Run 1 of week 6.....why did I find it so hard?

[Scampiedoodle]

First attempt at running at the "young" age of 49! Really struggling but getting through it. The 20min run at the end of week 5 was a great incentive to keep going but i completed run 1 of week 6 yesterday and can hardly walk today!! I thought 5mins, 8mins, 5mins with 3min walks in between would be easier.....it really didn't feel it 🙁

[cheekychipmunks Graduate]

Well done for surviving the notorious bogey run! If you look back on past posts you’ll see it comes up all the time! Possibly complacency, going too fast after the high of completing the 20 minute run. Possibly the rhythm being broken up again with walking. Who knows?

Whatever the reason, you aren’t the only one who struggled. I did too and I’d been forewarned!

Anyway, you did it! Only one more intervals run, then the rest are all running which is lovely. 😀

You’re doing great! Keep on having fun. 👍🏻👍🏻🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️😀

[sallenson Graduate in reply to cheekychipmunks]

It's the arithmetic and a mind game

W5R3 is 20 mins; 20 mins total activity;

W6R1 is 5+3+8+3+5; 24 mins total activity.

The walking breaks make you think it's going to be easier, but it's actually more effort. Unless you have a lie down during the walking bits

[Scampiedoodle Graduate in reply to sallenson]

Love the idea of a lie down mid run 😂 Thanks for the explanation - makes sense now!

[sallenson Graduate in reply to Scampiedoodle]

It feels rubbish at the time tho eh? Even those of who knew the games that were being played found it tough

[sallenson Graduate]

It's a notoriously tricky little bugger.

But W5R3 was 20 minutes of activity; W6R1 includes those walking sections, which do use energy.

So the active time in W6R1 is more than 20 minutes. And the "breaks" mean you lose some momentum. It's harder than W5R3.

It's deliberate. And catches lots of people out.

You're doing a great job!!

From the last run of W6 to the end it's just nice long slow continuous runs. You'll be fine. Just breeze your way to the podium, where I know there's cake

[Scampiedoodle Graduate in reply to sallenson]

Cake, cake?!! Oh I like this more and more!

[sallenson Graduate in reply to Scampiedoodle]

There should always always be cake!!

[Mcdon Graduate]

I started at 49 too 😝 back in jan graduated fortnight before turning 50 in March now running 3 times a week one being a 10k. Stick in you’ll do it the benefits to your health and well-being are amazing 😉

[Cathkinboy in reply to Mcdon]

Hi I have literally just started today at age 59 W1R1. Got through it ok but wondering from your encouraging message here what benefits you have found? Main objective for me is to lose 14lbs on weight !

[Mcdon Graduate in reply to Cathkinboy]

Sleep better at night. Gives you more energy and you feel generally brighter great for your mental health too x

[Cathkinboy in reply to Mcdon]

Thanks so much for getting back to me and so quickly. Would benefit from

Any of those so here’s hoping!

[Scampiedoodle Graduate in reply to Mcdon]

Wow that's certainly inspiring! Thanks for the support and encouragement

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

It's all part of the magic plan 😉 you're not alone, that run catches most out, especially after the euphoria of W5 R3.

You got through it though and you're moving on 👍😁

[Scampiedoodle Graduate in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Euphoria is right - I was so chuffed and this last run just knocked me back down....loving the comments on here though so I've picked myself back up! Thank you.

[kickibro Graduate]

I think it was my worst run in the plan too. It is pretty notorious for being the worst week. However, this week is pretty crucial so keep at it. It is also pretty normal to have a bit of a crash after a great high. This is also strengthening your mind too because you will learn to overcome 'the naughty chimp' on your shoulder that tells you to stop!

[Scampiedoodle Graduate in reply to kickibro]

Thanks for the encouragement - I'll be back at it tomorrow so fingers crossed!

[kickibro Graduate]

Good luck. Dig in and get it done