Don't give up

[damienair]

This post is for all the new runners and new graduates. And before I continue I am not an experienced runner, I only just graduated on the 22nd of June.

Just a little bit of advice. I've seen a lot of posts from people struggling with runs, terrified of week 5 run 3, struggling with bad runs, feeling like you've lost your mojo, etc. I too struggle some days with bad runs and also find some runs really tough. But as has been said many times before, trust in the plan, it works.

When I started back in April I could not run for 5 minutes. Now I can run for 50. I ran a Parkrun today at 6:26/km pace which over time has become my comfortable fun run time. I could complete a full 5k run at this pace whilst chatting to a fellow runner as we went around the course. A month ago I would have struggled with that pace and certainly would not have been able to hold a conversation. It takes time to build the legs up, a lot of kilometres and a lot of tough and hard runs. But some how we get there. Last Thursday I managed to run a total of 10k over 3 separate runs at a nice comfortable pace of 7:00/km. On Friday I'm going to enter my first 5k road race and I am going to try for the first time to do a sub 30 min 5K. I am still a newbie myself with a lot of improvement ahead of me and a long long way to go to become a good runner. I'm never going to be fast, but I would love to be able to someday run 10k in under an hour and run 5k in under 30 mins comfortably most of the time. 6 months ago I could not have dreamed that I would be planning goals such as these.

So don't give up, keep plodding, jogging, walking/running, sprinting waddling and sweating. Over time you will amaze yourself someday. And then the next day you might have a tough run and feel like you've lost your mojo. Pick yourself up and go again. And keep going, keep plodding along. We will get there together. Best of luck everyone, keep your heads up, chest out and keep going, don't give up and don't worry, you can do this.

Damien.

[foreverendeavour]

From a week seven-er enjoying the journey but wondering if it will ever get any easier, thank you.

[Razouski in reply to foreverendeavour]

It does get easier in time, with the odd set back or two. Hope you're enjoying it.

[foreverendeavour in reply to Razouski]

Thank you! I had my first fail today because my left leg just got very painful, but I will get there!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to foreverendeavour]

Maybe not easier, but the best thing? You, get stronger with every single run...

[foreverendeavour in reply to Oldfloss]

That's good to know cos my legs are insanely weak!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to foreverendeavour]

They won't be.... I thought, after Week 1.... I would collapse..now, I can run for over an hour... slow, but I can keep going and it is amazing!

You will get there

[foreverendeavour in reply to Oldfloss]

I dream of that day! 😊

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

An opportune post.

The worry factor for some folk is really marring their enjoyment of this terrific programme and in other cases , the need for speed and or distance is resulting in injury or just total abandonment of the programme.

Besides getting folk up and running... the whole idea is enjoyment... the running journey, yes, full of ups and downs, ( quite literally), but one that takes folk to Graduation and beyond, having had fun

Thanks for posting.

[Millsie-J Graduate]

Great post D. There is much to be said for a Position Mental Atitude, and not just in running !

Building running legs in a steady managed way is the way forward😀

In my book you ARE a fast runner with your latest 5k only just outside 30mins.,,,,,,,,,, sub 30 min PB is just around the corner 🏅💪🏻🤞🏼

[JoWillRun Graduate]

Very inspiring post! I just graduated today so I'm keen to keep it up and get better and better 😃

[snack_shack Graduate]

LOVE LOVE LOVE this post. I am going for W5 R3 tomorrow and will be thinking of this post when I feel I can't go on. Thanks Damien and good luck with the future running goals.

[damienair Graduate in reply to snack_shack]

Thank you so much. I was training tonight with the running club. Speed training on the track. Next run is Friday. I have entered a 5k road race. I'm going to go for a sub 30 min 5k for the first time. Got a club T-Shirt tonight, so I will be running with the club colours on Friday evening. Wish me luck.