Week 8 doldrums

[Tadaruns]

Having used this forum to give me inspiration and encouragement since I began c25k at the end of January, but having never posted, I'd like to canvas opinion on week 8 runs. I find I'm beginning to 'dip' a little this week as in it seems much ...

[Hennith Graduate]

I certainly had to dig deep in those last 2 weeks. As the runs are effectively the same (apart from adding on a couple of minutes) I got a bit bored I think. Have you tried mixing things up a bit to maintain your interest? Maybe try a different route or try running with your own music instead of the podcast. I also started to get a bit tired at this stage and so slipped in an extra rest day here and there. Keep at it - you're in sight of the finishing line now!

[ChrisL Graduate in reply to Hennith]

I think boredom can be a big factor once you get into the later weeks & the longer runs. Some people seem to get 'into the zone' but I certainly don't. I find I need to set myself targets all the way around to keep me motivated eg 1st km in no less than 5 mins (I have a bad tendency to run too fast early on), 2nd km in 5:10, 3rd km in no more than 5:15 (slightly uphill section) and so on...

[Beads Graduate]

Week 8 was a struggle for me, not sure why, but week 9 I changed my route and headed out to conquer the 5k mark (which took all 3 runs, mapping when I got home only to find I was short) and found it so much easier. I still have no idea why week 8 was so much harder.

But keep at it, change your route, vary the time you go out, try to keep it a bit fresh.

[Mrsc26 Graduate]

I'm glad it's not just me! I had to force myself out the door tonight for my last run of week 8. Hard hard hard I was wondering whether to repeat the week before I moved onto week 9. I tried both a new route and new music tonight. As well as tracking myself! Will see how I go Thursday whether to do 30 mins or stick at 28

[ChrisL Graduate in reply to Mrsc26]

If you can do 28 mins I am damned sure you can do 30 Mrs C. Onwards & upwards !

[Tadaruns Graduate]

Thanks for your feedback - nice surprise when I came back in to find people had read my slight whinge! I think I am finding them a bit repetitive. I should be pleased with myself like I did on earlier runs - I couldn't run to the end of my street 8 weeks ago - but I don't feel that this week.. Maybe expecting too much..

Did go out again today and didn't feel as bad as yesterday ( no rest day as I know I won't get to run again until Friday). I have always felt ready to go on to the next week until this week, and while I've completed the three runs now of week 8, I feel as though I should do at least another 28 minute run so I feel more comfortable with it before moving in..

I did go a different route today which I find you've all suggested, and my own music might help but feel I should stick with podcasts until the end as they've got me to here!

Will see how Friday goes!

[RoRoMama]

Wk8 difficult for me too. I'm sticking with the podcasts to the end but I'm hoping that once I've graduated my choice of music will make my running easier. Great music lifts me and I've not enjoyed Laura's choice (but don't tell her I said that!).

[Tadaruns Graduate]

There is one particularly dire song in week 8 which may put me off the idea of doing a 4th run of week 8 before moving on! I have to confess to quite liking one I imagine is called 'Julie' - it's been going round in my head for the past two days - but I am looking forward to using my own music and making a running playlist which I will enjoy listening to!!

Think I will do one last 28 minute run on Friday then move onto week 9. Almost there!

[Tintin501 Graduate]

Found all these posts reassuring - did week 8 run 3 today but have found the whole week hard with no sense of achievement! My own playlists keep me motivated and I couldn't have done these longer runs with Laura's music! Will aim to begin week 9 next time and hopefully recover my motivation.

[Tadaruns Graduate]

Hi Tintin, I too haven't had much sense of achievement this week. But we should really. I saw the route I ran on Tuesday from the train today and it really is a fair distance.. I think I lack a sense of achievement because I've found this the most difficult week and all a bit same-y too. I think I'll try the next run with my own music and see if that gees me up a bit for week 9. Week 9's music might be amazing!