Could not slow down!

[Hexslug]

Moved to runs with no walking times last week and really struggled with 20 minutes. Was knackered after 5 minutes and when I tried then and even on shorter runs could not slow down. I watched a video posted on here about foot strike and it lead me to a guide for early runners. On there it said that you must try to keep the same tempo but increase or decrease your stride, so shorten uphill or if going to fast and lengthen downhill or to speed up. Went out today for 25 minute run and found it fine, even managed a sprint at the end prompted by naughty Laura. My time per km had increased by 30 secs, but it is not a race is it.

I am sure that I was trying to slow down by reducing my tempo and losing all the rhythm in my running, it just did not work. So, Oldfloss your advice, about slowly does it, was no where near as easy as it sounds. For me anyway.

[MickGJ Graduate]

Maybe switch to the app and use your own music to find a rhythm that works for you?

But be careful--I was chugging along merrily today and "Don't Stop Me Now" by Queen came on and propelled me into a somewhat unwise sprint.

[Hexslug Graduate in reply to MickGJ]

Agreed, I'm 69 but felt so good could not stop myself from having a sprint when invited.

[SlowLoris]

Don't start worrying about cadence yet. Just find a pace your happy with. The C25K+ post grad podcasts are very focused on cadence. I found it difficult to run at 150 bpm at first go. Bit easier the second time and got the hang of it third time out. Stick to Laura and don't start getting too technical yet.

When I was doing the initial C25K I was always puffing and blowing. It wasn't easy. It does get easier eventually though. If you've got a sprint left in the tank at the end you're doing fine.

[Hexslug Graduate in reply to SlowLoris]

Was not really worrying about cadence, but thought I had to change it to slow down and could not. So was really struggling on the longer runs, so much so that I was very deflated after my first 20 minutes run. Keeping the cadence that I seem to be stuck with but altering my stride length really worked for me, but only done one run using it as yet.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Just run however it feels best for you... as long as you are breathing easily and not struggling..that is fine...even I had a final burst left in me, in those lovely longer runs

[Rignold]

Don't overthink it.