W6R2 - if at first you don't succeed...

[Running-scared]

Hi All,

Well, it's such a gorgeous, dry, bright day and as I'm working at home, I decided there was no better day to bid a fond farewell to the treadmill and head outdoors over lunchtime for W6R2 - too good an opportunity to miss, why the heck not?!

After a little app trouble, Laura and I were soon off and running - me, high energy, basking in the fresh air and sunshine, no route plan, just turning wherever I fancied and jogging along, as slowly as 'usual'. First 10 min run all going great guns, I even ran up a big hill and relished running back down it, hopped up and down the kerbs and bumps in the road in my fetching Lycra, all seemingly fine. A little breathless and getting tired as Laura kindly let me know I could walk, but nothing new.

Off I went again into the second 10 min run, enjoying the outdoors and my music, but feeling heavy and getting slower and slower. Then I really don't know what happened but it all went wrong! I wasn't long into the run, and had come full circuit on my route, so was back on the hill again - I just couldn't make it, there was nothing left in my tank. My mind was begging my legs not to stop, but I'm afraid they did. Quickly whipped Laura out of my pocket and paused the app - I was just 4 mins into that second run. I walked for a couple of minutes to catch my breath, re-started Laura and carried on with the run. I had to stop and pause again to walk for another minute after just a few more minutes of running, then finally completed the 10 min run - albeit with those two unscheduled walking breaks. Of course I will repeat this run and hope for second time lucky (or third, fourth, hundredth til I do it! :))

Took a longer warm down walk to think through what went wrong. My conclusion is that transitioning to outside from treadmill is a little tougher than I expected (hats off to all of you committed outside runners, you did the right thing from the off!), although I thought I started as slow as usual, my excitement and the stimulation of outside, passing dog walkers, mums and tots, probably did make me run faster in the first 10 mins and the hill x 2 was too much for me just yet.

Saturday morning I will try this run again - outside, in the real world. Not sad (though of course disappointed). This was a good experience, a failed run doesn't have to spell disaster, if at first you don't succeed, try and try again!

Nat x

[dagshar Graduate]

That is the spirit! As you say it is easy to get carried away when it's sunny, feels easy etc. Glad you enjoyed the first half though and I am sure you will soon manage the whole run. Maybe avoid that hill for now (or take it extra slow )? Good luck.

[Running-scared Graduate in reply to dagshar]

Thanks, yes, flat and slower next time. Determined to crack it. False sense of security doing the 20 mins on the treadmill last week no probs, Wk 6 has been a rude awakening!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Oops...maybe a step too far, ( d'you get what I did there?)

Never mind. You did really well.. I think as you say, maybe the transition from inside to out is a difficult one. But, you went for it and you gave it your very best shot!

Hills are nasty, underhand, sneaky things! They come along at the very moment that you don't want them, they always appear steeper the second time around and I swear, that if there was not one there when you ran out, there will be when you run back!

( See my post Sneaky little incline! )

Joking apart, you are doing it exactly right, staying positive and knowing why it all went pear-shaped; you did not give up and slope off home.. you finished the run! Well done!

You will so do this.. I have every faith in you.

Remember... new day...new chance..Roll on Saturday!

PS

Big Hug for you anywayx

[Running-scared Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you for my virtual hug Floss, I really needed that!

Funny thing, that hill, I've never really viewed it as a big hill before, when strolling casually with the children many times, but when you're running up it - whole new ball game! (I'll definitely check out sneaky little incline!)

I did enjoy running outside, for most of the time. As another poster quite rightly said recently, think the treadmill is harder mentally as there's nothing pretty to look at, but outdoors is definitely harder physically. I'd not run outside since the end of week 2, up until today, so believe my improved fitness is not quite as crash hot as I thought! Don't get me wrong, 10 mins continuous running outdoors is still progress and an achievement from the 90 seconds 'outdoor running' of week 2, but realistically, it's going to take me longer to get there. I'm prepared to do a full week 6 repeat outdoors before moving on if I need to.

Here's to not giving up!

Did you run today? I'll look for your update...

Nat x

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Running-scared]

It is weird.. until you run.. you have no idea what, in the area you live in, is an incline!

You are going to be fine.. I am repeating stuff like mad off the Couch to 5K+, because I have lost a level of fitness, since the lurgy... no worries.. we will get there.

Did not run this morning as it was much too icy... Do not want any broken bits!

But.. running tomorrow morning, hopefully, as it is going to be a tad warmer.. but foggy! So.. no broken bits...but may get lost! Oh joy... will post tomorrow.

Hang in there Nat

[Running-scared Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Be careful out there Floss! Hope you have a good run x

[davelinks Graduate]

Best leave the hill out for now and go slower😄

[Running-scared Graduate in reply to davelinks]

Yep, on a mission to find a nice flat route! Will get there in the end

[PumpKim Graduate]

Blummin hills! I'm really feeling for you my virtual running buddy 😘

I'm sure you'll get out there on Saturday and smash run 2. I've never run on a treadmill (I imagine being that person who flies off the back and lands on my face!) so no idea how different it feels to road running but I'm sure your next outing will be better now you know what to expect in terms of pace etc.

Well done on staying positive and pragmatic xxx

[Running-scared Graduate in reply to PumpKim]

Ah, thanks PumpKim. I am gutted, feels massively like letting the side down and I'll fall out of the 6-ers tribe for sure, but still determined to do it, however long it takes... I reckon the wk 1s will catch up with me before I crack this wk6 outside!

Next time you feel a bit wimpy, just remember, you doing all your runs outside is better (I'm sure) for your fitness and you're actually streets ahead (get it?!) than the treadmill troop... I knew it was going to be physically harder outside, even with me using the treadmill incline, but I underestimated just how much harder.

I was scared of falling off the treadmill to start, it's a weird feeling, but I'd built up a bit of a running technique that was working - I lost that outside today. It's just very different.

GOOD LUCK with run 3, you'll crack it. I'll be looking out for your updates! X

[JaySeeSkinny Graduate]

You'll do it Saturday - you did the first 10 minutes today. And you know now to go really slowly. Never been on a treadmill either (like PumpKim) but they say if you put a bit of an incline on it it's more like running outside.

Will be rooting for you on Saturday - we week 6ers have to stick together!

[Running-scared Graduate in reply to JaySeeSkinny]

Ah thanks. I do have the incline on the beast machine, but don't think it mirrored the outdoors for me well enough I'm afraid. Go do it for the 6-ers! I'll be right behind you, rooting for you all... Just a little further behind than planned x

[HelsbelswhatamIdoing Graduate in reply to Running-scared]

You'll be fine next time round. You reckon yourself you really went for it the first ten, so you know to take it steadier next time. And you've a positive attitude, I'm learning for me that is a massive part of it. As a Wk6-er, sending lots of moral support. I def try to find the flattest routes I can! Good luck, this/that girl can !

[Running-scared Graduate in reply to HelsbelswhatamIdoing]

Thanks Bels. Nervous to tackle this run outside again tomorrow. I know I could do it on the treadmill, and run3 too, but I've lost my bottle with this outdoors malarkey. Am kicking myself for doing so many weeks on the treadmill without any outside runs, its going to put me right back, but I spose it doesn't matter how long it takes so long as you get there in the end!

How are you doing with wk6? Good luck, kick some a** for me! x

[HelsbelswhatamIdoing Graduate in reply to Running-scared]

As you say, doesn't matter how long it takes... Well that's the theory but I've challenged myself to do it before my 50th which gave me 9wks and a day from first run to bday! got Wk6r3 tomorrow, forecast dreadful our 25 minuter. Found first run this week tough, loved the second but I think that's cus I was oop north at my mum and dad's and ran along prom with view of snowy Wales, and it was great to be there so I think that spurred me on. Tomorrow currently seeming impossible...! Thanks for good wishes, sending some back at you!

[Ucandothis Graduate]

I'm in awe of your confidence attacking a hill at this stage! I run along a canal so it is completely flat but move house in two weeks to the top of a hill!

[Running-scared Graduate in reply to Ucandothis]

The funny thing is, I didn't really mean to do a hill... I never really thought about where I was going to run and I ended up on it! Then, idiot that I am, I circled back round and did it again. My brain just vanished as soon as I headed outside, definitely wasn't confident (or capable) of tackling hills - what a fool!

We have a canal towpath at the end of our road, I definitely should've gone that way instead... Why didn't I go that way?! Better route planning next time for me. And cor, I feel for you moving to top of a hill... You'll soon become a hill expert, no choice in the matter! You'll crack it... Won't be much of a cool down walk to get home though!

Good luck with your next run - and with the house move, how exciting!

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Oh Nat, I'm not surprised you struggled if you are tackling hills. On the plus side that run is now banked and after a days rest you will be stronger on your next run. Any chance you could run on the flat only and maybe walk up the hill if you have to. You have run for 20 mins non stop so know you can do this, as you say just need to leave a bit in the tank for the second half, so slow slow and steady.

Good luck next run.

[boptillyoudrop49 Graduate]

I'd save the hills for later. By the sounds of it, you would have managed the run no problem at all on the flat.