Did my first run of Week 4 and, honestly, I struggled a bit ...

[AmericanDad]

Well, today I did my first run of Week 4! I should be feeling great ... onward and upward and all that ...

It probably seems a bit lame but I have found the transition from Week 3 (run for 3 mins - walk for 3 mins, etc.) to Week 4 (run for 3 mins - walk for 1.5 mins - run for 5 mins - walk for 3 mins, etc.) a bit of a struggle. Probably the cumulative effect of longer runs and less rest.

I've ended up slowing right down on the run just to complete the running bits - and it feels like I could walk faster!

Any tips on what to do differently?

[Cathdoman]

The point is you did it. I’ve got my w4r1 tomorrow, so now you are my inspiration! I’m dreading the step up into w4 but you’ve just proved to both you and me that it is possible. Each run stretches you a little further. Just look back to w1 or 2 and see how far you’ve come.

[AmericanDad in reply to Cathdoman]

Thanks ... good luck for tomorrow! It's hard ... I found myself waiting for Laura to say I could start walking again ... but she took her time!

[J111eth]

I did my week 4 run 1 yesterday and I too really struggled but I did it albeit slowly. I’m really chuffed with myself only a few weeks ago I would never have believed I could run at all. Congratulations you did it 😀

[AmericanDad in reply to J111eth]

And congratulations to you too!

[SaltdeanSizzler]

Well done you don’t have to anything differently, just keep going 🏃Many of us feel we walk faster than we run but that’s fine ! It’s all about finishing the time and not stopping. Join the 🐌and the 🐢there’s lots of us 😂I did the milestone 20 tonight and never would have thought it possible as every week is a challenge but that’s what builds your stamina ! So just believe and carry on and the magic will happen 🤩Go snails 🐌🐌🏃‍♀️🏃

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

It sounds as if you are doing exactly what is recommended.........jogging at an easy conversational pace.

The test is can you speak aloud, clear, ungasping sentences as you run?.........if not, you are going too fast.

[linzi7478 Graduate]

Well done for getting it done. I also found the accumulation hard at that point but once you've done it once it hopefully gives you the confidence to do it again. I remember repeating a few runs in week 4/5, even though I'd completed them, just to build my confidence before moving on. Now on week 7 and actually finding the continuous running without walking breaks easier than the weeks leading up to it...which I never ever thought I'd say because I loved the walking breaks! Keep going, you can do it x

[Sqg1989]

I've found the step up to 5 min runs really challenging but for me it's been more of a mental challenge than a physical one! I've really had to bully myself for the last 2.5 mins not to quit. Think the combination of longer runs and shorter breaks doesn't help. Took me 3 attempts to finish run 1, but on a more positive note I did run 2 today and it definitely got easier! I'm starting to feel like the finish line is doable so my main tip is just believe you can do it!