W2D3 Done!

[vlmiller1225]

Disclaimer: I will probably be one of those people that posts every single run!! The encouragement and community is wonderful!

I finished week 2, but I have nothing left in me at the end of the runs and I'm thinking slow and steady is the key, so I will be redoing week 2 next week!

With that being said... I finally downloaded and listened to the podcasts instead of my 5k run app, and I tried the breathing method of In 4 out 4. I couldn't quite line it up with my steps without going crazy, but I think I did the general idea of it. I have to say it helped get through rough spots, but doing it constantly was very hard!!

What do you guys do for pre-post run snacks/breakfast? Bc another thing that got me through the run was knowing that I was gonna get to eat soon!

[ejvcruns Graduate]

You'll do fine with week 3. I felt same as you but it worked out! Try slowing down a bit if it's too much.

[Ashleev Graduate]

Don't worry too much about the breathing - everything on here suggests that it doesn't work for most people. Just breathe. Personally, I find slowing my breathing down and making sure I take deep breaths helps keep me going.

Give week 3 a try, and see his you go. You might surprise yourself. You can always have a few "practice" runs before you actually count them.

[vlmiller1225 Graduate]

I like the practice run idea!!! Honestly if I'm getting out and doing SOMETHING I'm counting that as success currently! Because I wasn't doing anything up until about a month ago!!

As far as the breathing... I hadn't seen too much on here of whether it worked or not so wasn't really sure! I figured trying wouldn't hurt too bad!

[LeeU Graduate]

First off, post for every run, that's fine, I do it and I think many others do it too, we're all here to help each other and, believe it or not, seeing people completing runs does motivate others.

Breathing, now that's a good one, I couldn't get to grips with the 4:4 breathing method, I did some research and came to the conclusion that I needed to do 'belly breathing' and not 'chest breathing', to me, it made a massive difference.

I moved from basically panting my way through the runs breathing in through my nose more and then switching to nose/mouth before dropping to in/out through my mouth, I can happily switch between all three methods even towards the end of a 25 minute run..

I started that in Week 5 and it's helped me a lot since then, controlling my breathing allows me to regulate my heart rate better, sometimes I can drop my heart rate 4-8bpm, which on a 25 minute run is very handy and gives me a little extra to put into the end of the run by speeding up a little.

I normally run in a morning now, within 20-30 minutes of waking so I don't eat prior to running, I just have a few sips of water prior and during my run and then I eat.

[Hidden]

If you've done the 3 runs, move on. Don't start waiting for it to be easy. The point is to challenge yourself. Nothing left in you at the end is fine as long as you made it to the end. You don't have to push yourself that hard if you don't want, in which case slow down a bit. But you are doing great to have finished week 2. Celebrate and move on to the next challenge.

[vlmiller1225 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks! I think I will try week 3 run on Monday!!!

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Yeah...and W2 R3 is done...you said so yourself😊...well done.

The runs aren't easy but they are doable and that is good enough...

So onto Wk3 and now with the podcasts...Good luck and your breathing will sort itself out soon, don't worry about it just breathe...and run nice and slowly.😊x

[Debbie698]

I post after a run if I can as I know people are following me and that makes me run! I have a banana and a small cuppa tea before I go and then something like a small diet lucozade and a biscuit when I get back. Seems to work for me😬

[vlmiller1225 Graduate in reply to Debbie698]

I'm in Alabama (US) and have no idea what a lucozade is! Could you please enlighten me?!

And does the banana not affect you running? Do you eat it right before or a while before? I had a banana and chocolate milk when I finished! (I'm a sucker for chocolate milk)

[Debbie698 in reply to vlmiller1225]

It's an very old drink in the UK at least. It's a fizzy energy drink and I only have a small amount and it's very nice. I have that and a small banana about half an hour before I run - good energy food - have a try 😬

[roseabi in reply to vlmiller1225]

It's a lot like Gatorade

[vlmiller1225 Graduate in reply to roseabi]

Ahhhh ok I gotcha!!!

[Hidden in reply to vlmiller1225]

I gather you should wait 1 - 2 hours after eating to run. So if you want to run before breakfast or when you haven't eaten for a while you do need to be careful not to eat too much. Lots of people seem to do fine running before breakfast and not eating but I can't do that. For me two biscuits and a glass of water is fine to run straight away. Then normal breakfast when I get in.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Yes!! You have got it!!!

Slow and steady is the whole point!!! Tell everyone

If you finish a bit puffed out... then slow down more... Just breathe too...just like you do every day It works

Lots of different ideas re-food.. my favourite breakfast scrambled eggs.. ( with smoked salmon if I want a treat )

Post all you like... I run and I ramble.. although since taking n a Mentor role.. they are not as frequent.. we love each other's posts... great for exchanging ideas and advice and fun !

Well done you!

[CB27LJ10]

I always post after runs coz I'm proud of the fact I've even gotten this far! I almost stopped mid run today tbh then MJ piped up "did u think u could run for this long 5 weeks ago?" Also Oldfloss chimed in with "slow n steady" lol and so i carried on and finished. I have a glass of water and handful of dried fruit b4 I run then proper food after lol. As for breathing I've only just this week started to notice it so that'll need some work but so far am pretty chuffed with myself! Good luck 😉

[vlmiller1225 Graduate in reply to CB27LJ10]

Oh dried fruit is a good idea! Didn't think of that!!!

[Polly2810 Graduate in reply to CB27LJ10]

Me too!! Loud and proud!!

[Polly2810 Graduate in reply to CB27LJ10]

Me too!! Loud and proud!!

[Polly2810 Graduate]

Keep posting!! We like to see it run by run!!