W7 R3 Completed

[dindy]

Finished my 3rd run of W7 this morning. It is funny as the weeks go by your attitude changes. When I finished a run and come indoors my wife always comes into conservatory with a glass of water & cup of T. She then asks me how I got on and if needed, which it was, encourage me.

She said when I as a lot of members did dread running for 5-8 mins I would come in depressed as I had to slow down to complete the times. She told me I also read it countless times on forum, slow down. It took a while to sink and accept slowing down was not a failure.

She said she saw the change in me at the last run of week 5, 20 mins run. I came in smiling because I had done it. From that day on I not only looked forward to the next week of longer runs but knew I could run the times without stopping.

This is how I feel for W8 coming up and I cannot wait. True I may struggle and even have slow down even more but my mentality has changed to the better.

For all those starting out or just begun, believe the members when they say it WILL get easier and slowing down is not a failure. I did have to go backwards and re run a couple of the weeks twice but it certainly benefited me.

Listen to me, talking like I have completed the 9 weeks & graduated, like a back seat driver(-: Would never of got this far without members encouragement

[Sadie-runs Graduate]

Right on! Absolutely right. For me, the key is to not run fast and end up with a miserable grimace on my face and aches in muscles I never knew I had. The key is to run at a good, slow and steady pace, where I can breathe, where I can take in the sights around me and most important, finish my run with a smile on my face and the endorphins kicking in.

We are runners in training. I just graduated, and I still consider myself very much a runner in training. It is important to love it and run with joy. As we get fitter, we can think about pace and distance. But for now, we run for the sense of accomplishment and the joy!

Good work, and thank you so much for sharing. x

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Slowing down means you have actually understood what all this is about!

I am always going on to the forum friends about it..it works... just feel so proud that you are doing it

Slow and steady gets you to the most amazing places and not just in running! You get stronger with every single run... gradually and gently.. and you will get to week nine

Relax into the longer runs.. start slowly and stay slow.. feel those newly found running legs carrying you..breathe gently and feel your happy pace kicking in

Do not ever use the 'f' word again please... You are doing just brilliantly!!!