This programme is 'mental'!

[CheneyCobbler]

A week ago I did the W5R3 20 min run with no difficulty - my first grandchild had been born that morning and I was too busy thinking about her and my daughter to worry about how my legs or breathing were feeling and was amazed when Jo Whiley (yes I am a new App user - but I am friends with Laura on strength and stretch!) told me to stop running.  

W6  runs 1 and 2 were then really hard, my leg muscles felt tight and it felt like a step back.  So before W6R3 yesterday I planned what I was going to think about on my run - trivial nonsense but it worked! I ran with my head up, my mind on holiday (except when crossing roads of course!!) tried not to think about my body and had the best run of the programme so far!!

I know we are all different' but for me if I were ever to get a personal trainer (and I assure you all that would never happen!) I wouldn't want then to urge me to work harder, just to say things like: "Remember your last holiday? Think about the day trips you had! Visualise that restaurant! Feel the (sun)burn!!"

Seriously, for me getting prepared mentally really helped me keep  plodging and get through the run, and I am cautiously optimistic about next week.

[Irishprincess Graduate]

That's fab and you are spot on. It really is a mental game and it sounds as if you've sussed it! Well done.

[JoolieB1 Graduate]

This is all part of the challenge of running,must when we think we can run like a gazelle, out we go and run more like a stumbling hippo.  No idea why this happens but part of it could be we are still running further or running faster and so it is always pretty hard!  The feeling afterwards and the satisfaction we did it, makes all the hard work worth it though, well done for getting out

[misswobble Graduate]

Well done Cheney ☺ i think you're right.  Just being able to zone out seems to make the run disappear.  You can't always manage it, but at those times when something else is at the forefront of your mind, the run always seems to pass off uneventfully 

Good luck with the next run.  Hope all is well with mum and new baby ☺ I had a new great nephew the other day.  Going to see him shortly.

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

Well done. The return to intervals is notoriously tricky in week 6. It's all longer runs now so you can just settle into it. Doing great!

[agedsnailspace Graduate]

Once you've graduated, think about running to audio books.  I use these and it's amazing just how much ground you can cover without really noticing when you are wrapped up in a story!

[poppypug Graduate]

Well done ! Yes I agree totally .

This programme is as much of a mental challenge as a physical one I think. We all have to sometimes dig deep and then we realise we are far much  emotionally stronger than what we give ourselves credit for.

Sounds like you've found a way to work for you . Youre doing great, keep going ! xxx