The zone vs running cheat

[WynB]

After many more weeks than 9, I do believe I've actually got to graduation. Can't believe it.!!

Actually I really finished my week 9 a couple of weeks ago. But even after that last run it just felt so very hard, really hard, no matter how slow. And I run with my dogs and had to stop to hold them for other runners to pass so I kinda felt that was a running cheat.

I've been doing 3 runs a week since, very slooooow , but pushing through the mental chatter and toxic 10 which try and dissuade. Before every run I have to psych myself up, it would be so easy to give up. And yesterday was no different with plenty of mental grumbles until about 20mins in.

And then I realised that I was just fine plodding along, and then at 30 I realised I was still fine , same at 35 ( which I've done a few times just getting to 4K) so I carried on because I bizarrely could and of course it was cooler than any running day for the last 8 weeks.

So I clocked in at 5 K in 45mins and stopped for fear of having some bit of me breakdown or drop off! So I feel I really have achieved my initial goal now, not that it was 5k but that I found a place where it was good and rewarding to be running and I was very happy to get a glimpse of that.

THANK YOU for all your support on here...I am totally sure I would have given up without it.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Huge well done you.. go get your badge and carry on to the party

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

There is so much to choose from as you move on from here too

[WynB Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you Oldfloss, will do 😊

[jannyscotland Graduate]

Well done 🏃‍♀️🏆!!

I always find that my legs take on a new life around the 4k mark and i get a whole new second wind. Sadly by then im usually so close to home and dont want to have to walk too far to get back 😂

[WynB Graduate in reply to jannyscotland]

Thank you! Who knew that there was life after 4K. In fact when I started I was sure there was no possibility of surviving longer than 90 seconds 🙈😬

[Equi-geek Graduate]

Wooooww! That’s lovely to read, I am so pleased for you. A depth of integrity resulted in justified self-satisfaction - wonderful 🎓🎓🎓👏👏👏👏🍾🍾🍾

[WynB Graduate in reply to Equi-geek]

Thank you Equi-geek! Honestly even tho I have struggled with my running , it hasn't stopped me being as smug as a smug thing after each and every one 🤣

[AnnieW55]

Congratulations 🎈🍾🎉🍾🎉 🎈 Finding your running happy place is special and a great feeling to call on when needed. That badge will look good against your name - apply for it pronto 😄

Edited as after posting I got a server error and the balloons had become angry faces 😳

[WynB Graduate in reply to AnnieW55]

Cheers Annie! Made me laugh. ..Thanks for the edit🤣

[Millsie-J Graduate]

Whoop whoop whoop, brilliant journey! A great running success, claim that shiny badge graduate🏅🎓

[WynB Graduate in reply to Millsie-J]

Thank you Milslie-j!

[Ashley0304]

Well done! And I know how you feel! I finished the 9 weeks around a month ago and I am stuck at the 30 min mark! My brain is like ‘you don’t need to carry on Sanjeev is not around to crack the whip!’ And each time I run I have to remind myself that that spare tyre will soon re appear If I don’t get out there!!

You’re not alone in the battle!