Finished W2R2. Dreading W3 already

[ranalite]

Finished W2R2 today and felt exhausted. Dreading how I will do W3 runs already. Any tips anyone?

Thanks in advance

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Delight..not dread.. anticipation not apprehension... just follow the programme. slow and steady and believe in yourself... you can do this

[Kimchoc08 Graduate]

It sounds silly but try not to focus too much on the running but more on the fact that you’re getting out there and running. I used to equate my running into ‘how many songs do I have to listen to before I can do a recovery walk’ Makes it go much quicker!!

Oh, and make sure you go slow and steady. Think more tortoise 🐢 than hare 🐰

[Hidden]

Don’t dread it! I’m on week 6 now and I could barely run for 1 minute without never passing out and I certainly never thought I’d ever run 20! Listen to all the great people on this site I love them all for without their help and support I’d still be on the couch! Slow & steady you can do it 😊

[ranalite]

Thank you everyone for taking the time to keep me motivated. Will keep you posted after my W2R3

[notrunningshuffling]

You have FINISHED W2- that means you already completed 6 runs! W3 is just another 3- you can do it. As others have said, tortoise not hare 😁 completion is more important than speed.

Have you considered other factors- how recently before the run you ate, dehydration, the time of day, even the presenter you chose on the app?

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

I wrote this healthunlocked.com/couchto5... for you and the thousands of others with similar fears.

I hope it helps.

[ranalite in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Oh my God!!! The penny really dropped. I recall Jo, my coach on the podcast, saying if you are thinking ‘I hate running’ , tell yourself ‘I love running’ and it will make a lot of difference. I see what that really means now. I did feel all of what you say in your post yesterday - shortness, difficulty in breathing etc in the 1st of my 6 X 90sec runs yesterday. But I decided I am not going to give up and continued. By the 4th run, I was doing fine. I did get exhausted at the end, but thought it was coz of so many external factors including sudden change in weather, but I realise it’s most likely coz I started my run with a fear of failure. I will definitely look at every one of my runs as preparation for the next from now on and keep on going. Thank you so much for the post.

PS... my word for that sentence in your post is hopes and DREAMS. I dream of completing a 5k next spring!!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to ranalite]

Glad it helped. Running is far more of a mental challenge than most very new runners realise.

I am sure you will run 5k long before next spring.

Keep running, keep smiling.

[vlmiller1225 Graduate]

Weeks 1&2 were by far the worst for me as of yet (I'm now on Week 7 Run 3). I think its just the fact of getting used to running that is so difficult!! Week 3 will hopefully go much better for you! I know it did for me!!

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

You are maybe trying to run too quickly. Slow down.😊

This program is teaching you to run for a progressively longer time and each run builds up your stamina ready for the next one. You only need to run slowly, just a gentle jog pace, then try to recover during the walks. As long as you have completed the runs of each week three times you ARE ready to move on...its not easy but it is doable.

I remember being pleased that there are less runs in Week 3 which phsycologically made a difference.

The program works, try and enjoy the process and remember slow is best😊

Good luck with W3 R1 😊x