Well, I did it, but not very gracefully. This time I was surprised that I had no pain in the right hand side of my chest, but a bit in the left hand side and my left shoulder. How very odd.
I know that I am not the only one, but I am still surprised at how difficult I am finding these last runs. I seem to want to give up before ten mins then somehow force my body to keep going while I desperately wait for the 5 minute announcements from my other app and any hope of finishing from Laura. It probably sounds awful, but I have become more determined to finish couch 25k as soon as possible as I don't want to have to run for so long without rests if it feels like this! Maybe I will be able to sort my attitude out after a good sleep though. I like having a short break from domestic life in the fresh air, I am happy to see my cheekbones reappearing and I enjoy feeling more toned, I just don't get much pleasure from most of these runs when I am actually doing them! I would really hate to stop running though! Now I feel guilty for insulting it!
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big-momma
Graduate
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You are doing great - you just need to tell yourself only four more runs to go & you'll graduate. You are proving how mentally tough you are by getting through the runs even though you are finding them hard.
Not long to go now. Not long for me either, I'm just about to start W9, so we're in this together, girl! Go us!
Thanks, that cheered me up a bit! I think that I was particularly worn out yesterday as I had cleaned out the garage straight after my run! Good luck with Week 9!
When you graduate there isn't an automatic lightbulb moment when it suddenly becomes easy. I can't speak from experience of couch to 5k but I do know this from my other training activities (I was a competitive swimmer in my youth). Everybody is different in ability and in the speed at which they accustom to something, and it will eventually come for you too. If you are not getting much pleasure from the week you are on, repeat a week until you can do it more easily. If you have to, do an earlier week of interval running before progressing. You will get a huge boost from how much easier it is to do than the first time you tried it!!! Don't push on to such an extent that you end up putting yourself off because you stretched yourself too far. It sounds like you have dogged determination to complete this, which is great, but you should be enjoying it as you go through. Graduation is not the goal, enjoying running is. Go at your own pace, and you'll enjoy it a whole lot more.
That sounds like wise advice. I can just remember what running felt like when I was a slim and fit teenager and this doesn't feel much like that! I imagine that it might be something to do with the years with no exercise, the extra 5 stone and 18 years! Hopefully that 'free' feeling will come back eventually if I keep active!
Having just graduated, I understand your feelings. The longer runs can be hard, but it is mainly a mental battle. You are obviously a determined lady and you will end up enjoying these duration runs, which at the moment are like torture. My 5.5k this morning was a breeze, while a couple of weeks ago my body was telling me that I had had enough, STOP. I didn't and am glad I continued. I am sure you will feel the same when you look back in a couple of weeks time.
That's what I hope, but I am just a little scared that I will always find each run such a struggle! Congratulations on graduating and running 5.5 with ease! Thanks for the encouragement.
I'm at the same stage as you - did run 2 yesterday. I was reading your post and nodding!! I still find the runs hard and am pushing myself to finish every time and whilst finishing a run is brilliant, I wouldn't say I enjoy doing the run most of the time. I spend a lot of the time telling myself I can do it!! I am going to stick with it though because I've come too far to give it up now. So let's gear ourselves up for run 3 - we can do it!!!!!
What motivation! Even though I have read what other people say about Week 8 being hard, when I was out there it feels as though I am the only one battling with it! Good luck with Run 3 too!
I too found week eight one of the hardest... Mentally and physically. Doesn't seem like it should be though, right? However I did get through it and it does get easier. So keep your chin up and run on!
I certainly agree with the 'one of the hardest' bit - I had thought that it would be easier than Week 5 as the jump in running time was smaller. Thanks for the encouragement!
You're not the first person to feel this way I'm sure there are loads like you, I was one of them. I seemed to hit a brick wall at about the 10 minute mark even after graduation it went on. I changed my route and did a longer warm up walk, then into a very slow jog to get my blood pumping just that bit faster. It did help, sometimes I have to zone out and think of nice things, even plan a meal in my head while running, anything to take my mind off the step by step, breath in and out because lets face it, it doesn't need any real thought. Once the wall barrier time is conquered the running becomes more relaxed and for me then enjoyable. Wishing you all the best for your graduation, well done.
It is good to know that after graduation (if I hopefully get there one day ;)) there are things that I can try to make runs more enjoyable! I do mix my route up a bit, but I tend to include a spell in the woods/fields as if I stick to pavements, I feel it on my knees too much. The woods have slight hills though, which I am still adjusting to! Thank you for your support!
I finished week 7 yesterday, and to be honest, I had similar feelings with week 7, so I am now a bit anxious about week 8 LOL.
One thing I did notice on yesterdays run is that although it was 'hard', during the run I found that my breathing was just sorting itself out, wasn't having to conciously count to 4 in and 4 out, and just plodded on. I know my speed is ultra slow, but as Laura is always saying, its more about getting used to the long runs and building the stamina, not about the speed, so I tell myself it doesn't matter how slow I am, just keep running and putting one foot in front of the other. I am sure you will get there x
Well done with finishing week 7! In my opinion, slow is absolutely fine! Even at a slow pace I am also struggling with Week 8 Run 3, but I hope to get there soon! Good luck with Week 8!
Oh dear - just spent ages writing a long reply to you and it has disappeared before sending.
So here it is again! I can remember not so very long ago how much you inspired me to keep going when I was really struggling. I think there will be quite a few of us on here who, if we are honest, do not particularly enjoy the actual running and find it hard at times. Just like you are at the moment. But you are being too hard on yourself. I'm not surprised you felt tired if you cleared the garage out AFTER a long run like that. Be kinder to yourself! You are very important to us here because you have been AND STILL ARE such an inspiration to us!
You must focus on the good things you have noticed, like the return of your cheekbones and the toned feeling!
I still think you are an absolute star and I wish you well for the rest of the journey! It IS very hard some days but I know you have the strength of mind to carry on and WIN in the end!
Huge virtual hugs to you and positive vibes for your next run. YOU ARE DOING JUST GREAT!
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Week 8 Run 2 a tough one 
Week 8 Run 2 - Slow and Steady :-)
Week 8 Run 2 - crazy early
Week 8, Run 2... a quick note.
Week 8? Or 6? Run 1? Or 2? 
