Difficulty....

Would be interested to hear which week (if any) was the most challenging transition, wk 4 to 5 ....? I try not to look ahead, but I can’t help it😂

[Cuig1975]

Hi I got a wee shock st week 6 as it went back to intervals and I found it tough, was glad to read here that others were the same . I ran 10 k last Sunday and on Wednesday I did 5 in the heat and thought I’d die but went slowly and managed it and that’s the secret beginner or graduate some runs are better than others

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

By far it was week 0 to week 1... that was tough huh? You’ve done that one though.

The second hardest for me was week 9 to what next... it’s strange being released from the discipline of the plan. That pleasure will be yours in a few weeks.

The real key to the plan, for me, is to not only become a runner, but to become the coach that that runner deserves. Learning to tell yourself you can do it, and also being able to slow down to get to the end of that run. We have a natural instinct to see a wall... for many it’s the 20 minute run... for me it was the run after that scared me a little... but that wall doesn’t actually exist unless we first build it. Your body will be ready for every run... learning to coach yourself and relax before you run will have the mind ready too. Look ahead... let’s look ahead to W9R3 right now... not to the start line, let’s skip that, and the run... let’s look at that finish line... you just ran 30 minutes for the 3rd time... your coach says it’s done... you’re grinning.. you’re tired and victorious... how good does that feel? Go get it.

[Hidden in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thanks, you are so right! I’ve got this!!

[QueenBols Graduate]

Week 4 was most difficult as it just seems the transition to longer runs was sudden! I look ahead to so that I can mentally prepare 😂

[JaoJao]

The first 5 weeks were brilliant! I thrives on the short increases to running time and the glory of W5R3 will stay with me forever. A game changing point.

Then I struggled with W6R1 and W6R2, I felt they were pointless and I quickly wanted them out of the way! Now they are done I’m happier and slowly inching closer to graduation.

[Irishprincess Graduate]

From nothing to that first week, in particular the very first run 😩

After that, every week brought its own challenges but not as tough as the shock of the first running movement on the legs.

But as with everything the more you do it the easier it feels, so keep going. It’s sooooo worth it 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Precentrix Graduate]

I'm still midway... Week 1 (transition from no running to running!) was hard; I struggled with Week 4 but ran Week 5 first run with no problems at all, possibly due to a less undulating route but also the longer recovery time permitted. Now on holiday so we'll see what happens when I get back!