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Original poster

Help! I have a 10k run this weekend and I have lost my mojo....

31 replies

orangina · 11/07/2013 21:45

Hello lovely MN runners..... I am a running newbie (started c25k in March) and have a 10k run this weekend which I have been working towards and raised quite a lot of money for..... I am NOT a natural runner, I have struggled a fair bit, but have been v pleased with what I have achieved, etc.

Have lost my mojo though, and could really do w some help as to how to get through this weekend's run..... This evening I kept starting and stopping, felt as though I was running on empty and just wanted to stop and go home. I saw it through and managed nearly 9k on the stop start....

Will someone please tell me what to do? and also talk me through carbs and what to eat when? I just need to finish the run on Sunday..... In under 2 hours apparently (am aiming for 1 hr 15-ish minutes?)

Thank you!

OP posts:
IsThatTrue · 11/07/2013 21:55

Go at a pace you can talk (or sing) at. Bugger everyone else race your race. If you need a break slow your pace but keep running albeit really slowly, use your slow pace to recover. I find myself saying 'shut up legs' when my legs start hurting Grin Blush.

You will do it and be proud at all you have achieved, couch to 10 k in 4 months! You've done fantastically, feel proud!

Original poster
orangina · 11/07/2013 23:18

You are kind! I am not racing as such, in that I am not feeling at all competitive with anyone else, but I do want to finish, and I would love not to walk much of it if I can help it....

Wondering what I can do to make sure there is enough fuel in the tank? I absolutely felt as though I was running on empty this evening......

OP posts:
iklboo · 11/07/2013 23:24

I'm doing a 5k walk and know what you mean. After training 4 days a week doing 4-5k a time, I just can't muster it this week. I'm wondering if its the heat or 'pre-match nerves'.

Original poster
orangina · 11/07/2013 23:31

I was wondering about the heat..... I have been running in the evening when it is a bit cooler, but of course I am. Bit wiped out by th time I set off at 8pm......

OP posts:
HeySoulSister · 12/07/2013 00:08

Despite being a low carber I always run on a banana and have a few carbs the night before

I also hydrate before my run.... Not so much during or after

Jelly babies/energy melts on the way round as necessary?

IsThatTrue · 12/07/2013 05:36

Maybe evening is just too late for your body in this heat? I always feel a run is much easier at 7am.

I use maple syrup flavour porridge to get me through. Enough sugar for a quick energy burst and enough slow release in the oats to keep me going.

Tiredemma · 12/07/2013 06:03

Is this your first proper race? I did a 10k, a 10 mile and the great north run last year. In the weeks leading up to each event i really struggled, however on the day i found that the atmosphere of the event kept me running.
You will be fine, just soak up the atmosphere, identify a person in front of you that you want to 'keep up' with ( this helped me).

Original poster
orangina · 12/07/2013 07:32

Thank you all...... HeySoulSister, I was wondering about energy boosts as I ran, jelly babies sound good! Or perhaps those glucose tablets (can't remember what they are called now...)? I was running on a banana last night, and was planning to have porridge, banana and maple syrup for breeakfast before my run (a few hours before) IsThatTrue.... Am trying hard to stay hydrated and drinking a lot during the day....

Yes, this is my first race Tiredemma (great name!), and am slightly relying on the excitement of the day to get me through it! Good idea obvious finding someone to pace me, thank you.

So, Am not going to run today (recovery), will do small 2k run tomorrow, eat plenty of carbs on Sat night, g an early night, porridge etc on Sunday morning and hope for the best!

Thank you all for your input, all hints v gratefully received! Smile

OP posts:
BlueChampagne · 12/07/2013 12:51

And we will all be willing you on orangina! Can you play music as distraction therapy? Try a bottle of lucozade about an hour before the start (to make sure it's in your bloodstream) and help with hydration.

Come back and tell us how you get on!

Original poster
orangina · 12/07/2013 17:20

Thank you! Unfortunately we are not allowed to have earphones in, so the only music will be whatever is coming out of the loudspeakers at certain designated points..... And up to now, I have totally relied on motivational Laura in the c25k podcast to keep me going, together w her cheesy music! Will stock up on lucozade tomorrow and give that a go (will bring back memories of a mid pregnancy glucose test....!) and yes, will let you know how I get on! Just found out this morning that a few pals are also running and are also newbies and are also nervous, so this is reassuring!

Fingers crossed I'll get through it without too many problems! And thank you all for your support! Smile

OP posts:
Tiredemma · 12/07/2013 18:59

you sound more positive!! you won't really need to 'carb load' for 10k. Just eat sensibly- I don't think you even need gels or lucozade- just plenty of water.

I could barely run 10 metres in january 2012- I managed to get to Half Marathon by the september. You will be fine. I promise you.

Enjoy (will be hot though)

Guitargirl · 12/07/2013 19:14

If you managed 9K when you were not really up for it then I think that's pretty impressive!

The adrenaline on the actual day is going to help a lot with motivation. Of course the heat is going to have an effect. Don't try to do a crazy time, if you can finish that distance in this heat in any time at all I think that's fantastic!

Original poster
orangina · 13/07/2013 10:34

Thank you all! I have just done a 3k run today, having taken the day off yesterday. IT IS HOT!!!!!! Not sure how I am going to get through tomorrow, am slightly hoping they might let us start a little early...

Shock

Now, I have a sore muscle in the RH inner calf that tweaks while I run... Not sure what I should do about it... Cooling gel? Deep heat? Ice and raise this evening? Massage? All or none of the above?

OP posts:
IsThatTrue · 13/07/2013 10:37

Ice and raise. Fx everything goes ok for tomo!

Lizzylou · 13/07/2013 10:44

Good luck for tomorrow and well done for getting to 10km so quickly Grin
As everyone says, the atmosphere will carry you through.
Have some hydrating sports drinks or coconut water beforehand.
It will be hot so drink through the race.
I just did parkrun and it was very hot, for the first time I took a handheld water bottle thing. Luckily today there were lots of supporters and volunteers around the course and it really lifted me. I am not good in the heat!

isisisis · 13/07/2013 10:46

Is it the Jane Tomlinson Leeds 10km you're doing?
DH is doing it so will be there to cheer him on - will cheer for you to if its that one.
DH has done lots of races in the past & found having his name on his shirt a big help - when you start to flag the crowd will pull you through shouting your name. Good luck!

Original poster
orangina · 13/07/2013 18:05

Thank you AGAIN! Ok, will ice and raise tonight, and it's the great British London 10k I'm doing?... Interesting to hear that pele cheer your ame if you're flagging..... That does sound quite motivating!

It is SERIOUSLY hot in London today......

(frets)

OP posts:
Original poster
orangina · 13/07/2013 18:35

(people cheer your name)

OP posts:
IsThatTrue · 13/07/2013 19:00

oramgina my friend ya doing the London one tomo. I'm wishing you both the very best. I did 8k by accident the other night (it was not easy) and if I can do that you will be fine!

Original poster
orangina · 13/07/2013 20:38

Thank you all! Am sitting with leg raised and iced. Longing for a glass of wine, but think that would be a bad idea...... Will hydrate instead!

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sleepychunky · 13/07/2013 21:32

I'm doing the London 10k tomorrow too! Absolutely terrified - it's my first ever race and I don't like running -like you I did C25k from January. Where does it say you can't have music of your own? I'll be lost without the running music I've been listening to on my training....
Good luck tomorrow - let's hope we can get round before it gets too hot!

MacaYoniandCheese · 13/07/2013 21:44

Embrace the heat...it's pretty cool to see the beads of sweat forming on your arms as you run; totally hardcore and makes you feel all clean and exhausted-in-a-good-way afterward. Hydrate lots tonight, rather than in the morning (queuing up for the loo is no fun). Pretend you're in a Nike commercial. GOOD LUCK!

Original poster
orangina · 13/07/2013 22:50

Good luck sleepychunky! If you go to the official race website it says you can't have headphones on because of the need to hear rescue vehicles etc..... I ran without music this morning for the first time and it was fine.... Apart from hearing the sound of my own puffing and panting.....

MacaYoni, am drinking loads tonight, as I really don't want to be worrying about loos etc..... Will try to embrace my inner hardcore fitness warrior (I guess she is in there SOMEWHERE?!?!), am quite looking ford to having it behind me now......

OP posts:
Tiredemma · 14/07/2013 07:09

all races will say that they don't want you to run with music, but every race I took part in last year- people had headphones in/on.

girlsyearapart · 14/07/2013 07:28

Good luck today,
I was about to post the same about earphones, I always wear them & just take one out when going past marshals in case they need to tell me anything.
Jelly babies are good (although they do melt a bit..)

Can I recommend a book to you? Too late for today but motivational for another time!

Running Like A Girl by Alex Hemminsley (sp?)

Have fun you will feel great afterward!