Stuck on Week 7

[Dawnie50]

Everything going swimmingly till now.......but...... W7R1 was last Saturday when it was really hot and i had to stop 4 times throughout the run so couldnt complete the 25 mins, W7R2 came on Monday and i had to stop at 17 mins then walked for 2 mins then carried on running(jogging) and finished the 25 mins and then yesterday, yet again had to stop (felt exhausted) at 17 mins so yet again walked for a minute then carried on and stopped again at 22 mins, walked again for 30 seconds and then completed the 25 mins. My question is should i go back to week 6 or carry on just seeing if i can make the full 25 minutes (repeating the whole of week 7 again) as on my next run which should be week 8 , i really don't think i can do at this point as i can't seem to run the full 25 minutes without stopping. I have make sure for the last 2 runs that i drank plenty the day before and on the run days and i eat fairly sensibly as well so can't understand why don't seem to have progressed at this point.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Well done.... !

But... it is very very warm... and hydration is really important, every single day...and especially now.

You have maybe got in a bit of a time warp.... so..maybe.. if you can find time, a cooler time.. then head out.. just to run... try to lose the 25 minute in your head... go out, relaxed and just take a jogette... and see where you get to.

You may find you do the full time and you can tick that Week 7 Run 1 off...

but if you just feel it was just a test the water, run that goes well... then,

Start with Week 7 run 1, (and you do need to complete the run before you move on to run 2).

Start slow and stay slow... just relax.. the legs know what to do, let them find their happy pace..

You will do this... all you have to do is believe it

[DiscoRunner Graduate]

Hi Dawnie50 - maybe you’re running too fast, or starting too fast & just running out of steam? Around week 6 some kind soul posted this -

m.youtube.com/watch?v=9L2b2...(Not working as expected?)

The Japanese slow jogging technique - and it changed everything for me. I was struggling as the durations increased, but once I’d learned to run this way, and really got to understand this slow style - I haven’t looked back! Its a slow steady pace, you start slow, and you can slow down some more! It’s a gentle small stride technique, sorted my breathing out too. I still run this way & it’s helped me run for over an hour.

Give it a whirl & see if it works for you. Watch it a couple of times, it has a few parts to it (stride, landing, foot placement & how to hold your body). Even if you don’t run this way all the time it will help you move on, and get you through graduation & your consolidation runs, then you can adjust your pace if you want to. But I love this way - and it’s definitely helped in this heat x

[Hidden in reply to DiscoRunner]

DISCO! 😆 Nice to see you!

[DiscoRunner Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I’m blooming incorrigible! x

[Buddy34 Graduate]

First of all well done on all your attempts. You should go back to wk7r1 and not move on until you've fully completed each one . Just go really slow . You can do this 😊

[Hidden]

It sounds like you just need to slow down a little Dawnie, I found those runs difficult. You're definitely fit enough, it's all about getting used to it. I'd stick to that distance for now.

I know it's hard but don't be disappointed with a 17 minute run, that's outstanding, not only that, you recovered and then went another 5 minutes.. that's a great workout, I absolutely guarantee that doing that is making you fitter.

The body is a complex thing, so many variables. You might go out for your next run and feel invincible. Just stick at it, you're doing great.

[Debston Graduate]

Yes, stick with Week 7 until you have completed that 25 minutes of solid running, three separate times. It's probably just the fact that it is warmer weather that is making it harder. Is it possible for you to run at a cooler time of day? Or perhaps plan a nice shady route? Don't be deterred, I think a lot of us are trying to dodge the heat at the moment. And you definitely don't need to drop back to Week 6, you have already completed it. Good luck, let us know how it goes. ☺ 👟 🍀

[Dawnie50]

Thankyou very much everyone, i will try the early morning run on saturday and fingers crossed i will finish it all, i do feel i have achieved alot and i am enjoying it so will carry on no matter what.

[Scruff55 Graduate]

I’ve only just graduated but when I got to the longer runs I really did feel it was mind over matter. Once I got past half way through the run I said to myself that I was on my way home now and wasn’t going to do this particular run again no way. You are really doing great and you can do this. 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Dawnie50]

Hi again, update !! I just ran the full 25 mins, WOO HOOOOOOO i feel over the moon that i completed it and the weird thing is i feel i could have run on longer but i didnt cause i want to save my energy for my next run, the video really helped, every 5 mins i told myself, JUST SLOW DOWN and that kept me going throughout. I feel really amazing now and have more confidence going forward knowing that if i stick at this i will surely graduate.