Feeling Defeated.... :(

[TheBoyWhoRun]

Decided to go back to week 7 ( 25mins ) and found myself struggling to run for 20mins and ended up stopping for a break twice in the duration of the 25min run....not sure if I should stick with week 7 or go back even further ?

[Clumsy2 Graduate]

Hi, I'm only on week 4 so can't really help with your query, just wanted to say don't be too hard on yourself, you've done really well to get this far

[Miso_14 Graduate]

You have put in a great effort to reach this stage, do not be harsh on yourself

I recently resumed my runs after a six week pause and on my first run I was out of breath all the time, I had to run Very slowly. I see you are a graduate, you have done it all before, keep at it and you will get there. Pace yourself and breath. Good luck

[crox Graduate]

Try slowing down. Do you run with a watch? I found it useful to see I'd only got x minutes left and drag myself along.

But stick with it, it'll click. After 7 parkrun's i still find the urge to walk can be overwhelming.

[TheBoyWhoRun Graduate in reply to crox]

Thanks for the support. I don't run with a watch but on the running app / podcast tells me how far I have left. I am thinking of getting a heart rate monitor....I may be just experiencing the "Runners Wall" where I stop at the same spot every time hahahaha

[crox Graduate in reply to TheBoyWhoRun]

You could try changing your route. Have you thought about parkrun?

[Tready Graduate]

Keep going. You know you can do it. Slow down, speed can stop endurance and I'm sure if your stressed about not making the full 25 minutes this will also have a detrimental effect. A 20 minute run is a good run, then every extra bit you manage is a bonus.

[xeompho]

I had a bad day too. I hope your next run goes better!

[TheBoyWhoRun Graduate in reply to xeompho]

Why did you have a bad run as well ?

[xeompho in reply to TheBoyWhoRun]

I'm not as far along as you - only my first run of week 4. But I couldn't get through even the first 5 minute run - sore legs!

[TheBoyWhoRun Graduate in reply to xeompho]

The journey that we are on we learn from every run...when I started first it was the knees, then hamstring, then IT band and all in all it points to stretching before and after. It's one big learning curve. After today's run I have learnt that I need to take the positive out of the run as stop beating myself up about things. For this is where I can be defeated and wanting to give. Those negative thoughts and pushing myself to hard ..you got my support giving up is not an option .

[TheBoyWhoRun Graduate]

Hey thanks all for your great support ...I think I am too hard on myself...not going up give up.

[sofaqueen Graduate]

You are definitely being too hard on yourself, I was feeling exactly the same a few weeks ago as was trying to do too much and have just gone back to running with no fixed goal. I like to try and do 30 minutes but went out earlier than usual yesterday (had to be home to watch the Bake Off!) and it was too hot for me. I knew I'd struggle to do 30 minutes so decided to just do 20 instead. You know you can do it because you have already graduated, but maybe you're going too fast? Just try and enjoy your running without setting any goals and perhaps try taking it a bit slower. Or run for a bit and walk for a bit, there's no rules to say you can't do that. Think back to where you were before you started running and where you are now, you've come such a long way and remember what Laura says - you can do it!

[TheBoyWhoRun Graduate in reply to sofaqueen]

Thank you so much it's true ...I have come a long way from someone who couldn't run for 1 min to now doing what I am doing now...