When will it get easier?

[Wendywill]

Week 7 R1. When I started i thought that by week 6 or 7 it would be easier? I know I can run for 25 minutes now and in week 1 I struggled, but my legs still ache and get stiff between runs and I dont think I am getting any faster. Any suggestions?

[sheps Graduate]

Would you now find it easier to run for one minute? I'm sure the answer is yes. But you are now expecting your body to run for 25 minutes; I'll bet that is easier than the first one minute run. You are asking more of yourself so it doesn't really feel easier but you have made such advances over the intervening weeks. Be proud of yourself and keep it up. When you doubt, remind yourself of what you have achieved and don't worry about easier.

[LeeU Graduate]

Wendy,

I've just completed week 7, I know what you mean about it getting easier, I'm running a temperature, etc, and found W7R3 hard this morning.

If you are hurting on rest days maybe you could try doing a bit more stretching after you've run?

[ejvcruns Graduate]

Starting week 7 I needed two days between runs instead of one because I was *really* tired. But now in week 9 I don't any more. It's not smooth sailing and it's going to be challenging. My legs ache still and I'm stiff still, but not quite as much. These last three weeks you do progress, but it's not in the same way as in weeks 4-6. My suggestions have to do with keeping up morale in week 7, where I did quite once and almost quit this time: find something like an app or a playlist or a new route, that can hold your interest and provide a sense of progression over the w7 hump

[Hidden]

You are getting fitter by the week but you are also running further. Every time your running gets stronger this fiendish programme sets you a bigger challenge. So it won't get easier and fast is the enemy of far so you probably won't get faster either. But as the comments above point out your running is improving all the time. You are doing great.

[Wendywill]

Thanks eveyone. I feel more positive now.

[JaySeeSkinny Graduate]

Let's be brutal here! No, it never gets any easier! Those first 5 - 10 mins are always awful and it seems impossible to do whatever you've planned to do, be it 4k, 5k, 10k or 20k. But a few months ago running 1 minute was a challenge. A few weeks ago 5 mins was a challenge, in a few weeks your new challenge will be 5k, followed by 10k, followed by..... you get the drift. And some runs will be fun from the first minute. Others will be a constant struggle. That's running and that's what we do!

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Well done Wendywill😊...great name.

No need to get any faster, you are running for longer periods now and slowing down will be helpful. You may find your breathing starts to become a bit easier now and starting the run really slowly will help you have more in the tank for the end of the session.

Keep going, onwards and upwards you are doing great 😊x

[Wendywill in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thanks Jan.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Slow down... the runs are getting longer... relax and enjoy them. Start slow.. stay slow...

It is important to keep up with your stamina and core strength exercises too at this stage... we have to make sure our bodies keep up with our legs !

Do not try to get faster... relax, breathe and find your happy pace... you are doing fine...time to le the running legs find their feet

[Fishypieface Graduate]

I wrote a similar post myself at about week 9 or so. In the end, I worked out that although it was tough, it was never unmanageable - I could do it, it just wasn't like skipping through a field of lavender!! Let's face it, that's the ultimate aim right?!! It does get easier to cope with, but it never gets super easy. It never gets so bad you think, I have to give up. I had a difficult run today and I graduated end of July, but the one before was really good and so will future runs and that makes it easier to deal with the 'bad' runs. All the advice on here is really valid and good. You are getting through the weeks (even though they are hard) and moving on. It's tough, but you absolutely can do it and will feel amazing when you do! And yes, if in doubt slow down. Everything is better when we slow down! And stretch - heel dips work a treat. Good luck.

[Wendywill]

Going slowly seems to be everyone's advice, that makes me feel much better. Thanks