Hating Week 9

[jmd104]

I am really struggling this week, just completed w9r2 and expecting to graduate at Parkrun on Saturday. But, between the heat and the hay fever I’m finding it really difficult. On top of that my arthritis has really flared up so I’m getting a lot of joint stiffness and back pain. I know I have to keep active and moving to help settle this but I’m now feeling very sorry for myself and very demotivated

[Debston Graduate]

Have you done Parkrun before? I think you should stick to your plan and graduate there, it's such a great atmosphere - I think it'll give you a real boost. The hotter weather and also high pollen count has got a lot of people feeling less than "Woohoo!" recently, I think... you're not alone. But even the not-great runs are all doing you good and building fitness and stamina. And when you're least expecting it, a really great run will come along and surprise you!

[jmd104 Graduate in reply to Debston]

This will be my 3rd Parkrun and the people there are lovely. It’s just that my knees hurt after the first run this week, my back hurts after tonight’s run and I’m sitting here with a streaming nose, itchy eyes and a thumping sinus headache, so I’m just wallowing a bit. I’m still determined to graduate on Saturday and I can’t grumble too much because this is really the only week the gremlins have caught up to me. On a more positive note my scales have finally dropped below the 14st mark they’ve been stuck on for the last few months.

[Debston Graduate in reply to jmd104]

Wow, you've done brilliantly to avoid the gremlins until this late stage. Just be sensible then and don't run if you're really not up to it. Graduation will still be there if you wait.

[Hidden]

I really struggled with W9 too, but just completed consolidation run 3 and it is getting easier. Stick with it!

[Optimistic0]

You’ve done amazing to get this far!! Well done! The weather and hay fever is a real challenge but you’ve got this. Look forward to hearing all about your park run 🏃‍♂️ 💪😅

[JaoJao]

Hey, it’s been so warm and uncomfortable lately. I understand how you are feeling if you need to take a day or so out, have a little bit of a rest just do it. You know that you will complete your graduate run you’ve come this far so what’s a few more days to give yourself a little break and come back to it a little fresh.

[Hazel10 Graduate]

I graduated a couple of weeks ago and have not yet run 5k even once! It is so hot, I am finding running 3.5k almost impossible due to breathing in the heat and I feel like I could just stop altogether. I would do your third one in a few days, consolidate for a week or two and then do a park run. Either way, you will complete a park run but maybe just not now. Don’t be put off all together, you have worked too hard. Good luck.

[windyjine]

I'm graduating to park run on 20th I'm looking forward to it was doing it last year but last my motivation. feeling back on it again. it sounds like despite heat and hayfever you are doing really well. hope you can get through it sounds like you will . good luck x

[Tid29 Graduate]

Keep telling yourself that it is fantastic you have got this far, 30 minutes is fantastic. Every time I think I can’t do this, I remember back to w1r1, never believed I could run 30 minutes. I’ve just done w9 r2 with last run on Saturday. Hay fever and heat are making it harder and my back aches. But keep going, I’m slowing and down, jogging, just concentrating on the time. When I’ve graduated I’m going to try and improve my pace on the consolidating runs. For now I just want to graduate it will be a great achievement. Keep going slow and steady wins the race you can do it.

[Lifluf]

Maybe you're putting yourself under too much pressure to complete. Why don't you give yourself a few days to recover from the hayfever, let the arthritis subside a bit and finish it in a more enjoyable frame of mind. A few days is neither here nor there.

[Coolum Graduate]

Well done for getting to week 9, I am still working towards that. It sounds like it's been a painful week for you. It must be tempting to push through to your goal of graduating this weekend, but if you are physically feeling rubbish and your knees are hurting, it might be worth postponing it. Listen to your body and perhaps take a rest and when you are feeling better, repeat a week and then go for graduation. Good luck

[pennyowen2019 Graduate]

I’m another one who’ll be running my final couch to 5k run at a Parkrun on Saturday. Guys, we’re gonna be great! I can feel it in my bones (literally!!)

[jmd104 Graduate]

So following a series of blisters from my work shoes yesterday I have postponed my graduation run for a few days to let them heal. But my lovely husband is taking me out for gait analysis and new running shoes today to try and help with the joint pain I’ve had this week. I will still graduate at some poi t in the next few days, just letting my feet heal first.