Well I am starting week 6 tomorrow after a rocky end to week 5!

[lovingrunning]

I failed to get to the full 20 minute run. So instead of going onto week 6 I repeated the run 3 of week 5 again and actually finished the run! I felt so proud of myself that I actually completed it and never in my wildest dreams would I imagine I could run for 20 minutes!

[annasee Graduate]

Well done! That 20 min run seems like an impossible hurdle at first, doesn't it? I hardly slept the night before i was due to do it. Such a ridiculous thing to worry about. I think it's part of the baggage we carry round as adults - "I succeed professionally so i must be able to do this perfectly or I've failed". whereas it's just another step on the road to building stamina and getting fitter. I just went incredibly slowly, and got round it, much to my amazement. I think I was almost expecting to fail, so I could shout at Laura next time she said "You can do it. Trust me", but she was actually right! Before I started 20 mins seemed an age to keep running. Now I've done 25 mins without any problems. Really impressed by this programme. The NHS should be promoting it everywhere - the whole country should be doing it!

[lovingrunning Graduate in reply to annasee]

Thanks annasee! It's been quite a rocky road but I feel excited for each run and I cannot wait to get out there! I have a total passion for it. I know what you mean that any failure we face, we are programmed to feel extremely angry with ourselves. As a mature Uni student I always felt that and always needed to succeed. However, that small hiccup I had actually felt OK and I didn't beat myself up but thought the 'next time I will do it' and I have!! Yes, I feel the same way as you: the whole world should do it and I promote it to everyone I meet!

[Maria211081 Graduate]

I am also starting Week 6 tomorrow! Wishing you loads of luck for an enjoyable W6 R1 - I'll be sending you good vibes as I'm doing mine!

[lovingrunning Graduate in reply to Maria211081]

Hope it went well today! I think the good vibes you sent worked wonders!

[deb54 Graduate]

Well done! These posts just show some of the demons we carry in our heads and get in the way. I keep saying just get out there and get started and it will all be fine - and typically it is. It has worked so far but I know it will be hard in the dark and colder days ahead. We now know the most important thing is actually to 'be doing it'. And the positives go way beyond the fitness + of the running: feeling great, feeling like you have achieved something, feeling wonderful! Ooh these endorphins are addictive! And this blog is such a support. I love my community and cant believe how much I am also enjoying the achievements of others. My demon was being too old - too old to be running and too old for this 'lark' - but this community put that in perspective!

[lovingrunning Graduate in reply to deb54]

I know the feeling. I had exactly the same demons: too old to run! I'm 44 and I never believed that I could ever run this far but I'm doing it and so happy to be doing it too! The posts really help to motivate me during this journey and will help me get through the other side: as a graduate!

[Maria211081 Graduate]

So pleased it went well today! Loving the positive feeling of this post! Thanks, guys!