Week 8 R2

[Noodles7]

I’m getting so frustrated with myself as I thought I’d would find it easier at this stage of the process but it’s just so blooming hard. I’ve completed each run but I hate every minute. I’m doing it all on a treadmill as can’t get my head around running outside as when I’ve tried I just get all out of breath and panic

[Tartancat Graduate]

Don't despair Noodles! I found every run hard, but that's normal - after all, you're asking more of your body each week. Once you consolidate it gets easier - honest!

And hats off to you doing it on the dreadmill, they scare me!

[Noodles7 Graduate in reply to Tartancat]

Thank you so much for the encouragement I’m going to keep going and I’m sure I’ll get there

[Hidden]

Oh dear! I wonder if you need to slow down and possibly work on the psychological aspects of running. Give out doors another go, but this time try and find a sustainable pace- that is the pace that means you can keep going.

Many of us have found each run tricky, but this is not supposed to be torture! Try and find some distraction (music or podcasts) and remember to give yourself lots of praise for succeeding with each run. Good luck!

[lusmo Graduate]

You may choose a slower pace, one that suits you. I know from my experience that it helps a lot. Running on the treadmill was always much harder for me than running outside. Slow down and next time it will be better!

[Noodles7 Graduate in reply to lusmo]

Thank you I’ll give outdoors another go

[Bluesky44 Graduate]

I had to try a few different routes before I found the one I liked. Once I settled on one I found the familiarity made it easier, it suited my joints as was on packed earth rather than roads and there weren’t too many people about other than dog walkers which meant if I was gasping a bit it didn’t matter! It all helped. Maybe you can find somewhere you feel more comfortable running to start with to build confidence, even if it means driving/ travelling a bit to get to it? Then once you feel happier try somewhere closer to home?

[backintime Graduate]

Hi, I ran all of the c25k on the treadmill. Pollen gives me asthma attacks so it was treadmill or nothing.

I had to find a few tricks to distract myself while running, whatever works for you, but I used to add up how many minutes I had run so since day 1, or how many minutes running there were in week 1 compared to week 2 etc.

The problem with the treadmill is the numbers staring at you the whole time lol. So I cover those up with a towel which is useful for the sweat too.

Then I didn't know about the podcasts until consolidation, so I just used my own music.

I counted my steps in a minute, i did shopping lists in my head, I sang 😂. I find treadmill running is all about mental distraction : )

Also being hydrated and taking it slow, same as outside.

Compare how well you can run 90s now compared to week 1, that way you are comparing the same thing. You barely even notice them I'm sure. So it must be getting easier, if you compare like with like, but the programme is designed to eek a little bit more out of you each week, so it doesn't seem to get easier until you stop adding on more minutes.

[Noodles7 Graduate in reply to backintime]

Thank you for some really great advise I’m going to try the towel trick