New and loving it...

[Windoze]

Hi all. Just signed up to the forum and saying "hi" I'm on week 5... that 20 minute was a killer.. 😁.. I'm also trying to give up smoking at the same time so finding it quite hard. Until the 20 min constant run I've not been bothered about how far I've run....i don't know how good this is but did 3.15k in 20 mins...last 5 mins was a killer 🤤

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Welcome and hi there!

Slow down... well done...but slow down

The ethos of the programme and the forum emphasises, slow and steady progress... structured, and with no emphasis on speed or distance. Because we are all different.. wonderfully, we never compare really...

If something is being described as 'killer; then that tells you something. The runs are getting longer, there are runs to sharpen up the discipline in your running too.. so.. this a great journey and we are a terrific bunch on here as you will find out. You will get so much support and advice and encouragement .

Make sure your exercise on rest days keeps up with your running too.. strength and stamina non-impact exercises are essential to keep the rest of you going with your legs

So.. enjoy the journey, keep posting... and well done you.. especially on ditching the evil weed. That easier breathing is going to help when you hit the runs for 30 minutes

[LeeU Graduate]

Oldfloss has said it all really, I followed her advice and it's got me to week 8 and there's no sign of me either stopping or not completing the program.

Slow and steady is the way to go, I found on the longer runs that breathing plays a big part in both the enjoyment and ability to complete the run; enjoyment sounds weird but it's true.

Well done on the progress so far, here's something that helps me:

If I can run for 20 minutes then I can run for 25,

If I can run for 25 minutes then I can run for 28,

If I can run for 28 minutes then I can run for 30.

[Windoze Graduate]

Thank you both for the welcome and the advice! I'd not thought about the exercise on rest days. 😃

I can feel my breathing gradually improving week by week after giving up the evil weed 🙂

I shall try and slow my next run down a lot. I think I was trying to say I misjudged my pace as I've not run for 20mins solid in 10 years lol