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Exercise

Chat to other fitness enthusiasts on our Exercise forum.

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Original poster

Run got me down, tips and hope please!

49 replies

IfIwasablackbird · 30/04/2022 20:55

I used to run a good 20 miles a week. Would do 10k no bother at a good pace…

I managed two miles at 12 minutes a mile today and I just feel shit. I feel like I’ll never get my fitness back or my body. I’m three stone heavier and just so disappointed in myself.

Any tips on a good way of eating and getting back to running would be so appreciated. Got myself right in a slump.

OP posts:

LapinR0se · 30/04/2022 20:57

stop the negative self-talk. Doing anything is better than doing nothing
eat clean
sleep well

PermanentTemporary · 30/04/2022 21:01

You ARE getting back your fitness. You're doing it right now.

Use myfitnesspal. No judgement on there but I find it really positive. Every day is a new start.

Original poster

IfIwasablackbird · 01/05/2022 00:19

Thanks folks. It just feels so far away. Embarrassing going out for a run in honesty!

OP posts:

LadyGardenersQuestionTime · 01/05/2022 00:36

C25k; the early weeks will be so easy you will feel fantastic and race through them.

Getting off your arse is 100000 times more than most people do, congratulate yourself for a great start.

givethatbabyaname · 01/05/2022 00:53

Just keep putting one step in front of the other, sessions after session. Don’t change anything in your diet at first, if you don’t want to. You WILL start seeing a difference. Once you notice that difference you will want to build on it by running more, changing your diet, speeding up the getting fit process.

Running is easy. One step in front of the other. The problem is always mental. Don’t sabotage yourself. Be your own friend, not your own enemy. You can do it!

ValBiro · 01/05/2022 00:57

I go through patches like this even when I've been keeping up with running. 10 minute miles that make me feel like I'm dying! And then it gets back to normal. I suppose there could be a myriad of reasons why at the time, but you've pin pointed yours. You will get back there!

StrawberriCream · 01/05/2022 06:23

I went for a run on Wednesday, just over two miles and felt awful, like I was running through treacle, it was really hard, went and did park run yesterday with two of my daughters - we walked a bit ran a bit, there was no pressure and I enjoyed it so much more, I think sometimes we can put to much pressure on ourselves. Couch to 5k is always a good bet too the first few weeks usually feel ok if you have run before and just lost fitness

LoveItOrListIt · 01/05/2022 06:32

OP…worth getting a set of bloods done? I have issues with my thyroid and when it is flaring up the first thing that goes is my ability to run…feels exactly like you explained. If all is well there, What worked for me weight wise was daily weighing with fitindex scales…it doesn’t work for everyone but I found it hugely motivating and lost about 2 stone over 9 months and that helped me run better and longer too. It just led me to make better eating choices (eg trading my daily hot buttery toast for porridge) as I didn’t like it when the scales went up :) I think you have to view it as a lifestyle change which will work slowly though, rather than a diet and you have to start small with your running too. 2 miles today. 2.5 miles next week…and on. Don’t give up!!

Wargghhhh · 01/05/2022 06:40

If it makes you feel any better a few years ago I was running half marathons. Then I broke my toe and couldn't run for ages (years!).

I've started back running and managed 3 runs - week 3 of couch to 5k. The other day I ran and after only 3 minutes my foot was in quite a bit of pain so I had to stop running and hobbled home. So yep, half marathon to 3 minutes running now!

I've given up for a few days but with be back on it next week. I'm not giving up, but I feel embarrassed. I've put on a load of weight too.

But you know at least we are out there running. Baby steps! Consistency is the key, you know you're capable of 10k and you will get there it just takes time and a bit of determination.

Keep going, don't give up. Your next run will be better!

jubileeee · 01/05/2022 08:22

Don't compare yourself to your past fitness. Accept where you are now and aim to improve that. You know it will come back, be patient.

It's easy to take that great fitness level for granted when you're there.

jubileeee · 01/05/2022 08:22

Don't compare yourself to your past fitness. Accept where you are now and aim to improve that. You know it will come back, be patient.

It's easy to take that great fitness level for granted when you're there.

Arucanafeather · 01/05/2022 08:43

You are where I was at in December. It did feel a horrible place to be after having been very fit. I see my goal time on feet - 4 times a week for 30 mins - and I’m now the next rung up from bottom. I’m doing parkrun again and adding a km a week to my long run. I’m also 3 stone overweight. Haven’t lost much weight yet but my clothes are getting looser. I did find the first couple of runs terrible and so did pop to doctors to check my thyroid, iron and b12 levels etc. Turned out I did have significant iron anaemia so I was glad I went!

You know you can do this as you’ve done it before. It’s a mental battle facing that you need to do it again but you’ve taken that all important first step. Go slow and put one foot in front of the other.

Original poster

IfIwasablackbird · 01/05/2022 20:28

Thanks so much everyone. I really appreciate all the replies and support. I made myself face it today and it was hard again but every step is a step closer to nailing it.

Trying to focus on my fitness and not my weight after past obsessions when I was very slim.

@Wargghhhh I’m so sorry to hear about your toe, that must be infuriating when you’re getting back to it. Sending best wishes for a speedy tie recovery. (Can’t imagine the pain when it happened….)

OP posts:

Lazyi · 02/05/2022 06:26

Happens to us all.
You will improve quickly because your body has been there before.

Frogsonglue · 02/05/2022 06:32

I have a similar running history to you; in the past 8 years (kids) I've really struggled to get back to it until doing c25k this year. I never bothered with it before because I always rather dismissively thought it was for people who'd never been runners, but it was brilliant and I'm now running sub-30 mins 5k several times a week.

Goatinthegarden · 02/05/2022 06:53

Don’t be down on yourself, the important thing is that you are out running and you will improve. Aim to beat the last run that you did, not the runs you used to be able to do and you’ll soon find you’re making good progress.

Concentrate on fuelling your body for exercise rather than dieting. So drink lots of water, eat fresh veg and protein. Don’t eat things that will make you feel sluggish.

BadAtMaths2 · 02/05/2022 07:01

Do get your bloods checked….

rookiemere · 02/05/2022 07:12

Concentrate on getting better, not on what you used to do.2 miles at 12 minutes a mile is pretty good if you've not been running for a while ( tbh it's faster than me and I do run regularly but never get faster).

Could you sign up for parkrun to give you something to aim for ? At that speed you'll not be last and not be first.

Remember perfection is the enemy of progress. I'd been putting off doing weights at the gym as it hurt to think I used to be able to deadlift a reasonable amount now I struggle with the 20kg bar . But it was DS who reminded me that weights are the best thing for building muscle and looking leaner so now I'm determined to at least do a bit.

Keep going it will get easier.

NeedAHoliday2021 · 02/05/2022 13:43

Running is about getting out there and doing it so keep going and don’t bother with comparison. you’ll get it back.

UnaOfStormhold · 02/05/2022 13:47

Have you considered getting a fresh profile on Strava or whatever activity tracker you use so you start getting PBs again. It sounds trivial but may help you feel the progress you're making now rather than always comparing to your previous times.

OrlandointheWilderness · 02/05/2022 13:47

This time last year I'd just run 2 half marathons in a week. Now I'm restarting 2 1/2 stone heavier and I could cry most days. Keep on ploughing through, we know how quickly it improves if you do it enough!

Coughee · 02/05/2022 13:55

I would forget about pace for now. If you're just coming back to running you could try time rather than distance as your measure. So you ran for 24 minutes today. Try and slowly build that up. Once you can comfortably run 30 minutes try looking at pace and mileage again. It just seems a shame you're feeling so shit about something that should feel like a win!

timeforanotherusernameyes · 02/05/2022 14:31

I've spent the whole day putting off my run and ended up not doing anything with my day. I'm setting intention to be out the door within 30 minutes.

Original poster

IfIwasablackbird · 02/05/2022 21:41

Thanks all.

Didn’t run today as I was achey from the last two days but going to try for an early run tomorrow. Perhaps evening doesn’t help.

@UnaOfStormhold thanks for this! I have cleared my garmin. I won’t be competing against myself that way.

I think in my mind I’m still a size 8 fitness type, so this has been a shock to me. 😂

OP posts:

Original poster

IfIwasablackbird · 02/05/2022 21:42

I won’t describe the attempt with my old waterproof running thingy… I had to laugh or I would have cried. How are my shoulders fat?!

OP posts:

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