Struggling with week 7!: Hello, just started... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

132,408 members158,561 posts

Struggling with week 7!

QueenTea profile image
QueenTeaGraduate
6 Replies

Hello, just started week 7 & really finding it hard. Had to repeat run 1 & had two 30 second walk breaks - wonder if I’ll ever run continuously for 25 mins. Any tips for perseverence gratefully received! Thanks

Written by
QueenTea profile image
QueenTea
Graduate
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
6 Replies
ramsgaterunner79 profile image
ramsgaterunner79

I was the same. Have you tried slowing down your pace at the beginning and/or when you’re feeling tired? I tend to plod for the first half and then pick up the pace on the second so I can finish. There’s also podcasts on stepping stones that encourage stamina that you could try. I just kept plodding and got there in the end. Good luck with it 😁

QueenTea profile image
QueenTeaGraduate in reply to ramsgaterunner79

Thanks - I’m worried if I slow down the pace I’ll come to a halt😹 speed is not my strong point. I’m going to try run 2 on Wednesday & hoping to do the whole run, albeit slowly. I will try to up the pace in the middle & then slow down a bit at the end. Have you finished the whole nine weeks?

ramsgaterunner79 profile image
ramsgaterunner79 in reply to QueenTea

One run to go and then finished. Had to delay last run for hubby’s shifts and lack of childcare but looking forward to completing. There have been times when I feel like the dog walkers are quicker than I am but I just figure it’s about getting to the end and as confidence and stamina increase so will pace. I’m the worst one for acknowledging what went wrong rather than what worked but I’ve changed tac and just stopped over thinking it all. Since then it’s been much better and I’m enjoying it more. Good luck with it all and happy running x

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

Just slow down... (and there is no such thing as too slow). If it is still a struggle.. slow down more.

The longer runs are made for relaxing into... and if we start slow and stay slow they are a joy.

Have you upped your rest day exercise? Stamina and strength are so, so important as the runs get longer..our bides need to keep up with the legs:) Check out my reply to Flowell maybe?

You will do the runs.. of course you will:) You just need to believe it:)

QueenTea profile image
QueenTeaGraduate in reply to Oldfloss

Thanks for the encouragement. I’ve been doing the strength & flex podcast on rest days & I also do Pilates & salsa once a week. I’m 56 & after a couple of years with no exercise due to work & studies, decided that I had to try to increase physical activity before I hit 60. You’re right about slowing down - will do that on Wednesday. Feel much better for actually getting out & doing some this morning.

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply to QueenTea

Well one you.. all sounding very positive:)

You may also like...

Struggling on week 7

5k. This mornings run was really hard though w7r2- even though I've done a 25 min stint in w7r1 I've

Struggling with week 7

need a couple of short walking breaks which is so annoying! Anyone else? Thanks! xx

a struggling week 7-er!

Hi Everyone! Just looking for a little advice, I just completed WK7R1. I usually run on the...

Struggling with Week 7

have arrived at Week 7, Run 1 and am failing miserably. I'm finding it impossible to run the full...

Struggling with 25 min runs week 7

am really struggling with a 25 minute run, 2 attempts so far and have had to walk for about 3 mins...