W7R2 - getting there slowly

[Mandyjb]

Hello all,

I haven't been on here for a while so I thought I would give you a little update.

So I did Wk6 Run 3 over a week ago and managed the 25 minutes without stopping even though it was a struggle towards the end but I felt amazing!

I had 8 days off due to work commitments and other things which meant I didn't have a chance to get out and start week 7. So Sunday morning I went out and it was a disaster! The first half went fine and actually went really quick but just before 20 minutes had passed I was starting to struggle. She then said only 5 minutes left and normally at that point I get a small spurt of energy and manage to finish. However, 21 minutes in and I had to stop. I had a really bad stitch and my legs felt so heavy. I was so annoyed with myself! I carried on walking for about 5 minutes fuming at myself and thought here is a hill on the way back to my house so I ran a further 3 minutes up hill but then my breathing went all funny and I had to stop again!

Feeling deflated I thought today I am going to do it. So i was up at half 5 this morning in the pouring rain and I did it! There were times were I felt like I was struggling slightly but it wasn't anywhere near as bad as Sunday so now I am feeling positive again

Did anyone else struggle with week 7 or is it just me being silly?

[steviej99 Graduate]

Oh yes! I sailed through first 6 weeks but w7r2 was a killer for me. Good folks on here reassured me that everyone has bad runs at unexpected times and I've had no problems since. Sounds like your back on track already!

[grumpyoldgirl Graduate]

Yup, it's definitely a thing. I had a really bad run round about week 7. Didn't actually stop but I slowed down so much I was barely going forward, that gave my breathing a chance to sort itself out. Next run, absolutely fine. Weird, isn't it! Top tip, though, I find that doing some dynamic stretches as part of a warm-up means I'm less likely to struggle with breathing, getting a stitch etc. But not held stretches, so swinging legs back and fore, and side to side etc.

[juliet2018]

I have just finished week 7 and it was a real struggle for me too so no, you’re not being silly! My body felt so heavy and exhausted even though I managed it I didn’t enjoy it. I’m wondering whether to do wk 7 for another week before going on to 8.

Well done for doing it though.

Keep going... I think we’re amazing!! 😁

[johnt46 Graduate]

Just come in from W7R3, wasn't easy, done last two or three on treadmill because of constant injuries (an age thing I think) that way I can stop and not have to walk back hobbling!🤣 can't understand why it was harder outside as I've been putting incline up to 3% on treadmill. Anyway, onwards and upwards, only six to go and hopefully finish for Christmas, we can do it!!