More than a minute

[Lorraine5]

I've been struggling to feel I can run for more than a minute. So much so I'm daunted about moving up to week 2 and 1.5 minutes! I've been on week 1 for 2 weeks! Is it better to keep repeating week 1 until I feel more comfortable or to stretch myself and try even though I will probably stop running before the 1.5 is up?

[runswithdogs Graduate]

Try moving on. You've done good work to build up your base of running in week one so give it a try. Every week was tough for me, it was never really comfortable. I never felt ready to move on but somehow you can - you've built up the fitness without realizing it.

And please don't tell yourself that you'll probably stop before the 1.5 minutes. Just take it as it comes, no telling yourself you can't do it before you try. Some folks found it helpful to not look at what the upcoming weeks had to offer so that they couldn't worry in advance.

You'll probably surprise yourself. Let us know how it goes.

[Lorraine5 in reply to runswithdogs]

Thank you for taking the time to reply and for the advice!

[adadoom-adadoom]

I would try week 2, what's the worst that can happen? I have been daunted by pretty much every new week, and each time have managedit. I think the programme is amazing at building fitness almost without you realising! Go for it, I bet you'll surprise yourself, which is a brilliant feeling

Ada

[Lorraine5 in reply to adadoom-adadoom]

Thank you for taking the time to reply and for the advice!

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Hi Lorraine, you may be running too fast. A light jog is all that's needed. Week two has less runs that are a bit longer.

Move up if you feel ready but everyone is different. As Laura will tell you no run is a bad run, but confidence comes with success.

Good luck with your next run.

[Lorraine5 in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Much appreciated advice, thank you.

[Anthea40]

I've just completed week 1 and I'm looking forward to starting week 2 but if I struggle I will go back and do week 1 again but I've gotta push myself even if it's just by a extra 5 or 10 seconds it's a start as they say Rome was built in a day. Please don't give up Lorraine you have done well this far so keep it up xx

[Lorraine5 in reply to Anthea40]

Thanks so much for your help!

[Anthea40 in reply to Lorraine5]

Your welcome x

[Originaltigger Graduate]

As others have said, give it a try and move on. It's not cheating to run as slowly as you possibly can (honestly, just slow down!) - the only important thing is to keep going. None of the weeks will be, or should be, easy but they ARE achievable. Believe in yourself and well done for coming this far!

[Lorraine5 in reply to Originaltigger]

Thank you so much!

[PumpKim Graduate]

I'm a newbie myself so not claiming g to be an expert but just to say the 90 seconds felt just Luke the 60 in that just when I thought I couldn't do anymore Laura was telling me to slow down and I'd done it. I say give it a go. You'll probably surprise yourself x

[Lorraine5 in reply to PumpKim]

Thank you very much!

[Paul46-ipswich Graduate]

Lorraine slow and steady and believe in the plan, the first few weeks are a bit tough and you don't think you can move ahead but you can, week 1 won't feel easy until you go past it. What I mean is that push a few runs out at 90 seconds and the next time you feel like it try a 60 and wow, it's now easy. (ish).

We all started in the same place and we all had hiccups and difficult points, confidence issues etc. Keep posting your worries here and believe me these guys will get you through it. Chin up 🙌🙌

[Lorraine5 in reply to Paul46-ipswich]

Thank you for taking the time to reply and for the advice!

[JoolieB1 Graduate]

Only u can decide what is best. I can share my own experience though. I struggled with every single week and then when the run times grew, I just had to rest to face the next run. Psychologically,mother next week's runs are impossible but trust Laura, the programme is designed so we can do it. Going from 1 minute to 1 1/2 minutes seems so hard. The best way to do it is to breathe deeply and slowly even on the warm up walk, run nice and slowly too, it isn't a race!!

[Lorraine5 in reply to JoolieB1]

Thank you for taking the time to reply and for the advice!

[WyreForest]

I've felt daunted at the start of every new week. Today I was relieved that the 3rd run in the Week 4 podcast was "only" 3 minutes because that seemed easy..... I was terrified of a 3 minute run only 10 days ago. I've read lots of useful advice on these forums but the one that has stuck with me most suggested that if you ever doubt yourself go back a week and see how easy that now seems as you progress. I really did feel that by the end of week 2, that week one would seem pretty easy for me now.....and like you I was daunted about stepping up.

[ancientrunner Graduate in reply to WyreForest]

I had that exact same experience of thinking "only" 3 mins and it was such a boost proving to me how far I'd come.

[Lorraine5 in reply to ancientrunner]

Thank you!

[Lorraine5 in reply to WyreForest]

Thank you for taking the time to reply and for the advice!

[Lorraine5 in reply to WyreForest]

Thank you for taking the time to reply and for the advice!

[Lorraine5]

Thank you everyone. Good, motivating, advice. I will move on tomorrow!!

[KayFitz Graduate]

What about barely running at your first attempt at the 90 seconds? I passed someone when I was out in the car this morning who appeared to have perfected the art Also, I found that consciously making my body relax helped. Tension makes it all the harder.

[Fitforit75 Graduate]

Give it a go, worst case you don't manage it and go back to wk1 but you may surprise yourself! I've restarted the program due to injury after completing wk5, 8 months ago. Tonight I did wk2run1 and I was so preoccupied with avoiding ice and snow that I didn't notice the extra 30 secs! Good luck.

[Doodles123 Graduate]

Try & keep trying. You will get further each time until you do it. I bet by your next run you will be there. Good luck

[Statpuss]

If you've managed to complete week one three consecutive times, move up to week two. A good friend of mine has said that it should never get easier -- as long as I'm still finding it hard work, I'm still working hard!