WK4R2.....deflated

I did the 1st and came back elated....then I did the 2nd run and it seemed impossible, my legs felt like lead 😔 and I came home feeling miserable. Was supposed to do 3rd run today and I've found every excuse not to as I'm dreading it being worse again! I WILL be doing it in the morning, fingers crossed it was just a blip!

[MickGJ Graduate]

If you did the run it will have worked its magic and the extra day's recovery will probably help a bit too. You'll have new legs tomorrow!

[pinkaardvark Graduate]

I always found run 2 on c25k the hard one. I think you gain a bit of extra motivation when it's a new challenge/distance/time and then to repeat there's not the same need to complete so the demons can take over a bit. Every time I put off a run I wish I hadn't and if I go out with nagging doubts I nearly always find it was better than I thought it'd be.

[SlowLoris]

Hardest bit is getting out the door but missing the run always makes you feel worse. Some times it's not easy but every run is doing you good. It really is mind over matter. You know you can do it, just make your body do what you tell it.

Never come home miserable when you've been out running. Likewise don't be afraid to take an extra rest day sometimes. That can also be beneficial.

[Fishypieface Graduate]

Oh no...you absolutely can do it.... A day or two can make all the difference. You've just got to get back out there and get it done! It's never impossible, but it can feel really hard at times. If in doubt slow down. If your breathing's difficult, a couple of long, heavy out breaths, will automatically make you breathe deeper without hyperventilating / keeling over.

Go out with a positive attitude, psych yourself up: you can do it, you're not going to let this get the better of you etc. Sounds lame but, surprisingly, it really does help. Change your music list, mix things up a bit to occupy your mind elsewhere. I make up lists of 10 - favourite and worse drinks, food, chocolate bars, songs, films, people, reasons for doing c25k etc etc. anything! Sometimes I call them out if I'm really struggling. Yes I might look like a twit, but whatever gets you through and on to the next week Good luck, you'll be fab.

[Clairecandothis Graduate]

I hated run 2 of week 4 too. It was my lowest point so far but my run 3 of the week was great. I think it's the bus of running for 5 minutes on run 1 of week 4 and then mentally something happens in that middle one. I've just ran week 5 run 1 today and that was my favourite. Stick with it. X

[Wizziewood]

Oh dear, please don't worry about it. We all have good and not so good runs but every run is helping your get stronger.

Just put on your running shoes tomorrow and run! ... nice and slowly.

You're doing so well to get to the end of W4, I know you can do it.

Keep smiling, keep running and good luck!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Everything in your life can affect your running and running can have an impact on so many aspects of your life.

Trying to establish the reasons can be helpful and turns a negative experience into a positive learning experience.

Every run is training for the next one......even the bad ones.

[Irish-John Graduate]

Don't be despondent Some days are like that.

Doing D3/W3 yesterday felt tougher than my 10k graduation run last year. But - a run is a run is a run

Your keeping on, that's the only part you can't screw with

Wishing you many happy miles in your future ☺

[Hidden]

Thank you, thank you all for the very motivational messages. Got my backside out early this morning and finished W4! I even managed 6 mins in the final section instead of 5 so I'm happy. It was slow but not as hard as run 2. Daft Punk kept me going, I knew it was a 6 min track 😉.

W5R1 on Saturday 😳😳

[garym Graduate]

Legs will get better, the first time I did this program I got to about week 6 before my legs didn’t feel like lead then all of a sudden they were fine, tired but not like lead. Just keep going you will be fine 🏃🏻👍