W6 R1: W6 R1.........was a struggle. Wonder if I... - Couch to 5K

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W6 R1

Sofargoner profile image
SofargonerGraduate
21 Replies

W6 R1.........was a struggle. Wonder if I needed two rest days instead of 1? Was on a high on thursday after 20 mins continuous running but just couldn't sustain this one, particularly the last run of 5 mins.

I'm in Aviemore in the highlands, on tracks not roads and in the rain rather than sunshine. I'll try again on Monday or Tuesday.

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Sofargoner profile image
Sofargoner
Graduate
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21 Replies
tortoisegirl profile image
tortoisegirlGraduate

Don't worry, Sofargoner , this run throws a lot of people! I don't know if it's returning to interval running or something else, but a lot of people struggle with it. Your best strategy is the usual advice on here; slow and steady! I would also recommend avoiding hills but realise that might be unreasonable in the Highlands!

Sofargoner profile image
SofargonerGraduate in reply to tortoisegirl

Thanks. Encouragement means a lot

RunningGeek profile image
RunningGeekGraduate

Sounds like you have some hurdles to overcome without then trying to run as well! Well done for persevering - I have great respect for those not on flat ground :-) Sure you will be more successful next time. Enjoy :-D

curlyann profile image
curlyannGraduate

Well done for getting out there. That's a complete change of surface to run on. I found W6 R1 difficult too - I thought it was because I was on such a high after doing the 20 minutes but still not quite believing that I had done it! Does that make sense? And it maybe that 2 rest days might have helped. Just take it steady and you will get there. And you will be able to do it :-)

Sofargoner profile image
SofargonerGraduate in reply to curlyann

you know I totally agree with you - now that I have seen how the prog works; I could never have thought I could do 20 mins but I could. So I will go back to this one after two rest days (I feel quite sore just now) and put it down as a 'practice'. I am one of the forum members who takes 1.5 - 2 weeks to complete each week but I am going to keep on at it as I have seen the progress. Thank you x

curlyann profile image
curlyannGraduate in reply to Sofargoner

I never thought I could run for 5 minutes at a time and this week I have done 28 minutes. Going for the second tomorrow but I am finding I need 2 rest days. But it's all building stamina and fitness so if it takes more than a week to feel comfortable with it and happy then that's got to be better. Enjoy Aviemore 😊

Pc59 profile image
Pc59Graduate in reply to curlyann

We are like twins!! 😀😀😀I'm same had two days rest also heavy rain up here I'm in Elgin but sunny today so il be out today in daylight for a change!! Count down started😂😂 then we will have to plan what's next 😄good luck! X

Sofargoner profile image
SofargonerGraduate in reply to Pc59

I'm on holiday...fancied running in a change of scene but will stay off the trails today as there's a half marathon & 10K on...

Pc59 profile image
Pc59Graduate in reply to Sofargoner

Enjoy your hols😊at least sun out today! Good for you keeping up your running! Aviemore is a beautiful area & some nice walks/ runs round some of the lochs & not so hilly!! Enjoy😊😊

Sofargoner profile image
SofargonerGraduate in reply to Pc59

Thank you! Thinking of walking up cairngorm today....

Pc59 profile image
Pc59Graduate in reply to Sofargoner

Good for you! It's lovely at the top but be prepared with weather being different up the top! We climbed it on a lovely sunny day & 3/4way up snow & low cloud so plenty layers!! You are probably more experienced hill walkers than we were! Beautiful walk though enjoy! Not a running option😂😂

curlyann profile image
curlyannGraduate in reply to Pc59

Seem to remember a nice teashop in Elgin ☺. Didn't get yesterday for various reasons and it was also heavy rain here. Definitely going today. Graduation is in sight 🏃

Pc59 profile image
Pc59Graduate in reply to curlyann

Still a few good coffee shops in Elgin/lossiemouth😊 I found my run yesterday hard going but glad I went yesterday as woke today with really sore head & think a cold starting!!! Just praying it stays away long enough for last 4 runs.. Imagine😀😀😀 we are nearly there😀🏃🏃🏃good luck for today & let me know how you get on!! Phyllis x

curlyann profile image
curlyannGraduate in reply to Pc59

Did R2 this morning. Hard to start with but got into a rhythm after about 10 minutes. Wore a long sleeve top because it has been cold last couple of days, alas I felt very warm but didn't want to stop so kept going and happy to say made it through 28 minutes. 😊

Sofargoner profile image
SofargonerGraduate in reply to curlyann

Well done CA! X

Pc59 profile image
Pc59Graduate in reply to curlyann

Well done another successful run😊😊 x

Bluebirdrunner profile image
BluebirdrunnerGraduate

Good plan sofargoner. Rest days are important, you will be able to do week 6 don't worry.

Flat running is hard enough so tackling hills very brave...

Good luck next time out.😊

Mazzspud profile image
Mazzspud

I totally agree. Week 6 run 1 left me feeling very frustrated. Interval running? NO! I' m a shuffler with stamina....really? No I nearly collapsed by the end of this one. I have left it till this morning Sunday to run day 2 and the last was Tuesday. We can do it, just in our own time.

Donkeywhistler profile image
DonkeywhistlerGraduate

An extra day might have helped. But waist, you did well and you will be building on your time from now on up to graduation

McFitty profile image
McFittyGraduate

A lot of people slot in extra rest days from weeks 6 to 7 onward. The programme is now taking your body into longer and more sustained running, so don't feel that extra rest days are some sort of weakness in any way. You're doing fabulously, just keep it really slow and really steady (extra hard on trails) ;) It will all come together, I promise :)

Pc59 profile image
Pc59Graduate

I'm not far away in Elgin!! I must admit I was doing every second day until the continuous runs & when I did week7 run 3 I took two days off & on week 8 run 1 managed 30mins instead of 28😊! Just wanted to prove to myself I could do it ha ha!! Just had 2 days rest as heavy rain yesterday so off out today in sunshine & looking forward to it!!! It not a race and I found I was a wee bit, ok just a wee bit, faster on my last run! So sometimes the 2 day rest helps !! I think they say listen to your body😃😃 good luck & getting close to that graduation!!! 😊😊😊Phyllis

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