Share your most demanding week!

[anijusia]

Week 7 has been the hardest for me. Switching to only running was simply mentally challenging ('What?! I must run for 25 minutes without a break?!' 🤔)

[Parky88 Graduate]

Yup, struggled with week 7 too. The long runs at the end of weeks 5 and 6 were ok, but then having to do it every time!... as you say, know it's possible so obviously the change is a mental challenge more than a physical one

[Wenderwoo Graduate]

I’m expecting W5R3 (later this week) to be hard 😳

[anijusia Graduate in reply to Wenderwoo]

Fingers crossed! Pace your self and you will easily do it 😊 Let me know how it goes 👍

[Wenderwoo Graduate in reply to anijusia]

Thanks!

[Slothgoesrunning Graduate]

Yes week 7 for me too. It’s the mental struggle but also being very tired after 3 longer runs in same week. However the finish line is well in sight and weeks 8 and 9 will be fine. Keep going!

[anijusia Graduate in reply to Slothgoesrunning]

I was really grumpy through W7R2 - it just felt too much! But then during W7R3 I was telling myself that with every step I am closer to finishing this week. And it helped!

Thank you for your support! 😊

[Grannyhugs Graduate]

You will manage, the plan works. Sure you e heard it before - take it slowly. Try a new route so you have something to distract you. At this stage in the plan I was really fed up of my original route - happily back to it now but at the time blahhh

[anijusia Graduate in reply to Grannyhugs]

A new route is a very good idea! I think I will try it out tomorrow for my W8R1. It will overlap with the old one for the first 5 minutes but then 23 minutes of new surroundings.

[Realfoodieclub Graduate]

My most demanding week was week 5 run three but it is also turned out to be the most momentous epic awe inspiring run I have ever done. It took me four weeks to do it and I will never forget that amazing feeling as I hit the 20 min mark, even coming over the line of my first HM did not feels as good as that one when I finally got it 😀. For those four weeks as I kept trying they were the hardest runs ever but it also taught me just to keep going you will get there and I have kept that ethos in my running ever since. Rfc x

[Ssasqueen in reply to Realfoodieclub]

I’m with you RFC! I dreaded W5R3 in fact I think I did the previous run a few times to build up courage. I made sure I picked a nice place to run and was euphoric when I completed it. It’s good to do c25k at your own pace and repeat a week if you feel you need to or take an extra rest day

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Week 1... then probably week 7... if you look at what running you’ve done in the last 7 days all the time, you’ll notice that while the length of run remains the same in week 7, the total for that 7 days actually goes up quite a lot as you progress, so what looks like an easy week is actually pretty hard on the body... and that messes with the mind a little.

[anijusia Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

I have had exactly the same impression! I am doing W8R1 tomorrow - hope it will be better 😮

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to anijusia]

Ok... have a wonderful run. While on plan there’s always a progression, so it’s always a little bit tough. Relax before you go to that start line. Just think back... think how hard it was to get off that couch in week one... and last 4 runs you’ve gone for 25 minutes... that’s truly awesome. Today, well it’s just a tiny bit more... you’ve proved that you can do that time and time again. You’re two tiny steps up away from the top of the mountain... and the view is amazing.

Once you’ve graduated, you get to consolidate on your running... that’s no progression, preferably until 30 minutes is comfortable, even easy. So your body will be getting a rest, while you’re still running. Right there it gets better.

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

I felt W8 was the hardest. Middle of the long runs, less input from the mentor on the app, I felt sort of abandoned and out in no mans land... not quite there but almost.

Some of the runs I was quite grumpy, felt harder than I thought it should... but then suddenly I was on W9 and almost done...😁

[anijusia Graduate in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

I felt a bit abandoned during week 7. It is quite surprising how easier it gets when you the mentor is more present.

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate in reply to anijusia]

It's true, but I did realise, quite rightly that it was preparing me for after, when there would be no one in my ear to keep me going... just felt a little harsh.

I find it helps to be your own mentor, just like they do, tell yourself you're halfway, you're doing great, you're going to feel so good for completing this and every run to come.

It's that old Me, Myself & I thing, think of all the aspects of yourself as one team, call them all to work together, not against each other, gee them along and congratulate all when done. Be your own mentor, cheerleader, and support crew all in one 👍🏻😁

[Sook2 Graduate]

As I’ve said elsewhere, I find a podcast helps to take my mind off it. I think week 2 was hardest for me.