W6R2 done and proud but I have questions!

[Pancakes]

I am still struggling with these runs I am super slow and worn out. Laura says I should be feeling better with these longer runs now but I don’t! I’m still breathless and struggle to finish them - I do recover quicker but goodness knows how I will do R3! I feel like I’m a bit rubbish at it - I’m 52 overweight and I have fibromyalgia but actually my joints and muscles haven’t been too bad it’s the stamina that’s an issue and that doesn’t seem to be improving as fast as the programme suggests it should! Don’t get me wrong I’m out there doing it and will continue but I thought I would feel fitter by now - anyone else the same?

[trogdelight Graduate]

To get to week 6 is a big achievement. Run 2 is hard and is a lot more than you were doing a while back. Keep going, slow down a little more and then some. If you're breathless, you're going too fast - you should be able to maintain a conversation.

[Madwife60 Graduate]

I didn’t think I was any fitter just ached more. However today I speed walked up a very steep hill and found I wasn’t even slightly out of breathe so I must be! Keep going. If. I can get to W8 anyone can

[hobbit1983]

Remember that you are probably fitter than you think. You will be a lot fitter than you were in week 1. Remember each week pushes you that little bit more so you can improve and get better. This is especially true in weeks 5 and 6 where no run is repeated. If you really think you could benefit from repeating a week to get used to the running then you can. There’s no harm in repeating a week!

[Tasha99 Graduate]

I used to argue back when I heard “you should be in a comfortable pace now” etc 😂 I often swore back actually. Don’t worry, just keep plodding on and you WILL improve even more!

[Flaraflarkin Graduate]

I think the quicker recovery time is a sign that you are getting fitter Pancakes 😊 i struggled on all of the longer runs, despite going reeeeally slow - stamina is something I have to work on - in my book if you're struggling you're working hard Yay!! 🙌👊

[Fishypieface Graduate]

It never happens as quickly as we want it to, so gradually in fact that we don't think anything is happening and get a bit impatient. The key (and the hard bit!) is to carry on regardless, plod on relentlessly just like you are. It takes some of us longer to feel the effects & to feel fitter - me included. I felt I was rubbish at it too. It will come eventually and it might get a bit harder but you'll have fought for it and feel all the more proud of yourself when you are running for 30 mins. In the meantime you are doing a fab job

[wyersmith Graduate]

If you’re managing the runs your stamina is improving just as much as it needs to for you to keep pushing on In the plan. You’re doing great! I dream of a day when I’ll saunter in after a run, dry as a bone and singing the chorus to Bohemian Rhapsody in between blowing up two dozen party balloons. For now though I’ll take finishing in a sweaty, red, puffing mess but delighting in the knowledge I’ve run 5,8,10,20,25,28 times longer than in wk1, when I really struggled. It’s easy to forget the progress you have made already. Keep it up!

[Guesty26 Graduate]

Hi Pancakes, watch a film on Netflix called The Magic Pill, it helped a friend of mine with fibromyalgia and it could help you too with your running. It has worked for her and many others, stopped taking some of her Meds etc and has far more energy. Stick with the programme and the running will come.

[Pancakes Graduate in reply to Guesty26]

Thank you I will take a look - I am a herbalist and a naturopath as well as a nurse so I don’t take any medication just herbal remedies and lifestyle choices (but clearly I’m not so good at that side of it! 🍾🥂) and I do lots of stretching and yoga though 😃

[Guesty26 Graduate in reply to Pancakes]

My wife teaches yoga and Pilates and swears by it for healing everything, she couldn't move ten years ago due to a severe back condition when someone said give it a go, never looked back (pardon the pun) so you are obviously on top of it. Fantastic and keep at it your nearly there too.

[Nonnie83]

I'm right there with you and I'm only on week five. I KNOW I've improved but it's still SO hard. I am pretty sure I won't make it through the 20 minute run that's coming up. And that's running at a snail's pace. 😕 In my book, you're doing great having made it as far as you have!

[Claireednet in reply to Nonnie83]

Nonnie I thought exactly the same about the 20 minute run, honestly. I was dreading big time tonight and thought after 14mins there’s no possible, but got my playlist blasting and got to the end! Laura helps you along the way. I bet you can do it xx

[Pancakes Graduate in reply to Claireednet]

I have no idea how to do a playlist so I just have Laura and silence! 😩

[Hidden]

I feel the same! I'm due to do W6R3 on Friday- I've run before but never for long & always did a walk/run combo. I always thought I "wasn't built for running" and was more of a sprinter. This programme has proved me wrong. My daughter is doing sports science for A level & said that the programme is building up my stamina & fitness. I said I didn't feel any fitter but then I ran for 20 mins. I 'm hoping to graduate & get used to running 30 mins & then start to build in speed. I'm not too worried about running long distances. For me I'd like to get faster. The others are right - faster recovery time is a sign that your fitness levels are improving. Good luck with the rest of your running.

[Pancakes Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I think I will go for Friday too! My Achilles are killing me today! Good luck!

[gwrunner18 Graduate]

Take it easy when you get out. I did run 3 yesterday and it was hard but finished it. At the end Laura said to go for it for the last 60 seconds. I couldn’t think of anything worse but I did it and it felt amazing. Good luck!