Run number 2

[Seh828]

I’m about to head out for my W1R2. I’m still unsure of my success and plan to just repeat the place that I did the first run. Do people differ with routes and places to run early on? Or is t best to stick with something that you’ve done before

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

It depends. Where I am it’s quite difficult to find flat runs so I’m using different parts of the same trail for variety. If I have nice scenery I tend to do better. There is an incline on my trail it’s only slight being a former railway line, and I like to go downhill after the bell. If you live where you ran last, go back there, it’s also the venue for your first victory so may hold new good memories. Others may like to explore a bit via their running.

You don’t need to be unsure of your success... today will be success 3 on this plan after deciding to do it and completing run one. Soon you’ll have a whole list of successes to look back on.

[Debell Graduate]

No need to be unsure I am sure your body will remind you that you did it !! Build up on every success and you will soon be running wherever the fancy takes you. I ran the same flat route until I needed to run further but that included slight hills ( mountainous to me) and I have enjoyed finding out about where I live to try new ones. D

[Flaraflarkin Graduate]

2nd run!! Go you! 🙌

[Seh828]

I did it!! Struggled with the 5 and 6th minute of running but managed the whole final one!

[Flyingred Graduate]

I use the same circuit each time (in a field away from traffic). I found having to fit stopping for traffic at junctions a real faff so now go where I can follow the plan more easily.

[Mathsgeek123 Graduate]

I run the same route and turn at the bell (also a slight incline at first which I get to run downhill on the way back). I enjoyed gradually getting further each week and now have my points to aim for if I’m feeling tired.

[Hidden]

Everyone is different, so my input might not be for you, but I did all of my early runs on the same strip. There aren't many options where I live and I chose not to drive to somewhere else to run in the beginning. I got a good feel for the inclines and distance and it became a bit of a comfort blanket. That helped when the app occasionally crashed as I knew how far out I'd be running and could turn around at around the right place. I run there and back.

I always read what each run was going to be so that if the app did break I could continue.

For anyone who experiences lots of drop outs, there are also downloadable podcasts on the NHS page which play through your music player.

I changed route on later runs (week 7 or 8) when I felt more confident and needed a change of scenery. Sometimes a run was easier because there was something different to look at! Go figure.

The main lesson I learned in those early weeks is that no matter how slow I felt I was going, it was invariably too fast for the next week. As the weeks increased my speed needed to decrease...quite a bit. You're learning endurance first and everything else including speed comes post-graduation.

I'm sorry I'm digressing, but wanted to share the most important thing I learned and give you the best chance of success, having read your profile intro which was truly inspiring!

You're never alone when you have virtual friends cheering you on, so pop on here after your runs, add a post of your own or read how your connections are doing, it really makes all the difference.

Good luck with your journey!

😊

[Seh828 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for this insight! I’ve found it really helpful

[ArthurJG Graduate]

I don’t think I changed my location until week 7. Then I did a couple of parkruns (just running whatever the programme said and walking the rest). But then I went on holiday and did my three week 9 runs in three different Italian cities!

I did enjoy running in new settings but in the context of the programme it added another challenge, namely finding a suitable route each time. It was also very hot and I had to get up early to run in sane temperatures.

Last night was my first run since I got home and I did my usual stretch of coastal path, though in the opposite direction, in the relative cool of a light, Scottish summer evening and it was just lovely to be running on familiar ground again. Not to mention familiar temperatures! I suppose comfortably running over 30 minutes on ground where not long ago 90 seconds was a challenge added to the good feeling!

So there are advantages and disadvantages but at this early stage sticking to the same route may be one less decision for the mental gremlins to play with. You’ll enjoy more varied runs once you have built up your endurance and confidence though.