Well that was a toughie...

[Marcia-H]

.... but good!! Just back from W6R2 and had a rollercoaster of ‘omg’ and ‘that was good’ moments!

The usual 8 minutes in was tough as usual-but I’m feel I’m getting used to it now, then I settled into the run. Recovered well during the break and was ready to run and enjoy the second half like I usually do but had a few wobbles (in my head not legs). I’m usually very positive but just kept thinking if this is the last run with breaks then I’ve got 2 weeks of 25-30 minute runs-then what after graduating, how do I maintain 3x30 minute runs each week????!!?!???! 😬😳🤔

Now I’m back I’m feeling great, the run was also great. I’m re-thinking my thoughts, telling myself you just will do it!

So why is week 6 so hard? Why was my usually enjoyable second half full of doubts? Will I turn a corner in week 7? Why did 2x10 minutes seem hard-is it because the 20 minutes in week 5 seems out the blue and therefore feels a bit of a one off??

☝️anyone else thinking any of this? Am I just having a personal battle in my own head!!!

Despite everything just said I did still enjoy my run and looking forward to the next! Ironically I’m looking forward to running without the breaks!!

Swans were out today as you can see and I’m still smiling! The best points of today were that I didn’t think much about breathing and just did deep breaths periodically. And although doubts crept in-it did mean my mind could wander and not concentrate on the run in question, so I guess I’m doing what I need to do unconsciously/by habit?! And at the end I recovered in a minute or two which was great!

I promised myself this would be a short one as my posts are getting longer than my runs, but feels good to write it all down! Well done if you get this far and reply!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Tough runs are great... when they’re done!

Although the runs are gonna be longer, the time of the sessions only grow 7 minutes from what you just did... so they won’t be a huge extra time demand on you. Post consolidation you may start to vary them up anyway.

Well done dealing with the wobbles. Another good run that you came out of smiling! Enjoy the first of the 25s

[SallyP7 Graduate]

I know it is strange but i also know many runners 😃 here will agree but a switch suddenly goes on and i have found now i am running not thinking about running. I think it was oldfloss who said your legs know what they need to do and let them do it. Try not to over think it, just enjoy! Xx

[Marcia-H Graduate in reply to SallyP7]

Your right, I enjoy it better when I switch off, an enjoyable part of the run is the switching off! I usually think what I will write on here, I’ll go back to that tomorrow!!!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate]

Well done you! You’ve completed the two notorious toughies, and believe me you will feel epic after R3! You’ll be told you’re a runner and you’ll definitely feel like one! 🏃‍♀️😀

Love your long posts. I find myself getting carried away too - my replies are often longer than the posts I’m replying to sometimes! 🙄😅

Anyway, you’re doing fabulously and you’re now on the home stretch to the podium where your smiles will get even wider! Have fun! 🏃‍♀️😀👍

[Marcia-H Graduate in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Awe thank you! So good to hear that I’m possibly through the woods! I’m looking forward to run 3 🤞it’s a good one!

I showed my husband my post-he says it’s that long I should just start a blog 😆 I talk the same way... on & on apparently 🤔

[cheekychipmunks Graduate in reply to Marcia-H]

Hahaha, me too! I don’t half waffle and I go off on a different tangent too, then forget what I was originally on about! 😅😅😅

[Marcia-H Graduate in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Are you sure your not me?!?! 😆😜

[cheekychipmunks Graduate in reply to Marcia-H]

Crikey, now I’m wondering! 🤣

[SOULY47 Graduate]

Another well done. I think we have constant battles with our head. I love your updates, so keep them coming. Nice to run where there ducks. Ive been weeding the garden at the weekend, so the back of my legs are painful so I'm dreading tomorrows W6R2 run. Might have to rub Volterol on tonight, take paracetamol and roll them!!!

[Marcia-H Graduate in reply to SOULY47]

Thank you! No battles tomorrow only positive thoughts and ducks to admire! How are you feeling?

[ingenic]

Well done on completing the run and fighting the wobbles! Sometimes it seems that all this running is as much of a mental journey as well as a physical one.

I did W6R2 this morning too and loved it. The sun was just rising and as it was only 2 degrees (eek!), the air was lovely and crisp. I also find myself looking forward to running without breaks, I still can’t believe I am saying that haha.

[Marcia-H Graduate in reply to ingenic]

Me either! I’m still a newbie but approaching week 7!!!! 😮 I’m loving it and can’t believe how far I’ve come! It is flying by!

[Marcia-H Graduate]

Thanks everyone for the support! Feeling fab today and looking forward to run 3 tomorrow!

I am a little achy sore today which I haven’t been after any other run? And I have blisters on my ankles-time for decent socks!!

Hopefully tomorrow is back to smiley posts! 😃

[Paul_B Graduate]

Piece of advice from my own experience both in terms of running and wider mental issues in general. Live in the moment and don't worry about what may or may not occur in the future. The C25K programme is designed to adapt your body, both mentally and physically for the challenge of running for 30 minutes. Week six feels like a significant step up but you've already proved to yourself that you can and have done it. Don't worry about week 7, 8, 9 or beyond.

Have you ever been on a long car journey? Somehow time and miles seem to pass quicker because you know psychologically that it is a long journey. Same for running in my experience. Three minutes felt like a long time when you first had to run it non-stop but now seems much shorter.

I've found most of the challenge with C25K is mental rather than physical. Wearing a heart rate monitor or Fitbit type watch tells me my body can cope if I'm running in cardio or peak zones. Listen to your body and like Laura says maybe ease up on the speed but try to ignore your mind.

Good luck and well done on your achievement to date

Paul

[Marcia-H Graduate]

Thanks, really sound advice! You’re so right about living in the moment. My 30 minutes runs are my escapism from Mummy duties-I need to enjoy ‘them’ then and there!!

Your right about the car journey too-to add to it, I think you kind of go into autopilot and sometime just get there without having to think too much about what you are doing-I guess can be said for long runs too.

I have improved both physically and mentally, I know I can do this! I feel like going a run now!!!! But I will wait for tomorrow. Looking forward to it!

[Maddee_6333 Graduate]

It’s all downhill from here. Go you!

[Marcia-H Graduate in reply to Maddee_6333]

Fab! Thanks 😃