Struggling.. help!

[Ozbeth]

Hello all, wonder if I can get some support/advice.. I’m on w7, run 3 (which I’ve had a couple of goes at)... I’ve run for 25 mins non-stop three times, but interspersed with a couple of runs where I just gave up at 18-20mins.. I just felt exhausted, but didn’t have any mental resilience to give myself a talking to! ... I’m so annoyed with myself because I know I can do it... any tips on getting through this? I don’t want this to be a brick wall that I can’t get over! Thanks. 😁

[Stevieplink Graduate]

If you have spotify there is a playlist called motivational speeches. The cover says "mark my words, you will remember my name" ive just started using it and its pretty remarkable how it keeps me going. Also just slow it down until you feel you can speed up again. I graduated last week and since graduation I had one run where I just wasnt feeling it but then I thought about how far ive come since struggling to run for a minute

[Ozbeth in reply to Stevieplink]

Thanks Stevieplink, I’ve not heard of that playlist, I’ll check it out! Definitely right to think about how far we’ve come ... I thought running a minute would kill me!

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Hi Ozbeth, don't worry, you have gotten this far in the plan, and will be able to complete Wk7...

You are now on the steady continous runs, where you need to start nice and slowly and stay slow...

This point in the plan is when many of us first become aware of whats known as the toxic ten ... the first 10 minutes or so can feel really hard. It's because when you begin to run your body needs to take on more oxygen to cope with the exertion, and this takes a few minutes. If you run too quickly you use up all the oxygen, and feel really puffed out and its hard to keep going. However, knowing this is happening helped me, and I began to ease gently into my runs, trying to relax and push through the first few mins (blow out a couple of deep breaths) then you may feel the difference as your legs carry you on.

You will be able to do these runs and get to 30 minutes of running, relax and start slowly, and it will fall into place.

Good luck 😊xx

[Ozbeth in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thank you bluebird runner, for taking the time to reply, I really appreciate it... and great advice .. I do need to slow down !

[Debston Graduate]

Ozbeth, it sounds like a mental block, rather than a physical problem. Just a thought, give yourself two rest days after your previous run and set off KNOWING that you're going to complete Week 3 today and try listening to a different trainer. If you don't usually listen to Michael Johnson, I really recommend him. He has a lovely voice and he knows you can do it! I just wonder if having a different voice to listen to would make it easier for you to get to the end. Also, maybe a new route would help keep you interested. You could plan a lovely, picturesque route at a local beauty spot.

[Ozbeth in reply to Debston]

Hi Debston, that’s a really good tip actually, to use a different coach, I love Jo Whiley, but maybe a change would be good! Thanks so much for taking the time to reply... I was feeling a bit crap this morning but this forum is a great thing!

[Debston Graduate in reply to Ozbeth]

We all help each other, don't we? Think of us all cheering you on, the crowd going wild with excitement as you conquer those gremlins and smash Week 3! Let us know how it goes and yes, I do think a change is as good as a rest sometimes so why not give it a whirl.

[Hidden]

I honestly think this is natural Ozbeth. We call them 'bad runs' but we should call them recovery runs. Your body is still tired, it's still recovering, still getting used to the increase in workload. My advice would be to try and relax, slow your runs right down, and don't be too hard on yourself or worried about it. If you 'only' manage 20 minutes that is still a very good run, that is increasing your fitness, especially on 'tired legs'. Just stick at it, you're working hard, and that work pays off. I promise you'll go out for a run and you'll absolutely smash it.

[Ozbeth in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Clubberlang, sound advice indeed. I need to slow it down ... and the thought of getting to 20 mins just a few weeks ago would have been incredible... so... rest and stop beating myself up! Onwards! Thanks for taking the time to reply.. really appreciate it.

[Decker]

Hi Ozbeth. When you beat yourself up for a momentary mental lapse I believe it actually does more damage to your future resilience, in a kind of spiral. Be kind to yourself. If you can, step away mentally and treat the next time like a fresh start. And if it doesn’t happen then, so be it, but promise yourself you wont stop trying. Keep going until you succeed. You know you can do it. And you will. Bad runs will happen from time to time so this is good training for later on too. No worries you’ve got this👍🏼👊

[Ozbeth in reply to Decker]

Thank you Decker! That was my worry that I’d get into a spiral of not believing I could do it ... but this forum is fab and I feel much better prepared for next time (after a couple of days rest!)

[Decker in reply to Ozbeth]

Fantastic. You’ll do it👊

[smcl2212 Graduate]

You are doing brilliantly and it certainly does sound like a mental block rather than physical like others have said. The thing that always gets me through when I’m having a tough time getting out there is what a huge difference this programme has made to my fitness in such a short time. Just thinking about those first few weeks when running for even a couple of minutes was daunting - and bloody difficult. At the end of day, you’re out there and no longer sitting on the couch so huge well done 👍

[Ozbeth in reply to smcl2212]

Thank you! Very true, and I actually love being out there... just need to slow it down and believe!!

[Ozbeth]

I did 25 mins today... it was tough but I got through it.. thanks you lovely lot for your support! Week 8 here I come 🤪

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to Ozbeth]

Woo hoo! Well done you! I’m hot on your heels!

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate in reply to Ozbeth]

Brilliant Ozbeth! Well done 😊x