Week 8

[Karen44]

Well I've just finished week 8 and these 28 min runs just aren't getting any easier. I really want to do this and so far I've completed each run without having to stop when I shouldn't but I'm just not enjoying it like I thought I would. I don't know why I feel like this 😞 I really thought coming this far I would feel different.

[61trying Graduate]

Don't give up, week 8 is amazing. My experience is the each week seems hard until I reach the next one.

[Hidden]

I have just done week 8 run 2 and I feel the same! Did not enjoy today at all. Might be to do with holiday and a different routine and different route - but these last two runs have been really tough. Let's do this this together

[Wizziewood]

Wow, only one week to go, you've done so well to get this far please don't despair.

Unfortunately this running lark isn't easy, but look back at how far you've come, and by the end of next week you'll have run for 30 mins three times.

I know how you feeling, a few minutes into every run there's an army of gremlins on my shoulders telling me there's no way I'm going to make it to the end but somehow I do. I can't say I enjoy the running bit but I love the finishing bit.

You can do this, just keep it slow, slow, slow and run at a sustainable pace (I've learned that phrase recently!), it works.

I was talking about running with my GP today. She has been running for several years and she thinks it was about two years before she even began to enjoy it. So we're not the only ones.

So get your running shoes on and go for it. We'll be looking for your graduation post.

Good luck, keep smiling and keep running!

[RebeccaSK Graduate]

I was exactly the same. I stopped enjoying my running - it just became too much of a struggle and I was letting my gremlins win. I had two "practice runs" at the start of W9. I wanted to complete the programme, at that point, only because I was stubborn! For my graduation run I decided to do a Parkrun and my love of running was reborn. Now I've graduated (only a few weeks ago) and I mostly enjoy my running again. I still have bad runs - everyone does - but I don't beat myself up if I want to stop running for 10 minutes. Park runs are amazing. It doesn't matter if you don't run it all. The marshals and fellow runners are amazing and incredibly supportive. It's such a buzz - you could try doing one this Saturday! Whatever happens, keep going - you're so close to completing the programme!

[Hidden in reply to RebeccaSK]

I am way behind you two, but feel that Rebecca is spot on. Sometimes it just doesn't come together and sometimes you wonder why you bothered. It's a bit like a wedding is just that one day, but a marriage is hopefully a lifetime journey. A wedding day is one hopes always something to look back on with extreme happiness, but marriage has its lumps and bumps. That's how I feel about running. Maybe you're just beyond the honeymoon period if I can stretch the analogy. Rebecca's posts have certainly shown the lumps and bumps. But please follow her wonderful example and continue - be a bit stubborn and graduate with obstinacy.

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate in reply to RebeccaSK]

I have a park run right outside my house & my running friends keep wittering me to do it but I'm only on W4R3 so I am no where near capable....I wish I was xx

[RebeccaSK Graduate in reply to Mummycav]

Yes you are! The last one I did I had to walk most of it - I decided to run only a couple of days after giving blood and against everyone's advice - and I still wasn't last! You could listen to your app and do whatever you should be doing and then walk the rest. They are a wonderful experience. Which is your local Park run? I'll go and check out the stats!

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate in reply to RebeccaSK]

Wellholme park in Brighouse

[RebeccaSK Graduate in reply to Mummycav]

Ooooh - that looks like a lovely and flat course. Slowest time is 50 minutes for last week. So, four days ago you were on W4R3 so I'm guessing you're now on W5? If you did it this Saturday and that was W5R1 or R2 then you're doing at least 15 minutes of running - you'll be finished in less than 50 minutes. Even if you're not, you'll never be last - that's why they have tail walkers/runners! If you're not confident doing it this weekend then maybe next weekend - by then you'll be running for 20 minutes at least. If I was closer, I'd do it with you!

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate in reply to RebeccaSK]

❤️

[Hidden]

I enjoyed the start but once the runs got longer I found it really boring. For me the solution was running in the woods. I find running in open ground like a park so dull. But running through twists and turns, seeing deer,geese and moorhens (occasionally - mostly it's squirrels). Deciding which turn to take and making my route up as I go made it more interesting. Still not sure I enjoy the running except the first 2 minutes, but I enjoy what I see and how I feel after.

So maybe try different routes in different environments.

If you are not enjoying it because it's physically too hard then run slower.

[AngeScott Graduate]

Hi. I finished Week 8 today too! I think I know how you feel. We have come so far - I guess over time we might enjoy it more. I don't love it but have successfully made it part of my routine. I like how I feel when I'm finished a run and so that keeps me going. The last couple of weeks I've changed when and where I run to mix it up a bit and enjoyed it more. I think I'm going to do a Park Run soon so I experience what it's like to run with others and to keep mixing it up so it doesn't get boring. I hope that you will finish the last week - you've done so well to get this far. Good luck 👍🏁

[Gem0903 Graduate]

Don't give up..!

My gremlins hit me 4 days ago week 8 run 2... I hated it.. it hurt.. I felt sick.. never thought I'd finish..

But I did.

I ran week 9 run 1 tonight.. can't say I loved it but it felt great to finish it.

I changed my route, stopped my music and got lost looking at people and noseying in gardens..

Keep going your so close..

[TkdMum Graduate]

Karen44 I gave up after w2r1 two years ago as it was too hard. Now I am back on track and I look back at that and think how easy that was. Try reflecting back on how far you've come and week 8 won't feel so bad. Week 9 is just two minutes more and you're soooo close to graduation. You can do it!!

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate]

Aw..I'm only on w4 and my next run will be run 3....I can honestly say I'm not looking forward to it....but...I like it when I can put a post on here that the people who motivate me want to hear...give the trees names, try taking your mind off what you do...name the dogs & their walkers...take it slow..anything to keep you going...listen to the BBC podcast on 'Will insects take over the world?!!!' It will take your mind off the task ahead, before you know it that half way bell will ring!!!!! Hang in there!!! X

[Hidden]

Yep running in the woods/fields is considerably more interesting that running on pavements. Plus I am less likely to bump into 'proper' joggers

The only downside is that it can be muddy and slippery so I bought some trekking running shoes

Definitely need a small MP3 player too

[Hidden]

I often don't LOVE my runs but I try and take time at the end to tell myself how well I've done (even if there is some fibbing involved) to think about the achievements rather than the problems, the struggles overcome and the fact that I am bloody running 3 times a week!

I really LOVE how I feel when I've finished a run🏃😊🏃

As you run further it can get boring so I listen to audiobooks on most runs

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate in reply to Hidden]

When I'm in the shower afterwards, that's when I feel good!!!!

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate]

You are a machine...I'm on Wk4R3 in the morning & im not looking forward to it....look how far you've come???? Would you have ever thought this on week 1??!!!! Get your head down, name the trees, dogs, dog owners, lamposts ...anything that moves!!! Listen to podcasts that get your brain thinking.....you're on a journey that will, I hope, make you feel incredible like you are xx

[O505k Graduate]

I agree with @Wizziewood. Think of what you have achieved so far, it's amazing running for 28mins continuously compared to week 1. Also remember why you started. Not every run will be a great run or in an interesting location. But every run helps you achieve the goal you set yourself 8 weeks ago. 🌻

[SueKen Graduate]

Hi Karen, they aren't getting any easier yet, because you are still pushing your body a bit more each time. Once you get to graduation, then you can start to consolidate and then the fun starts. All sorts of options then 😊 I'm enjoying improving a small amount each week at Parkrun, have joined a women's improvers group, and was chuffed last week to actually run all the way up a hill on our route, and have scarily entered a fun race in 10 days time. So please keep going, it really is worth it 😊😊😊