Struggling...

[Rbecks]

Help! I was doing great till the end of week 7. Managed every session. Week 8 has beaten me, I've tried 3 times. Just can't seem to even run for 5 minutes, let alone 28! I have lots of things going on. Work is v busy. Family life also crazy. I don't want to give up, but seem to have lost something after I started so positively. I had been really looking forward to each run. Now I dread them. Really want to get back on track.

[Chris9R Graduate]

I had to take a week off after I really struggled with week 7 shin splints and the like. So this week I started afresh and boom 2 great week 8 runs so far. Maybe think about having a rest and start week 8 again?

[Rbecks Graduate in reply to Chris9R]

Thanks. Great advice and good on you getting through that.

[Rignold]

Yes, I would also suggest have a week off and come back to it. You obviously can run the time if you managed W7. You're just a bit burned out or overloaded with stuff. It happens. Don't sweat it. Have a few days break. Come back fresh. Ace those runs. Dance and sing.

[Rbecks Graduate in reply to Rignold]

Ha thanks for that advice. Really made me laugh! I don't think there will be dancing and singing, but it's worth a try! Thanks

[Hidden]

Sounds like good advice. If you got this far you are physically ready but my guess is the work and family situation means you are not in the right place mentally. Give yourself a few days break, decide now when you will start again and stick to it whatever happens. Forget these attempts and start like it's the first time you tried week 8. I am sure you will have a great run.

[Rbecks Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. Good advice. I'll just start again and get back to where I was. You are right. I can do this! Thanks

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Rest, recharge and recover

Life happens.. you are on the way, ain't nothing gonna stop you now!

Shake it up, go for a walk...do some of Rig's squats, just for fun It will kick back in...

I am on the IC currently, got a bit down for a very short spell, but moving on now doing other stuff until I can get out again.. carrying on writing my book, finishing paintings.. gentle exercises for the uninjured body bits..and even gentler for the injured bit..resting and recovering too..

You will be ready for it when you head back.. steady and slow

[ju-ju- Graduate]

Do not panic..... go back and do week 6 or 7 again. If thats tough go back more, and consider doing each week twice. There is no need to rush the programme, its all good training. I hope life settles for you too

[RuthMargaret Graduate]

Try to keep going now you've come so far! I'm also experiencing my first doubts at week 7. I hope it's just a blip and I'll get through the other side. I think I'm going to have to listen to my body and not stick to a rigid structure for my runs. I gave Wednesday a miss because I wasn't well, but caught up last night and it felt great. I hope I won't feel I need to repeat any weeks, but if I come to a standstill I might have to.

Try to keep some "me time". I came home from work last night to a pigsty of a house, the dog not walked, and my 16-year-old sitting playing video games. I could have gone out running there and then just to escape! I made it clear to him that now the exams are over he need to pull his weight, made tea and went out then. It's just so great to be out there in my own thoughts.

Stick with it - it might get better!

[Hidden]

I agree with all of the advice above. Mostly DON'T PANIC 🏃😁😡

This is a psychological not physical problem, given how far you have actually run so far. Take a break and reflect on the progress to date. Exercise your positive attitudes and stretch your positive thoughts. Weight train your belief in yourself and take your determination swimming. Read the post about what Eddie Izzard said about marathons and then....keep buggering on

[Rbecks Graduate]

Thank you to everyone for your positive advice. This is such a friendly place! I'm hoping the weekend and a bit of a break from work will mean I can get back into the running. I'll let you know. Have a great weekend all and happy running.

[Rbecks Graduate]

Thanks for all of your support. I went back to week 7 did the 25 minutes. I went a different route. One I wasn't sure exactly where I was going. I think that trying to work out where to go distracted me from the running and the change of scene was definitely a good idea. It's a problem finding the time needed to do the run in a mad busy week. So nice to have all the time I needed this morning. Thanks to all of you for helping me get over this little glitch! Happy weekend all.