Week 6 Fail

[EH76]

I'm really unhappy with myself today as I failed the 3rd run of week 6!! I managed about 18 minutes before I literally had nothing left and started walking. I've never ran before in my life and have been so proud of myself til thus point but now just feel angry. Has anyone else had a blip around this week??? I am going to attempt it again in a couple of days!!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

There’s no failure when you cross the start line. Don’t be hard on yourself... could you run 18 minutes in January? Celebrate that you can now. Relax and go off nice and slowly next run... you can do it.

[Happyrunningfeet Graduate]

Its not a failure as u attempted it. U maybe need to slow down a little so u have some energy left in the tank. I didn't manage to fully achieve one of my runs. But don't give up. As u said u will attempt it again in a few days. U will take this run with u as experience. Week6 run 3 is Definately a difficult one in itself. Especially as the week is different in how the runs are planned. But you got this far. Keep ur head up and keep running. You got this and u can Definately do it. 🙂

[primaballerina]

I'm only on week 3, and 18 minutes of running sounds AMAZING... so don't knock yourself down - remember 6 weeks ago you have never run in your life!!! Just repeat this run on Saturday and tell us about your success!

[Gran4z Graduate]

Absolutely NOT a fail, and YES most of us here have had the same thing happen.

We learn and you will too via the people on this forum that we all have had bad days, we feel a failure...but we aren't, and you aren't. Was a bad day, it happens...perhaps you were dehydrated...need to drink plenty of water, even on the rest days. Did you have a bad night, not enough sleep?

So many things can interfere with our run...so don't stress. Put it down to experience, then forget it. You'll be fine on the next run. Remember, take it slow and steady, be a snail! Lots of snails here, believe me 🐌.

You can do it, don't beat yourself up...be proud of yourself, you got off the couch and you are running...so smile, please. 🙂🌻

[EH76 in reply to Gran4z]

I had done a yoga class last night, lots of stretching so I was a bit achy first thing, and thinking about it I'd only drunk a glass of juice before the run. I'm not a great one for drinking enough!

[Gran4z Graduate in reply to EH76]

So possibility your body was fatigued...highly likely you were dehydrated. I was the same, didn't drink enough - still don't always, and I know it when I run. Difficult to remember in the winter when you don't feel so hot...but it's important. Good luck with the next run, you'll be fine. You can do it, positive mind set, and a big smile on your face - all helps, oh and breathe! Remember, slow and steady. Happy running.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on your progress.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5... and explains the recommended easy conversational pace, which magically makes it all possible. You might find the link to mental approach helpful too.

Please don't use the F word on this forum!

Enjoy your journey.

[Buddy34 Graduate]

Have a rest day and go out again you can do this 😊

[Jogunlikely Graduate]

Some days it just doesn't happen. You SHOULD be proud of yourself! you are doing a fantastic job, don't let one bad run get you down.

Change the conversation in your head. So instead of "I've failed", celebrate what you have achieved. So please go and stand in front of a mirror and say to yourself "I have improved over the last 6 weeks, i can run for 18 minutes, I am awesome, I AM awesome"

Repeat as many times a day as required

[Granspeed Graduate]

I think primaballerina has it right! Look back to the early runs, take 3 deep breaths and don’t worry! We’ve all had bad runs - just happens. Sounds like you’ve tracked some of it to dehydration and fatigue, which is good as you can remedy those. But also some days are just like that. There’s no fail as long as you went out the door in your run gear! The rest is learning. 👍😄

[FionaLamb Graduate]

Just imagine how you’re gonna feel when you do finish it. Because you will finish it, you’ve come too far to give in. You CAN do this 🤗

[Crossbill Graduate]

I found week 6 horrible! I had to repeat week 6 run 2. I am not sure why it was such a difficult set of runs but it seems a common thing. Don't be hard on yourself - like you I am a beginner runner but much to my surprise I have found week 7 and week 8 much easier as I have settled into a steady (if very slow) rhythm. You have already got a lot under your running belt - good luck with the end of week 6 and upwards to week 7!

[EH76 in reply to Crossbill]

I was so proud of myself when I'd completed the 20 mins at the end of week 5, I thought week 6 would be breeze! How wrong was I?!

[timlesvagues]

I didn't manage (not allowed to use the f word!) W5R3 and was very fed up with myself but had a few days off and redid the whole of W5 and sailed thro R3 the second time. I wasn't looking forward to W6R3 but I just managed it today. Try to consciously keep your pace down. It feels strange and I kept wanting to speed up but I'm sure keeping the pace down helped.

Try again next week. You'll do it! 😊😊

[EH76 in reply to timlesvagues]

Well done on doing it today. I've given myself a few days and am going to try again Sunday, maybe try a slightly slower pace and stick to it