W6R2 - think this is as far as I go

[Bershe]

Anyone else have the same feeling...Just done W6 R2 and have been very pleased with my runs and my determination. Never thought I could ever run 20 mins without stopping but I did it and was grinning. I have had a look at the weeks ahead and the runs are 30 mins. I really don't think I could do anymore than what I am doing now. I want to do W6 R3 then just repeat W3/4/5/6 continuously instead of carrying on. I don't want to hurt something and am very happy with my targets I have achieved. Anyone else feel the same? Ifeelmuch fitter and healthier than I have done for over 15 years. I have lost weight but feel it more within myself than on scales and see it in my clothes as they are loser than they were and more comfortable 😉😄😃

[Beachcomber66 Graduate]

We are all wired differently Bershe. I decided to carry on increasing distances and have got up to 10k and plan to go further, but that is my choice. If you want to make different choices that suit you, then that is ok too....just do your thing and good luck to you. Well done for progressing so far on the programme, it has clearly been of real benefit to you. 😊👏👏

[Risy]

Well done for reaching w6.. I would personally say that you give up too early... Why don't you try to see how it goes first before you go back to W3.? Maybe you'll need to do W6 a few more times before you move on or stick to it until you are ready to move on... But going back to W3 I wouldn't recommend. However, you know what's best for you and your body.. If you are worried for an injury maybe talk to a GP?

[FinhamTap Graduate]

I felt the same too. I was stuck on week 5 struggling to get to the 20 mins. Seriously though keep going. I've just completed W9R2. After that 20 mins block adding a few extra minutes on isn't as tough as it looks. Yeah not every day feels like a breeze but you can do it. Slow and steady. Once at 30 mins, it's such an amazing feeling. Like you I feel so much fitter. It's not massively showing on the weight loss side but my shape is changing...slowly. I never dreamt I'd ever be able to do this. If I can, anyone can. Good luck.

[Jlonomore Graduate]

I didn’t think I’d get beyond week 1 and every run I expected to quit but I did it and the sense of achievement was worth it. I still struggle for the first 10 mins of every single run but get through it. I have managed the full 5k but it took me 45 mins so I run for 30 mins 3 x a week as I can fit that in. I will occasionally do 5k on a weekend just to prove I can 😀. I’d say keep going unless you are injured.

[Linhert in reply to Jlonomore]

45 mins sounds good to me. I agree it always take a bit of time to get into your stride. I think any runner would say that’s normal. I think for me the important matter is to keep running no matter how far. Anyway well done. I am on week 8 tomorrow

[SandraLlew in reply to Jlonomore]

have you considered a Park Run at the weekends? Local parks run by volunteers are very very supportive people. They will help and encourage you and there is lots of safety in place.

[Dave58 Graduate]

Why not repeat wk6 and if you are comfortable repeating wk6 try to move on to wk7. There is absolutely no point going all the way back to wk3. You never will know what you are capable of doing unless you try! Obviously listen to your body and keep the pace nice and slow. Whatever happens you have done brilliant to get this far. Keep running

[DiscoRunner Graduate]

I agree with all the comments here. Weren’t you staggered that you could run for 20 mins? I was. You’ll be amazed when you do more, just do it slowly. As everyone says listen to your body but I second the idea of repeating week 5 until you’re happy to move on rather than go back to week 3. It doesn’t matter if you spend 3,8 or 20 weeks at week 5, but at some point do try week 6. I told myself I could repeat week 5 several times if I couldn’t do the 25. But I could and was stunned. And it was in week 8 I really started to feel like a runner. You’ve achieved a lot already so well done for that. Let us know how you get on. Good luck x

[misswobble Graduate]

There’s no need to hurry or push things You proceed how you want to. It’s entirely up to you 😃. You can call it a day or keep going 😃

I have to say though that I think you’re wrong about 30 minutes running. You can do it, because if you’ve done all the preceding runs then you’re ready. We just get there slowly and carefully run by run, as you’ve been doing 💪. It would be a shame to miss out because of some misplaced self-doubt 😟.

On the back of this fab programme I have gone much further than I ever imagined or thought possible I had no ambition other than to nail the session in front of me. I am so pleased I kept going 🙂

[ForestGrump63 Graduate]

I had a similar experience. I detested week 6-9, but made myself do it. Also had a bout of illness so had to repeat week 6 before moving on. So 5 weeks of 3 runs - 15 runs total that I did not enjoy. I graduated last week and did my 2nd consolidation run last night in the wind and the sleet. Guess what? I loved it! I’d say push on, keep going, repeat the last week if you need to then keep going forward. Good luck 👍

[Tartancat Graduate]

Well done for reaching week 6. If you're anything like me, I bet on week 1 you never thought that would be possible!

If you're happy to stick at 20 minute runs then do that. Better to do 20 minutes than sitting on the couch.

And who knows, one day you might go a bit longer, just to see if you can!

Enjoy your running 😊🏃‍♂️

[ButtercupKid Graduate]

I’ve just finished week 7 and I know what you mean: after the sheer triumph of managing 6:3, it suddenly starts to feel very serious. You don’t need anyone’s permission for what you choose to do: you will know what works best for you and your body. Just don’t give up altogether ! You may find, having repeated, that you then want to have a go at reaching graduation later. Or you may not ! Whatever helps you stay healthy is fine x

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

You are in control.

Do whatever you want to.

The recommendation for cardio workout is 150 minutes per week, so as long as you can hit that target you will be fine.

It sounds to me that running is a bit of a chore for you, which means that you are unlikely to persist long term. The secret is to find the joy in it. Run somewhere new, beautiful and inspiring. Somewhere that gives you a life affirming experience. In these circumstances, you don't think about running, but the environment and time flies by.

Keep running keep smiling.

[SandraLlew]

I fully intend to stretch the programme out and repeat weeks if I struggle or find it hard. It's not a race or something you have to do, but the sheer hoy and freedom of running along a beach, or in the woods or wherever you do it it so very much worth the effort - in my opinion. I wish I had never stopped running, I started when i was 55 and managed to be running 5k's every week in my early 60's then I relaxed a bit and the conditioning and fitness disappeared. Just keep going do what you can when you can.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

You have done wonderfully so far ! Well done

But... these are your runs, your way and the next move is your choice.

The only thing I would say is...when you began this... did you ever, ever think you could run at all?

You say yourself, you never thought you could run for 20 minutes..?

Yo have looked ahead and seen 30 minutes... and decided that you don't think you can do any more... well, I am not sure... but I feel you probably can

But as I said, and others too,, this is your choice... as  misswobble says, maybe take your time a bit... and as I would say... you can, if you want to, do this...

... all you have to do, is believe it