W8R1 .....

[Steved110]

So just out the shower after this one. I've seen a lot of improvement since W1 in that I'm much more in control of my breathing and I recover much faster. I sweat pretty heavily and my shirt is soaked at the end. But I feel pretty good and I'm damn proud of how far I've come, and grateful to C25K and everyone in the forum for their inspiration and reassurance.

I'm finding I can now concentrate on things other than breathing and placing one foot in front of another but I still struggle - the first half is hard, the last half easier except the last 5 minutes which are much much harder .... does it get easier or is the whole point to constantly stretch yourself? I'm working too hard to enjoy the 'me time' when I'm out jogging and am hoping for a 'click moment' when it all comes together - wishful thinking?

I've been lucky that I've had no real setbacks and have managed a run every 2 days usually but the long runs from week 7 onwards are intimidating.

[Filbertneale]

So glad I'm not the only one who feels like this. I did w8r1 this morning and since starting the longer runs have found the first and last five minutes the hardest.

My breathing is better and now you mention it my recovery is getting better, although when I finish I drip like a broken tap!

Here's to Week 9?????

[rolysmate Graduate]

Reading this gives me hope, my first run yesterday and breathing was hard work!!

[DawnRun]

I have recently done W9 R1 and it's still difficult at the end. For my last run, the final kilometre was pretty tough but I have done some of the longish runs in W7 and W8 and found that the last 1km or so was really easy on one occasion. I personally did used to put it down to how fast you set off, but of course things like hydration and even how you feel on the day of the run come into play. I am sure it does get easier but you would have to repeat a lot of 5km runs to get to the stage where you don't lose your bodyweight in sweat every time.

I think if you are pushing too hard to reach a certain time/ distance , it will always be hard at the last kilometre. I am wondering if the time to 'ease off' is the middle part of the run that feels 'easiest', and that it's possible to run a little too fast in this part.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Once you graduate you can ease off the continual increase and consolidate for a while at 30 minute runs. This will give you the opportunity to run for fun.

You are right to be proud of your journey. It is one of the most empowering things you can do for yourself.

Not far to go now.

[runningnearbeirut Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Yes, consolidation once you get to 30 minutes is really important. You will at some point want to start stretching yourself again, but just sticking at getting out and running for 30 minutes 3 times a week is an important part of the journey. You'll find that you can have an "easy" run where you are not constantly pushing yourself into new territory and it still does you good mentally and physically.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Well done you....just keep it slow and steady...

The toxic ten ( the first bit of the runs... they are there, for many of us and for many runners, where ever you are on your journey. There have been loads of posts on this, historically, and the scientific reason for the toxic ten minutes have been detailed !

You do though, get stronger...every run, slow though it may be and difficult, makes you a better runner, bit by bit. Those running legs are growing, your stamina and strength are improving. Things you are focusing on individually, suddenly seem to gel on occasions and you are running without that intense concentration.

Get to graduation and then consolidate the longer, 30 minute runs when you graduate...and after that.. the fun really begins!

Onward and upward!

[Gillma Graduate]

I have just done w8r2 and it certainly doesn't feel any easier or quicker (it would still take me 50mins or so to run 5k assuming I could go the distance), but it's only a few weeks since I didn't run at all. And back then it was almost impossible to work hard enough to get out of breath and sweat a bit. Now I can get out of puff and even get a bit sweaty. So I think we should all be proud and jog patiently to week 9 and beyond - but I do sympathise and I do feel impatient!!!

[Gillma Graduate in reply to Gillma]

Just learnt - running slower makes you faster! Picked up this pearl from IbenCopenhagen on the NHS Weightloss community- worth a read: runnersworld.com/rt-web-exc...