Pride comes before a fall (not literally thankfully!)

[Blamm0]

After last week’s successful week 5 run 3 I felt like I got this, how hard could two 5 mins and an 8 min run be after that????

Well from start to finish it was a hard slog. I was out of breath for most of it, got my first ever stitch and wanted to stop most of the time. My knee was also giving me gip.

Lots of reasons why it was tough, difficult week at work, tired, still so cold, not drinking enough water before and poss start of a cold.

Proud of myself for getting through it but sad that I didn’t feel the euphoria of success that I normally get. The negativity gremlins were having a field day tonight!

But as I have learnt from this forum there is no such thing as a ‘bad’ run. I will drink more before next run, I will invest in a knee support and I will not let this stop me! #nevergiveup

[Keeponrunning1 Graduate]

Well done for getting through this run. We all have tough runs but if you can get through them the good runs will feel great. Try slowing down a little at the start and if it’s going well then speed up a little bit, you will get there. 🙂

[Blamm0 Graduate in reply to Keeponrunning1]

If I go any slower I might actually stop 🙈 sometimes I feel I get a good rhythm but today was all over the place!

[Keeponrunning1 Graduate in reply to Blamm0]

You still got through it. 👏 I’m sure the next run will feel good. It’s all about keeping those legs moving no matter how slow they run 🏃‍♀️. This plan does work. 🙂

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

W6R1 is notorious... it catches a lot of people out... it looks easy, but it’s harder than the run before. You have some other reasons why it was tough which you can work on... but you beat possibly the toughest run of this plan right there. Great job.

[Blamm0 Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thank you! That really means a lot to me. Trying to give myself credit but not feeling it today!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Blamm0]

Sometimes it’s hard to see the wood for the trees. You ran... that makes you stronger for next time. Sometimes it’s easy and we love it in real time... sometimes it’s tough, it sucks, it takes everything we got to survive it... and that real time joy doesn’t come... but while all runs make you stronger, fitter, healthier and a better runner, there’s nothing wrong with having the mental strength tested and improved. You’re doing great... be very proud of yourself.

[ktsok Graduate]

Ah bless you. Reading this was like reading my own account. 6:1 and 6:2 were the lowest point of the program for me - and for me, it was because I was a little overconfident and went out too fast. With a 20 minute stretch or longer, it’s easier to go slow, be cautious, give the run some respect. And we forget that 5 minutes and 8 minutes are still lengthy enough to cause trouble if we don’t pace ourselves! So along with the stress, knee support and hydration, try slowing down a little 🙂

[CrimsonMama]

Can certainly relate Blamm0. That 5.3 run is fabulous because you don't know if you can do it but then you do and you feel so accomplished. But week six almost seems a step backwards. And I think this is where you realise that instead of being anxious over the longer runs, you start to realise the longer runs are actually better and more enjoyable!

I've certainly found so...

I'm about to go out for week 9 this morning! The. First five or ten mins are usually a bit of a slog and then you get into a rhythm and actually feel like a runner! 😁. Your gonna love your remaining weeks!

[Blamm0 Graduate in reply to CrimsonMama]

I really hope so! Feeling more positive today, glad I didn’t stop. Also I haven’t repeated any runs yet and I totally can take that option if needed.