HELP i seem to have hit a real slump this week.:(

[chickens01]

I am on week 9 but am struggling to keep a run going this week. I have read some of the posts on here and it seems i am not the only one with demons or gremlins that i'm battling with. I seem to have lost my will power to see the run the whole way through and battled all the way tonight telling myself that i could do it. I've done it before!! but even so twice i broke into a brisk walk for 5/10 seconds before again i carried on with the run. Is it usual to hit these slumps sometimes???

[crox Graduate]

You on week 9, why not take the plunge and go for a parkrun ...

[Twizzle53 Graduate]

After I completed week 9 I did at least 5 more straight out runs of 5k without problems, though still didn't find them easy. However all of a sudden the gremlins seemed to hae grabbed hold of me and I found I just had to walk every now and again on the next few runs. I just couldn't manage to run the whole 5k anymore. Then I posted on here and these lovely supportive folk gave me the encouragement I needed to kepp going. Subconciously I think I had been thinking that I needed to improve my speed and I think that is where I was going wrong. I decided to take it easy and just enjoy the run, forgetting about times. This worked for me and I have since ran a full 5k without resorting to walking for even a few seconds. My time wasn't good but hey ho I can run 5k again and I am so pleased.

Crox suggested a park run and I think that's a great idea. I'm going to do my first one on Saturday and except to come in last. I don't mind this at all as my aim is just to get around the course and enjoy the experience.

[chickens01 Graduate]

i have my first park run on saturday and i am looking forward to it though a little nervous and i am running with a friend tomorrow which will give me the push i need to keep running without stopping i hope. I'm hoping it's just a bad week and that i get back to normal soon.

[c4ts Graduate]

What is 5 - 10 seconds, sadly it does not just get easier once the 9 weeks are finished. I graduated in early July but still tend to run to Week 9 podcast so that I get the 5 min timing from Laura, and have also finally conquered the post C25K podcast speed. I tried Stepping Stones as soon as I graduated completely scared myself witless and have not been brave enough to even listen to it again!

Enjoy your Park Run they are just a competition against yourself and it really does not matter where you finish or how long it takes. It proves you can run 5K and I bet if you were anything like me you never thought that could be possible. Let us know how you get on!!

[chickens01 Graduate]

thanks everyone for your support, I will keep you all posted as to how the park run goes :)xx