Week 7

[Br0ughd3rg]

I have just finished wk 7 run 2. I manage to get them done. I find the first 5 mins the worst. Have been considering staying on 25 min runs until they become comfortable or is that silly? Any advice appreciated. 😀

[Renmurew Graduate]

Hi and well done so far. You are doing great! Just my personal opinion but I would move on through the programme. If I had waited for things to get more comfortable I honestly wouldn't have moved on from week 1 and I'm about to start week 8. I've found that each week has been daunting but all the more satisfying by challenging yourself to do something that seems beyond you and doing it. Look how far you've come already? Keep up the great work.

[Sadie-runs Graduate in reply to Renmurew]

I'm with Ren. If you completed the last run, then move on to the next! Not many runs (if any!) are "easy" when you are a beginner runner. But if you feel that sense of achievement when done, and you run the whole time allotted, then you are doing well. Don't over analyse, don't judge yourself.

Consider some strengthening exercises for your rest days - I think this is truly helping me on my runs. You can do these at home, and only spend 15 mins or so doing them - for a big pay back on your runs!

You are doing great. Be proud and trust in the programme! 👏👏👏

[Br0ughd3rg Graduate in reply to Sadie-runs]

Thank you. I will keep going. I am not a natural runner being egg shaped and doubt I will ever find it easy.😢

[Br0ughd3rg Graduate in reply to Sadie-runs]

Thank you for the advice. What sort of strengthening exercises do you mean? I try to go on an exercise bike on days in between and walk as much as possible. Thank you.

[Sadie-runs Graduate in reply to Br0ughd3rg]

That all sounds good to me. Keep it up! I do specific exercises to strengthen my knees and yoga to generally stretch everything out!

[Br0ughd3rg Graduate in reply to Renmurew]

Thank you for the advice. Week 8 seems so far away and the thought of those extra few minutes makes me shiver with fear! I will have to bolster myself and stop worrying about it and get on with it at my snail pace.

[rolysmate Graduate]

If you complete w7r3 you are ready to move on to week 8, graduation at the end of week9 is the time to start to consolidate your running

[Br0ughd3rg Graduate in reply to rolysmate]

Thank you. I will keep going. I have managed all runs so far and the sense of achievement is great but I am afraid of not being able to complete a run. #worrywort

[rolysmate Graduate in reply to Br0ughd3rg]

we have all had our gremlins sat on our shoulders at times telling us we can't do it but we have to shrug them off and go for it because guess what we can do it and to be honest it sounds as though you are doing great

[HeadInTheClouds Graduate]

Well done for everything you've done so far.

I echo everything that Renmurew and Sadie-runs have said.

I've just done W7R1 and I, too, have struggled for the first 5 - 10 minutes of the last 25 minute runs.

Bluebirdrunner pointed this out to me the other day...

"Remember to start slowly while your body takes on the extra oxygen you need for the exertion, this takes about 8 to 10 mins, and then you will feel more relaxed".

I kept that in mind for my run tonight and will carry it forward to give me the 'umph' I need to push through it.

Keep going, you're doing brilliantly..!! 😊

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate in reply to HeadInTheClouds]

Ooh.. good did this help you HeadInTheClouds. 😊

There are articles about it called the toxic ten.

Start slow and finish strong😊x

[Blue-Jay in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

That sounds like a good approach Jan. I will try that! 😁

[HeadInTheClouds Graduate in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

It helped tremendously Jan, it really did. Thank you 😊

Ooh, I'll have to take a look. It's interesting how I really do feel more 'robust' in the second half of these longer runs 🤗

[Br0ughd3rg Graduate in reply to HeadInTheClouds]

I never knew about this concept. My legs feel like lead the first 5 mins and then I had imagined I just ignored them for the remainder but this must be the reason.

[HeadInTheClouds Graduate in reply to Br0ughd3rg]

Nor me. But it would make perfect sense and help to understand. I have bookmarked some articles I found on Google. That's my bedtime reading sorted...

[Br0ughd3rg Graduate]

Doesn't make that first 5 mins any easier though 🤣🤣🤣 Just grit teeth and keep going at snail pace. I am still in awe and want to be one of those people who look so effortless running. I make it look like hard work.🤣🤣

[Renmurew Graduate in reply to Br0ughd3rg]

I think we all have those thoughts from time to time but really whats wrong with who we already are? To someone who dosnt feel able to even think about starting week 1 of this programme, you already are "one of those people". You are running for 25 mins at a time. Thats 24 mins more in one go than you did only 6 weeks ago. Most people are in awe of you!

And as for a "snail pace", so long as you are running a bit faster than you are walking thats a brilliant achievement. Its a good bit faster than someone who is sitting on a couch with their feet up watching tv is going. You are doing brilliantly. Bet you didnt think you were able to do 25 mins of running. Be in awe at yourself!

Keep looking for distractions in the first 5-10 mins until your rhythm settles. Use music to pull you along, count backwards from 100 ( I still do this going up hills), write a mental shopping list in your head, and before you know it the worst part is behind you and you are sailing towards the finish.

Go Girl!

[Br0ughd3rg Graduate]

That is so true! Thank you. It is so easy to get caught up in the negatives and forget about the positives.

[Mimirossi Graduate in reply to Br0ughd3rg]

I find that positive thinking really helps! When I did C25K I had a chat with myself before each run and told myself that of course I could do it, that I would enjoy it and that I was really lucky to be able to run. It did seem to help me!