Mental block W5R3

[ChunterS]

I Can’t complete this run. I keep going back to the earlier week 5 runs but 20 minutes is too long. Help!

[Irish-John Graduate]

Try this (even though it sounds completely nuts).

Your next run day, forget about "passing" and just take a mental health break by seeing how SLOWLY you can possibly run without breaking into a "walking" step

I bet you all my 5k bling you will end your run with a smile, but more importantly a new appreciation for "slow is fast"

It's HARD to slow the heck down! But slow and steady is what gets us to graduation

If we we're "confident" in our running abilities or were "natural born gazelles" we'd be at this running lark years ago - so none of this comes easy to us in the early days, and the survey last year showed less than ten percent of us graduated in the 9 weeks/5k anyway

So - take a wee break from "structure" and put a bit of batcrap crazy fun in your next run When we focus too much on speed or "20 minutes" it's really counterproductive as you subconsciously tense your body and the Gremlins also knackered your ability to run nice and easy It takes a bit of experience to learn how NOT to run 'fast' so don't worry, you came this far you definitely can graduate

Wishing you many happy miles in your future

[Tallica1 in reply to Irish-John]

Completely agree with this I slowed right down when I did mine last week

[Flaraflarkin Graduate]

This run was the first psychological barrier for me - it tested my determination and I got through it by telling myself that I could do it, repeatedly! Physically you are ready for this, slow it down as much as you can .... as you said it's a mental block but you can kick that out the way! You can do this 👊

[Jay66UK Graduate]

You definitely can do this. Your brain is messing with you.

As other have said, the answer is slowing right down. This is a jog.

Talk us all through what has happened on your attempts so far - how far do you get, what is it that happens to make you abandon.

And remember, every moment spent off the couch is a success - you are just building yourself up to smashing this run.

[Tasha99 Graduate]

Slow down! And then slow down more. The demons in your mind are winning but don’t let them!

[sallenson Graduate in reply to Tasha99]

Invite the demons to run alongside you. That's normally shuts the critters up!! This is where training mental strength (not just physical strength) kicks in in a big way. Tho I'm in W3 so may be typing out of my backside

[EddaW Graduate]

As the others have said, slow right down, try to find somewhere reasonably flat (no hills), drink plenty water the day before the run. If I can do this so can you

[Jullaly Graduate]

As you have said it is a mental block and I took all the above advice about going slow when doing the week 6 25 min run this morning. I don't know if you run with music because I did but to mentally distract myself I downloaded a podcast to listen to instead and I got totally absorbed in that, It really surprised me when Sarah was telling me I had only one more minute to go.

[wyersmith Graduate]

I’d change the routine. If you run outdoors pick a different route if you can. If you listen to music maybe try a podcast on something you enjoy or perhaps a comedy sketch show. Maybe switch coach for this run? Change all the things that remind you that this run bothers you. And slow it down. Fresh start on the next w5r3 run. All previous was just preparation. Good luck! You’ve got this!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Slow down Then slow down more and enjoy every singe steady step of the run you are about to complete

[oldwheezer69 Graduate]

I'm doing this run next week and I am very apprehensive... I'm relying on you to do it and then tell me it's possible! 😉

[ChunterS]

Ok I will let you know how I get on, thanks for the tips.

[ChunterS in reply to ChunterS]

I managed it! I really slowed down and am now on week 7, so have done two or three 25mins runs. As long as i run in the cool morning or evening, i seem to have cracked it. So chuffed. I was literally one of those who hated sport at school and couldn’t run for more than two minutes. Now in my mid 50s feeling fitter than ever before!