W8R2 completed on my second try

[Balletomane9]

Hi everyone, hope you’re all doing well and enjoying the *slightly* cooler weather! I managed to complete W8R2 tonight, having failed miserably (I gave up about 5 minutes in!) last night. I’m determined to finish the programme (probably will complete in 12 weeks rather than 9) and just wondered has anyone else experienced losing their mojo a bit? I just feel completely uninspired and I think it’s partly because it’s just SO HARD. I’m so slow and I’m in bits by the time I finish, honestly the first 5 minutes are the worst and after that it only gets marginally more bearable. It doesn’t ever seem to become enjoyable. Does it become more so as you get fitter? I really wish I could recapture that “high” from the early weeks. Gosh sorry for being a moaning Minnie - I do know how lucky I am to have even made it this far! X

[cheekychipmunks Graduate]

Firstly, well done for completing W8R2! That’s a great achievement - 28 minutes of running! Good for you! 👏👏👏👏

Sorry you’re finding it such tough going though. ☹️ Are you taking it too fast? I know you said you’re slow, but are you really? Do snails fly past you? 🐌🐌🐌🐌 If not, let them. 👍🏻

The first 5-10 minutes of most runs are harder - ‘the toxic 10’ - so that’s normal. Again, slow down some more. Are you sleeping well, are you well hydrated and do you have adequate fuel on board before you run? I find a bite of banana really helps. 🍌

There’s no shame in taking longer than 9 weeks, so maybe you need additional rest days?

Have fun with your running - make a killer playlist and don’t put pressure on yourself.

You can do this! 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻 Good luck! 😀😀

[Balletomane9 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thank you xx

[telford_mike Graduate]

Cheeky is dead right, there are a lot of things to get right to make sure you enjoy your running. You're bound to have a bad week every so often (I had an awful one last week), but the good ones outweigh the bad. Google 'toxic 10' to find out why the first part of a run is always difficult - it happens to us all and it’s just a part of running.

I had an 8k today (way out of my comfort zone) and the endorphins kicked in at about 5k and I flew for the next couple of k. This will happen for you at some stage. Good luck, graduation soon!

[Balletomane9 in reply to telford_mike]

Just about to google toxic 10 now - thank you! xx