W7 R2 onwards

[KoKo30]

Hi all. I am new to this and find all the posts really encouraging, thank you. I need some help now! W1 and 2 were really hard and took me 3 weeks to complete. Then in W3 to W6 I enjoyed the running and the sense of achievement but now struggling with the longer runs. I spend the time waiting for it to end rather than enjoying it. Any suggestions?

[SC1472 Graduate]

Get your mind in the right place - it is now a struggle of what your head is saying compared to what your body is capable of. I am on week 8 now and struggled to achieve a successful 25 minute run. I looked at my route and changed it to get a fresh view, I struggled with my breathing but then it just clicked into place (I did slow down a bit looking at my pace). My last run was run 1 of week 8 so it was quite exciting to see where the 28 minutes took me on my route. I also let my mind wander so looking back I can't really remember the run. Try thinking about something else and the time will pass.

[Whatsapp Graduate]

Running down the clock is a dangerous thing. For one it always seems to go very slow.

I have a run mapped out which to get to there and back is exactly 5k. So when I run out from my house I see how far I get by the halfway chime, run a bit more to a nearby marker I pick out and then run home. That way I am thinking of the percentage of 5k I have got to and how far I have got/ progressed. Also I am not running down the clock because I am just running home.

[Nervousnewbie Graduate]

I had a similar experience of feeling that it was very hard and I wasn't progressing once the runs started getting longer. In fact though every run I struggled through made me a little stronger and fitter and one day I realised the run felt a tiny bit easier. I took slightly longer breaks in between runs, tried to turn my negative thoughts into positives ("Yes this feels hard but isn't it great that I'm doing it nonetheless" "Every step I take is a step towards a fitter me etc". Posted a lot on here. Ran very slowly and eventually got my mojo back. I am now in graduation week and feeling very proud of myself🙂.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Most people find those last few weeks pretty tough.......I know I did, but they are testing your resolve as well as developing your stamina.

Change your route is my suggestion and as others say, don't clock watch.

Keep going, the rewards are so worthwhile.

[KoKo30 Graduate]

Thanks for the help. I did change my route and it helped a lot. It was a bit hilly (well gradual inclines occasionally) but this has strengthened my resolve, and hopefully my legs, and now looking forward to W8!