Week 7

Struggling to get past 20 mins. Any advice on breathing techniques? I have done 25 mins to complete week 6. Started well in week 7 with a 25 min run then next run started to struggle and just can't get past 20 mins now!

[SC1472 Graduate]

Kitty, I had the same problem, but to be honest with you - it is all in your head now as your body is capable. I too, did the 25 minute run once and then just couldn't get to do it the next run, stopping after 12 minutes. This became my nemesis but I became determined to beat it. It may not be the correct way to do it but I would run as long as I felt I could, pause the app to walk and then start running again ensuring I ran for 25 minutes in total. The next run out I made myself run for a longer period of time before stopping to get my breathe back. I seem to remember having about 3 or 4 runs like this until it just clicked into place and I managed to complete the 25 minutes and even found my mind wandering onto other thoughts rather than my breathing. Once I had this run under my belt, I have gone on to have every run as successful as my brain then knew I could do it.

I don't know if this will help you, and others will give their wise words ( Oldfloss will tell you to slow down!), but this certainly worked for me (and I was going slow and slowed down more).

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to SC1472]

I am a pain with it aren't I ?

But.. it works... at least I'm still here, and running 10K now

[SC1472 Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

But we love you!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to SC1472]

Phew!

[Hidden in reply to Oldfloss]

If you are doing 10k then keep being a pain! Thanks for the advice.

[toria36 in reply to Oldfloss]

NEVER a pain - just a font of knowledge

[Hidden in reply to SC1472]

Thanks. I will keep going!

[toria36]

From a complete novice (though last 3 runs to do before graduation now), it sounds like you may either be tensing up your body and therefore your breathing or you're going to fast. Try slowing down a little perhaps and trying to relax your body and don't think about breathing and it should come naturally. The more you tense, the harder your breathing is - try to relax and lean forward a little - that helps you move forward - may sound silly but posture can help or hinder you. Good luck - I'm sure you're doing brilliantly

[CathieRae]

Thanks everyone. I took all advice: relaxed, stopped thinking about my breathing and slowed down. the last 5 minutes were a struggle but I did 25 mins!!! I'll report back once I've completed week 7 with another 2 x 25 minute runs. The support really helped!