Bit of advice please!

[18Windmill]

I'm a bit torn! I'm on week 7 and done runs 1 and 2 of it...and am not enjoying it at all. I've found 25 minutes about 5 minutes too long!! They feel too tough for me. I have done them but did find I walked about 10 steps last time. Have I found my limit of 20 minutes? Do I just do that for a while? Or do I keep on?? Or is this just a crisis of confidence? Does anyone else know what I'm talking about?!!! I'm a bit of a Monica from Friends and I like completing a challenge once I've started but think I might be hung up on ticking off my runs! Sorry for the ramble. Have a lovely evening.

[clarycat Graduate]

I don't know what the temperature is like where you are but so you think that could have anything to do with it? My w7r1 was so hard on Monday. I really had to push through and wanted to walk about 3/4 of the way through. We've come so far, we are completely capable of more!

[18Windmill Graduate in reply to clarycat]

Thanks for that. The weather is getting better and maybe I should try a properly early run (eek!) to see if that helps. Writing the post has made me realise I don't want to stop...so you're right. We push through.

[clarycat Graduate in reply to 18Windmill]

I did my run 2 tonight and it was definitely better in the cooler weather but I still wanted to walk. I pushed through and found my second wind for the last 8 mins. Hope your run is better tomorrow - let us know how you get on!

[Minimimi1 Graduate]

Don't give up now!!!! You have come so far! Maybe do w6 run again! Or it could just be the heat. Good luck whatever you decide to do. Xx

[18Windmill Graduate in reply to Minimimi1]

Thanks for that. I don't want to stop so will push on. Good luck to you too.

[Realfoodieclub Graduate]

Maybe try slowing down a little before you hit 20 Min it might make the next 5-10 mins feel more manageable. You will be able to complete the program then you are free to go and run however you want with the solid basis the program gives you. I run/walk because my heart rate raises quickly so my distances were proving difficult until I took little walk breaks. I got to 30min then did it my own way after that and found the way I wanted to run. As long as your off the couch and stay off that is all that matters.

[18Windmill Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub]

I think that might be the plan. I do want to keep going and agree that it's about finding my way when the time comes. Thanks for the advice.

[trogdelight Graduate]

I found week 6 run 3 a real shocker, but I've slowed down much more at the start of the W7 runs and that's really helped. Give it another go on R3.

[18Windmill Graduate in reply to trogdelight]

You're right....there's another to go! Will do it on Thursday and see how it goes. Thanks for the advice.

[Bridget007 Graduate]

Even if you think you are going slowly I bet you could do the last 5 minutes really, really, really slowly and they wouldn’t feel as bad! 🐌🐌 you can do it!

[18Windmill Graduate in reply to Bridget007]

Bridget...it feels like snails are overtaking me on the inside!! But of course you're right. Will do it again on Thursday and go properly slowly. Thanks for the advice.

[Bridget007 Graduate in reply to 18Windmill]

Snails overtake me sometimes but I will get them back one day 😁😁😁🐌🐌🐌

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Yep, those runs are tough, but you will build your stamina and in a few weeks you will be capable of far more.

Try slowing down........it is not a race.

[18Windmill Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thanks. Have just got out of bed after something nasty getting me....may well have played a part.

[sallenson Graduate]

You'll get there!! Dig in and take it slow and then slower!! Snails are more experienced than us (and have more teeth).

This is the point at which it's as much a mental game as a physical one.

You'll do it. Don't worry about rambling. Sometimes it's good to.let off steam and we all understand how you feel x

[Eiralas Graduate in reply to sallenson]

Now I'm going to feel in danger of having my ankles nibbled by snails...

[18Windmill Graduate in reply to sallenson]

Thanks guys. That's made me giggle!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Realfoodieclub has given great advice... slow down and take the runs gently

[18Windmill Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks Oldfloss.

[Sadie-runs Graduate]

Well, if there is one thing I have learned since starting running that is it ain’t always easy and it ain’t always fun! But...that doesn’t matter. You are still a fresh young runner, and Rome was not built in a day. But that run, no matter how tough, was earned and will go towards a fitter, stronger you. Well done on pushing through. 😁 Trust me, you haven’t found your limit yet. Patience, and stick with it. Oh and slow down...that always did the trick for me!

[18Windmill Graduate in reply to Sadie-runs]

Thanks Sadie. Will take that message with me.

[Sadie-runs Graduate in reply to 18Windmill]

Honestly, the longer (in terms of how long you have been a runner), the less you will perturbed by the odd bad run. I used to get quite fretful if I had a bad run, and question my abilities. Have been running regularly for around 9 months now, and when I have the odd hard run, I really do shrug it off and think “meh! Maybe the next one will be better”. And it generally is. 👌

[Eiralas Graduate]

Yes, going slower than you think is possible is definitely worth a try. It's what helped me to enjoy the 25 min runs. I didn't think I could go slower than I was, but found out that I really could.

[18Windmill Graduate in reply to Eiralas]

It's on! Let's see how slowly I can go. 👍

[Eiralas Graduate in reply to 18Windmill]

If you don't have snail-bites in your ankles when you finish, then you weren't going slow enough

[sallenson Graduate in reply to Eiralas]

Even more weirdly if you have tech that monitors your pace even when you go really slowly and it feels better your change in measured pace is much less than you imagine. This is all part of the mental game....

[Eiralas Graduate in reply to sallenson]

Two runs ago my iPod ran out of battery and I had to do most of the run music-less and Laura-less. After the panic had died down, and I'd settled into it, it actually began to feel like I was going faster than normal. I doubt I was - maybe being more aware of my surroundings made me perceive things differently. As you say, it's a mental game...

[Mumsygill Graduate]

So pleased I read your post . I did wk7r1 yesterday and really struggled too for the last five mins. I was so disappointed as really thought I was going to have to walk. Felt crap all day and really tired. Dreading going tomo but just hoping it won’t be as bad. Btw I couldn’t possibly go any slower! Good luck tomo with your run x

[Eiralas Graduate in reply to Mumsygill]

Don't feel crap- you did it even though it was hard, so feel proud of that. Maybe take an extra rest day if you're still feeling tired, and make sure you drink loads of water today. Then, when you set off next time, just think you've done it once so can do it again, and even if you do find you have walk a few steps the excercise will have strengthened you and made you better prepared for the next run. Good luck!

[sallenson Graduate in reply to Mumsygill]

Now listen. (Stern face) You are a winner. You have passed every test so far. And will pass all the others. One bad day doesn't undo all the amazing work you've done so far. Every single step you take makes you stronger and more resilient.

[Steps off soap box...]

Now put those gremlins in their box and smile all the way to the podium 😁

[18Windmill Graduate in reply to Mumsygill]

Good advice here! We've nothing to feel bad about...we're doing it in which ever way we can! Very well done us. Keep on going! 👍👍👍