W7R2 completed... but *whisper it*, I’m not really enjoying these longer sessions...

[Kertesz]

Although I can talk and smile whilst running (I keep checking with myself!), I find the stamina required quite a task. I envy those of you who enjoy not being interrupted by the intervals... do you find it even a little bit tough... or is the enjoyment that it IS a little bit tough?! I am nostalgic for the reward of a little walk, a pat on the head and some nice words from my coach in the middle of my run. I’m beginning to think I might be quite a needy person!! 😂

[Realfoodieclub Graduate]

Keep going for now. After you graduate the choice is yours to do what ever you choose. There are some that always have walk breaks and it is a little known secret that quite a few marathon runners have strict walk breaks. Have a little internet search for an amazing runner called Jeff Galloway. Then after graduation choose to do whatever makes you happy. You never know in the coming weeks you might just get used to the solid runs. Rfc x

[Kertesz in reply to Realfoodieclub]

Thank you so much for this RFC - I just googled Jeff Galloway - he is deffo speaking to me!! I do LOVE the running and recovered quickly in the walk intervals - so after graduation, if my motivation for longer sessions doesn’t change, maybe his way could be a possible way forward... (I’m nearly 55 and I noticed he mentioned this age group too...). Thanks again - honestly, you’ve left me feeling very chipper indeed!

[SpanishShuffle Graduate]

Here is your pat on the back for coming so far 👋

In the middle of your session, when the bell rings, that is all of us here saying "go on you can do it"👍👍.

At 5 mins to go get that smile on your face 😊 and at a minute to go imagine people clapping you through the winning line 👏👏

I can't say I enjoy the running but I didn't enjoy sitting on the couch either 😂

[Kertesz in reply to SpanishShuffle]

Aw thanks SpanishShuffle! I’ll think of you at all those stages too... and maybe the good vibes will get us through!! And I guess whatever we achieve, your last sentence sums it up perfectly!

[Elfe5 Graduate]

That is EXACTLY how I felt in W7. 😃 My brain was absolutely horrified at having to keep going and kept saying it wanted “pats & walk breaks” 😂 At that point, I decided that when I graduated I would do one 30 minute run a week to prove to myself that I could and that I would do “jeffing” on the other runs. However, when I got to week 9 all my desire to do that had vanished and I had become used to keeping going. I also found that I enjoyed the continuous running much more if I deliberately slowed my pace. ( It picked up again later without me trying.) 😀

PS new routes helped too

[Kertesz in reply to Elfe5]

Thank you! So happy to read that someone has shared the same feelings, but has found a way through... it’s very interesting how your mindset has changed. I am concerned that my pace might be a bit speedy (can never tell till I see Strava at the end!), so consciously slowing down could definitely be a good thing - will try that tomorrow. Thanks again 😊 And yes to new routes too!!

[Jundal Graduate in reply to Kertesz]

Alter your settings in Strava: you can get notifications every 500 metres telling you your pace and distance so far.

[RunRunRun13 Graduate]

Love your post ! Now I wouldn’t say “enjoyment” is a word I would pick when i run but I definitely like the feeling of achievement afterwards. I sometimes think Jo Whiley has gone to put the kettle on when she doesn’t say anything but when she says I have 5 mins left feel over the moon 😂 Good luck on your next run !!

[Kertesz in reply to RunRunRun13]

That’s hilarious re Jo... 😂... I’m like ‘Don’t I matter to you anymore..?!!!!’. But you’re right, if we could bottle that sense of achievement at the end of a session, it would be motivation enough to turn up the next time. (Glad ‘enjoyment’ isn’t the word you’d choose either - makes me feel I’m not alone... thank you)

[RunRunRun13 Graduate in reply to Kertesz]

I will follow you and then we can either “moan” sorry “motivate” each other 😂 we’ve got enjoyment to come and looking forward to it !

[Jundal Graduate in reply to RunRunRun13]

Can't beat a bit of moantivation!

[RunRunRun13 Graduate in reply to Jundal]

Ha ha ! Great new word for the Oxford Dictionary 📖

[Kertesz in reply to Jundal]

MOANTIVATION!!! LOVE IT!! 😂

[SlowLoris]

You’re on a progressive training plan and achieving more each week. It’s not easy.

[Kertesz in reply to SlowLoris]

Yes, you’re right... I just felt others were breezing through these later runs and I was struggling and beginning to feel inadequate - and consequently a bit demotivated.

[SlowLoris in reply to Kertesz]

It does get easier. Soon you’ll be popping out for a 30 minute run without hesitation.

[Kertesz in reply to SlowLoris]

Thanks... just back from W7R3. Went SUPER slow and all a lot better! So thank you.

[Runadink Graduate]

You and me both.

Im on week9 r3 and have hated r1&2.

Now seriously thinking runnings not my thing.

[Kertesz in reply to Runadink]

You see... now I read your response and think, ‘but look at all you’ve achieved so far - how amazing!!!’ - Don’t be so hard on yourself - you’re about to GRADUATE - I mean, my goodness, RESPECT! I’ve found lots of the other responses above helpful to my struggle - might be worth a read to see if any of it helps you too? Good luck for your final run. I’ll be thinking of you!!

[Runadink Graduate in reply to Kertesz]

Thanks Kertesz.

I was hoping my post would gee you on and not a me post.

I know ppl have there struggles. My "i wont let this beat me" attitude wont let me stop, week 7 i ran every run twice. Im not sure where i go after graduation, but i will graduate.

[Runadink Graduate in reply to Runadink]

Btw in week 8 and 9....when the person says you have 5mins left if you have anything left maybe you would like to pick up the pace. My response, and i do respond, isnt for childs ears!!

[Kertesz in reply to Runadink]

I think my response in weeks 8 and 9 might be just like yours!! We’re never alone in this are we?!!! And I like that feeling... Good luck with run 3!! If you get a moment and can find this thread again, let me know how it goes (for better or for worse!!)

[Elfe5 Graduate in reply to Runadink]

Try doing a run well within your comfort- as if you could go faster but are choosing not to - that was a turning point for me. Also, what surprised me was that I felt as if I was going much slower, but at the end I discovered that my run had taken less than a minute longer than usual - it felt like a much bigger drop-in pace than it really was. It made me realise what a small margin there was between feeling comfortable and feeling overstretched. 😃

[Kertesz in reply to Elfe5]

These are such wise words - thank you for spelling it out to me. Last week, in the wind, I tried to run ‘deliberately slower’ - but didn’t have any real way of knowing. When I checked at the end I had my best average time/km yet. So I clearly have no sense about what ‘going slower’ really means 😂. (Plus was still miserable at the end!!). I’ve now resolved to Sort It Out!! Will deffo try what you suggest tomorrow. I’m feeling quite optimistic about it, even. Thanks so much.

[Elfe5 Graduate in reply to Kertesz]

You are welcome! I hope you enjoy yourself! 😀

[Kertesz in reply to Elfe5]

Hello Elfe5, I just wanted to say that I took your advice yesterday and it made THE most incredible difference!! I felt comfortable pretty much the whole way (with wind! With hills!) and had BAGS of energy left in my legs with five mins to go... so ended up practically covering a kilometre in that time! How crazy is that? As you say... although I felt as if initially I was taking teeny, tiny mouse steps, in the end, my average speed was only a smidge slower than other, far more arduous-feeling runs. I can’t quite believe it. Thank you.

[Elfe5 Graduate in reply to Kertesz]

That’s fantastic- and yes, teeny, tiny mouse steps - they work so well. Have you read about Niko Niko Japanese running? ( worth googling) “Mouse steps” is just right for that. Go you! 😃

PS “mouse steps” will be in my brain forever more- love it!!

[SeeJillRun Graduate]

I really enjoyed W5R3, didn’t miss the walking at all. I was looking forward to the 25 minute runs until I actually did one n it was my worst run yet, really really hard. The next one was better but still hard n I’m not sure how I feel about them now. Hoping tomorrow’s goes better n that the wind has toddled off elsewhere! 🤞

[Kertesz in reply to SeeJillRun]

Just done mine!! Bloomin’ wind still against for half of it... but I really REALLY slowed down at the beginning - and found I had enough energy (and more, surprisingly!!) to pick up a bit at the end x x good luck with yours - I think the wind is due to drop by the end of today x

[SeeJillRun Graduate in reply to Kertesz]

Thanks, I hope so 🤞. Guess I’ll find out in a bit! 🏃‍♀️