Hi all, my first time writing on here but have been following all these amazing posts for a while. I have finished Week 6 Run 1 yesterday and going onto Run 2 tomorrow but just wanted to see if anyone else felt the same as me....
I've never been a runner at all and have been amazed by how well this programme is working. I thought up to completing Week 5 Run 2 that i was getting fitter and felt proud of myself. I the completed W5R3 and although i did it without stopping i found it tough. Then moving on to W6R1 i found it even harder! I'm nervous around my W6R2 tomorrow and what is lurking in third run. I know it isn't meant to be easy but i feel a bit heartbroken that i'm now struggling with it when i was previously on such a high from feeling fitter...
I'm drinking plenty of water throughout and i have definitely slowed my pace, i couldn't go any slower!
Any tips or advice i would be so grateful, Thanks in advance
Written by
emily789
Graduate
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and includes advice on minimising impact, stretching after every run, hydration and strengthening exercises, all of which will help.
If you have slowed down so that you can speak aloud, clear, ungasping sentences as you run and are drinking an absolute minimum of 2.5-3 litres of fluids each and every day, then there is not a lot else you can do physically, but maybe this post about mental approach may help you to relax and enjoy it, rather than feeling heartbroken healthunlocked.com/couchto5...
After all, it is just a training plan, not the Spanish Inquisition!
Hi Emily, like you, I'm no runner, but somehow I've got to the point where I've only got one run left. I can't really give you running advice, but I do remember finding W6R1&2 much harder than I thought they'd be after the triumph of W5R3. Here's the only advice I can give... Don't go too fast and trust the programme. If it can get me running for 30 mins, then you can do it too!
Thank you so much! Although i found W5R3 tough i was proud of myself for completing and not stopping. And then with W6R1 yesterday i had to force myself to keep going, i could have very easily stopped which i was so confused after doing the 20 minute run! I will definitely keep going with the programme i just hope i get over whatever hurdle i'm currently going through at the moment. I'm now questioning whether i'm doing the whole thing right.
W5R3 is tough, it’s a 20 min run, things are getting serious, no breaks in between, at this point your moving on to a much tougher mental and physical challenge. Secret is not to overthink it, just get out there and go for it. Try watching a few motivational videos on You Tube ‘The Ultimate Motivational Clip -Rise and Shine’ is one I particularly like, Good Luck Stay Positive 👍
Hi, I’m on the same run as you and like you, I’m finding it a bit tough also. I completed the second run of week 6 this morning and it was hard!!!! Not really sure what to suggest, but thought it might make you feel a little better than you’re not on your own 😄 must admit, I did have a 3 day break as am finding it harder to fit the runs in now hubby is back at work and looking after a toddler. I do find the running on alternate days keeps the stamina up. Here’s to the 25 minute run. We can do it 💪🏻🏃♀️🌈
Don’t be too discouraged. You are doing brilliantly. Completing W5r3 is a real achievement. The first two runs of week 6 are well known for being tricky as the return to intervals catches many out. Those intervals are there for a reason though, they are going to increase your stamina and your determination! Get these interval runs under your belt and you will be ready for the final run of the week.
Trust the plan, but more importantly trust yourself. Look how far you’ve come and look forward to where you are heading. You can do this. 😉😊
Hi there, good for you for getting this far! My experience has been that there is no rhyme or reason for why it all seems smooth one day and like hell on earth the next. It could just be that your system was a bit run down on the day. I hope you can keep at it and am sending you positive vibes to succeed 😊
I did W6R1 today and I really struggled. I had actually read that a lot of people do struggle with W6 for some reason. However, after running for 20 mins without too much trouble, I thought that I wouldn’t be one of them. Wrong! I can’t explain it either. Onwards though I hope tomorrow goes ok.
I definitely found this. I think I found it a bit tough knowing that there were only 2 runs left with walking breaks before moving to nonstop running only. It seemed to make me just want to walk the whole thing! So I found the that week 6 and the beginning of week 7 was mentally challenging but actually once I'd done a couple of those 25 minute runs it all began to seem more manageable. I've just completed week 8 and it honestly feels ok - you can do this!
Hi emily you are not alone in finding W6 hard I’ve seen lots of posts saying similar things and I remember feeling that on W6R2.
Like you I’m a complete novice but I graduated last week and I can tell you that you will do this! I think W6R3 was when i started to believe I could do it. You’ve done brilliantly to get this far and you will make it!! Stick some good tunes on and enjoy! 💪🏻🏃🏼♀️let us know how it goes
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