More than 3 runs per week

[Shivani05]

Hi everyone,

I started the program last month, and I'm on week 3. It's definitely getting easier to do the weeks as they go by (week 1 was just torture), but I find that with weeks 1 and 2 I had to do them for 4 runs before moving on. I think it was more a mental block, thinking that I just wasn't ready to move on to the next week and I wouldn't be able to do it.

I'm okay with taking more than 9 weeks to complete it if I need to do an extra run here and there - life happens. But does/did anyone else find themselves feeling like they aren't ready to move on from any given week?

Thanks,

Shivani

[RainbowC Graduate]

Yes! I'm on at least my fifth go at the plan in four years(!), and have graduated at least twice - but never without doing at least one extra run somewhere along the line. I very often feel that the week I've just finished was so challenging that I'm not sure I'm ready to move on to the next, but usually persuade myself to give it a go as long as I've completed the run properly three times in 7 days. And when I do, it's always been fine! So yes, I agree it's generally more a mental block than a physical limitation, so it may be worth moving on anyway. But on the other hand, if you feel better for doing 4 runs each 'week' rather than three, then that's fine. There are no medals for completing the plan in any set time frame.

Above all, enjoy the running!

[Shivani05 Graduate in reply to RainbowC]

Thanks! Good luck with round 5!

[runswithdogs Graduate]

Hi Shivani. I never felt 'ready' to move onto the next week. But if you complete the runs, you're ready to move on and in every case but one it worked out for me.

That being said, there is absolutely nothing wrong with repeating runs or weeks. It's all about you and your fitness, so adapt away. Happy running!

[Shivani05 Graduate in reply to runswithdogs]

My fitness is less the problem than my mind. The idea that I have to run for x minutes at a stretch scares me and I cop out and I think I should do a 4th run in a week just to make sure I can hack the next week. I should be more confident!

[Rignold]

repeat runs or weeks as often as you want/need, but do it retrospectively: If you finish a week or a run and feel you did not achieve it, then repeat as required, but don't repeat a week you have managed because you are worried about the following one. Once you have a run properly under your belt, move on up.

[Shivani05 Graduate in reply to Rignold]

I can complete a week properly in 3 runs (so far). The thought of not being able to do the following week scares me into doing the 4th run just in case. I'm going to suck it up and move on from now. Thanks!

[secan Graduate in reply to Shivani05]

Well, ask yourself:

1. if I managed the previous weeks in three runs, why shouldn't I be able to do the same next week?

2 and even if I don't manage to do the same next week, so what?

Don't let self-doubt and fear of failure get in the way.

[Shivani05 Graduate in reply to secan]

Good points, I'll have a little more faith thanks!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

If you accept the challenge and move on after three runs, then you will gradually come to realise that you are capable of achieving things that you at present consider to be impossible. If you have to repeat, so be it, but believe in yourself and you will amaze yourself.

[Shivani05 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

I already considered a 3 min run close to impossible, and I did it fairly easily. Thanks!

[Rlear Graduate]

I repeated the whole of each week for the first 5. Taking 14 weeks to graduate. Doing great now!

[Shivani05 Graduate in reply to Rlear]

That's great to hear!