Week 7, run 2 really struggling

[Tryingtorun0309]

This is my first post and I’m really nervous about posting.

So up until now I’ve really enjoyed every run I’ve done but week 7, run 2 has really got me in a bit of a pickle. I have attempted the run twice and not quite completed either of them, only by about 4 minutes. I don’t know what has happened. I’m really beating myself up about it and I don’t know what to do to be honest. The only thing I can think of is that I’ve had a personal trauma earlier this week which involved taking my son(11) to hospital in emergency situation. Shall I take a few days off and start again? I really want to sort myself out and I’m hoping someone might be able to help me.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on your progress.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

and includes advice on minimising impact, stretching after every run, hydration and strengthening exercises, all of which will help.

Everything going on in our lives can impact on our performance as a runner. Restedness, hydration and nutrition are at the top of my list of variables that need to be optimised to enable enjoyable running, but anything that disrupts our emotional and psychological stability naturally has an effect.

Can you speak aloud, clear, ungasping sentences as you run?.........if not, you are going too fast.

To run at your best, you need to be relaxed and calm with a positive attitude, so don't let your uncompleted runs bother you, just know that each attempt has made you stronger.

You can do this.

Enjoy your journey.

[RunningMigster Graduate]

Welcome to the gang!

I can't really add any more than what has been said above.

Go easy on yourself. Maybe take an extra rest day, mentally prepare for it (you know that first 10 minutes is tough anyway) and then go again. But set off really slow so you've got plenty of energy left in the tank at the end.

Good luck, and come back to let us know how you get on

Mig

[Guru10 Graduate]

I wouldn’t go beating yourself up, you still got out there and completed 20mins plus after a stressful A&E visit. That shows good mental strength.

Week 7 will be completed and go away as a distant memory when YOU are ready.

You’ve got this. 👏👍🏻

[Hidden]

You're doing amazing, I completed Week 7 last week but I really struggled with W7R1

Was given some great advice on this forum about hydration and I upped my water intake to 2 litres a day minimum and last 2 runs of week 7 became much easier.

Hope this helps

[Tryingtorun0309 Graduate]

Thank you everyone for your support and suggestions. I really appreciate it. I think I might be being too hard on myself. Onwards and upwards

[HC1978]

I’m sorry to hear about the trauma with you son and hope all is well. Well done on reaching week 7, just keep trying would be my advice, every time you go out and give it a go is better than not going at all. It will come right, don’t be so hard on yourself.

[Roxdog Graduate]

Hope your son is ok. You have had a shock, so take it easy on yourself and the next time you go out running keep it slow, breathe into your belly, try and relax and I bet you'll be fine. We all have patches where the runs seem tough, especially with everything going on at the moment. Best of luck.

[Tryingtorun0309 Graduate]

Thank you everyone x