Not so smug now...

[Joolez]

So this morning I ran W7R1 and it was hard ... I think probably the hardest long run I've done so far. Maybe I should have left an additional rest day. After my W6R3 run I felt amazing and like I could do anything ... today I'm just exhausted.

[RainbowC Graduate]

It was hard, but you did it! As St Laura helpfully says at some point, it's the running when you're tired and at the end of your energy which builds up your fitness (I paraphrase, but you know what I mean!) Take an extra day before the next one if you need it, but go out next time knowing that you can do it - you've done it once feeling great, and once with he gremlins marchalled against you. You got this!

[Minimaxi Graduate]

I felt exactly the same way. Taking 2 rest days really helped and my run yesterday (W7R3) was so much better!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Some you win.. and some.... well.... ?

But, you did this! hard yes, but achieved.. well done you!

[Now-runner_NeedsAttn Graduate]

Nothing wrong with feeling exhausted. Did someone tell you this was going to be easy? The important thing is that you're not exhausted after running for one minute now. It may be that in the euphoria of smashing W6R3 you thought W7 would be easy and ran a little too quickly - remember, slow and steady.

[Joolez Graduate in reply to Now-runner_NeedsAttn]

Yes I thought it would be easy ... In fact I thought, I've cracked this - maybe I could just skip to week 9 (oh the overconfidence that comes from a good run) After today, I'm just a bit more realistic and realised exactly as you say, slow and steady and I will get there.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Joolez]

Noooo... do not be tempted to skip...sure way to hit the IC

Slow and steady like everyone says You will be at that podium soon enough and then.. it starts

[misswobble Graduate]

Never mind. It's done now. So,rest up, get some sleep and good,food and go again 😀 Go,very steadily! No need to push at all

[Kimscholey]

I felt like that on lady day of wk 3. I was dreading wk 4 after advice from others on here I took it real slow

[Dunder2004 Graduate]

Well done.

Bear in mind that you are still very much a newbie runner and that your aerobic capacity is really still in the early stages of development. A few beats per minute difference in your heart rate can make the difference between feeling comfortable and things going to pot.

With every run, you get that little bit fitter and the 'margin' you have being able to run comfortably will get bigger and bigger.

For now, just take things nice and slowly and I am sure you will be fine.