Ok, when does it get easy?

[Burgdude]

Just finished W4R3. The first set of runs was not bad. The last set was rough but I got through it. On to Week 5!!

[Bazza1234 Graduate]

It never gets easy -- because whenever it does get easy, the programme steps up a notch!!!

And after you finish the programme, it still never gets easy because you yourself will step it up a notch whenever it starts to feel easy

I did a 5K run this morning - 7 minutes faster than what I did at the end of the programme, but I think perhaps that my next notch up will not be for a little while now. I think it's about time for a little "consolidation" for me

[helenbones Graduate]

er... don't know - only on week 6 but have found each week a challenge. I do think it might be a bit easier now but some days better than others. I still have the sense of achievement and thought of look how far I've come. (ps. don't be fooled by my name - overweight, 52 year old!)

[runner56 Graduate]

I think, in a way, you answered your own question with your comments and I would also echo bazzas comments.

Just think where you were 4 weeks ago and hold that thought when you consider the tough parts

[rappy42 Graduate]

I graduated a few weeks ago and every run is still a challenge for me. Sometimes I have to stop midway and walk a bit. Sometimes I'm really slow. Sometimes I get back so out of breath I can't drink my water. Sometimes I could run further. But every time I think " I'll do it better next time" - and that's why I love it!

[runningnearbeirut Graduate]

Yes, sorry, the programme is designed to get progressively harder although you might find that some runs feel a little easier than others - but note "EASIER" not "EASY".

Once your fitness increases and you are able to work out a pace where you can talk and run at the same time, you will find that you're not constantly pushing yourself and can just go out and enjoy an "easy" run. But be warned, Bazza is quite right. Once you graduate there are personal best times and distances to beat, but if you go out wanting to improve every time you go out or every week, you will set yourself up for disappointment and injury Aiming to find an "easy" running pace is much better in the long term.

Well done on getting this far. I don't think the words "easy" and "week 5" have often been seen together, so try to pace yourself - but if you've got through weeks 1 to 4, there's no reason why you're not ready for W5. Enjoy the challenge!

[Bazza1234 Graduate]

And, regardless of what Laura says, never look forwards when running - always look backwards at where you have come from

[grannyjudes Graduate]

cant really add more, I struggle every day, but come back exhilerated, I have decided the end result outweighs any struggle.I often go out thinking why why why, but I still go and I still love it !

[Mhairiandme Graduate in reply to grannyjudes]

I feel exactly the same GJ, and if I can't get out for any reason I feel pretty rubbish for the rest of the day. x

[azharalkindi Graduate in reply to Mhairiandme]

I'm with both you on that

[Becca66 Graduate]

I agree with Bazza: it doesn't get easier. On the other hand, I now get further, faster, with the same old body. so if I were to go back and try W4 again, I'd find that easy, now. But I didn't at the time.

[Bazza1234 Graduate in reply to Becca66]

Hmm -- Week 4 . Let me refresh my memory - Oh yes - that was 3 minutes running followed by 5 minutes running ( two times!!) . I remember now -- it was IMPOSSIBLE !!

[earl-grey-sian Graduate]

My brother, who's been running for over 30 years,, told me "It doesn't get easier, it just hurts less"!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

This morning I did a 10k and boy was it tough, but I knocked 11 seconds off my PB. A year ago I couldn't run at all, but now, if I want an easy run, I can run up to ten miles at an easy pace and just enjoy the fact that I can do this thing. Stick with it, remember where you have come from and it really is worth the effort.

Keep running, keep smiling.

[Hidden]

It gets easy when, a) you are not pushing yourself; or, b) on those rare days when everything just comes together, the birds are singing, the sky is blue, the gentle breeze is with you, etc. They do happen, and the miles (or minutes) just slip-by.

I have just had one of those days. No running agenda, just a run for runnings sake. I normally have hills to contend with, but today I didn't. It was wondeful.

You WILL have days like this, and they will stay with you.

One last thing to add ~ do a W1R1 in a few weeks time, just for the sake of it, and see how it feels.

[BloomingEck]

It gets easier to do the stuff you have gone past, and then you start pushing yourself to do better, and just enjoying it. I find running 5K to be comfortable now, despite never having run at all before a few months ago. It's fantastic! (I'm 53)

Oh and I wouldn't want to go back at all, myself. The run-walk-run stop-start stuff would be far worse than just keeping the legs in running mode.

[azharalkindi Graduate in reply to BloomingEck]

Very true never thought of that in this way. I too would rather run for 30 minutes straight through. I'm 54

[azharalkindi Graduate]

As Bazza said it will never get easy or easier and as Becca said if you mean just WK 4 then by the time you finish this programme in week 9 you will definately find week 4 easy. From my experience focus on one week at a time and try to make every run enjoyable. See ways of making your runs good runs. You will always have the odd run that you didn't like. Good night sleep, good food and proper stretches before your runs make all the difference.

[Nerdio Graduate]

I don't suppose it ever gets easy as such. Some days a run just happens, nice and easy, other days it feels more of an effort.

What does happen is it becomes more achievable, you will have that sense of knowing that if I want to run 5K, I can. I can just go and do it. As you look back though, you will look at what you are doing now, and think that was hard then, but I can do so much more now.

Keep at it. 4 weeks in is a great achievement, you are almost half way.

[Burgdude Graduate]

Wow! You all are truly inspiring! I appreciate your replies. Excellent advice from everyone and will keep these in mind. Thank you all!

[ju-ju- Graduate]

Lets put it another way....it becomes more enjoyable once you can run for longer , feeling the love and just enjoying the power in your body....Running is never easy but its incredibly addictive and you will feel the love more once you start seeing how far you've come. You are doing really well, hang in there

[Madge50 Graduate]

Ha ha! I have been wondering that for over a year! Take heart it's taken me over a year to graduate, and it's still hard work, but the benefits totally outweigh the down sides, I may be a Mrs purple face, huffing and puffing by the time I reach the end of each run, but I just remind myself how much more healthier I am now. Keep going you will get there, good luck

Madge xx

[AlisontheTortoise in reply to Madge50]

Hello Mrs Purple Face, we must be cousins! I am always puce.....

[AlisontheTortoise]

There is a concept called "The Toxic 20" - ie first 20 minutes of running always feels awful ( although this apparently diminishes the fitter you are - never reached it!) - but after 20 mins you are completely warmed up and "in the zone" and it gets easier. this is probably partly why all the C25K stuff starts with brisk 5 mins warm up - I know I struggle hugely for the first 10 - 15 mins but then it does start to settle down. Not sure it ever feels easy for me but i keep hoping that if I lose the 2 year old I am carrying around with me on my back ( ie 3 extra stone) it might start to feel easier.....good luck with week 5!!

[redfinn Graduate]

Look at what you have done so far and let the proud feeling come - for me this often happens after a run because during I am busy battling with my mind that tells me I can have a quick break any time I want but my heart says no you can't keep going. I am about to graduate and have had some wicked runs and some awful runs and some okay runs - sometimes you just feel you cannot go on. Just be kind to yourself and be PROUD of yourself and enjoy any moment of it you can x