin with). So maybe 2 miles on the first day back. And just gradually increase from there.
Mimi Running at the speed of walk
Run Free!
Walking and reducing mileage are perfectly acceptable.
I had to take six months of about a year ago and I was terrified I wouldn't be able to restart.
But I did.
Best of luck.
Climbing Mt Ruapehu
agree with dnephin. Bad runs happen to everyone but the frequency of them occurring decreases as you run more. If you look at my log you will see a number of runs where i ran crap
i run much by feel, i run when i can. i run long when my head is in the game, i take a break when i'm a bit sore (like today) and i get into it again. rest is training if you do it right.
i get discouraged too often after a crap run but its just deciding to keep at it that brings its rewards!
Good luck
Personal Race Records:
M 3:52:48 (Auckland 2011), HM 1:38:16 (Taupo 2010), 10km 45:05 (Sir Barry 2010), 5km 20:21 (How Pak 5km 2010)
2012 Goals:Run the 75km Hillary Trail in a day (done 10/3/2012)
If you look at my log, this past week, I had a 3 mile run -- and it was the WORST run I can remember. My legs kept tightening up and it was all I could do to finish. Ill bet I walked 6 or 7 times durng the run (and felt like CRAP after was finally finished)...
Next day I felt fiine...and Sunday I did my normal 12 miles........
These things happen and more often to a new runner and less often to guys like me. However, if you have only been running a few months (since December) I personally think you would do a better job if you would shorten up your runs and run more often.. Every day for 15 to 25 minutes is better than 3 to 5 miles three times per week and you'll probably have less bad days too...
I also found it hard to find time to run until I realized I was watching way too much TV and after I stopped watching the news, National News, the insider and Entertainment Tonight, i suddenly realized I had time for a 40+ miles per week....
I'll bet if you really ojbectively review your daily schedule you can find some time every day for running if you really want to...
Champions are made when no one is watching
Getting Faster!!!
I also found it hard to find time to run until I realized I was watching way too much TV and after I stopped watching the news, National News, the insider and Entertainment Tonight, i suddenly realized I had time for a 40+ miles per week.... I'll bet if you really ojbectively review your daily schedule you can find some time every day for running if you really want to...
2011 Races Houston Aramco Half Marathon 1/30/11 - 1:32:45 (PR) Buffalo Wallow Cross Country 6K 2/19/11 - 26:25 Bayou City Classic 10K 3/12/111 - 51:06 (Ran in a centipede of 8) Eikenburg Law Week 8K 3/26/11 - 32:54 (PR)
Bellaire Trolley 5k 4/9/11 - 19:33 (PR) LP Run (# of laps in 33 1/3 minutes) 4/27 - 19 3/4 Laps 4x2 Bayou Bash Relay 4/30 - TBD
#1) The hardest part is gaining fitness the 1st time - After that your body gravitates back to close to that fitness level much easier.
#2) After a break, you have to expect to do some runs to knock the sludge or rust out.
#3) I run 7 days a week - sometimes 3x a day. If I take a day off the 1st run back I always feel like poop. If I take a week off, the 1st week of runs feel sludgy.
Keep the chin up!
I just started running in December and have loved it. I ran through the cold dead of night and did my first 5k in feburary. Even since then I've been running about three times a week. I wouldn't even dream that was possible when I started. However, over the past month time has not cooperated with me. My usual running schedule was shot to pieces. Unexpected trips out of town, no good/safe place to run, funeral, etc. I didn't get runs in like I wanted to and have probably only run a handful of days this month This week I am back on track time wise and got in my 3 mile run. I thought I was going to die. Seriously. After 20 seconds I had to take a walk break. After I fought inch by inch to run 5 miles just a few weeks ago I coudln't even do 3 today. I'm trying not to beat myself up over it...but damn!!! So to avoid the pity party, any words of encouragment or stories of how you were in a similar situation and a week later were back on track?
http://a-big-horse.blogspot.com/
2012 Goals ~ Mar < 3:00 2:56:07, 1/2M < 1:25, 50k < 5 hours 3:44:20, 24 hour > 145 miles
quitters never win
Thanks for all the encouragement!
I hadn't thought about running less miles more frequently. Duh. Seems obvious now. I guess it's not the end of the world. Bad run. It happens, but just have to keep on going. Today is a new day. Time to lace up and keep on going
Thank you everyone!
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