Stress? What stress?

Abi Moran

25/03/2003 at 18:01

I've just read the 'Running You Ragged' article by Marc Bloom on this site and it got me thinking....

Running seriously destresses you. But this article is so right - running had become a stress for me. Once upon a time I congratulated myself heartily for 'just getting out there' but without noticing, things changed....

If I had a bad day and could only manage 4 instead of 7 miles, I wouldn't congratulate myself for getting out there and running that distance at all. Instead, I'd make myself feel like I'd failed somehow for not running the distance I had intended!

I've been injured for 4 months now and although I've tried to run, have ended up turning to the gym to strengthen up and do other cardio work until my knee problem is sorted. It's only now that I realise how great it would be to 'just get out there' after a stressful day at work like today.

My point is, don't lose sight of why you run in the first place - appreciate the fact that you CAN run. Just get out there and enjoy!

(I'm off to the gym :(......)

Abi Moran

25/03/2003 at 18:04

Hmm...think I must've just had a 'moment'.... :)

Sassie

25/03/2003 at 18:06

You are SO right Abi

Scouse

25/03/2003 at 18:12

Nice one Abi, makes one greatful for what they can already achieve.

Swerve

25/03/2003 at 19:02

Thanks for the reminder, Abi. I've been perilously close to 'training' instead of 'running' lately!

I had a long-term knee thing too, and it is fab to get back out there. Keep up the good work and you'll be back in the fresh air having fun.

happyslug

25/03/2003 at 19:03

I want to be a runner; I love running, but why is it so hard to keep going?

I enter and do a race, train well, maybe enter a couple more, then at some point something happens and I lose it; It isn't overtraining, I've never run more than 4 times a week, I build up slowly, follow a plan.

I think it's something to do with the way you lose form if you don't run, I go swimming every now and again, and ok, I'm not quick, but I can keep swimming for 3/4 hour, even if I haven't been for 6 months,so is it because slow running becomes walking , which then feels like failing (I KNOW it isn't) slow swimming is still swimming!! etc etc

I know that next time I go out running, it will be painful; my chest will hurt, i'll have to walk, I'll beat myself up with the fact that last October I could run 15 miles and now I can't do 3,

but I will do it eventually, so why didn't I do it tonight??

Hicklet

25/03/2003 at 19:05

Reading the article RUNNING YOURSELF RAGGED made me realise that I really do need to chill out and not give myself such a hard time in what is actually a "leisure" persuit rather than a chore.

happyslug

25/03/2003 at 19:05

Abi, I've just read your first post again,
I'll go away and remind myself why I want to run, and how good it feels to have run,
and all it takes is to put the kit on, - do that and I'm always out the door!

happyslug

25/03/2003 at 19:06

it's the old glass half empty thing isnt it?

Abi Moran

25/03/2003 at 19:15

Thanks Swerve - with any luck I'll be back running for when the sun comes out...yay!

Don't worry Happyslug - just think of the couch potatoes whilst you're out there - always makes me feel good. Every run you do makes the next one easier!

(Oo, I totally just made myself a new motto...must write that one down...)

*wanders off to find pen and do boring physio exercises*

Robin Bhairam

25/03/2003 at 19:21

Hi I am also a slug, I have been running for about 12 years, I have tried this programme and that programme. I'd get paranoid if I didn't train, could I ever break the 4 hour marathon - NO! I took up running for health fitness & dare I say fun!. Also to escape from the stress of life. However I was just begining to creep into my old ways (you know training log HRM) when (like the rest of the world) I watched the news, I saw the soldiers in Iraq (both sides!) and thought about the fear and stress that must be with them & their families, it doesn't bear thinking about. So I put on my kit, went outside felt the sun on my face and ran like only a slug can, slowly, but with a smile and thought for those who really have something to stressed about!
Good luck to you all (slug or cheetahs!) :)

happyslug

25/03/2003 at 19:29

many good thoughts to hold! watch this space to see if I get out tomorrow morning!!

Aardvark

25/03/2003 at 21:12

I think my big problem is that I always tend to think back to my best runs and judge myself against those. After a 10-mile run that has felt like a slog, I try to make myself remember my first ever run. I think I lasted for six minutes before slumping over a fence expecting to die at any moment. The 'bad' long runs don't seem quite as bad compared to that!

Ultra Ironwolf pirate

pirate

25/03/2003 at 21:19

My first run was so long ago I can't possibly remember it! But I do have a really terrible one I can compare to when I've had a 'bad' run - 1996 27km mountain race in Austria, ran it 15 years in a row without a prob, the 16th time suffered a severe foot fracture on the down-side of the mountain. Hobbling down that very steep track to the waiting first aid crew at the bottom was excruciating and nothing else comes close.

Aardvark

25/03/2003 at 21:34

That's got to take some beating when it comes to bad runs! I haven't had any injuries as bad as that, but I do remember struggling the last 3 miles home with a pulled muscle. For a few weeks after I recovered, I was just glad to finish runs and still be able to walk properly! Didn't last, unfortunately - I soon got back to wanting every training run to be a PB.

Lin C

25/03/2003 at 21:42

I also have a severe problem with wanting achieve a good time on every training run. In the past I have followed the RW training schedule for 10k, but I find that no matter what the planned run is, I still go at the same pace every time - as fast as I can manage. I've considered (briefly!)leaving the stop watch behind - but what if I had an absolute flier and did my best ever time without being able to record it? - horror!

Aardvark

25/03/2003 at 21:48

I've tried leaving the watch behind, and it worked quite well. I mean, what's the point of forcing yourself to run fast if you're never going to know your time?

The biggest problem for me is on longer runs, where I tend to run by time rather than distance, so I have to have a watch with me. In theory I'm not worrying about distance, but I always want to run further (which means faster!) than I did last time.

Munro Man

25/03/2003 at 21:50

Guys, just chill. Enjoy all your running but mix it with other sports. Look back on where you started out and be proud of your achievements.
Consider yourselves lucky that you can do it, many people can't.

Ann Cleat

25/03/2003 at 23:07

Sometimes work, children, being a single Mum all seem to contribute to not having the time to run as much as I'd like but I try not to mind too much if, like this week, I only get one training session in. Each Wednesday evening I go to a running club which provides a different session every week - and half the fun is not knowing what each week's session will be! And no matter how tired or 'stressed' I feel before I go I always without exception feel so much better afterwards for having pushed myself to complete everything in the session. At 45 I don't worry too much about improving times but I do intend to be still running for at least another 30 years!

Cathy.......

26/03/2003 at 07:37

What stresses me out is the constant heckling received from the ignorant, both young and old, who just have to make some derogatory comment when they see a woman running.

Winter is the time for me, dark nights, layers of clothing, less comments and more peace. Summer can be a nightmare for those of us built more for comfort than speed, especially those who run without the security of a group.

And the next person who asks, "can't you run faster than that?" is likely to get more than they bargained for..... Why do some folk think I have to run fast to be enjoy running????? And why do some folk think if I can't run fast, or at least look like Paula Radcliffe, I shouldn't run at all?........

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