Approaching W6R1 was an interesting one. I'm always interested in looking up posts and seeing how other people found each run before I do it for myself, so I felt oddly apprehensive, knowing that some people found it surprisingly tough. Having felt euphoric, but very, very tired, after W5R3, I was slightly concerned that I had found my limit and wouldn't be able to progress in the way I had until now. So I went out to do W6R1 and took it at a pace that felt challenging to me and I found it almost... easy? Nothing like relaxing at the spa, but comfortable, and very enjoyable! So I felt good going into W6R2....
...oh no. 10 minutes running, twice, was a serious challenge. All the confidence after R1 had left me by the time I was cooling down after that. I knew what was coming in R3 and for the first time I was sure that I wasn't going to manage to complete a session.
W6R3 rolls around, and I'm actually feeling incredibly nervous. I'm umm-ing and ahh-ing about which route to use (the one I was used to, or a different one to shake it up?), and actively delaying going out of the door and getting started. Looking back, I had clearly psyched myself out of completing it before I'd even begun, and as we all know by this point, it's a mental game more than a physical one! I felt uncomfortable 5 minutes in, and found myself longing for intervals, right from the word 'go'. I spoke every mantra in the book to myself in my head to try and will my legs to keep going, but in the end I had to check the app to see how much time was left. Before I could see it, my music stops, and the screen goes blank. I stop running (R3 - incomplete from that point on, as far as my mind was concerned), and frantically try to wake my phone up. Now walking, and feeling dejected already, I trudge home. Outcome - very upset C25K-er, with a phone that had definitely breathed its last (and just outside warranty!).
I took a rest day to recover from the run, despite its shortened length, and tried again tonight (with a substitute phone!). The difference physically was minimal (still a challenge), but the difference mentally was incredible - it really, really is a mental battle. I adjusted my pace, faster and slower, when I needed to in order to keep my legs with me, but kept telling myself I could do it, and just listened to my music. The end result - W6R3 in the bag, and one of the most enjoyable runs of the entire programme so far.
I can't state enough the difference between how low I felt after not completing the run two days ago, and how ridiculously giddy and overjoyed at completing it now. The clichés are real - you can do this, and you will have good and bad days, but.. you can do this!
Week 6 in the bag!!
Week 6 Run 2 In the bag!!
Week 6 run 2 in the bag
Week 6 Run 3 in the bag!
Week 6 run 2...in the bag 😊
