Jogging Issues

[MoominWill]

I don't even know where to start with this without rambling. Let's see over the past 2 years I have been steadily getting fitter, reaching a peak of 5/6 miles jogging which for me is excellent. End of last year I got a chest infection so began to slack off a lot.

So this year has been about slowly getting back to where I was, but again I got ill a few weeks back which set me back. Last 2 weeks I have felt great jogging, got my heartrate down and felt I could be back to normal soon. However this morning I struggled so badly and had to stop at 2 miles.

Just wondering if anyone could help me with this issue. I feel fine, maybe a bit tired. Am I overdoing it? Or could it be another issue? Should I try again tomorrow and see if I have the same struggle?

Any help would be great, sorry for the wall of text 😕

[FitBeforeFifty]

It's hard to know if you've been overdoing it or not without seeing your training history. 

Personally, I wouldn't worry about it. We all have bad runs occasionally. If it happens on consecutive days then you made need to consider backing off a little and reorganizing your progression.

[MoominWill]

Thanks for the reply.

I'm probably overthinking it, it just gets a bit disheartening when I see an improvement and then suddenly struggle. I aim for at least 3 miles a day at least 5 days a week.

With the summer coming I'll probably jump back over to hiking.

[shipo]

I agree with @FitBeforeFifty, bad runs happen, fact of life.  Some days you'll be set on six and you'll get in a mile and call it quits; as your fitness improves, you may have days where you're planning on say eight and hit ten or even twelve instead.  🙂

[MoominWill]

I guess I'm worrying over nothing really. Hopefully I can be back on track soon. Thanks for the reply 😊

[emili]

I agree also that you are probably over thinking. I know there are days when I run 3 and don't notice and others I run 3 and feel like dying. It has to do in part with what you ate, drank, slept, etc. However, seeing as how you have been ill, I would just pay attention to what your body is telling you. If you start to notice things that seem more wacky then usual, maybe consult with your doctor.

[GershonSurge]

Slow runs are often a prelude to improvement. Like weight, running performance fluctuates in the short term.

I've found miles per week is the best indicator of future performance. It's also an indicator of developing injuries. Personally, I like to stay in the 40's for runs/walks and in the 70's including random steps during the day. 

[Mukluk4]

I understand what you are going through.  I had an accident jogging about a month ago that put three pins in my hand.  Doc says nothing but walking until they come out (8 days to go!).  Will be fun to see how much I've lost in that time.

[MoominWill]

Ouch that sounds painful. I'm sure you'll be back to your best in no time. I decided to take a few days off and see if a bit of rest helps.

[aps10]

You should probably check your health when you are use to running 5/6 miles and have to stop at 2 if training has been good lately. There have been times when my scheduled distance has been extremely hard because of stress, sleep issues, bonking, etc., but I always complete my scheduled distance unless I get injured. Not saying you don't have it, but mental toughness plays a big part when training and running is perceived as very difficult. Mental toughness plays often the most significant part with the people I train, allowing them to reach the "higher" levels.

[MarkyUK]

I'm doing similar miles to you and get this from time to time & one thing that really makes it hard for me is water intake. I didn't drink so much yesterday & today after 4 miles I was shattered with my HR way up on the norm but two days before while being very well hydrated I had one of the best runs ever. I understand that when you don't drink enough you thicken your blood so your heart works much harder pumping it all around, makes sense to me.

Do worry it will all get back to normal soon & don't forget what others have said, we just get bum days.

Do you use a HRM while running ? was your heart working harder ?