Week 5 struggles...

[n1col4]

Hey! Need some tips and motivation! I am on week 5 and I can't seem to get past day two. I just can't seem to run for 8 minutes consecutively! I can get to about 6 minutes and then run out of steam! Not sure if its physical or mental 😔 Anyone have any tips?

[Toomy]

I must admit I was really worried about w5, I finished it Sunday. I go slow (and I mean slow) and steady and with lots of positive comments from others I was determined to push on. Nothing wrong with repeating it again next week, just listen to Laura - I've learnt Laura is always right! Good luck, believe you can do it, because you can! 👍

[LisaRose74]

It is probably both, I have had similar problems.  Try slowing down a bit more and take in your surroundings, distract yourself from how long you've been going and how long is left.  Also try altering your route, that worked for me.  Good luck!

[agedsnailspace Graduate]

It is as much a mental hurdle as physical.  Slow down, then slow down some more...

Go through a checklist in your head to work out what it is that is making you stop.

1) Do your feet hurt so badly you can't put them on the floor?

2)Do your legs hurt so badly you can't take another step?

3)Is you heart beating so fast it's about to exit through your chest wall (remember - we said to slow down!)

4)Are you about to pass out from lack of oxygen as you can't breath (again - you are meant to be going slow!)

If none of 1-4 is making you absolutely have to stop, then it can only be the gremlins in your head and you should never trust the gremlins.

Set a target.  Don't run for the full 8 mins, just run to the next tree/lampost/road then when you get there, repeat the checklist and pick another target.

Run fast for a dozen paces then slow right down again.

Most of all, just keep going!  You can do this.  Physically you are ready.

Think of how you felt after W1R1 (personally, I was pretty sure I might die!).  Look at how far you have already come and how impossible this would have seemed at the end of that first run the KNOW you can do this.  Then just keep going until Laura says you can stop.   

[PippiRuns in reply to agedsnailspace]

Like your gremlin ID strategy. Will use it if need be on today's 25 min. run

[heavyhorse Graduate in reply to agedsnailspace]

I find that gremlin strategy works too, once I have agreed with them that I can stop at the next gateway etc. they think their job is done and bugger off, and I can sneak in running to another marker without them noticing, its a great way to defeat them!

[Nick_Buddha_12 Graduate in reply to heavyhorse]

you guys are so polite with your gremlins, I tend to tell mine in no uncertain terms to Fxxk off 😊

[WendyRunner123 Graduate in reply to Nick_Buddha_12]

😂😂😂😂

[Shivani05 Graduate]

Go slow. That's it. Good luck!

[Helein Graduate]

My method is pretty boring but it works when I feel I can't run any further. I repeat "step", "step", every step I take. This puts me a semi sort of trance state and I forget I am running! When I first started meditative walking I did the same. 

[PippiRuns in reply to Helein]

Interesting method. Want to try that on my next run.

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

It's probably a bit of both. First tip is to slow it right down so your breathing and legs are okay. Then try a different route so you have no visual triggers 'uh oh, this is where I usually have to stop'

Break it down into little chunks when the going gets tough - well, I'll just keep going to that next lamppost/ tree etc.

You can do this - you can already run for 6 minutes and you couldn't do that three weeks ago!

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

You can do this...... you have already run for 3 lots of 5 mind this is only an extra minute.  you need to start your 8 min run really slowly, just a gentle steady jog, you will be having a recovery walk and need enough steam to get to that point. 

It's all about building stamina, don't worry about your pace. You will begin to feel some changes to your breathing soon once you can conquer this week. 

To be honest I spent a few weeks on week four as I enjoyed being able to do those runs, and this probably helped me build more stamina. You are doing this for you and you are capable of getting to graduation you just have to believe in yourself and take things as slowly as needs be.

Good luck and let us know how you are getting on.

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