Hoping this will shame me into getting back on track!

[PaddyD68]

Wk6r2. Now had 3 practice runs and actually getting worse.Ok so my legs are tired and I'm out of breath but since I bailed out on the 1st practice I'm finding it easier to just give up during second 10 mins and say there's always next time. I know this is all down to my attitude and determination now and I know I just have to keep going and push through it so there you go I've decided to put this post up in the hope that the fact I've had to admit to this will drive me onto making sure my next run is not a practice.

[Hidden]

When you feel tired (Laura told me), this is when you are building stamina and making real gains in your fitness. Slow down and push through. If you got this far you are sooo able to do this next run. Do not give yourself permission to stop. It is not an option!

[TooManyHills in reply to Hidden]

I will be holding onto that thought Helen. I even took a screen shot to glance back at later. Thank you.

[MichaelH070862 Graduate]

Hi do you think you have convinced yourself you cannot do this run now you have had three goes at it if so you need to refocus and believe you can do this try to not go out with the mindset that you can not do it all previous runs have set you up for this You just need to push yourself enough to do the run. I will paraphrase something the US Navy SEALs say the only easy run is yesterdays just go out and nail this run. Good luck and believe.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Okay, boots on, ready for a well aimed kick up the proverbial.

Actually, it is probably less of a boot that you need rather than some reassurance that with each run you will be strengthening your body and building your stamina.

I always say that every run is training for the next one, so you learn from each one. Rather than build up a psychological block over this run, why not try setting a timer or look at a watch to make sure you push just a little further on that run each time. This personalised challenge will probably be enough to push you through.

The problem with the above approach is that you will be concentrating on the time, when actually, that is the last thing you should be doing. So an alternative would be to find a distraction, such as an audio book or your favourite music. Also look around you and make a commentary on everything you can see, anything to take your mind off the time and your body.

The continuous runs are hard to start with, but you need to push through this to reach graduation.

You can do it.

Boots off, unused.

[Neverrunbefore64 Graduate]

You can do this. I’m nearly 65, obese and I did it. Ran run 3 this morning. 25 minutes and was overjoyed when SM told my that officially I AM a runner. Come on go for it

[AnnieW55]

Have you tried changing your route? Just doing it in reverse, or on the other side of the path/road could be enough to take your mind off of the run. Reversing the route, or doing a completely new one would, I think, be the better option as you will not have trigger points (especially if you don't look at your watch a lot) where brain saying "this is the bit where it starts to hurt, stop please - I said stop!"

Perhaps you also need a longer break between the runs for now and if you are getting out of breath enough to help towards making you stop, you definitely need to slow down. In fact slowing down maybe all it will take 💡

Best wishes for getting through this week, it WILL happen.

[Hidden]

Hi PaddyD!!! I thought Wk 6 was a bit of a pig too. I think, if you're too tired to finish a run, you're running too fast? It was always that with me anyway. I like what AnnieW says about varying your route so there isn't a place you get to where you think 'this is where I have to stop's. Keep going!!! Grit your teeth!!! Like this: 😀

[HeadInTheClouds Graduate]

I thought W6R1&2 were horrendous..!! It takes a lot to push through those. I echo what everyone else has said and would like to add something that may help with that push forward...

glasgowlife.org.uk/sport/gl...

Plenty on Google about the Toxic 10 Minutes and it has made a lot of sense to me. I'm starting W9 tomorrow and I've found, with the longer runs that, when I've pushed through this, it has started to feel easier. Don't get me wrong, it's still bloody tough - but this has given me the will to persevere.

Good luck, you can do this..!! 😊

[Decker]

You’ve got this Paddy. Go slow at your own comfortable pace. Changing routes a bit really helped me too when I got stuck early on, and some audio you really enjoy helps loads too! Good luck!

[PaddyD68]

Thanks everyone..out in the morning to get this done.....