Just completed week 4 and today’s run was the closest I’ve come to giving up.
I’ve found week 4 challenging but I was really struggling by half way through today, more so than usual I think.
I don’t know if it was the heat, the fact I ran around a lake which was a lot more uneven than where I usually run or whether I was just having an off day, but I’m feeling very down after that run.
Has anyone else hit this wall - how did you overcome it?
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Dani1201
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Great job. It could be a combination of all 3 factors that you stated... it was a tough run... you were tougher and completed it. Rather than feeling down, celebrate that fact that you got to the end, you refused to quit and you end the run a better, stronger runner for the next one. Go easy on yourself... that tough run today was impossible for you just a few weeks ago. See? You’re awesome! Enjoy week 5.
I had a crap run today. Felt like i had gone back three weeks. I think the heat had a lot to do with it. I think the only way to overcome it will be to rest, drink lots of water and get back out there with a fresh mindset next time. Fingers crossed! 🤞Good luck for you next run 😊
I don't know if I'm just weird, but I found week 4 really hard and week 5 first two runs easier (hahahaha I won't say the same after run 3) because the recovery time is longer. But I've also adjusted my routes to avoid the crazy hills where I was struggling, which may have more to do with it!
Oooo that’s good! Let’s hope that I feel the same! I was pleased to see there were longer walks in between so perhaps that will make each 5 minute run easier
Don’t be down on yourself, that tough week will only make you more determined to move on. Keep at it and you’ll be amazed what you can achieve. Good luck!
Well done for finishing week 4. 3m , 5m, 3m seemed too much to me at the time, then I looked at w5, R3 for 20 minutes and thought "I will never do that". But this plan is very clever and has been tested by subject matter experts and now practiced by thousands. If you really feel bad, take more than 2 days rest, or just repeat your last one or the one just before it, until you are no longer exhausted after it. I would blame the weather - it makes a massive difference if there is little differential temperature. Have you tried slowing down too? I tended to run too fast in weeks 3 and 4 and got muscle cramps. I slowed down almost to walking pace and found it far easier just to take longer to achieve the goals. This is all about stamina, not speed. Don't beat yourself up. In the end I was five days later than my own plan to finish, but that was after losing 12kg and refusing to accept a Type 2 diabetes diagnosis. One year further on and I remain outside of the danger zone that results in a diagnosis of type 2. My blood results are better than nine years ago, so my GP told me. No doubt in my mind. We need to maintain exercise to remain healthy
Yeah I slowed it right down until I felt like I might as well have just been walking which annoyed me more because I was going so slow haha! I’m not very good with hot weather at all so perhaps it was that.
Wow well done, that’s incredible! I see so many incredible stories on this forum and it just makes me want to complete this!
Hi Dani1201. If it's any consolation I started week 4 yesterday and believe me I found it hard. Today I can feel it in my legs so I'm hoping I'm ok for run 2 on Sunday lol. As for hitting the wall I didn't experience that but my last 5 min run seemed to go on forever lol. I'm new to this running lark myself and have been told by experience runners that some runs do seem more tiring than others depending on there state of mind ,so dont beat yourself up over this . The next run will probably be hard ( and for me lol) but you can make it have faith and stay positive Dani1201 ✌
I hope you’re feeling better for Sunday! I’m going to attempt my first week 5 run on Sunday so that will be interesting. I know what you mean, they don’t seem to ever end, although I found the first three minute run flies by.
Hi Dani1201 I think everyone needs a crap run. I have had a couple but battled through like you we are only human and it puts into context the achievements to date. I say this to everyone but please note down in a diary your run how it went crap brilliant etc and then when you look back you can see that runs can seesaw and the next will be fabulous. The gremlins got be bad on my last one but it happens and it makes us all better runners...keep going
That’s a good idea! My first week 4 run went super well and I was absolutely buzzing afterwards so I just felt a bit defeated after yesterday’s run. But you’re right, I’ve had way more good runs than bad runs!
Hi Dani1201, could be you were dehydrated? I have just embarked on a 30-day challenge of drinking 3 litres of water each day. You will read many times on this forum the advice to drink plenty of water, personally I think it's sound advice, best wishes to you, Angus
I think I struggled around week 4/5 you’re not alone! Every time I felt it hard going I just repeated a week until I felt ready to move onto the next. The best advice I ever had was slow down and then slow down some more
You did really well actually! Please don’t give up. Everyone has bad days. I was slower yesterday but the weather was glorious, the views amazing and it was my special me time. Keep going!
Embrace your inner snail 🐌! I have just completed week 5, and nobody could go any slower than me! It really is the answer, as well as drinking loads. Well done for battling through! 🎉
Yes I was the same this week half way through, thought to myself this is hard but just finished wk4 and yeahhhhhhhhh done it and I feel as though I’ve achieved something , onwards and upwards
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