When does it get easier?!

[warnere]

I've just completed W1,R1. It was really tough on my legs and lungs. I'm just wondering whether it ever gets easier. I'd love to run without thinking how much I'm hating running!!

[Lois5107]

It does believe me

[warnere in reply to Lois5107]

Sorry. I meant to post week 4, run 1. I found it hard tonight 😢

[Rignold]

The 60 seconds you ran at a time today will get easier. In a couple of weeks you will think back and be surprised that you ever found it difficult. The run you will be doing at that time will still be challenging though. Then two weeks after that, that distance will seem easy but the new current one still hard. Etc. You always have to push a bit. But you achieve so much.

[warnere]

Grrr. I meant to post week 4, run 1!

[damienair Graduate]

It's really tough at the start. We all go through it. But the plan works. Keep it up. Before you know it you will be running for 20 minutes no problem. You will have good runs and really tough runs. But you will be amazed with how your body will adapt over the weeks. I'm at the end of week 8 now. Running for 28 minutes. My last 2 runs were hard going, but I did it. My lungs don't hurt anymore, but my legs get tired. But the feeling of satisfaction when you finish a run is worth it.

[DawnRun]

If you really hate running, you have to focus on what you are getting out of it that makes it worth it I think. As regards sore legs, I got them up to week 4 or 5 but I think people might be different, and as for the lungs, I found an exercise bike (or anything else like swimming) is a big help it makes it easier when you dont have to worry about sore legs and lungs at the same time. So you can help yourself, but it never really gets 'easier'. Sitting on the couch is easy! The warm ups / brisk walks are important of course, and I never took them seriously till week 5 and its a bit late then.

There are also different things you can get out of it as you improve. You are in week 4 so you aren't going to quit now. I profess to not 'liking' running. However, I like being fit, I wouldn't say too much (I'm on week 8) but things change as you go along with this thing. For example I like passing the same people who saw me struggling in earlier weeks (but probably didn't really take any notice anyway) and now I pass them and I more confident. I didn't think that would matter to me at the start but its good to go out and be in control of what you are doing. That comes gradually though, each run you will get stronger and learn new things. I also finish my run quicker now , it doesn't take the whole day's energy out of me. In that sense its easier but each week is a new challenge and of course you can only really see it when it's done. The runs don't get easier as you are always pushing yourself, but I wouldn't say they get harder either.

[warnere in reply to DawnRun]

Thank you! I'm determined to get to the end. I'd just like to enjoy it a bit more!

[RainbowC Graduate]

Believe it or not, it's already getting easier. Think back to week 1, and how difficult that was, and think whether it would be that difficult now. Betcha it wouldn't! It's just that at the moment, the plan steps up at the same rate your fitness and stamina improve, so it doesn't feel any easier.

I think it was around week 5 that I first found that I was actually enjoying some of the running, not just the satisfaction of achieving the run. Five years and several re-starts on, there are still moments when I wonder why I'm doing this - but they pass and I get to the good bits again.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

I was going to say, "Give yourself a chance to get used to it." Until I saw that you are on W4. Still it is early days, you have only worked out for two to three hours, so your body is getting used to it. Each week during the programme the demands increase, so it will continue to be a physical challenge. Once you graduate, you can consolidate at thirty minute runs and just enjoy your new found ability.

After four years running, it is often still hard work. The difference now is that I enjoy hard physical exercise. There is no doubt a masochistic element to this pleasure but the very fact that I can run, is reward enough. Some people never get to that stage, unfortunately, which does make it unlikely that they will persist with the running habit.

Keep going, the rewards are vast.

[CasYid77 Graduate]

It doesn't get easier, you just get better at it. Trust me.