Couldn't complete Wk4 R1; should I keep at it until I can or repeat week 3?

[kaycdee]

Moved on to W4 today; did the 3 min run, 5 min run, 3 min run again but couldn't do that last 5 min run. I was exhausted and thirsty. It's the first time I've had to stop since starting the plan. Disappointed with myself. Will it get easier?

[secretjogger Graduate]

Don't.worry. Just do what you are comfortable with. I repeated wk 3 and at 58 am still on track to complete in less than 11 weeks. Believe in yourself and listen to your body, not your mind. You will win

[Bazza1234 Graduate]

Nope -- doesn't get any easier- just keeps on getting harder. But - just keep at that run and you will eventually crack it and move on to the next one. I remember Week 4 - running for 5 minutes!!! But that was about 2 months ago now for me

[BettysbOps Graduate]

Week 4 was so tough for me, w4r1 being my crappest run to date. W4R2 I flippin smashed. I did 4 week 4 runs as I wanted to get 3 runs under my belt where I didn't stop for more than 20s.

Don't get freaked out and persevere. As I was told yesterday, why not try counting steadily to 100 in your head (or out loud if you want to freak out pedestrians) as a nice distraction away from feeling your legs are going to fall off.

I wish you well.

[stevo216 Graduate]

As someone has said on this subject before, only repeat the runs you can't do not the ones you can! So just keep trying the run until you complete it then do another couple and move on. As for getting easier, well it would probably be easy for me as a recent graduate to go back and do week 3 or 4 at the same pace I did it at the time, but I would now try to do it at a faster pace so would be equally hard. The thing is if you want to get fitter, faster and healthier you have to push yourself a bit, however the feeling of satisfaction and pleasure AFTER the run is the reward.

[kaycdee]

Thanks everyone. I shall keep going until I've done wk4 successfully before I move on. Does anyone take a drink out with them? I got so thirsty yesterday.

[BettysbOps Graduate in reply to kaycdee]

I took a teeny bottle of Highland Spring half-filled out with me, and took cheeky sips on the walking bits. I'd suggest you drink 1.5 pints of water in advance of your runs, don't chug it down and give it 10-15 mins before getting out there.

[Hidden in reply to kaycdee]

I take a runners bottle (oval with hole in middle making it easier to hold) as I like to have water with me now that the weather is getting warmer. Being thirsty doesn't help your running, I find. Cheers.

[kaycdee]

Thanks KittyKat, I do live near an Asda so will check that out

[kickibro Graduate]

Every run is a success really and is better than no run. 5 mins of continuous running is a huge achievement and not to be sniffed at. You don't want to go backwards. You can do this run. Keep at it xxx

[Hidden]

I would always say do what you feel happy with. There is no reason why you can't give this run another try and see how you get on, it it doesn't work out you can then try a week 3 run again. My guess, however, is that another attempt at this run will see you through okay. Good luck and best wishes.

[kaycdee]

Thanks for the support. I am determined to give it another go tomorrow.

[runningphobe_no_more Graduate]

I started Week 4 yesterday too, and my legs flet like lead by the end of the first 5 min run. I thought I might not make it, but I kept telling myself "this is not as bad as the 7th 60-second run in week 1 felt at the time". My head can tell me this, but my body no more believes it than it believes I'll be doing 20mins in a couple of weeks. I just managed the run - but slowly, and anyone seeing the stupid grin on my face as I did the final 5-min walk would probably have thought I'd won the lotterry! To mis-quote Dory from "Finding Nemo" - "Just keep plodding....."

[kaycdee in reply to runningphobe_no_more]

Well done for finishing it. Hopefully I will be able to say the same thing to myself tomorrow!