Going backwards!!??

[Bkrab]

Hi there , newbie here . Very unfit bit struggling though the program with varying degrees of success. Don’t understand why I managed the 20 and 25 min long runs last few weeks, now all of a sudden I can barely do 5 minutes. Am thinking of going back a few weeks - any thoughts!! Many thanks

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

It is probably all in the head, unless you are under the weather, stressed, not well rested, fed and hydrated.

You are in control and so the decision is yours, but I always encourage people to meet the challenges. If you don't complete a run then you repeat it until completion.

This may help healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Belief in the plan and more importantly, in yourself, is key.

[GoogleMe Graduate]

I agree with IannodaTruffe I am not sure what there is to be gained from going back a few weeks compared with simply doing this session again and seeing how far you get.

There are usually some useful tweaks to be done to address any hang ups, once you've considered all Iannodatruffe's points, the chief generally being to run a different route...

If you've been doing the programme and have consolidated your 25 minute run, it does seem a tad odd to suddenly not be able to manage more than 5 minutes. You'll be fitter than when you started. If your next few runs are still as far adrift of what you've been able to do, then that's all useful information to take to a GP.

There is one other little issue that not uncommonly creeps in at that point in the programme (most people have at least one crummy Week 7-9 run) and that is a kind of fear of success. The realisation that the programme is nearly over and then it will be over to us to keep the running going (in reality there's loads of support and ideas, but it really does send so many of us into a bit of a panic (consciously or not) which then messes with the running itself)

You can do this.

[Fun2Run Graduate]

You may just had a bad run, I’ve experienced the same with my W8R3, don’t look back just pace yourself and go slow... I know it can knock your confidence but believe in the programme and it will work for you.

Good luck!

[Bkrab]

Thanks for the replies. I’m going to keep going and make sure I’m hydrated , ready and optimistic!

[Jen58]

Prepare your mind also lovely you can do this 👍🏻positive mental attitude 🤷‍♀️