Week 2/Run 3 - The First Bad One.

[ChinaGirl]

Hi all, just hoping for a bit of a vent and hopefully a pep talk here. I just finished my last run of week 2 - a really bad one. I had to stop twice with really bad stitches and breathlessness and struggled to make it to the end of the 90 seconds on each run. I wasn't able to switch off and enjoy it at all.

I'm feeling pretty gutted about it because up until now I've been really enjoying my runs and doing pretty well. I had to stop once on Week2/Run1 because of a stitch but other than that it's been plain sailing - the first time in my life that I've ever enjoyed exercise!

I'm not sure if today's worse performance was because of me or something I have done wrong. I'd been really looking forward to running today because I just bought some new shoes (was getting achey ankles from bad footwear), and was starting to think I can really do this. Now I'm feeling a bit defeated and not sure I'm ready for Week3, even though just two days ago this week seemed really easy! Should I do an extra run for Week2, or just move on to Week3?

I need to get positive!

[ashton46 Graduate]

There will be set backs. That is the only thing that is certain.

At times I'll go out for a run and feel great, other times I'll be a couple of minutes in with a stitch, breathless and thinking "what's wrong with me? I did this just two days ago!".

You know your body better than anyone else. Personally, I would say if you're not quite sure you're ready to step up to week 3, then just have another day at the week 2 Podcast. I did just that at week 2, week 5 and at week 8.

Use the Podcast's a guide for progression, but take things are your pace.

The fact that you are starting these podcasts and, with the exception of your last run, really enjoying it deserves a great big pat on the back and a congratulations.

Try not to be too hard on yourself. Keep going, you WILL get there.

[caz1_ca Graduate]

You are doing really well so don't beat yourself up. We all have what we consider a "bad run" on occasion, but really you are still out there doing it so can't be that bad!

Me personally I didn't move on to the next week until I could do the runs without stopping, but you do what you feel is right for you. Just don't give up keep trying and you will get there. The programme works, just go as slow as you need too. Try having a glass of water 45 minutes before you go out, I aslo have a banana. Maybe you are getting a stitch because you are going too fast, slow it down just a little.

Best of luck with your next run.

[ChinaGirl]

Thanks for your reply, it definitely made me feel better

I'm reassured to hear your comments, and I reckon I will be re-doing my week 2 final run, which I'm a bit annoyed about as I was proud of myself for moving on and I'm impatient to get going with week3! But then again I think it would be foolish to jump ahead too quickly.

Thanks again for your supportive words!

[Olivia78]

Sometimes it's just harder than others. I find it can be harder due to stress, not sleeping well, eating too much beforehand, not eating enough beforehand, feeling a bit ill, being at certain points in my menstrual cycle, being too distracted, not being distracted enough ... and probably other things too. And sometimes I can't find a reason, it just feels hard.

See how you feel next time you head out running. Repeating W2R3 might give you more confidence, or you might just feel so much better that you're ready to tackle W3 without it.

[Canidoit Graduate]

Laura gives advice on stitch in week 4 podcast. "Slow down a bit, take deep breaths and as you breathe in push out your stomach at the same time and relax it as you breathe out". It's at 18 minutes on the podcast.

[Anniemurph Graduate]

I repeated runs (or even weeks) until I felt 'happy' with them (happy being a relative term ) but there are people who carry on very successfully. Breathlessness implies that perhaps you're taking it a bit too fast? My advice would be to slow down - and then slow down again! Also, I find that if I'm not careful I only breathe from the top half of my lungs so every so often I have to remind myself to take a deeper breath. It's all very complicated! Hope the next one goes well - post and let us know

[ChinaGirl]

Thanks everyone! I am feeling a lot less disheartened today and am looking forward to the run tomorrow. I'll see how I feel but I think if I put a lot of effort into my preparations tonight (good food, good sleep), and in the morning (breakfast, water, stretches), I'll be ok to progress tomorrow. Eek! I'm really forward to it, isn't it addictive!