THIRTEEN MINUTES! Got my mojo back after week 5 day 3 meltdown 😃😃

[missveryemergency]

So, I found this forum about ten days ago when I googled "week 5 day 3 impossible - looking for some reassurance, basically, having come home near tears for the first time since starting. I've repeated nearly all the weeks at least once, and always told myself it didn't matter how slow I was working through it as it was all progress - but that first attempt at twenty minutes knocked me for six.

I went back to week 5 day 1 and did it twice, pushing myself to go uphill instead of on flattish ground and build up that way. Today I went to go onto day 2 but at the last minute I decided to keep running for the break, and see how far I could get into it - and I did all five minutes on top of the eight I'd done! 

Day 3 now feels SO much more achievable - I'm not going to go for it straight away, I'm going to try 15 minutes and probably 18 before I do 20. It may well only be a psychological barrier but I'd much rather hurdle it than smack my face into it! 

Wanted to post this for anyone in the same position I was ten days ago - find something that works for you!

[Irishprincess Graduate]

Well done. It doesn't matter how you do it as long as you do it.

[runswithdogs Graduate]

:). That was the first run I had to repeat.  It makes achieving it all the sweeter.  Well done.

[secan Graduate]

It is a psychological barrier and there is no magic trick to get over it; you just have to find what works for you, as you are doing, and believe in yourself and the hard work you've done so far.

You'll do it; just take your time and keep a positive attitude. 😉

[heavyhorse Graduate]

just aim for 15, at a slow steady pace, and when you get to 15 maybe try for the next tree or gate, and then you might think you'll just go for 18..and if you feel ok do the same, I often find knowing I am 'allowed' to stop , confuses the gremlins and they go away , and then I get those sneaky extra minutes in when they think their job is done! Feels good to get one over on them! Anyway you will be physically capable of it now, its just persuading yourself! Good luck with it!

[missveryemergency]

Thanks so much all - you're absolutely right, it definitely was a psychological barrier - I did sixteen on Sunday and have just managed twenty! It was a struggle for my calves and shins, I won't deny that, but my lungs were fine - I'm definitely fit enough, although I might need to get some different trainers or look at how I can better support my lower legs! So, so chuffed though 😁