Week 4 run 1

[AngryFlower]

Was super scared to do this run today as this is the bridge before the horrible week 5 where suddenly you jump to 20 minutes- twenty! Not sure how week 4 is going to prepare me given that 5 minutes of running already seems like a lot but we’ll see. Today was interesting though as the breathing was actually marginally better, I wouldn’t say good but I did look and sound less like a fish out of water. I’m forcing myself to run slowly on the advice of others in this forum but it definitely has some other drawbacks (for me anyway). My natural running style is to sprint short distances which I do pretty well and have a feeling of freedom when doing so. Jogging slowly (couldn’t call this anything approximating a run) means I have to constrain my limbs, which seems to restrict and tighten the movement actually making the it somewhat uncomfortable, I can’t really describe it but it’s definitely not a natural movement.

I’m hoping that if I ever complete the programme I can look at working on speed which will help my running style however I have to get over the week 5 hurdle first.

How did others on this site find the progression to week 5 assuming you going the early stages hard like me?

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

I’m in week 5... it’s not scary.

So... that 20... it’s after 2x8, 16. It’s not a huge jump in running at all. When I ran 3k races I’d do 2x1k speed intervals a lot, but never 3x1k, which would seem more logical. There’s nothing scary about the jump to 20... it’s less than the jump to 90 seconds was if you think about it.

Factor in the walks and there’s almost no difference.

Great job in week 4... keep going, stop worrying, start believing! You can do all of this.

[AngryFlower Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thank you!

[sparkyjohn Graduate]

Nothing to fear, honestly. 😇

I too was always a sprinter who found any distance beyond 200 meters a nightmare. Flat out till my lungs gave up was my way. 🤮

Just keep with programme and each week may be hard, but not unachievable. Don't doubt your ability, you will do it.

[AngryFlower Graduate in reply to sparkyjohn]

Thanks useful to know that us sprinters can adapt

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

They find it just fine! Because, each run follows the one before.. and the trick is... no trick... just slow and steady... Too many scary posts give runs a bad name. They are all doable... they are just different... they have to be, to move us forward. But..the plan is structured and safe.. you just have to trust it, have confidence in yourself and believe you can do it.

I was a speedy runner and ran for my county... now.. I lead the SSS ... Slow and Steady Snails... it gets you there.. and beyond!!

Relax.. enjoy...this is a great running path.. why rush it

[AngryFlower Graduate]

Slow and steady snails-I love it!

[hereshop in reply to AngryFlower]

I'm laughing my head off at that too😂

[Bevwedd Graduate]

Week 5 was definitely my favourite week. I hadn't looked at the next runs so assumed I'd clicked on the wrong week when I saw the jump, but trusted the programme and went for it. Oh my, I could do that run and the feeling of pride and elation was fantastic! You go for it!

[AngryFlower Graduate in reply to Bevwedd]

Thanks, that’s encouraging, going to do my best whatever happens