W3 R2 completed- and a question for those who are more advanced in the program...

[MamaHogg]

I completed w3 r2 today and am noticing positive changes in the way I feel after the runs. I don't have a heavy feeling in my chest any more and my body is tired and achy but less so. I have more energy and motivation and couch to 5k is definitely motivating me to keep on track with my diet.

This run challenged me but, again, i surprised myself that I keep hitting these challenges and keep overcoming them. I never would have dreamed id be 'running' (shuffling) for 3 minutes by now!

But I am noticing that I feel like I am constantly on the verge of stopping during the runs. I'm obviously pushing myself to keep runmong but with that end goal in mind (wait for laura's voice... just a little longer). For those of you who are more experienced, at what point did you find you were able to live in the moment and just enjoy the running, without feeling like you were talking yourself in to carrying on? Or did you ever for that matter?! Is this what running will always be like?

Either way, there is nothing quite like the buzz and the self esteem boost that you feel when a run is completed. I don't think ill ever tire of that. There is no way I would have kept something like this up before... im not sure what it is, but something keeps drawing me back regardless of how insistent the gremlins become! Xx

[JennyH10 Graduate]

Hi MamaHogg. Well done on your progress so far and on keeping going when it gets tough.

I’m currently on week 4 but I have previously got to week 7 and I found that once there were no more walking breaks (I think that’s the end of week 6?) I changed my mindset and instead of feeling constantly on the verge of wanting to stop and waiting for the next rest break I started to enjoy it for what it was. Knowing that there are no walking breaks meant I made myself focus on my music or scenery and try to put all negative thoughts out of my mind. It’s not always easy but it’s a different focus. Keep going and enjoy!

[MamaHogg in reply to JennyH10]

Thank you for your reply, that makes a lot of sense! Xx

[alisonx Graduate]

I agree with JennyH10 - once you are through the walking breaks and focusing on the run your mindset changes.

I am about to start week 8 - i still get the gremlins telling me my legs are hurting and to stop but i keep going - i may slow down for a period to recover and then off again. I find the route is really important - if you don't like your route the run is much more challenging. I have devised a few around me now now for wet/dry days lol...and also for me really good long track music, the time flies by and before you know it you are at cool down.

Some runs will be easy and you feel like you can go on and others are a real struggle - it's definitely a game of mind over body.

Make sure you are not running too fast and you have a comfortable pace, especially as the runs start to get longer in week 4.

Keep enjoying that runners high!

[MamaHogg in reply to alisonx]

Yes it is definitely a mental challenge that's for sure. My pace is really slow and steady and I feel in control... the potential is there for me to switch off my mind and keep going as I found today that in my head i'd be telling myself 'it must be coming to the end now' but then there was no sign of Laura's voice, so id switch off again and that cycle would repeat until Laura's voice came.

I definitely don't have the fitness or stamina to keep runming indefinitely at this point but I can imagine that, as you have both said, once I know there is no walking break coming, I wont keep thinking about it and willing it on!

Xx

[mayaena Graduate in reply to MamaHogg]

That has happened to me (I'm only on W2) and I just slow down to the slowest pace I can run at without actually breaking back into a walk until the feeling of overdoing it passes (it usually only lasts a few seconds). I also pretend I am dancing to to the music, which makes me laugh and I get more positive again. I find the lyrics funny - but in a helpful way.

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Well done 🤗