Running: why is it so bloody awful somedays??

[DavetheCat2001]

Ok so I've eaten and drunk and been jolly over Xmas with the best of 'em, but I have still been running though for damage limitation in the new year, so not been totally idle!

Went for a magnificent run on Monday near where OH's parents live in the countryside. Did just shy of 10km and really felt like I was flying along..all good..felt great.

Went out this morning round my usual London route, and OMG it was hideous. Probably didn't help that it was blowing a gale, but my legs felt like lead and my breathing was all over the place. Only managed 5k and that was ruddy hard. Felt like I was going to collapse half way round!

Why some days can you feel like you can rival Forest Gump for stamina, yet other days feel like a total novice again?

[LoveMILbut]

Thanks, met a friend there so I really couldn't stop and walk!

[DavetheCat2001]

haha yes the motivation of other runners!

Have a good run!

[LoveMILbut]

About to head out to Parkrun for first time in about 3 weeks.. Hope it's a better run today, too many people there to give up and walk!

[DavetheCat2001]

I find the runs I do in my lunch hour at work not only tough going but desperately boring.

I come back to the office and just want to fall asleep at my desk!

Ah well, the fact we are getting out there is the main thing. I managed 7k yesterday morning after a pretty heavy NYE, so was pleased with that. I'm doing dry January too, so hoping that will help improve my performance.

[ChipsandGuac]

Yes! For some reason, I can only run in the morning or the evening. If I run in the afternoon, I'm useless.

That said, I went for a trail run this afternoon and I was flying along. We didn't wake up until 11 though so perhaps I just tricked my body!

[whatdoIget]

Early evening about 6pm is meant to be the best time to run. Also where I am in my menstrual cycle can make a difference. Also whether I ate a load of crap carbs the day before.

[TolpuddleFarter]

I find it depends where I am in my cycle. A run in the week leading up to my period can be very tough.

[NoDramaForTheLlama]

Had this problem too this week... Managed my fastest 10k Monday.. On Wednesday I did my slowest 5k.
Always have to use the loo after a run and have been known to come back half way and then go out to finish the run!

[HotDogJumpingFrogAlburquerque]

I hear you!

There are 2 different things that ruin my runs.

1- Where my legs feel like lead and just will not play ball, and they get painful.
2- my lungs actually burn, and I just can't get the air into them and I get wheezy.
3, the little voice on my shoulder tells me to just stop and nobody will know

Other days, neither happen and I just feel magical!

Back when I used to run HMs, I found that if I just kept going with lead legs, after 8k it would go away and I'd feel fine. These days I can only do 5k, so I can't run it off!

Runners trots is something I worry about too.

[MrsMook]

I have to be very careful about what/ when I eat around runs.

I like to think of it as a positive that my first half marathon experience taught me that I have a low tolerance to dairy

Since I worked that correlation out, I haven't had to abort runs or take tissues

[DavetheCat2001]

Well I guess so..just normally after the first hellish 10 mins or so I get into my stride, but not this morning. Didn't enjoy it at all.

Ah well, have made up for it with a large slice of chocolate cake and will have a couple of glasses of vino this evening

[YeOldeTrout]

so... it felt tough because it was tough?

[DavetheCat2001]

The curry and red wine I had last night probably didn't help!

Sorry for tmi but one of the problems I had this morning was..ahem...feeling desperate to go to the loo. My sister calls it 'runners trots', so that also cut it short a bit.

Having said all that, when I looked at my run stats on Strava, I'd actually gone much faster than I thought! It felt like I was really plodding along. I did a fairly brutal hill too.

[VintageDresses]

Because the previous brilliant run us still in you legs, youve eaten or rested differently, you set off too fast today full of confidence from your last run, you're not as "well" today mentally or physically as you were then....

Loads of reasons or a mix of all of them, which us why running is so great

[CMOTDibbler]

Weird isn't it? The other week we went out cycling and ds(9) was dropping me on the hills

I do think wind makes more of a difference out running than you'd think - today is a howling gale and raining, so def a swim day for me!

[MrsMook]

I had a lovely run on boxing day, other than the fact that my heart rate was through the roof. I suspect that dehydration and liver overload were at play. A couple of days ago I ended up mainly walking at the end as my body had lost its mojo. I've eaten decently, but had larger lunches and lighter teas, so my body was on emptier reserves by mid morning compared to normal.

There's so many subtle factors at play, food, drink, sleep, rest, recovery, wind, temperature etc etc...

[fascicle]

Sounds familiar. I think there are different factors at play to make a run beautiful or hard and hideous - e.g. time of day (and whether it's what your body's used to); surface and incline; scenery/other distractions; how recently you've eaten etc. Anyway, running when you don't feel like it is an achievement as is keeping up the habit over the festive period.