Approaching run 5.3

[Wemb]

So - I've been mostly running on pavements till now, but starting on W5.1, I switched to the local rec. to see what it'd be like on grass - and while the run was okay, I really struggled with run 2 - I got through the first 8 mins okay, and then stopped half-way through the second half. Got going again, but wasn't happy. Had another go and slowed right, right down and got through it- but really, really hot and bothered by the end of my 8-5-8 run. But now I'm onto run 3 and am feeling really intimidated - I know I can physically get round for 20 mins, but I think I'm a bit dismayed at how slowly I'll have to do it - and frankly, I suspect I'll just stop when I get so slow I'm just really doing a funny walk rather than a light jog....

I'm very overweight - and while my weight is slowing coming down, my BMI is still on the wrong side of 30 . So - should I just carry on doing w4 and 5 runs till my stamina improves? I'm really worried about not being able to complete a run at all even with repeated attempts (and I'm really suspecting this will be one) - will stop me running entirely.

[Sharper1989]

I'm right there with you, getting really intimidated by r3. I've never in my life run for 20 minutes ever. Not even at school.

But I'm trying to have faith in the programme. Everything they've suggested so far has worked! Look at where we are!! 8 minutes is absolutely amazing!

Let's both give r3 a go at least?! Avoiding it & re-doing w4 & 5 runs sounds like a mental block to me. Don't let your brain get in the way of your feet! They can do this, let them xx

[Wemb in reply to Sharper1989]

Thanks! I completed it this morning - and it wasn't as bad as I expected - though my legs were jelly at the end. Going to give it a rest this week now and pick it up next week - good luck on your go!

[Jullaly Graduate]

You could give it a go, i will if you will ..I’m very nervous too,about to do wk 5 r2 and even more terrified about R3 but as Sharper1989 said the programme has got us this far we need to trust it and trust ourselves. I’m on the wrong side of 30 ...age and Bmi 😂

[Wemb in reply to Jullaly]

Thanks - yup, gave it a go, and I did it! Super pleased and a little bit smug, despite my left knee not wanting to bend much this afternoon. Good luck!

[Ripcurlrana71]

I’m in the same boat but starting 5/1 today. I’m positive that my next 2 runs should prepare me for run 3. It’s taken me 4 weeks to realise I need to slow down. I’ll be repeating that mantra in my head on every run. Good luck! You’ve got this!!

[Nictwit Graduate]

Running on grass always sucks a massive amount more energy from my legs. Sounds daft but you get more bounce back from tarmac I think!

[Wemb in reply to Nictwit]

Yes, I think I agree - but I've been getting a very stiff knee till now and not sure if that's due to the impact of running on a hard surface. Certainly grass is slowing me down - but that's probably been a good thing in some ways.

[Wemb]

Okay - so got up this morning at 6am and decided to do something a bit different - this time I didn't plan a course, or go to the rec., just left the house, walked in a roughly flat direction for five mins and then just started running. And 20 mins later I stopped running.

I think the taking a completely random route really helped - I had no pressure worrying about how far I'd gone or, more crucially how far I had left to go, because I had no idea how far I'd gone at all. Just kept plodding away slowly and got round. Strava tells me I managed 2.4 km in 20 mins - which is slow, but not too slow.

My legs are absolute jelly now - this feels a bit like after completing w1r1 physically - actually walking back home after the run was a (slight) struggle because how stiff my ankles and calves were - but I didn't run out of breath, and don't appear to have over-strained anything which is a relief. Don't think I'll go onto w6 on Friday though. Instead we've got a lovely disused set of railway lines and tunnels here which have been converted into a 'greenway' - I'm going for a 2-3 mile jog (without Laura or her terrible muzak) on Saturday morning instead.

Thanks for all the encouragement folks, and good luck Sharper, Oldladyruns and Ripcurlrana!

[SaxPlayer Graduate in reply to Wemb]

Interesting to hear what you say about random runs. I did that in weeks 1 through to 3, discovering local roads that I didn't know existed and it definitely helped as I was busy wondering where the hell I was and not worrying too much about how long I'd been running. I was on W5R1 yesterday and didn't think I was going to make the second 5 minutes, but then I veered off down a road I didn't know and that took my mind off it!

Will definitely go somewhere random for W5R2 and W5R3!

[Wemb in reply to SaxPlayer]

Yup - all i can say is that it worked for me. Since I completed w5r3, I decided to a do a week of consolidation and redo the 20min run - I've done it twice more now - once on the same route (roughly) which I took the first time, and that was okay, and second, arround a grass playing field which I struggled to do w5r2 on - that was difficult - it's got more a gradient, and I'm going in circles - and running on grass seems slower - but still got round. I'll run it again tomorrow and then on Friday - no idea what routes I'll take, might try something entirely different.

[SaxPlayer Graduate in reply to Wemb]

I'm off for W5R3 later today. A mixture of excitement and apprehension. W5R2 went well so hopefully I can do this. Got to stay positive. A week of consolidation is not a bad idea. I haven't dared look at what W6 has in store! All the best for the rest of your 20 min runs this week.

[over61andstilltrying Graduate]

Hi Wemb, I'm really impressed that on the one hand you say that you are very overweight and on the other hand you casually say that you are going for a 2-3 mile jog. sounds like you have made masses of progress. Well done you! There is lots on this site about building up slowly and repeating runs if needs be. I am not keen on Laura's music either and I have only listened it once! I like her encouraging words and reminders to reduce the pace when necessary. Hope your next run goes really well.

[Wemb in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Thanks - that was a bit of a typo - it's going to be 2-3 km jog, and not going to be all in one go. It's really odd - this old railway line has a 1.6km tunnel which is kept only barely lit for the bats who live in it - it also curves so you get no idea of time or distance while in it - I've been able to job through that even on W2 - non-stop though at a snails pace - because I think the lack of scenery actually helps my frame of mind. I couldn't do that till now outside (well, can now since I just finished r3) - when I'm outside I think I run faster because I'd look like an idiot jogging slower than most people were walking - but outside I'd have kept a pace that would have stopped me after 3-4 mins. I'm hoping that next time I job through it, given my success this morning, I'll be able to put a bit of pace in their too and maybe hit a giddy 4 mph!