Finding it hard.

[Potbellylelly]

I have been on week 8 . Up until this week , I have been challenged but by the last run of the week have cracked it and really enjoyed it . Week 8 has been so hard. Have decided to do it again as I am in France . Ran on beach which was softer than anticipated and could only do 15 mins. ( even walking was hard work)

Has anyone else felt like this . Should I do 15 mins then take a breather and then finish or should I push through . I’m not planning on doing races or getting fast . Just want to be able to run and keep fit . Feeling a little despondent to be honest . Have not felt like that all the way through . Have loved it up until now.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Soft sand running is really hard...and not advisable...get up early...just relax...and head out..Slow and steady...let the newly forming legs find their happy pace...and go with it.

Slower than a really chilled l'escargot...😎 you will be fine...lentement!

[Potbellylelly Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you. We are motorhoming through Europe to Portugal . So it seems impossible to keep it up . It’s either been too hot or there is no shower and don’t fancy running then no shower. If I have a week off or so will it make a big difference . Sorry new to all this .

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Potbellylelly]

A week is neither here or there..just enjoy your tin tent ( we have had a few of them..) the runs will wait and you will be back on track when you get home

[Potbellylelly Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Yes have decided too complicated at the mo. Husband doing a long ride from north to south of portugal ( 730 km) in 5 days . I am supporting him driving camper , meeting him for lunch and camps. So will wait until I get to Algarve and start back then . Thanks for all advise . Xx

[Granspeed Graduate in reply to Potbellylelly]

Priorities! You’re already doing an amazingly busy day. Just go for a little jog if it seems right & don’t worry about the plan. When things settle down, you can start from where you left off and see how it goes. If it’s only a week or so, you may be able to move right on from there. Enjoy your trip & good luck to your husband. Fantastic thing to do! 🎉👍

[Potbellylelly Graduate in reply to Granspeed]

Thank you. Your so right . I am forgetting it this week. Too hot to take dog and husband out riding 10 hours a day . Have just driven through Douro Valley now sitting in cafe waiting for him to arrive for a water break . Can’t complain. I was so frustrated having got so far , I was desperate to carry on . I will just have another cold drink and look at the view xx

[Granspeed Graduate in reply to Potbellylelly]

Ahhh. We had a fantastic holiday in the Douro Valley back in March - weather was benign then! <jealous of your view> Drink it in....😊

[Buddy34 Graduate]

Just go out again go really slow and stay off the sand for now . Good luck 😊

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Softer surfaces lessen the impact but sap energy more, apart from running tracks which are designed to give energy back. Soft sand is probably the worst for this... not sure I could run 15 minutes straight on that surface to be honest... I’m saying well done. If you want to run on sand, move down the beach to the nice wet stuff as the tide goes out... it’s still hard work but much less so than the soft stuff. Also, don’t be too hard on yourself... a few weeks ago 15 minutes was impossible no? Now it makes you despondent? How crazy is that? We all do it to ourselves, it’s not just you... we need to celebrate the run we did... and forget about the bit we didn’t... and always remember that the run we did was well beyond us at one stage.

Happy running.

[Potbellylelly Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thank you so much . Yes 60 seconds seemed impossible a few weeks ago 😊

[SlowLoris]

Running on sand is great training but don’t count it as one of your runs.

Don’t be despondent. Just stick with the program. Remember W5R3? The system works. Trust it.

No one said it would be easy but don’t make it harder. Slow down.

Run like a Loris and you’ll be fine.

[Potbellylelly Graduate in reply to SlowLoris]

Thank you . Think I feel anxious as I am travelling in camper through Europe at the mo and it has stopped me working through the program . Lovely being away but really wanted to finish C25K

[SlowLoris in reply to Potbellylelly]

I was in a camper for a couple of weeks towards the end of C25K after 3 days in Singapore city. Just keep running. It doesn't matter if you adapt the plan a bit.

[Potbellylelly Graduate in reply to SlowLoris]

Thanks. I will have a go . Will have to take my little dog along so frequent leg cocking stops 😂😂

[backintime Graduate]

soft sand is hard work! even semi soft, it saps the energy from your legs. well done on those 15 minutes

[Potbellylelly Graduate in reply to backintime]

Thank you . It killed . Then had to scramble up dunes and walk ages on soft sand as was a bit lost . Took an hour . 🙄so was a good work out .

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Potbellylelly]

It is useful, but even compacted hard sand presents a terrific strain on the calf muscles... a work out is right and that is why the stretches after are essential