W7R3 complete

[Nibblesruns]

I completed week 7 this morning but found it a real struggle! I managed the final run in week 6 gone however the runs in week 7 have been a struggle for me. Has anyone else had this same issue and is there anything that can be done to help? When I'm struggling I do slow down and feel I am breathing well but would like some tips on how to her through!

[Debston Graduate]

I did Week 7 last week and some runs were better than others. Run 1, I had a strong urge to stop running at around the 5 minutes mark. Never had that on the programme before. It probably didn't help that I was running uphill, which I hate! Anyway, I ignored the urge to stop and slowed down even more and once I had reached the top of the hill, I knew I would be fine. For my next run, I went to a lovely local woodland lake and ran pretty much on the flat all the way, enjoyed seeing all the bluebells in the woods and basically had a lovely run. So different, even though they were both 25 minutes. I guess there will be good runs and not so good ones all the way through, depending on weather, mood, route, etc etc. On the upside, I did my first week 8 run yesterday and didn't notice the extra 3 minutes at all - amazing when I think back to how hard it felt to run 3 minutes a few weeks ago!

[Hatman Graduate]

Hi Nibblesruns. I also did 7/3 this morning with a different route each time. I doubt I covered much more than 3km in any of them. I found Japanese Slow Jogging man on YouTube in W3. He demonstrates breath, speed and stance. I have been running like him since. My runs were taxing but not exhausting. I do try to just keep breathing through my nose, rather than gasp. Apparently by breathing through nose, you breathe in Nitrous Oxide, Laughing gas . Plays on your endorphins. This doesn’t happen with mouth breathing.

We’ve done 25 mins four times now.

Remember when it was a stretch to run just 3 minutes? Now we add that bit to our 25s. Surely not too much to ask? Let go fellow runner!

[Bookbizlady Graduate in reply to Hatman]

I'm not sure your mouth can filter out gasses from the air between intake and your lungs but it doesn't really matter as long as you have fun and get that buzz!

[Bookbizlady Graduate]

Did this run this morning. I find it's the mental challenge that I battle. Physically I'm fine! Could you find a running buddy? I found 7/2 hard but because I was with someone we kept each other going. I don't know about you but when I hear the half way bell I get a bit of a spring in my step. I'd love a few more time updates from Laura!!

[Hatman Graduate in reply to Bookbizlady]

Hi Bookbizlady. I am happy running solo. Might be awkward coordinating start times and ability( slowness) in my case. I did Out & Back from W3 to W6R3, then got the free MapMyRun app which measures street by st. Worked out three routes and did a different one each time. MUST app REMEMBER TO INCLUDE THE GRADIENT CHART.

One route had quite a steep hill up, fortunately the other side was equally down. Compensated. Was planning to drive to the local ex rail route Trail, but didn’t need to Yet!

I then find that with hedgerow green and flower smells , birds , traffic, passing other runners. When they run towards me that is, I don ‘t overtake anyone yet. That and Laura’s tunes, keeps me quite occupied.

Perhaps try this guys ideas?

mindbodygreen.com/0-15332/h...

What are you going to do after your next 6 runs? Have fun.

[Bookbizlady Graduate in reply to Hatman]

This really meant for you. I must have pressed the wrong button. I had meant to address the post originator!

[Buddy34 Graduate]

Try and really be aware of your pace from the start as if you go fast at the beginning that's what makes you struggle further in good luck 😊

[Nibblesruns]

Thanks for all the support and I think I will try and run with someone else next time or get some upbeat music to keep me going! I'll keep you updated when I start wk8!

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

I'm sure it was weeks 7 and 8 I struggled the most. It did feel very draggy. For me it's always been the right tunes to keep me going.

I think part of it is less updates from the app, you feel a bit more alone out there and that in turn allows those mental gremlins another way in (Are we there yet/ how much longer etc) so it's finding the right distraction for you 👍