Advice

[Ozbeth]

Hello runners, looking for advice please. I’m on week 8 and have done two 28minute runs (so I know it can be done!!)... but I’ve been out on three runs now where I just gave up at around 10-14mins... I wasn’t going any faster, I wasn’t massively out of breathe, I can only explain it as if I just couldn’t be bothered!! Been out again tonight, did about 12 mins then the same feeling. I walked a bit and ran again, walked, ran, etc. Reckon I did 24mins of the 28... soooo annoyed with myself. Do you think I should go back and repeat from, say, week six? I’m so close to graduating and so frustrated!! Any advice gratefully recurved.

[Debston Graduate]

Slow down! I know you think you are not running any faster but I bet you are! When you feel like stopping, slow down even more. Good luck, you can do it.

[ScottJB Graduate]

I had similar problems moving from week 6 to 7, I’d run 20 mins fairly comfortably in week 6 but then when stepping up to 25 mins I was feeling awful in the first 10 mins or so and felt like quitting. Maybe go back and repeat an earlier week, or have a week off altogether and recharge your batteries. It worked for me.

[Buddy34 Graduate]

Have a 2 day rest instead of one and try again go really slow . You can do this 😊

[Scruff55 Graduate]

It’s mind over matter. I always made sure I got to half way then in my head it was almost getting easier. My thinking was I’m not doing this run again so I might as well finish this run and I won’t have to do it again. Keep running W8 don’t go backwards would be my advice and before your next run tell yourself you’ve already run 28 minutes twice so you can do this run. Keep positive. Remember slow and steady will get you to the end.

[Irish-John Graduate]

Try this.

Next run, your goal is to do it as slowly as humanly possible without breaking into a "walking" step.

It's fun, not all that easy and a real learning experience as you will be able to note exactly what your body actually does while you run.

Plus - I bet you will be surprised at how "fast" your "absolute slow" is

Wishing you many happy miles in your future 🙂

[runwithdog Graduate]

maybe you are having the `toxic ten` (or there abouts) ??

it is scientific about oxygen and stuff,i am sure some1 can explain it better.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Slow down and relax... Maybe take a break... just no specific run in mind.... just head out for a few jogettes... and then come back on track for Week 8.

We sometimes need a break or a change in our routine...

[LeeU Graduate]

When your head says stop, just say, even if it's out loud, "Just one more minute.", keep doing this until you have completed the run.

You have Gremlins, nothing more, just keep telling yourself, one more minute.

[Nater85 Graduate]

I agree- gremlins. Just get that last 28 mins in the bag and then you can move on, you can do this, you’ve already proved that- you just need to work out ‘what’s the point’ in completing it.

[HuwC Graduate]

Try a park run, running with others can be very motivating. Then walk the last bit after your 28 minutes. There are usually quite a few walkers and a tail walker so no one is ever last.

[NewRunner4 Graduate]

Hi Ozbeth.

Sounds like you’ve been having exactly the same experience as me. I struggled with this run too but managed to get through it this morning.

It wasn’t easy but I somehow made myself get to the half-way point and then something clicked in my brain. I stopped over-thinking about getting to the end and then before I knew it, it was the end.

Good luck. You will do it. You’ve already done it twice. Find a distraction and go for it while trying to switch off that pesky brain telling you to stop!

👍

[Wewillrockyou Graduate]

Do you listen to music while you run? Try running to the end of one tune and then the next one and before you know it you have done 28 minutes. Don’t stop running just slow your pace. It is a mental thing, 28 minutes does seem like a long time, but you can do this. Good luck.

[Saxart Graduate]

I would agree with the above comments, slow the pace, make sure you have drank enough water, if possible try running with someone or listen to music. When you feel tired say to yourself just to the next bench etc and then try and keep going. It is tough but you can do it..

[Julessn Graduate]

Like running to the end of successive music tracks, I tell myself when I’m flagging that if I can just run to the next tree, then to the sports pavilion, then down to the tennis courts, I will be fine. Before I know it I’ve done another 1km circuit of the park. I’m not sure how this works if you’re running on a treadmill though - perhaps the visualisation techniques need to kick in!

[theoldfellow]

My suggestion is to go to a Parkrun on Saturday. Sounds to me like you need something to take your mind off how you feel, and give yourself a way to just jog-in-the-moment, forgetting about the objective. If you run with others, their enthusiasm carries you along. You'll also learn that you are not alone. You don't have to run the whole 5Km, just do whatever the program says to do, and then walk to the finish with the TailWalker.

I know some people worry about what they look like, but going to Parkrun guarantees you lose that inhibition when you see how other look. Even if you just go to watch, go along.

[Sdyates2019 in reply to theoldfellow]

Nice one theoldfellow, park run is so motivating, I joined on week 2 run1, followed the programme to its last run then just repeated the rest walk and run till the end, walking back to the car as the 5 mins cool down, yes, there are all shapes and sizes, young and not so young 5k in 40 mins and 466th from 504. Doing the 5k again 27th of this month for British Heart Foundation as motivation....it's not all run run run its got to be fun fun fun too. Every run is a personal victory, it's an own goal as it were

[YeahIcan Graduate]

I felt like this too on Monday W8R2. I didn’t stop, it was so hot, my diary meant I had to run at 11am, it was boiling. What kept me going was saying to myself “ I can’t stop here, I’m on a main road, everyone will see” then it was “I can’t stop here, there’s the school, they might see!” Then it was easier as that bit had passed and I knew I was only 10 mins from home. Sometimes I count to 100 too, then start again at 1, just to kept my mind off talking me out of it. Good luck, you’ve got this. x

[Serenity0365 Graduate]

My suggestion would be to eat a small banana one hour before your run, giving you some slow releasing energy 🍌

[Katnap Graduate]

Hi Ozbeth! Did you try any of the tips and advice?

😺 Katnap 😺