There will always be an excuse not to do something. I really didn’t want to run yesterday. I was hungover, I was tired, I’d got a train back from a wedding, a late night of drinking and dancing the night before and I wanted to sit on the sofa and do nothing.
It took me a full half an hour of laying on the floor with my running shorts in my hand before I was wearing those shorts.
I didn’t think the run would go well. I may as well wait until the next day, do a proper workout then. Do something faster, some intervals or the tempo run I’ve missed.
Wedding outfit: never not in trainers
But I went for a run because I needed to go to the shop to buy milk and 4 miles once you’re out the door is only a bit longer than walking round the corner.
I went out running and I really enjoyed it. I ran round the park in the late afternoon sun and my dancing legs felt light, and my hangover disappeared.
I missed my tempo run this week, after missing my intervals last week, and I’m a bit annoyed with myself about that. I did the miles, but not the pace, and what I’m most annoyed about is that I knew it would happen. I could have, potentially, planned around it. Because who really thinks they’re going to do a tempo run the day after a boozy wedding?
Thursday long run
But I also did what I could with the time available; I kept my long run on the Thursday again to make sure that got done. It wasn’t as quick as I’d have liked, but it was an odd combination of hot and windy and the miles all got ticked off so I can’t grumble too much at myself.
Training doesn’t happen in a vacuum. We have (hopefully) full lives and running is just a part of this. I’m not going to turn down that next glass of Champagne at a wedding, stop dancing and go to bed early. And that’s not an excuse, that’s a choice.
This week’s miles
Tuesday: 5x1km treadmill intervals (8 miles total for the day)
Thursday: 12 mile long run
Friday: easy 6 miles
Sunday: hungover 4 miles
Total: 32 miles (inc run group miles)
Catch up
Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10
Well done Laura like your style.
Sometimes the order of the day is: survive and advance. I understand being frustrated that you did get all of your speed/temp work in, but logging the miles — especially with a hangover — is pretty darned good. You will nail your speed/tempo work this week. I have no doubt.
Richard
I’m glad I’m not the only one who found running on Thursday hot and hard! My Thursday run was meant to be at more of a tempo pace but after I slept in and didn’t set out until it was already hot and humid, I just wasn’t feeling it.
Running is the best hangover cure!
Yep, running is a great hangover cure unless it’s the long run! Agree with mustard pots – like your style.
And the question I’m asking lots of folks is when you’re running has taken a dip, and fitness levels have dropped to a point where 3 miles seems like a long way, how do you get your mojo back!
AH I totally relate with this post!!! I get frustrated with myself when I realize I could have planned better! But seriously you are awesome for still getting the mileage in!!!!!
Hi Sophie,
Though I am not the expert that Lazy Girl Running is, I am in the middle of a comeback, and I have tacked the following four keys (at least, for me) to the wall:
–Consistency
–Effort
–Belief
–Positivity
Good luck with your comeback.
Richard C.