W4 R2 Done!

[Flinflan]

Oh my goodness! I succeeded in that last 5 minute run so I feel top of todays mountain! Running in the fog made my chest feel like I'd swallowed expanding foam but I kept thinking you'll see me struggle but you won't see me give up! I wanted to stop twice, but sheer stubbornness wouldn't let me! I can certainly tell a real difference in my breathing and that was always my biggest barrier. It seems to be getting easier and I don't feel like I'm suffocating anymore! I love this group, and I can't tell you how thankful I am to everyone that takes time to read my posts and reply with encouraging words. I've lost a couple of weeks along the way, but I'm heading into week 5 next week. 👍🏃‍♀️🍁😁

[LeeU Graduate]

Well done on finishing week 4 run 2, you are doing great and you will be on week9 before you know it.

Stubbornness will get you nearly all the way there, you need to start throwing in some self belief too, think of what you have accomplished so far; did you think that you could run for3 minutes, let alone 5 minutes?

Trust the program and believe in yourself, you can do this.

[Flinflan in reply to LeeU]

Thank you. You're absolutely right. I complete the 3 minutes now very easily which has surprised me and I still can't believe I am capable of running for 5 minutes. I don't look ahead at week 5, I focus on each run at a time. I find this easier to get my head around. One more run 4 to do then keep moving forwards. I think my aim is a park run. 🏃‍♀️👍

[LeeU Graduate in reply to Flinflan]

My wife has just done week 6 and she never looks at the next run, I'm quite the opposite, I sat down and went through the entire program, looking at each run of each week.

I discounted the program about 10 years ago thinking it was un-achievable, I've now completed it twice and am transitioning from the treadmill to outside which is another journey all by itself.

One thing I find about any of the runs I do though, I always enjoy the run itself, yes, a couple of times per run I'll have gremlins telling me to stop, that I've done enough, etc but I ignore them and press on, beating the gremlins just adds to the feeling of accomplishment after each run.

[Flinflan in reply to LeeU]

Well done and keep going. It just shows what a powerful tool our brain is. I don't like to look ahead because I'll talk myself into worrying about it so I'd rather just be presented with what I have to do and attempt it. That's been a real shift in mindset too, I attempt it, and if I don't manage it this time, I'll try again next time. When I first started, I would see each unsuccessful attempt as a fail, now I appreciate it's value towards succeeding.

[LeeU Graduate in reply to Flinflan]

Don't use the F word, you never fail with running, you go out and you may not reach your goal for the run but you still have a good time doing it.

At worse, you practice the run and then complete it on the next one.

[Alast in reply to LeeU]

I'm trying to balance out between preparing myself for what's next and not frightening myself about what's coming next! I complete W3R2 this morning and am amazed that I managed to run the 2 x 3 minute sessions, it's only a few weeks ago that I couldn't manage more than 2 x 60 minute runs, but I am also concerned that next week, I'm going to have to run for 5 minutes, with a shorter recovery time too. What I've found (so far) works for me is to up the length of my final run of the day, towards (or even up to) what I have to achieve next week, that helps me to get my pace right and (if I can make the whole time) gives me extra confidence going into the next week. I am determined to complete C25K (well, C2 running for 30 minutes never mind the distance), but at my own pace and in my own time. I'm not allowing myself to move onto another week until I've completed consecutively the three runs of the week I'm on (including the rest days). This is a great journey and it's great to share it with everyone on here. The help & encouragement spurrs me on no end!

[LeeU Graduate in reply to Alast]

I have to have a plan, to know where I'm going, I'm not easily phased and to be honest I admitted to myself years ago that there are things I can't do at the minute BUT if I have a goal I will either meet that goal or I need a damn good reason for myself why I haven't met it, the only exception in the past has been weightloss as I enjoyed my food too much in the past.

[Flinflan in reply to Alast]

You're doing great! Keep up the amazing work. 👍

[Wenderwoo Graduate in reply to Flinflan]

That’s a great mindset, and one I will try to copy if you don’t mind!

[Flinflan in reply to Wenderwoo]

Go for it! 😁🏃‍♀️

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Good run for you today Flinflan, apart from the fog, for your next run make sure that the weather is nice and clear with no fog. Your runs will get easier, onwards and upwards to run 3 of week 4, fog 🌫 free. 😊

[Wenderwoo Graduate]

Well done, so pleased for you. Your positivity makes me believe I can do W4 next week 😁