Second attempt at W5R3

[JaxO]

Tried again this afternoon, extremely windy out there today, but I just kept thinking that it would only make me stronger, and how much easier it would be when there was no wind. But I had to pause twice again 😕. Gonna keep trying though, but don't want to be stuck on this run forever, just finding it a little bit tough.

[Hidden]

There is no denying it, it is tough and the wind does not help or at least running into it. But so what if you have to give it another go, nobody said you had to complete it in 9 weeks. Above all else, the important thing is, you not lazing around on the settee doing nothing. So go out there and try again, eventually there will be no wind and you WILL do it, forget the time.

[JaxO Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Aw thank you, I will keep on trying. 😊

[Northernspirit Graduate]

Ah yes, the wind definitely makes it ten times harder! Are you running too fast as well? Go slower than a slow thing to get around

[JaxO Graduate in reply to Northernspirit]

At times I think the wind was holding me upright, I am jogging very slowly, I think if I jogged any slower I would be in a fast walk. It's just me, not doing to well at the mo 😕

[Northernspirit Graduate in reply to JaxO]

I had a run like that earlier in the year I literally could not move! Don't give up eh, it's worth sticking with it, good luck....you can do it

[JaxO Graduate in reply to Northernspirit]

Thanks and I will just keep redoing it.

[poppypug Graduate]

Chin up Jax ! Stop beating yourself up , honestly you will do it . Theres absolutely no time limit on this, youre not in competition with anybody. So please, dont be so hard on yourself, you will do it, just keep plugging away xxx

The wind has been a piggin' mare here today and the rain has been lashing down. I love running in the rain, but not when its windy too , no way xxx

[JaxO Graduate in reply to poppypug]

Thank you and really appreciate the replies. I won't give up 😊

[Lizieo Graduate]

I found this run hard too. I had to slow right down, my legs felt like lead. The o oh thing that got me through was sheer determination. It's mental strength as well as physical or at least it is for me,

[JaxO Graduate in reply to Lizieo]

Thanks and you are so right about the mental strength. I think that this is one thing that I may be finding hard. I feel that I have have been strong all through my life and running is all so new to me. I really hate failing at anything and thought that I would be able to do this in the nine weeks. I think I need to have a serious talk to myself! Thank you for your reply 😊

[runswithdogs Graduate]

Ah W5 R3 was the first run that tripped me up as well. It just makes it all the sweeter when you hit that 20 minute mark, so keep at it. It will be very, very special for you as it was for me. Other things you might consider would be a new route, running your usual route backwards, new playlist (say goodbye to Laura for just this one), getting a running mantra for when you're about to hit the wall (I think I can I think I can I think I can).

Happy running. W5R3 in the bag already, you just don't know it yet

[JaxO Graduate in reply to runswithdogs]

Thank you, gonna keep trying till I get it in the bag! 😉

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

Hey no talk of failure allowed. We all struggle with certain runs. It's no problem if it takes a little longer - you will do this!

[JaxO Graduate in reply to Ullyrunner]

I guess it will be a lot longer for me, but I AM going to do it. Thank you for replying, it does mean a lot that people take the trouble. 😄

[runner56 Graduate]

Jax. It does not matter hiw slowly you run this. If you slow down to a fast walk thats still pretty quick. Keep it slow and you will do this. Just keep moving those legs.

Good luck

[JaxO Graduate in reply to runner56]

I am pretty slow but I will do it one way or another. I keep thinking that this is only 4 x 5 minute runs. Thanks for your support. 😉

[agedsnailspace Graduate]

Here were times when I did this run when my jogging was definitely slower than a fast walk (I could tell by the dog walkers overtaking me!). That doesn't matter - it's the running action that matters; that split second when both feet are off the floor. So long as you are doing that, it counts. You can do this - you WILL do it. Physically you are ready. All the runs up to this have made you ready physically, now you just have to let yourself believe it. Start slow, keep going, one foot in front of the other. When you want to stop, go through the checklist : do my legs really need to stop? Can I still breathe? Slow down rather than stop. Set a target - to the next lamppost, the next corner, the end of the next track.

Lastly, be prepared. Start doing facial stretches now, because once you crack this run, you are going to have such a grin, for so long, your face will ache!

[JaxO Graduate in reply to agedsnailspace]

Brilliant, thank you, I haven't done the checklist, but I will from now on. Face exercises...ok, I'll start them as well, better not do them whist running or peeps will really start to think 😄

[AnnieW55]

You will do it, you have the determination and that's what much of this is about. Looking forward to seeing a "punched the air" post when you have. As runswithdogs said, if you are not changing your route in some way, I would think about doing that as it should help. Even now, after a couple of years doing this,I sometimes have an unplanned stop which can become a habit on that route if I keep repeating the same one too frequently (or it did until I realised!)

Congratulations on getting this far and good luck with the next run and the one after that, an d that, and that.........

[JaxO Graduate]

Thanks Annie, I will be punching the air I tell you. Good idea to change route as runningwithdogs suggested as I always do the same one. Thank you for giving me the boost. 😊

[Debih191 Graduate]

Stick with it Jax.

I struggled through it - it was so hard. I swear that for 5 minutes I was just shuffling on the spot, I never actually moved - I was that slow.

I got to 15 minutes and it was sheer determination that got me through the last 5 minutes - I was not going to repeat it.

And the last two minutes I just looked ahead of me for points that I could collapse on when Laura said I'd done it. Sod going straight into my 5 minute cool down walk - I hung upside down over a wall for two minutes when she said stop!

Keep going - your can do it.

[JaxO Graduate]

Thanks Debih, that made me chuckle and I might just do that...hang over a park bench or something. Third attempt tomorrow come rain or shine!

[Dunder2004 Graduate in reply to JaxO]

All the best.