I just don't know??

[Aliarm]

So I started week 9 today and couldn't do a full 30mins really angry with myself had to keep stopping and starting as in walking and running can't understand it I'd done so well up to this point so I'd say it will b a long until I graduate 😢

[Rignold]

even though you were able to run 28 minutes 3 times in a row without problem?

You don't think it might just have been that you were having a bad day?

[Aliarm in reply to Rignold]

Yea I found the first 28 mins fine the next 2 where a struggle once I got to half way it seem my legs wouldn't work. But il keep going to c if I can completely finish it

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Aliarm]

I find when I fix a 'target' - be it a place or a time -I tend to see it as 'the furthest I can run'. In other words, the closer I get to it the more I am anticipating stopping and that makes me feel how bloody tired etc I am.

So what i do now is set a time on my timer for more than i intend running, or pick an 'aspirational' spot to where I will run...and then I stay relaxed and often am able to run 'just that little bit further' past where my 'official' end point would be, if you can follow all that

Anyhow - the last three weeks are like any other three weeks. New and unexplored Remember all your basics - slow and slower still, steady pace, relax your body etc and you will be just fine. PLUS -you are having a heatwave over there! Not the most opportune time to do your Graduation runs - so run clever, not 'hard'

I'm putting an extra chair at the Graduation Table for you - you will be here in your own time, never worry

[Aliarm in reply to Irish-John]

Sounds like a very good plan thanks

[LordOberon Graduate in reply to Irish-John]

Might have to pinch some if that way of thinking​, thanks.

[Bredders in reply to Irish-John]

This all tends to confirm how much of what our bodies do is determined by what our minds think they can. You'd think Mind and Body would get on better with each other after all this time but although it's a long-lasting marriage, it may not always be a happy one, full of great, communicative moments.

In short, I couldn't agree more and Irish-John's advice seems pretty smart to me.

[Tomas Graduate]

Is it the heat? It saps your energy, and you won't be able to do in this heat what you can normally do on a good day. But don't despair, apparently the summer will be over by tomorrow

[Wannaberoadrunner Graduate in reply to Tomas]

Maybe drink more water before you venture out?

[Bredders in reply to Tomas]

Having recently moved to a tropical country where it's always above 30 degrees and humidity is high, I can confirm the debilitating effect of heat. But, if you're patient, it looks like you can gradually get used to it.

[Burrows79 Graduate]

Put it down to a practice run in the heat, and smash it next time.

My plan is to wait until later in the hope it cools down, but, being the sun dodger I am I may have to repeat when it's cooler.

Good luck, and keep plugging away

[Aliarm in reply to Burrows79]

Yea well I normally go round lunch time on a Monday but thought I'd go at 9am but was still very warm but I'm sure this warm weather won't last I'm going to really try my best thanks

[RebeccaSK Graduate in reply to Aliarm]

It's still so warm even at that time - I think you're being too hard on yourself. I'm only exercising in the gym at the moment - too hot outside and as someone who sweats A LOT I know that trying to run in this heat would be a step too far for me.

[Aliarm in reply to RebeccaSK]

Yes I do sweat a lot too. It's terrible. Think it's going to cool soon thank goodnesss

[Baz62 Graduate in reply to Aliarm]

I went out at 7 yesterday morning , just bearable before got too hot for my run 2 of wk 8

[Aliarm in reply to Baz62]

Fair play. I'm going to do week 9 run 1 again and c how I get on

[Millsie-J Graduate]

I've been running almost a year now. Can cover 11k on a good day. A couple of months again I went for a Parkrun.........I've done quite a few......I ended up run/ walking the whole way....just didn't have a good day at all. I felt quite low about it but I took a rest day then went out and ran a steady 8k, no issues!

I decided I had probably set off far too fast at the parkrun and now I very purposely always take a slow start, which means I can run the full 5k.

So slow and steady is of course the way!

Just put it down to a practice run! 🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏻

[DawnRun]

@ Aliarm, It's certainly not just you, I only ran 3k today. I had planned on running a lot more but ran a different course and it just felt too hot . The last straw was a fly going in my mouth! Everyone's allowed to have bad runs, and each run is building endurance.

[Aliarm in reply to DawnRun]

Ah I've had my fair share of flies in my mouth horrible feeling. Yes hopefully just a blip. Thanks

[SueKen Graduate]

I'm due to do w9r2 tonight, having not run since thurs, but it's still really hot and sticky. Beginning to think my graduation victory dance might have to wait just a tad longer. Thwarted by a heat wave - who'd have thought it 😎

[Aliarm in reply to SueKen]

I no well I thought sure il get there some day although our weather is set to change on Wednesday so maybe a bit more easier for running

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

If you have now run 28 minutes four times then that first thirty minute run is not far away. We all have off days when we don't quite hit our targets, however long we have been running, so have a day off, don't make it into a problem and you will walk it...........you know what I mean.

[Aliarm in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you yes I keep saying I can do it. It's defo a case of the gremlins haha well come Wednesday I will make sure that they stay away 👍

[ju-ju- Graduate]

Park it. Next time will be a new day with fresh legs. Don't let it get you down. You can do it 😎

[Clapalong]

I was exactly the same ! Cheat a bit as I do it on a treadmill but I felt it was going faster . I too had to keep stopping . This was a few months ago and I had to stop due to plantir problem. Am working my way up again now so we will see

[Aliarm in reply to Clapalong]

Yea will see how tomorrow's run goes. I think maybe it's the laziness setting in. Inside my head

[Stacko]

I was hoping to graduate this week but am sadly delaying it due to the heat. No way I can run in +25 degrees!!

Be kind to yourself and be patient, you will get there even if it's a few days later than planned!

Happy running

[watters57]

I did w8r1 yesterday in the 30C heat mid morning yesterday. This is my first post here as I read Aliarm's post with interest and similarly I've found I'd been running well up to this point but this time I had to stop 3 times for 20 seconds to recover.

I'm normally quite a perfectionist but in this heat I decided it was not worth beating myself up for stopping. After all I'm in my late fifties, it is hot and also where I run is quite hilly. I think Aliarm has done well to get to week 9 and can go on further, reading the great tips from other folk on this forum.

That's the attitude I'm taking on to the rest of w8 I will go out earlier to beat the heat and then on to w9 next week, gonna carry on listening to Laura's podcasts while I run and do my first Parkrun in July.

[Aliarm in reply to watters57]

Yes I'm putting it down to the heat I think. Although today at work I've hurt my back so I'm really hoping I can do my run tomorrow what next 🙈

[Ploddingon Graduate]

I think what everyone else has said, it's the heat. I hate running when it's hot. In fact I won't as it gives me a banging headache all day. But since I've not long graduated I don't want to lose momentum. So it's up at 5 and out. I can bear it then and it's so lovely and peaceful at that time. Well worth the effort. I didn't manage a great run today and did walk for a short while but it was a run and it all counts. So don't be too hard on yourself.

[Aliarm in reply to Ploddingon]

Thanks yea well I suppose it's better than laying on the sofa walk/run is good for me better than what I had been doing