Wow, I can’t just ran for 20 minutes straight! So proud of how far I’ve come. The run was actually anticlimactic in the end 😂 I wasn’t dreading the run, just skeptical that I could do it. The previous 8 minute run intervals were tough for my legs - calves in particular. At the the end of each of those intervals, I felt I couldn’t go any longer. If any one is in the same boat and scared as maybe they found the previous run hard, please don’t be! Take a extra rest day between R2-R3 if your legs are really tired. You are definitely ready for it!
A snapshot of my internal monologue during the run:
First 5 minutes - ‘Slow and steady wins the race. My calves are okay. I’m not out of breath. I might actually do this.’
Second 5 minutes - ‘Okay, my calves are a little tired, but I think I can keep going. Hey, I’m still not out of breath so that’s a good sign. I’m nearly at the half way mark.‘
Halfway - ‘Huh, Laura just said I am half way. Did it chime? I don’t remember it chiming. That was quicker than I expected.<takesawhiletosinkin> HOLY MOLY, I reached double figure minutes! Remember when 60s was hard?
Third 5 minutes - ‘oops! Spoke too soon! I’m really feeling it now. My calves are protesting. I don’t think I can do this. Can we stop?! We can try again in a day. Shhh brain, I’ve come too far to stop now! It’s just one foot in front of the other. We can do that.’
Final 5 minutes - ‘MIND OVER MATTER! MIND OVER MATTER! Oh there’s only 2 minutes left? That isn’t so bad, I can do that!’
During recovery walk - That was 20 minutes? I’m not dying. I don’t know what the fuss was about 😂
That 30 minutes seems so much achievable now.
Thanks for reading this far into this rambling post. Happy running everyone! x
Written by
bluepanda
Graduate
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Fantastic run! You’re now just over half way in the programme and two thirds of the way to 30 minutes... of course you’ll do it. You managed the run perfectly, very well done.
Week 6 has some tricky intervals, they look easier than what you’ve just done... but they bite people’s butts if they go in all cocky and aggressive. Do what you did tonight, manage that pace well and you’ll have no worries. You got this now.
I smashed it! I blooming loved it and did a little victory jump! Can't wait for week 6! I found it easier than I thought I would yet it feels like such an achievement having been at the stage of only just managing 30 second runs. I had a little tear to be honest! X
Not embarrassing at all. We will ALL support you every step of the way. We have all been there and had doubts, challenges and moments of down-right, 'I can't do this.'
You will definitely get there! Just watch your speed and keep it steady. We are all definitely here cheering for you! Music or audio books can distract you from the time. Let us know how it goes!
What an excellent post and I'm so proud that you kept going. The monologue is spot-on for many, and the memory of a difficult 60 second run only a few weeks ago is so accurate. We come so far so quickly.
Keep going, keep posting and keep enjoying running... hitting the trails or 10Ks etc are beckoning.
Don’t dread it! You totally got this 💪 I think the dread comes from fearing you won’t be able to do it and what that means for the later runs if you can’t do this one. But, we all have bad runs every now and again, no matter the experience level. Runs that I thought would be difficult went well and the ones I thought didn’t look so bad were tough. Remember if the gremlins get the better of you, take a rest day and try again. It’ll only make you stronger.
Congratulations. Yes, it's quite a milestone, isn't it? Now just take it steady, and you'll do 30 minutes no problem. Just don't rush at it. I have found the worst thing you can do is start out too fast, so stay cool and you've got it.
Well done ! I’m on wk 7 r3, and have done 2 extra 20min runs , putting off the day I have to do 28 mins, as have felt exhausted and depressed , and scared I won’t do it.
So sorry you’ve been feeling down but I’m glad that this post has helped. Well done in getting to week 7. I think the jumps no matter where you are in the program will always be scary and will come with a chorus of ‘Icantdoits.’ Those extra 20 minutes run will, no doubt, have made you much stronger. Trust that the program knows what it’s doing (it has brought you this far!) and all you have to do is have a go
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I actually did it?! Graduation post
Totally exhausted but I did it!!! W5R3!!
W5R3 - Can't actually believe it!!
W5R3 can't believe I just did that!!
I did it...w5r3...who'd have thought!
