Hi everyone, before I start my rant, deep down I know I will be ok but as week 3 run 1 is fast approaching (tomorrow), i'm beginning to get those all familiar butterflies.
I went from week 1 to week 2 with no problems at all. But I'm not going to lie, I'm concerned about tomorrow's run. Can I run 3 minutes non stop? I wonder to myself.
Might be trivial to some but to others I guess I would be fully understood. This programme means alot to me and I don't want to fail.
I know tomorrow will come and I'll be ok but as I sit on this bus enduring the long journey to work, I can't help but think.
This is where this forum is great. A place where we all can express our good news but worrying thoughts aswell.
It's a long time - it's one I will be tackling on Friday - slow and steady is my plan - along with a decent three minute song. It's double the 90 seconds which now seems quite easy. Come on Donna - you can do so this !!!! Slow and steady, it's not a race, choose your pace and you will be ace!
Easily done ! I will probably have a wobble tomorrow - no doubt! 3 minutes is such a short amount of time. (That's what I keep telling myself) good luck and let us all know how you have got on! Shouting support to you from Manchester!
Thank you Irish-John. I can promise you that I'm well and truly off the couch now and don't intend on returning.
Doubt really is a horrible thing. It will prevent people from even giving things a try. If I listened to doubt 2 weeks ago I wouldn't be here today. I didn't listen and I am and I intend on doing my best. I accept that I might have to do the odd re-run at some point but I still won't give up.
So it isn't just me then. I have found the increased running in weeks 6 and 7 really tough but thought I'd be failing if I did them again. Now I know that it is absolutely fine. Thank you!
Yes!! I did it!! you can do it too!! Honestly, the first 3 minutes seems like forever!! But then the 90 second run feels like NOTHING after that! (At least for me)... And then the last 3 minute run I kept telling myself "this is it... you got this just.keep.going"! I even felt less winded when completing it than I did my week 2 runs!!
Slow and Steady.. I was like a turtle, but thats ok!! Building up that stamina!
You Got it!! Can't wait to see you post that you did it!!
I love morning runs. Probably because once the thought enters my mind, I can no longer sleep. So I just get up and get on with it. The suspension would kill me otherwise waiting all day. Goodluck for tomorrow aswell. Will look out for your update too.
Donna, I think you will surprise yourself...😀 With every slightly longer run I have thought "Can I...?" and then I did. You can, you will. Pace is key, slow and steady, slow and steady. Your fitness at week 3 has increased since week 1, so why would you not be able, eh? Only one way to find out! 🏃♀️
Nah, you are just being human. But defo bring out that lion for your next run! I had a few mental wobbles weeks 1-3. It takes a wee while to build up mental/emotional fitness 😀. You will get there. Trust.
Hey Donna, as others have said, you can totally do this. During the rest days, that's when your muscles repair themselves and get stronger. Trust in the program, it's certainly worked for me so far. My current tactic is not to think too much ahead, and try to enjoy the fact that the fitness level is improving.
Finally, remember, you have us for support! I've said it before, if I can do this, I'm sure you can!
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Thank you 316neil. That's why I posted. Just needed some words of encouragement and to get it off my chest.
I'm feeling better already.
You all are a god send. X
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My pleasure, I think we all like encouraging our virtual running mates hopefully you can encourage me about next week's W5R3! Not that I'm thinking ahead or worrying about it or anything ;(
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Yes we do like encourage one another and I'm sure once I've completed tomorrow's run, I'll be back to my usual positive self and to be the one encouraging you.
Week 5 though.... you're doing great! I definitely cannot look that far ahead yet without feeling like I would prematurely age within minutes.
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Well I hope you have a great run. Week 3 is fine if you've done week 2, so don't think too hard, just enjoy the fact that you are now a runner!
You will do it Donna without a doubt...😊 You have done wks 1 and 2 and are ready for Week 3. The plan works, just take it one run at a time and being positive will definately help you do it. 😊x
Donna we all know you're ready for it as you managed to complete Week 1 and Week 2. Running is in your mind as well as your legs and lungs. If you feel yourself flagging in the three minutes just tell yourself you can do it and battle on.
If it was easy we wouldn't get the great feeling of satisfaction that you get from fighting through.
You are not going to, 'not do this'... warm up well... start really slowly and keep it slow.
As you go...imagine leaving those butterflies behind you.. imagine then flying away behind you as you run steadily and gently to the end of the run... and towards the next one.
You can do this
If you really are getting stressed.. make a list of all the positive reasons in your head for doing this..... all that you want and all you have achieved..
" If you think you can't do the run.. skip thinking "
Hi! I never replied to your post about pre-run nerves, though I wanted to because I could sympathise from something different I used to do. It was a fun activity and not one of any consequence. I personally think the nerves just appeared because I really enjoyed the activity so I put a lot of importance on it and on being "good" at it - and subconsciously was worried in case I wasn't good at it (and my friends were witness).
Running is whatever you want it to be - some people run in a group, some alone - I think you are running alone? Your runs are for you ultimately, no-one's judging, except us who are "judging" you very positively! - and I see from the replies already that you are feeling encouraged and proud of your progress already in both mind and body.
That *ought* to be all that matters, of course nerves are a tricky thing and sometimes don't listen to reason, but hopefully you can continue running and gain run-by-run more balance towards pure enjoyment and achievement.
Alternatively, your point about morning runs - get up and go before you've had time to think - might just be the key for you
Keep running! You are awesome.
Thank you icklegui. Yes you're right, I run alone. I decided to do that because I wanted the motivation to come from me and not from others. I might not of reach this far if I did this programme with friends because the moment they couldn't run, I might've been scared to run alone. I've ran alone from the start and have that confidence now.
You're also right about this meaning alot to me. Mostly everything I do is always for others and so for the 1st time in years, this is something for me. It's not easy but I thoroughly enjoy it and when I'm passionate about something, I don't want to fail.
I will ah be my off days but one thing for sure is that I don't intend to give up. So I'll be out the house 1st thing in the morning giving week 3 all that I have.
Hi, I hope you have a good evening and a good run tomorrow, I look forward to seeing your post tomorrow. 😊😊😊
Thank you Martin_Rose. My mind will venture else where now as I'm about to start my shift but I'll be sure to post my update tomorrow once I've completed my run.
Thank you Gingerbohemian. My nephew laughs at my running playlist. It's the final countdown being the song I love to play the most when I'm beginning to feel tired.
The thing that really worked for me was to give myself a pep talk before each of the early runs and tell myself that I could definitely do it and how happy I was to be doing it and for having a strong body that could run. Positive thinking does make it easier.
If you struggle, just go a bit slower. Hopefully you will start to find a rhythm with the longer runs and once that happens it does become less taxing. Also week three seems to go more quickly because, if I remember correctly, you only run 4x.
You will be fine. Enjoy the great feeling afterwards! 😀
Yup you can.... remember gutsy?
Stay sitting on the sofa and eventually you become a sofa, the cushions pull you in...
So no doubts, no fears, we are here...., on your shoulders mentally not physically cos we'd we weigh too much....
You're fine, I believe in you, we believe in you, perhaps you believe in you too.....
Good luck Donna, put your favourite song in this whole universe and listen to it whilst running- before you know it you'll be like what???!! Rooting for you; good luck xx
I also felt like you about the same run especially as I struggled with week 2 but I honestly found that not only did I manage it really well but really enjoyed, and am very proud of myself to have achieved it, the boost you get when completed is fab, I even felt as if I slipped into 'the zone' in a couple of occasions, good luck just remember to go slow xx
I guess tomorrow is here and you can't fail. 1 minute, 2 minutes or 3 minutes will all keep you on your journey. I love the mnemonic First Attempt In Learning - FAIL - so if the 3 minutes doesn't go well the next attempt will be better. Don't give up - just keep running.
I'm also due to run my first wk3 on Saturday. I'm also a little worried about the 2 3 minute runs. It helps a little that the first one will be downhill, but the second????
Hi Donna, there's an inner demon which tells us that we can't do stuff but the inner 'bugger off inner demon' genie quickly takes over and tells you that you can! You'll be amazed at what you can achieve and this programme is perfect to help you get there. Your new running family on this wonderful forum are cheering you on! Go for it, good luck to you ;0)
I'm sure you will manage this and I think that despite that little cloud of doubt, you are too... Let us know how you get on! As the others have said, every increment requires an extra push but it's almost always a manageable one as your body is prepared so, assuming you are not having an 'off day' for any reason, you should be able to ace it
Good morning everyone. I just want to say a big thank you to you all.
I'm getting ready now for my run so I'll be sure to update you all ok.
Donna you are doing great mind over matter im only on run3 week one so unfit never thought i would manage that but i can you can you will.
What I would say is, I have learned that each week seems easier than I expected every single time! So I try not to worry about the next week and just see how I get on.
Just tell yourself you will do your best to get as close to the 3 mins as poss, and if you dont get it just keep going til you do. You can repeat a week, there is no rule against it!
You probably wont need to, you will probably be surprised at how you manage it.
ALSO - slow your run right down to walking speed, no bounching on your feet, and youll find your most comfortable running pace. Once I slowed down and found mine I found the running came almost... dare I say... naturally?
PS! Come back and tell us how you got on!
Hi everyone. I did it. I can't believe I was fretting yesterday so much.
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Couple of stupid questions...
5K or a 1-mile race when I haven't completed week 5
Fallen behind a little
