Well I know everyone warns about the first run of week 6. It was not my favourite run, in fact it sucked. Today was all about mental endurance. I didn’t like the intervals and I developed a real feeling of rage after the first run. Michael and I are really on the brink of falling out. The problem is I think I will loathe all of the trainers just as much. I just need him to stop talking. Stop dimming my music and stop telling me to walk/run. I don’t feel like that’s too much to ask...🤣😂🤣 I maintained the slow and steady run as advised but I swear my legs got more tired with each run than they did on the 20 min!
We did try out our new flashing armbands though, they are blue and strobey! We could have been confused with an emergency vehicle as we trundled around this morning 🚔 😀 fortunately there wasn’t a soul around to see us! Best day for non spectators yet!🤩🤩🤩 So I guess that’s a positive, along with completing it! Hoping for a calmer second run on Wednesday.
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jiggles7
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Each run is different.. it has to be. We need them to offer different challenges in order to move forward.
This running programme is about so much more than just running.... It is all about discipline in running.. and the runs teach us so much. About running, yes, but also about ourselves... stamina and strength.
Focus on that, slow and steady, and relax... as you move into the longer runs, with no walking breaks, they are perfect for the newly forming legs, to begin to find their own happy pace
Logically I know you are right oldfloss, I just must have got out of bed on the wrong side this morning. That said having completed the run I feel I have achieved something so I’m in a much better mood now. But I am yet to forgive Michael however, maybe by Wednesday 🤣😂😂🤣
Great job. They are a tricky set of intervals for sure, and Michael will only interrupt your running with a walk one more time now! Enjoy the next one.
It’s short intervals, but walking not needed. Towards the end of my plan for winter/spring I get to do 400m 12 times with 1 minute rests... by the end of that I’ll be desperate for a long slow no breaks run 😂
Yeah...that sounds challenging!!! Wishing you all the luck in the world with that!!🤩🤩
It seems that we are at the same point in the programme. I too thought that the intervals were tougher than the 20 minutes that I managed at the end of week five but I hadn’t picked up on the reputation of W6R1 as I’m just going with the flow. I haven’t really been looking at what others say about upcoming runs because I didn’t want to put up any mental barriers. I know other runners do things differently but this my journey not theirs. I now have total confidence in the programme and trust it to prepare me mentally as well as physically to run for 30 minutes in a few weeks’ time. Personally I will miss Laura telling me to slow down and take a breather but I will be ready for it. All the best for the next few weeks and I look forward to seeing you post the same as me: ‘I did it!’
ha maybe your approach is better, however I have a fear of the unknown and need to know what is coming my way...yes I am the person that reads the end of the book if it gets too intense in the middle. I feel like if I know what's going to happen I don't mind the journey as much. I need the reassurance that the hero will save the day and all will be put right in the world. That is my logic when reading at any rate. For me knowing that other people have got through it, no matter how bad the run is what keeps me going one foot in front of the other.
I'm sure the next run will be better Happy Running! See you graduation day!!
Yep, had the same thoughts about W6R1. Made me realise that I liked those long, unfettered runs rather than all that stop/start nonsense I had finally grown out of after W5R3!!
This is helping me approach W6R3 positively, maybe the last two runs have been horrible because of the walk/run/walk/run pattern, the resuming the run after walking seems to be soooo hard, I’m now thinking that it might just be easier to keep on going all the way to the end - we’ll see with my W6R3 tomorrow!!
Let me know how it goes tomorrow! I am hoping it is interval chaffing too. But today was better than Monday I think it’s the number of runs...I’m thinking Friday will be better as it’s just the 1 run🤩🤩
I’ve had the temper tantrum too after a run. It’s odd, isn’t it? Considering, I’ve not had that feeling since I was a kid really. I can’t remember which run it was, but I’m not as advanced as you.
All I can tell you, is your next run will be fine. Completely fine. Infact, you’ll have a laugh about it!
I think it’s just our frustration mixed with determination to do this.
But yes, it proves this is a play on us mentally too and not just physical.
Glad I'm not alone in my paddy! It is disconcerting. I am usually very measured and so seldom lose my temper. I walk away, process then come back with something rational. But how do you have a rational conversation trapped inside your head with someone that's not even there?? (Obvs still not over it, sorry Michael)
Its an emotional journey this running lark, with a lot of thinking time - usually I find external things to distract me and I guess this is like enforced meditation as well as self encouragement. I think that's the most valuable thing I've picked up along the way. it's telling myself I can do it, even when I don't particularly want to on days like today. That voice telling me I can, is kinder than the one telling me I cant. And I think this is probably the first time I've been that kind to myself.
Excited for the next run! Enjoy your journey Pampam you'll get through the ranks quicker than you know
Welcome to the forum! It is a scary step first starting. but as you can see, from all the lovely responses above there is immense support available for you here.
The first run, and the first week are the hardest. you may not be able to complete the first run the first time - (I certainly didn't) but you will on the 2nd or 3rd attempt - or however many attempts it takes you, there is no rush..
Best advice I can give you is to tell you not to run.
That sentence may be confusing...but when I thought of running when starting it was going fast - like Usain Bolt. That is not what you want to be doing, you need to think of a really slow jog, it's the running motion it's just slow.
Know there will be some good runs, some great runs and some that really suck - like mine today.
But every day you get out there you will improve and achieve something. I find early mornings are my best time to run, some people find it's the evening. you will quickly find out what works best for you.
Keep us posted on how you get on, but go and bite that bullet
I had exactly the same experience, but I just completed run 2 and I hope you'll be pleased to hear that it felt like an absolute dream in comparison! Good luck with the 2nd run 😀
It’s funny you saying that. I was just in my rocket 🚀 have a fly by of UK and saw these blue flashing things and I was like 🤔🤔 what is going on down there!! Speedy Gonzales must have moved from Spain ( is he Spanish? I’ve always thought so 😳 but maybe he is Mexican and on speed 😂😂)
Ha Ibot, Trust us to make a spectacle big enough to see from space!! I am however sure Speedy would take offence all the way in Mexico to be compare to myself and Duck...more me...Duck out paced me today
Slow and steady is the only way to get through each run, there is a reason it keeps cropping up. It’s the mantra of the forum.
Good luck getting started, I’ve followed you now so no bailing on me! I’m expecting great things to follow your great start walking. You will be grand 😀😀
Well done on the run jiggles! finished this one this morning too, but strangely enjoyed the intervals as it let me put a bit of pace back into it after fridays slog. Only 1 more interval left for us and I'll be back to being a sloth pretending to run 😁
Thanks Shaym4n! Congratulations on finishing your run too!! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'm ready for a nap now! I don't think my running speed changes at all between intervals and continuous running - time will tell...I'm cautiously optimistic about Fridays run!
This post made me laugh so much 😂😂😂I just realised who Michael is!! I run with Laura bossing me about, but don’t think I’d be doing very well at all without her!!
Glad it made you giggle, I am a tad dramatic. MJ seems too informal, sides since I don’t like him he gets his Sunday name. I know he’s there to help but I just can’t help but grump at him. Glad you get along with Laura, I’m too scared to swap now! 😣
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Happy Running! See you graduation day!!
W6R1: a fantastic enjoyable run 🏃♀️.
17k.....perhaps there really is a panther in me?
W6R1 - you were all right! 
