Week 7 Run 2...Can't believe it...

[KayJay2020]

I can't believe that I'm now jogging for 25 minutes without stopping, after huffing and puffing my way through week 1, Yesterday, I was disappointed because I was on a rest day and, for the first time ever, I actually wanted to go for a 'run'. I didn't quite feel the same before the I set out because it was raining and windy but the sense of achievement afterwards was amazing. This is a great plan and I'm so glad that I finally got around to doing it! This forum is great too because it really does help. Thanks all.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Congratulations on completing run 2 of week 7, not long now until you graduate 😁 🏃🏾 👍

[Lara1972 Graduate]

The support on here is great, just reading other peoples posts who are often in the same boat is supportive, knowing your not the only one. Keep going.

[KayJay2020 Graduate in reply to Lara1972]

You too!

[Issywhizz Graduate]

Well done, sounds like you’re doing really well! It’s inspiring. Just out of curiosity, do you find the running at this stage fairly easy or do you struggle with breathing, pushing through that 25 minutes?

[KayJay2020 Graduate in reply to Issywhizz]

I'm doing ok with the breathing. I get to about 8-10 minutes into the run and think I can't do it but somehow, and I don't know how sometimes, I get over it and keep going!

[RhubarbFan in reply to KayJay2020]

I’m on week 7 and find I’m feeling this way 5-10 minutes in too. I think it’s probably a sign it’s as much about mental strength as physical.

[sympathetic-fossa-bby1 in reply to RhubarbFan]

I once read a comment on this forum saying that once you get halfway, there’s no way you’ll stop and it’s really stuck with me. Even now after graduating I think like that when I run, just get to halfway (whether that be time or distance) and afterwards it’s all downhill. Well done and good luck with the rest of the programme x

[Bmwbrat1]

Well done I’m only on week 2 and it definitely feels like a long way to your achievement 🎉

[PhoebeBianca Graduate]

Well done! That’s really encouraging. I’ve just completed week three, but when I think of being able to run for 25 minutes is still feels unreachable. Thanks for the inspiration!

[Lazylumps Graduate in reply to PhoebeBianca]

I've just done W7R2, and I thought the same as you at W3, and if I can get to W7, pretty much anyone I reckon. 😊

[Bloomsbury22 Graduate]

Congratulations! I likewise really struggled at the beginning and never, ever thought was going to get through it, let alone now be on W8. You are doing great! At this point it is all about bottling up that feeling and letting it firmly imprint on your brain that you are actually a runner now, and can do this. Take good care of yourself on your rest days and this will only get better.

[cornishgirl54 Graduate]

I struggled quite a lot in the first three weeks - probably my body telling me I was a lunatic and hoping I would give up - but once I really took on board the idea of slow running, I found it so much easier. I'd seen everyone's advice on here about running slowly and thought, Oh, yeah, I understand that. But I really didn't understand it properly at all - until one day I slowed down so that I genuinely could have had a conversation with someone without gasping for breath and I found it much easier. Also, although I was quite enjoying going out in the first few weeks I always had a vague sense of dread beforehand - but when I decided to run much more slowly, that apprehension just disappeared. Probably because I was much more confident that, by running slowly, I would probably be able to do it.

[KayJay2020 Graduate in reply to cornishgirl54]

That's pretty much how I felt! Slowing right down has made it all so much more achievable. The advice on here has really helped.

[Berkshirebabe Graduate]

Amazing job! Thanks for the great advice and encouragement!