Am I kidding myself?

[Comfortnotspeed]

I struggled this morning! 🥵I’m trying to get a little faster and decided to try intervals in the park on the track.

It didn’t feel like this is the same activity 🙀Legs and breath gave out after two intervals. I feel as if I’ve kidded myself for months 😕 Sorry! Demoralised today. Next one will be better 🤞

[Buddy34 Graduate10]

You're right the next one will be better. Remember when you were building up your running legs , it takes time and I'm sure it will be the same with the intervals. You're doing great and trying something new . Just keep running 😊🏃‍♀️

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

Well done you for trying. I’ve never done intervals but I’d guess the same advice as c25k - take them slower to begin with. Remember those first few weeks when the run section went on for hrs and the walk section seconds. Start with a slow increase between normal and fast, increase over weeks. Happy running 🤗

[Forest_Run_Beginner Graduate10]

I struggle with intervals, my natural speed is slow and like you, I want to improve this so have been trying to include 1 interval training run a week. It is a different kind of running though, so don't be demoralised.

As we have been told all along since starting C25K, we should be spending most of our time running at our easy pace but interval running is designed to make you run at a faster pace. The more you do it, the easier you will find it, your body will adapt surprisingly quickly. If you can't manage the whole session, don't worry, see if you can add one more interval each time and then you'll be completing the whole thing before you know it.

Keep going, you are definitely not kidding yourself, you ARE a runner.

Keep smiling, stay safe, take care and happy running.

[Comfortnotspeed Graduate10 in reply to Forest_Run_Beginner]

Thank you for your reply! It is good to get support 😊

[UpTheStanley Graduate10]

They're meant to be hard, so well done for pushing yourself to the max. Try making the fast bits shorter rather than slower (I aim for a 30-20-10 second jog-run-sprint pattern, but am usually only hanging on after 8 secs in the sprint), and extend the recovery periods if you need to.

Track running is a bit soulless, which may not have helped, but I do get funny looks doing jog-run-sprint on the prom, and probably would use a track for that if I could.

All the best

[Comfortnotspeed Graduate10 in reply to UpTheStanley]

Thank you for your reply. I guess I’m venturing into something new and expect to be able to just do it. You’re right . I going to treat it like HIIT. Time not distance next time 😊

[FatterPenguin Graduate10]

You've not kidded yourself at all - you can run! You've run 10K, which is incredible. All new things take time, so don't feel bad at all. At least you've tried it, and you lasted for two intervals, which is two more than I have ever done

[Comfortnotspeed Graduate10 in reply to FatterPenguin]

Thank you 😊

[MrsRDj Graduate10]

I also find those speed runs so hard but you are giving it a go and that's the important thing!

[Comfortnotspeed Graduate10 in reply to MrsRDj]

Thank you 😊

[Hidden]

Hey.....at least you tried. Find what suits you. I find that after I've settled for a few kms I run 20 paces a bit quicker then normal pace, the next km 30 paces quicker then normal pace and so on until I can feel my energy depleting. At least you went two intervals which was a start.

[Comfortnotspeed Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

I think that sounds like a great idea! I’m even thinking of making myself a podcast to use!

[Sybilw Graduate10]

Remember what we used to say about it being a practice! Next time! Put it behind you and move on.

[Comfortnotspeed Graduate10 in reply to Sybilw]

Thank you. Sound advice 👍