8/1, slow as a slow thing, and pins and needles?

[GillPower]

Managed 8/1 this morning. Just! I really don't think I have the capacity to do this!! I read in envy posts from people who seem to be gliding along.i managed a very slow 3.2 k in 28 mins! And I had pins and needles in my right foot when I finished. Dodgy shoes??

[plodalong Graduate]

Hi GillPower. Dont despair.. I too read all the posts of people running with ease but then there are many who like me struggle through each week and still only manage to plod along. So I think we have to believe that things get easier, hopefully speed will improve with time and congratulate ourselves on how far we have come from Week 1. I struggled with W6R1 and took great comfort from all those who had similar experiences. Keep going and maybe get rid of the dodgy shoes and treat yourself to a new pair !!

[RainbowC Graduate]

It sounds daft, but did you have your shoes laced up a bit tighter than normal? That can be enough to give me pins and needles...!

[RainbowC Graduate]

(Meant to add...) Don't worry about not being an elegant gazelle, running effortlessly for hours on end. I graduated in November, and still quite often find running 30 minutes a challenge! It's not all bad, though, because I KNOW I can do it And I do enjoy running now - most of the time, at least. Mr Rainbow is still astonished that the exercise-phobe he's known for all these years has somehow become almost obsessed with running!

[Fletchasketch Graduate]

I'm a plodder, definitely don't glide, and going about the same pace as you, also week eight. I do feel very slow, but I saw a post on here before (can't remember which one) that said however slow you are, you're still an awful lot quicker than when you were sat on the couch, and that's what I tell myself!

I might give the "I'm a gazelle" mantra a go though, you never know!

I won't be anywhere near 5k in 30mins at graduation, but they way I see it is that it gives me another set of goals. First goal is graduation (and my goodness I'll be proud of myself, considering how hard I found week one). Second goal is running 5k. And third goal is running 5k in 30mins.

You definitely have the capacity to do this, look how far you've come - you're nearly there! Well done, and keep it up, only 5 more runs before graduation.

[Jennyh543]

Hello, I'm at w7 r2. Round about w4/5 i started getting pins and needles in my toes, which spread up my foot by the end of the session. It made it so uncomfortable to run I nearly gave up. A few people told me to loosen my laces as your feet swell when they get warm. I now tie them REALLY loosely and i try not to run in the heat. It worked wonders for me.

[rockchick69 Graduate]

Gillpower you are doing really well. I graduated in April and I was doing 3.5km in 30 mins. I was one of the slow but steady group It doesn't matter how fast you go it's the fact that you are going.

I can now run 5km in 35 mins, your progression will come after the programme, Laura is there to help us realise that 1. We can get off the couch and 2. we can run. Time and distance is not the main goal of this programme. After you graduate you can then concentrate on improving your time and distance....if you want, but at the end of the day it is up to you how you want to do it. Everyone on here is different, you continue as you are doing which is really great and enjoy the rest of the programme

The pins and needles are probably from tying your shoes too tight...loosen them a bit and see if it's a difference. Good luck with the rest of the programme, that lovely green badge is in sight