Goodbye week 6! Am I a...runner...?!

[staceypek]

According to Sarah Millican I am 🤯

Not going to say that W6R3 was easy (I think I'm in the minority as I found the first 2 easier than expected), but I did it and didn't consider stopping at any point.

I felt a bit heavy in my legs and back from around the halfway point and I also had one of those gremlins pop up, saying I was going so slow it was basically power walking and that it probably "doesn't count" or I'm not actually doing it properly. But I kept the focus and got through it. Some parts I almost got close to enjoying. (Almost.)

I do go very slow (avg pace 9min 20sec per km) but it has improved already by over a minute in 6 weeks. Also I figure it's still early days and I can work on my form and pace as long as I get the endurance and stamina nailed. It certainly doesn't FEEL like power walking anyway...

Looking forward to week 7!

Happy running/jogging everyone 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

[Dave58 Graduate]

Well done. I'm also on wk7 next, tomorrow. At least we now know we can run for 25 mins as we've already done it

[staceypek Graduate in reply to Dave58]

Well done to you to Dave! We certainly can. Be interesting to see how a whole week without intervals goes!

[Dave58 Graduate in reply to staceypek]

There are no more intervals. It's all running until graduation! We got this

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Well done to you staceypek on getting to week 6 run 3, yes, you are a RUNNER, does not matter about pace, just take it slow and steady and try and ignore the gremlins. running is not powerwalking, I was a spectator at a 5K Santa Dash yesterday and a man powerwalked the whole course in 33 minutes. Some walkers can overtake runners but that is not too often. You will improve your time eventually, don't worry about that, just enjoy your running.

[staceypek Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Thank you AlMorr, that's a good point- power walking can be quick! It was just one of those odd mental things that pops up every now and then to dig at your confidence for an unknown reason. I should let myself enjoy the achievement - genuinely couldn't imagine myself at this point even 3 weeks ago let alone 6! Can't wait to see what next week holds.

[PeteB1961 Graduate]

Yeah, same as me I’m a runner today. I didn’t find it easy but at least week 7 is same again 3 times so I’m reckoning that I should get better and better and that after another 3 runs 25 minutes will be a piece of cake. I’m really slow as well so you’re not the only one.

[staceypek Graduate in reply to PeteB1961]

Well done Pete! Best of luck for week 7! Yes I agree, let's nail the 25s we can worry about pace in 3 weeks time...3 weeks! Eek, what a great Xmas pressie it would be to graduate.

[Amerynthe Graduate in reply to staceypek]

Yes, you are a runner! As long as both of your feet are off the ground at the same time even if only for a nano-second, you are running! Congrats on finishing week 6! I've just come back from W7R2 so, like you, I'm aiming for a December graduation - we can do it! And what a great way to end 2018 and start 2019!

[staceypek Graduate in reply to Amerynthe]

Wouldn't it just! Santa please bring me some new running gear...😃 best of luck to you!

[ArthurJG Graduate]

Well done. You are a runner because you run, it's not complicated And yes it is running not power walking because the difference between running and walking is gait, not speed. Even if you could walk faster, if there is a point in each stride where both feet are off the ground at once, you're running: you'd be disqualified from a walking race for doing that so it's definitely, officially running.

[staceypek Graduate in reply to ArthurJG]

Thank you Arthur I am pretty sure both feet leave the ground at the same point but I tend to overthink that when I'm out, start to obsess about my feet on the ground and then wonder if they're both off it etc. Perhaps I should get someone to record me to make sure I'm doing it properly!

[ArthurJG Graduate in reply to staceypek]

You're running. If you were walking instead, you would know that for sure and wouldn't have to wonder. The only reason you doubted it was because of your pace, but the difference has nothing to do with pace.

[MrsBeario Graduate]

Slow and steady is fine-it will get you to graduation. You’re doing fine and nearly enjoying running!!!😅

Stay safe and be proud xx

[staceypek Graduate]

Thanks so much everyone. This forum has been amazing! xx