Week 7 completed. I’ve found the secret to keeping going. It’s simple.

You don’t stop. Even when you want to, you just keep putting one foot in front of the other and you keep going. I could have stopped at any time during these three 25 minute runs this week and I found this morning’s final one tough, but I didn’t stop. I listened to my music, concentrated on my breathing and told myself that I could do it, after all I had done it before. I’m going to remember that good feeling of doing it even when it got hard and I’m going to imagine my body getting stronger during the recovery day tomorrow and I’ll be ready for week 8.

I’ve worked out that a lap of my local park takes about 10 minutes so 2 ½ times is 25 minutes. I have a target of 3 times round for the final week and I’m astonished to believe that I can do it considering where I was physically and mentally just a few weeks ago. What a great programme this is.

[Sunnybraeboats Graduate]

I like your style I was the same with that stopping thing going on but just kept going and going until you hear that you only have one minute left and you know it's nearly over and it feels so good ...🏃🏃🏃

[Jay66UK Graduate]

You might struggle to believe it at the moment but, as well as gradually building your distance up to it, this is exactly the same secret for all distances. It’s what got me to 10k and others even further.

Well done on what you have achieved so far and enjoy your next run.

[Katnap Graduate]

Yes! You've got it!

I had to tell my kitten to run at walking speed when he felt he couldn't go on.

Within a minute or 2 he was back upto pace again.

If its more bouncy and energetic than walking, then you are running 😸🏃🐆😸

[Boofle999 Graduate]

I have completed Wk7 today as well and completely agree - I had a GOOD run, really enjoyed it, except for a wobble at around 17 mins when my mind suddenly threw me a curved ball and told me I couldn't finish, despite my body having felt fine to that point. It's a huge mind game, but like you, by just getting a grip and telling myself to keep going, to breath in and out, to put one step in front of the other (I even said 'one, two' to myself for a while to provide some focus) and to not think about how much time was left but how much time I had already run, I found I could keep going! So yes, it's a great feeling when you finish and know that you can overcome whatever your mind throws at you! Good luck for Wk 8, I'll be there running it too, I have a route around my local canal and cycle path which is about 2.5K - just going round there once at the moment, but looking forward to being able to go round twice meaning 5K done! Bring it on!

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to Boofle999]

This can sneak up anytime and remembering all the runs you have completed helps you ignore it and push through. Your body can do it; your brain remains unsure!

[Boofle999 Graduate in reply to Jay66UK]

Yup, currently my brain is VERY unsure - in fact it's in denial that this is even happening! Body seems up for it though! :o)

[IgaT Graduate]

Congratulations! And you are right on so many levels with this programme, the running, and improvement.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Great job... and good to have a visual on how far you are into the run in terms of time. Enjoy week 8.