W5R3....2nd attempt...will be trying again...

[Schmeeley71]

Tried for second time tonight. Fine up until approx 13 mins, then had to walk for about 30 seconds. Ran again for 5 mins and then had to walk for about 45 seconds. Ran the remainder and added on another 3 mins. Better than the first attempt, but determined to crack it....however many attempts it takes.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Good effort there, you didn’t give up and you ran the time... you’re so close and I’m loving the attitude. My favourite saying is if it’s impossible, work until it’s not. You’re doing it, you will get there and I’m cheering you on all the more for not letting this beat you. Relax and go slow, you do have it.

[Schmeeley71 Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thank you. I know I can do it, just got to keep on trying.

[ArthurJG Graduate]

Good effort and good determination so this is maybe a cheeky question but just in case: have you considered, when you can’t keep going and feel the need to walk, first trying running slower? Even if you are running slower than you would walk, if it’s a running action it still counts. Maybe you’ve already tried that but I thought I’d say, just in case.

[Schmeeley71 Graduate in reply to ArthurJG]

Thank you. I slowed right down yesterday. Any slower and I will be going backwards. 😂

[runswithdogs Graduate]

Mind over matter - I had to repeat that one as well. A new route can sometimes help because you won't have any visual reminders of when you walked before - and the new scenery makes it interesting. Also, start off slow. Comically slow even. And whenever you feel it getting tough, slow right down again. I also find repeating a mantra in my head helps. One I've been digging into lately is 'Slow is smooth and smooth is fast'. Repeat over and over to help get you over any humps in the run. Happy running, you'll get it next time.

[Schmeeley71 Graduate in reply to runswithdogs]

Thanks. I was thinking a new route yesterday. Will give it a try on the next attempt.

[Runip Graduate]

Third time's the charm! You can and will get this done; your determination will get you there even when it feels like your legs cannot. What about trying different music or a podcast, something to distract you from thinking about the time?

[Schmeeley71 Graduate in reply to Runip]

Thanks. First attempt it was my legs/body that let me down, second it was my head/breathing. I think I just have to keep chipping away. I listen to Amazon Music Unlimited when I run, so never hear the same music twice. Although I did think I wanted to listen to something a bit more upbeat at one point on the run.

[Hidden]

You ran the 20, more even, you just took little breaks. Really think about that, that's a lot of minutes of running!

I hope you will take this in the spirit that it's intended, and not as rude. 30 seconds of walking? That's such a short amount of walking. If you said "I had to walk 3 minutes or 5 minutes" , I would believe that maybe you weren't quite up to the challenge yet. But 30 seconds is hardly anything. Is truly leads me to believe that that walking break was all mental. You can hardly recover from anything in 30 seconds! I think you can do this, you can go all the way through next time.

It is very empowering to be stubborn like this. Throw your shoulders back next time and do it again. And again if you have to. You will do it! You really already have done it, you just need to take the tiny breaks out.

[Schmeeley71 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. I think you are right it is my mind. I have it in my head that each attempt gets me closer to the magic 20 mins. Hopefully next one will be it! 😊

[cheekychipmunks Graduate]

I have nothing extra to add as all the previous replies were spot on, but you can do this and we’re here to cheer you on!

Embrace your inner snail! And have fun! 🐌🐌👏👏🐌🐌

[Schmeeley71 Graduate in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thank you

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Just slow down.. and then slow down more... you are ready for the run... just believe it and KNOW you can do it

[Schmeeley71 Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you.

[GoogleMe Graduate]

It's such an important part of learning to be more active and learning to run, dealing with 'failure' (and you may well choose to use a different word to describe your experience here)

My approach was that if I had to walk... that was it, the rest of the session was walked. It was then clearer how I was progressing. But that was for an earlier week so may not feel appropriate, especially when you're so close to cracking this.

Everyone's said slow down, and so will I... but I'll also add to try the effect of taking smaller steps when you start to struggle. Often people try to take huge 'gasping' steps at that point. You could even run on the spot pretty much. If you can keep walking after all you are not spent.

Plus, you could also try slowing down the warm up walk, I find that is often quite significant for me.

[Schmeeley71 Graduate in reply to GoogleMe]

Thanks. I have a really big hill to climb before I get to somewhere flat to start my run. It takes me about 15 mins from the time I leave my front door. I’m definitely warmed up by the time I start running.

[Run1980 Graduate]

Well done for what you have achieved, it’s amazing. Just slow it down even more and I bet next time you’ll complete it. Best of luck 👍🏻

[Schmeeley71 Graduate in reply to Run1980]

Thank you.

[Ificandoit Graduate]

Sounds like you’ve very nearly cracked it. For what it’s worth when I feel like stopping a little early I ask myself (sometimes out loud but I do run in the middle of nowhere! ) whether it’s my legs that are tired or just my mind. When I concentrate on how my legs are feeling I realise that they are fine and can carry on - it’s usually just my pesky head telling me to stop.