W4 nailed.

[Bonkersbrit]

I am ready to throw myself into Week 5 now. Is it just me or does everyone feel like they creep through each run, enjoying the success but never really shaking off the feeeling that there's an axe about to fall and I've just escaped for today, for this run, but it will get me one day. It's a bit like a winning streak in a casino, part of you thinks you should quit while you are ahead, but you just can't. As the stakes get higher ( or the running segments get longer) you feel the risk of not succeeding ( can't use the f word) grows. I think it's imposter syndrome like I read in another post. Yes, I'm completing each run so far, but I'm not really a runner, the bubble is bound to burst eventually.

All that said, I ran for 16 mins today out of the 20 in the middle today . No one can take that away from me.😀🏃🏼‍♀️

[Whatsapp Graduate]

The only person you need to prove it to is yourself. Each run is a challenge and each week is a step up. But in my opinion no week is harder than W1. Because every other week I am building on the success of the week before.

So give yourself a break you have been doing this 3 times a week for a month now - look how far you've come 😀😀😀

[SC1472 Graduate]

Let's face facts - you are a runner!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Well.. personally no

I just kept going and embracing every windy, wet, tired, dark and cold moment... along with the crunch of the last leaves of Autumn, and the sun on my back, on an unseasonably warm October day and the magic sparkle of a crisp winter's morning and the bonus of an early gift of Graduation the week before Christmas !

I was doing this for me... still am really, but now with the addition of wanting to stay healthy and fit and strong for my family and now, new small runner in training.

This is your journey...you are running it for you.... you are a runner... you were a runner from the first tentative step you took on Run 1 in Week 1. so try to relax more... slow it down even more...look around, and enjoy the view...and let your past weekly successes carry you on...

" Every run you do, you are one run stronger! Go for it... runner

[Julesh15 Graduate]

Like you I have just completed Run 3 of week 4. I'm not sure how as run one I missed 20-30seconds of the 2nd 3min and 5min run. Today I did it..,just but I was goosed. Don't feel a runner but as goosed as I was I did it. I look ahead to next week and feel goosed just gandering at it!!! Well done you though for completing it and here's to week 5

[Burrows79 Graduate in reply to Julesh15]

That's a lot of geese 😂. I also completed W4 today and I'm looking forward to Monday when a new week and new challenge begin!

Bring it on I say, we will graduate and we will live healthier, happier lives for it.

Week 5 look out, we're coming to get ya

[useitorloseit Graduate]

That's the brilliant thing about this programme - you think you won't be able to do it, and then you can! Keep the faith!

[Nervousnewbie Graduate]

I felt just like that (an imposter, scraping through every run by the skin of my teeth) until I got to week 7 and realised that I really was going to graduate. Then in week 9 something just clicked and I felt that not only was I going to graduate but I was also getting stronger and fitter. I only graduated at the weekend but I have been for two runs since and I know I'm going to continue. Everyone's journey is different but the great thing about the programme is you don't need to think about it. You just do it one run at a time and then enjoy the many benefits.

[Saralexis Graduate]

Imagine how easy week one would be for you now, you've come a long way and it'll always be hard when you're pushing the pace or the distance but as you go you'll gain confidence, and you'll have shorter slower runs that feel easy.

You're definitely a runner, be proud.

[PruesDad]

Well done! I'm off out for the same run shortly! Can totally relate to the imposter syndrome thing - I get it in other contexts too, especially at work.

[misswobble Graduate]

No ,no they can't 😃💪🏃✔️

[Hidden]

Just done W4r3. Felt like the worst run so far until half way through the last run when I seemed to find my rhythm and then I didn't want it to stop and ran an extra 30 second just to show I had more left.

My brain is all over the place with the love/hate of running!!

I'll roll the dice 🎲 with you on W5 and hope we keep winning.

[Koraline Graduate]

In week 1 did you look at week 4 and never imagine you would ever get there? That' s part of the addiction I think, running in to the unknown and finding out new things about yourself and just how much you are capable of. Keep fit for the head as well as the heart!

We will get there and if we don't we gave it a ruddy good try and learned something in the bargain!

(Feeling particularly philosophical this morning after completing week 4)! 😇