In previous posts I have mentioned I am training for two 10km runs, the first one being in May. I completed one last year and managed to run the whole thing and record a modest (/slow) time, which I am hoping to beat (/smash) this year.
I started running again at the beginning of the month, and planned to build myself quickly up to 5k, as I could easily run 5k during training last year, then build more slowly to 10k. Well today was the first of my 5k runs, and boy was it hard. I usually have to coach myself mentally otherwise I would just give up, but I really felt physically worn today and wondered if I would get round. I made it, in the exact time I predicted too, but it was a real struggle. I think that because I'm eating at such a calorie deficit to meet this 4% challenge there is a lack of fuel for such exercise. If it keeps being a problem I'll have to reconsider whether the bet and the weight loss goals are more of a priority than my running goals, but we'll see.
I would like to mention that running does not come easily to me. I enjoy it but I am really slow and every time I add distance it's a big deal for me. One of the reasons I am losing weight is to make the running easier and more natural; less of a plod/shuffle. Every pound I shed is less to carry. And the more I run the more pounds I'll shed. It might just be a case of finding a balance.