W6R3 first failure, but it’s ok!

[Fb75]

I attempted the W6R3 tonight. It was all wrong and I already know why I failed so I’m not too down about it. I had no rest days. Did R1, R2 and R3 on back to back days. First big mistake. I’m also coming down with something. Tonsils the size of balloons so energy levels definitely suffering. On top of that I pulled a 10 hr day at work. It was a recipe for disaster!

I didn’t run for 25mins consecutively but managed 8, 6 & 9. So still ran in total for 23 mins but had short walking breaks in between.

Big lessons learnt! Will try that run again over the weekend and will listen in future to the golden rules!!

Still feeling positive and still lapping everyone sitting on their couches!

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate]

Hi Fb75 ....yes you are lapping everyone on the couch but not for much longer if you carry on like that! You NEED rest days in between, your muscles need to recover from every run so that they can cope with the next run.....if it’s a time thing & fitting them in it doesn’t matter if you have extra rest days in between, if the programme takes you longer than 9 weeks that’s ok...but if you carry on with no rest days you will do more harm than good....please try & have at least one day in between runs so that your body & mind are prepared...& you can try get through your cold

[Jen58 in reply to Mummycav]

Was also trying to complete the tried and tested program in less than 9 Weeks

🙄

I sure there will be another 😂😂

[RuthL Graduate]

Ahem. What Mummycav said. You really do need your rest days. A least one, and two is even better. I had several 3-4 day breaks when I ran the programme, and even a 10 day one due to ice and snow. Always ran better after a break. No need to rush it.

[GoogleMe Graduate]

At least you're not dead.

It's a very safe programme but it is possible to make it very unsafe!

[MrsE74 Graduate]

I’ve found the further into the programme I’ve got, the longer I’ve needed to rest in between runs. I’m on wk9 and have taken 4 days off between run 1 & 2, and plan on finishing on Monday now. Hope you feel better soon and good luck with the rest of the plan 👍🏼

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Oh oh.... rest days, as you now know, are essential!

This programme takes nine weeks OR longer if you need it.. never, ever shorter...that shortcut just leads to the IC.

You are doing well, and you are running... so, heal and recover and then, slow and steady as you go onwards

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Everybody seems to think that they know how to run, but once they start they discover that the process is more complex than they realised.........or they stay in ignorance, get injured and then often decide that running is not for them.

Our constant nannying about rest days and gentle progression is all based on sound scientific knowledge and experience

When you run the impact creates micro tears in your muscles. These repair and strengthen on your rest days, when the extra blood flow from non impact training aids the recovery. If you do not rest then you do not repair or strengthen and increase your risk of injury.

It is not advisable for a new runner to run on consecutive days for at least the first six months of running, although I would advise waiting for at least a year.

Take care and find out about what running does to your body before ignoring the advice of more experienced runners.