Why was W7R1 much harder than W6R3?

[moonmar]

[Hidden]

Hmmm..how do you work that one out? I think I found them pretty much the same.

I'm at Week 8 now, so I've probably forgotten (forgive me).

[runningnearbeirut Graduate]

I sometimes thought that too - I think it was mainly psychological. I usually had 2 rest days after the first run of a new week and found the next two weren't quite as bad as I'd lead myself to believe. However, sometimes you just have "not quite so good runs" - so don't worry about it too much, don't over-analyse what went wrong and just try to enjoy your run next time you go out.

But the main thing is: well done for finishing W7R1 - just 8 more runs and then you'll be graduating

[Tattoojunkie30 Graduate]

Don't worry too much as we all have bad runs, just shake it off and then go again with the next one and congratulations for making it to week 7 xxxxx

[ajwyld Graduate]

I found that too - but suspected it was purely psychological. As the runs are the same length, I even toyed with the idea of using the w6r3 podcast in place of the w7 one, in order to "fool" my brain. But in the end I stuck with w7 and did it for the 3rd time on Saturday, and for the very first time I managed to speed up for the last minute.

I've been stuck around week 7 since December - got there, got sick, dropped back to week 5, got back to week 7, got sick again and FINALLY finished it.

Starting week 8 today and a tad apprehensive. Will be taking it ever so gently !

[waletta Graduate]

My week7 run 1 was awful but I think it was just a bad run. I was so disappointed because I'd stopped a minute short & felt like I wasn't going to make it home. I posted here & everyone helped me put it into perspective. In hindsight I'd say, like the others, don't worry about it, it happens but it won't stop you getting on. Good luck with the rest of the course. You've come a long way already.

[cyclamen]

My Week 7 Run 1 was awful too, but I think it was because I was running on an empty stomach, not having yet had breakfast. I finished it, but I've walked quicker than that. Later I felt very cold, irritable, out of sorts, miserable, and it was as if the run had taken too much out of me. That was nearly a week ago and I haven't wanted to run since, mainly because of the awful weather but also I've lost the desire to do it. I'll start again when i get my energy back.

Does anybody else get post-run depression?

[Snorkmaiden Graduate in reply to cyclamen]

I wonder if you're a bit under the weather, cyclamen. Have you been out since you posted this?

I've read a few people on here say that after a bad run, they've abandoned the podcast temporarily and just gone out for a gentle run in a nice spot, music on, enjoying it. That sounds like a good way to recover from post-run depression. I think if you don't run for acouple of weeks, you might have gone backwards when you start again, and I know I would find that really discouraging.

[cyclamen]

Thank you Snorkmaiden, very excited to get a reply to my whinge. I ran yesterday in warm spring sunshine (9 day break), no podcast (don't like the music and the buds keep falling out of my ears), and did lengths of the 0.5km long track near our office, in my lunch hour. I didn't manage 25 mins, but I probably did abut 18 with 7 mins of walking in two rest periods. So approximately Week 6 runs 1 or 2.

Later on I got the cold / weak / depressed feelings, but not too bad, and then I woke this morning with a very sore back, another problem I've been having. Going to a yoga class tonight. I hope to run again tomorrow morning, maybe do the actual W6R2 and keep going from there.

[Scarlett_K Graduate in reply to cyclamen]

Are you eating anything after your run + are you eating properly in general? If you're not unwell, it could be that you're feeling rubbish because you need to scoff some carbs + protein right after your runs as it helps your body to recover and restock.

[cyclamen in reply to Scarlett_K]

see next post

[cyclamen in reply to cyclamen]

see next post

[cyclamen]

That's interesting. Actually I think I might be slightly anaemic, women's troubles and all that. Another thing is that after a run I don't have much appetite, yet my body feels like it needs something. So probably I'm not eating the right things at the right time. Today I did a very light run (5 mins downhill, with 10 mins walk before and 5 mins afterwards) just to keep things moving, and I'll build back up when I feel ready. Thank you for that suggestion, it really helps to get a reality check sometimes, rather than keep going as if there wasn't a problem.

PS sorry, I see I should have posted this as a reply to Scarlett_K, so s/he gets a notification, will bear in mind next time

[xeompho]

Me too. I blamed the music. The next run was much better - once I started listening to my own music instead.

It's totally psychological though. I started W6R3 for some reason thinking I was going to run 23 mins, and got a shock when Laura said it'd be 25 mins. But got through completely fine on that one, maybe because I hadn't had so much of chance to think about it.