Week 7 run 3 done!

[Gonnatri]

So after bailing on the first attempt on Sunday I completed the run tonight. More of a mental challenge than a physical one. Really had to push myself when I reached the time I bailed on Sunday.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Well done.. true grit x

[Hidden]

Like you, I stopped W7R3 before the end (yesterday - after 21 minutes) as my calf was hurting but will have another go tomorrow I think. I was hoping to finish C25K between Christmas and New Year but I'm happy if it now runs into January as I'm keen to develop a longer term running "habit". I have a history of doing well on things like diets (i.e. hitting a target) only to fall back into bad ways after the flush of achievement has passed and I want to avoid repeating that behaviour with running!

[Gonnatri Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Just make sure the calf is ok before you run on it again

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

That's a really interesting and important point. Goals, aims and projects are great for achievement and motivation but there is a psychological 'come-down' afterwards. I too have 'finished' a weight loss regime and put weight back on. Nowhere near as bad as I was before and I started Couch to5K to rekindle my efforts and found that that had an end point too. It's a bit like Alexander The Great who cried when he had conquered everywhere because there was nothing left to conquer! I think you either give yourself new goals - mine is to keep up the running three times a week, others look to go faster or longer - or you find a way of looking at your achievement as being part of the journey and not the end. Looking at the comments that people make after folk graduate here, a lot of people mention going on to 10k (in a carefully managed way of course) so I think that having a new goal seems to be the way to go. You are thinking about it and sound like you are aware of the danger so good luck with it and come back after graduation and tell us about how you're managing it!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I quite like the idea of gradually increasing the time spent running after graduating (10% per week is a good figure I read somewhere), until the distance covered exceeds 5km - then join the Parkrun community and look to increase speed over the following weeks. The former doesn’t work if, by W9, you are so swift you already do 5km in under 30 minutes (not me)😁

I have also started looking for more interesting places to run as a way of keeping interest.

Good luck with the programme!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Sounds like a good plan. A park run is my next objective too. All the best.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Poole4752 - I now see you can already do 5km! 👍

[gsjltm Graduate]

I had the same on W6 today... legs are still hurting but really pleased with the mental side

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Great comeback... sometimes we need to use the mental strength and that’s what you did... it’s a good thing to get used to doing as even established runners have days when it doesn’t feel so good. Enjoy week 8.