Shifting into new running

[Uphill-downhill]

Having been rather half arsed since completing 0-5k at Christmas I have kept going steadily into the Spring with shorter runs and 5ks, between 1 & 3 a week dependent on injury, work and snow! I've had my eye on Ju ju's 5-10k but have felt quite blocked about running 6k and over. Well today I did it, 6k along the river Severn. Hoping to have broken a mental barrier that says I'm not a runner who can do this, I am! Feeling pleased with that 🏃🏼‍♀️😀

[Sarakc Graduate10]

Well done!! I think a lot of it definitely is in the mind! I was doing lots of 5K’s after graduation and found it very hard to go a bit further ! I’m mid Ju ju’s plan and I’d recommend it! I like having a bit of structure and it works well!! 😀🏃‍♀️

[Uphill-downhill Graduate10 in reply to Sarakc]

Thanks Sara, mind and legs! Am going to keep with it and work towards 10k over next month or two probably catching Ju-ju's programme when it starts again in a couple of weeks

[Decker]

That is fantastic! It is a great feeling when those invisible mental barriers get broken isn’t it? And you look back and wonder what all the fuss was about!

[Uphill-downhill Graduate10 in reply to Decker]

Yes so true, starting the 0-5k was the biggest step. It's a good thing to challenge what you believe you can and can't do, great for the head, body and spirit

[Decker in reply to Uphill-downhill]

100% agreed. Running often is more mental and than physical.

[O505k Graduate10]

Well done. Getting to 6k was a huge turning point for me. I think it was the change between setting out to run for a set distance rather than a time. I'm doing the bridge to 10k plan, I'd really recommend it.

[Uphill-downhill Graduate10 in reply to O505k]

The 5k is such a good distance for making a change, becoming able to run, satisfying, doable after work and a great way to shed the stress of the day. Am now going to work on 6-10..... enjoy your gains too as you hit 10k

[ju-ju- Graduate10]

Well done, it makes you realise it’s about the mental barriers.... I bet you felt fantastic 😎

[Uphill-downhill Graduate10 in reply to ju-ju-]

Yes it felt good, so much easier when it's not after work

[Pm3eak Graduate10]

Well done fellow Salopian. I recognise that mental barrier you speak of. For me, it was 7.5 k. I have no idea why. It just seemed like a natural limit, beyond which -as a new runner-I would never drag my heavy carcass. It seems a pretty arbitrary self-limitation in retrospect but was very real then. When I tumbled the other side of it, while not really thinking about it, almost by accident, I reached 10k on the same run ( which probably wasn't a good idea in terms of injury risk etc). Now 11k is the barrier, but I am happy to leave that there for the time being and potter about at lesser distances.

Good luck in reaching your targets.

I recognise The Weir in your picture: I walk past it regularly.

[Uphill-downhill Graduate10 in reply to Pm3eak]

Yes, not the best shot of the weir as I wasn't gonna slow right off! Nice flat route, almost no cars along there, Sidney Ave and the Quarry Park. No excuses for not upping distance now there are light nights. Thanks for the encouragement