2-3 rest days W7 R3

[Issywhizz]

I feel a bit bad, since starting the runs without any intervals, I seem to be having two or three rest days inbetween. It’s because I can’t summon up the motivation to get out there and do the non stop run. But equally once I’ve completed it, I am proud that I actually ran non stop for 25 minutes. Previously I was only have the one rest day in-between. Is there a limit to how many rest days there should be?

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

I was reading a while back that running once a week would maintain fitness levels, and twice a week would increase them... so on the basis of that theory, 5 could be the maximum... your 2-3 aren’t a problem. It’s be even better if you could find that piece of motivation that you’re missing... do you have any goals beyond the plan? I find having a few different ones really helps me stay on it. Sounds like you’re very close to wanting to go out and do it... you know you like the feeling when it’s done... and you feel a bit bad when you take the extra rest days... the addiction is close!

[Issywhizz Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Is the addiction thing really a thing then? I guess I get tired too as I have a toddler, so get knackered out. Your theory makes me feel slightly better, thank you. Yeh I need to get out doing the complete 25 minutes every other day. I do have goals beyond the plan, I want to go on to do a 10k and possibly go even further. The goals are there and I have reasons for doing all this, which I keep reminding myself but equally my body feels knackered 😊 thank you for your reply

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Issywhizz]

Then maybe the extra days are needed right now. Love your plans too.

I wasn’t sure the addiction was a thing, but my wife will attest to my mood in withdrawal... think she hates my rest days more than I do 🤣

[Madge50 Graduate]

Don’t feel bad you’re doing great, at least you’re getting out there! I did the programme running twice a week, remember you’re doing this for you!

Mx

[Issywhizz Graduate in reply to Madge50]

Thank you. It’s all good, a few more rest days than usual is absolutely fine 😊🌈

[Brunsamarathon Graduate]

Do you have a time that you normally run? Could you change it up maybe? But on the positive you are still going out, even if it is a little more spaced. I'm sure you'll get back into it. Motivation is a hard thing for alot of people at the moment with everything going on. It's a strange time, be kind to yourself 😊

[Issywhizz Graduate in reply to Brunsamarathon]

Ah thanks, I think it’s the thought of eeeek have I got to run 25minutes non stop today, ha which is the whole point of this isn’t it, being able to run thirty minutes non stop. I usually run in the morning, went in the afternoon last time, made me realise I prefer mornings, seeing other runners out there. As long as 2-3 rest days is fine then we won’t feel so guilty now 😊

[Brunsamarathon Graduate in reply to Issywhizz]

Hahaha yep, know that feeling well! The mornings is definitely the best time for me. If I left it until the evening it would never happen 🤣

2-3 rest days...no problem. You'll still get there 😉👍

[Bloomsbury22 Graduate]

You know, I went through exactly the same thing a few weeks back. I had religiously been running every other day then the pollen got really high, my hayfever and hence asthma was bad, and then I couldn’t. And then once I just stupidly slipped in the bathroom and hurt my back. Suddenly it was two to three rest days and you know what? I was better off for it! I have not missed or not completed one run! I am stronger, and definitely getting fitter. And I really do push myself, and can see and feel the benefits, but I’m also really taking care of myself too. Focussing on your motivation does help, reminding yourself of the progress you have made (big WOW there! 👏), but do it in a sustainable manner. I took this up not just as a short-term pandemic project, but because I wanted to make a real change in my life. Taking an extra day or two makes it work for me x

[Hanzy Graduate]

I miss days too no energy, but as long as you get back out it doesnt matter, how often it's what suits you

[Issywhizz Graduate in reply to Hanzy]

For sure! I’ve got the urge to get out there now. 😊💪🏻

[rosie2shoes Graduate]

I am just about to start week 6 and between weeks 4 and 5 I had a 2 day break.It gave my 65 year old body time to recover and I started week 5 on a high .Now feel proud to be able to run for 20 mins.As long as you follow the programme you will get there regardless of rest days x

[Astrid]

Sounds to me like everyone is doing great, how good do you feel when you get that much further every week, can beat it.. we all need time to rest, gives them muscles time to heal.. happy running folks 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

[JarLo Graduate]

Those extra rest days are fine. One is the minimum but you certainly shouldn’t feel bad about two or three. I got to week 8 on one rest day per run and then an injury forced me to sit the next three weeks out because I didn’t listen to my body and extend the rest days when I needed to. If motivation is a factor set a target and treat yourself when you achieve it. At the beginning of this programme I set myself a target of getting to week 5 and I’d invest in some decent running shoes. I found that by the time week 4 came around I couldn’t wait to do the runs so that I could order my new runners. Did the same for week 7 With a new vest and shorts. My graduation prize was a nice 12yr old Dominican Rum. Everyone has different motivators but I do believe that setting targets and rewarding yourself for achieving them is a good way to motivate yourself. It’s something I do in my own business too.

Good luck with the rest of the programme. I hope you find that extra motivation soon. Hopefully the addiction will take over before long.

[Gannet1 Graduate]

Totally agree with all the comments on here. I take extra days off whenever I need them and have always felt refreshed and ready to go as a result. 👍You have a toddler too! Allow yourself the break (both physically and psychologically) and you’ll reap the benefits. 😊🌻💗

[feeling-good Graduate]

Hi, me too! But then I thought Monday/run (Tuesday, Wednesday off), Thursday/run (Friday, Saturday off) Sunday/run is 3 runs a week. Don't know about you but just to run 25 minutes without stopping feels like a minor miracle to me. Can't wait to hear about your progress, enjoy the rests and the runs

[Cheeky450 Graduate]

I’m finding motivation hard, when I started it was sunny and bright out, but now the rain has appeared it has changed a bit, I’m still pushing to run every other day, but it is getting harder, but keep going it’ll all come back 👍

[liz163]

Think it’s about being kind to ourselves and not pushing ourselves too much. I was religiously every other day and then got to week 7 and I struggled a bit more with my shifts and ended up with 2-3 rest days but I’ve found that I have good runs after these and doesn’t affect me. If I’m tired I give myself an extra day as know if tired I’ll struggle then this will affect me mentally.. I’d rather take that extra day or 2 and feel better for the run than be exhausted because I’ve pushed myself. Enjoy the rest of your runs and rest when you need to 😊🏃🏼‍♀️

[Issywhizz Graduate in reply to liz163]

It’s good to hear that others experiences similar things. Thank you! Maybe it is that my body needs a day longer rest now it’s being pushed a little harder. I guess I was trying to stick to what the C25K said, run every other day. Thanks so much!

[Mhjogs Graduate in reply to Issywhizz]

I am on the same run as you, and have just had to start adding extra run days. I should have run this morning but didn’t, I plan to next run on Monday just for the extra rest. I did a long walk today instead. W8R1 next ☺️

[Elfe5 Graduate]

Lots of people have reassured you that the rest days are fine- I agree!😄 Also, exercising around a young family is tricky- so extra well done!😄

I would also add - how often would you LIKE to run? If you would prefer to go more often, and it’s just lack of motivation that is preventing you – that is where the discipline of running comes along to help you. I sometimes find that a run feels much better than the thought of it! - Which always is a nice surprise. 😄

Sometimes a “don’t think, just go” attitude helps - as long as you are listening to your body and can spot the days when you shouldn’t be running, (not well, injured, absolutely exhausted).

Finally, if the 25 min run is off putting, try slowing it right down (eg have you seen the video clips of Japanese Slow Running on YouTube? - They are really helpful to get the hang of how slowly and gently you can go). I absolutely hated W7 – mainly because my brain was outraged at having to keep going continuously for 25 minutes, but with hindsight, it was a struggle because my slow was not slow enough.

Best of luck, we are cheering you on! 😄

[Issywhizz Graduate in reply to Elfe5]

Thank you! Today I feel like I want to go for a run, so it probably is that I just need that extra day rest. Seeing all the other runners out there, doing their thing, makes you want to go out even more! 🌈😊

[58soon]

Thank you everyone - all your posts are really reassuring. I did W7R1 on Tuesday and it felt great, but I pushed myself so hard I strained my knees badly and 4 days later can still only hobble around let alone run! So it's going to be at least a week or more before I get back to running. I was worried I'd have to go back to W6, but maybe not? I wanted to graduate and run for 30 mins on my birthday, but with less than 4 weeks left that may be too ambitious!

[Issywhizz Graduate in reply to 58soon]

I guess you could probably go onto W7 R2 but I’m not expert.. or maybe repeat run 1 of week 7 again and go slowly? They say your stamina stays the same for two weeks without any running but after that it can slowly dwindle, so I am sure if you have to rest for another week, you should be ok 😊

[Reggit Graduate]

This is a useful thread and something I’ve been wondering for future weeks. I’ve got 6.2 tomorrow which I think is the last one with a walking break in the middle of it.

I set out to do mon, wed, fri as we have extra help with one of the kids who’s got some disabilities on those days, however that lasted one week before I got the urge to do every other day. Got massive sleep deprivation as said child doesn’t like sleeping that much 😂 and was wondering if the added duration of the longer runs was too tiring and I had to space them out more if I’d lose fitness. Reading this thread, I’d has answered those questions and doubts - happy days!

[Issywhizz Graduate in reply to Reggit]

Ah that’s great that the thread has been useful. I think aswell, the extra days rest makes you feel reenergised and you run better for that. Glad you found your answers 😊👍🏻

[Newbie59 Graduate]

Very useful comments in this thread, I thought at the beginning I would do the whole thing in 54 days, ha ha! From week 5 I've needed to take two days of rest, and now I am on week 8 I've just taken 3 days rest between run 1 and run 2. I struggled to get out of the house this morning, partly the awful weather, but also partly I am not quite enjoying the thrill of it that I got in the early weeks when every run was a massive achievement.

What keeps me going is, I think how far I've come, what I've achieved, and I don't want to fall back in my fitness levels. And I really do want to be a runner and get to 5k in under 40 minutes when Parkrun is back again.

[Issywhizz Graduate in reply to Newbie59]

It’s kind of good to hear that your rest days have changed throughout too. Ha I thought the same at the beginning, I’d be done by the beginning of June. But equally we aren’t to far from the finish mark 😁

[Lokki33 Graduate]

Izzywhizz do it for YOU when YOU can they are only numbers of days.

For some reason I’ve got the “ I can’t do the last run Wk 9 !?! “

How mad is that.

Hardly slipped before on the plan until now. Its been la week.

[Issywhizz Graduate in reply to Lokki33]

Oh no! Hopefully you’ve woken up with a fresh new outlook and you’re now thinking I CAN do the last run and I’m going to smash it. Wow you’ve nearly finished, that’s amazing. A very proud moment. Good luck 💪🏻🌈

[Lokki33 Graduate in reply to Issywhizz]

Guess what Issywhizz I just went out and did it !!! Thankyou so much responding it got me there.

Started out with 5 nope 10 mins walk then just said just do what you can. So I did 31mins. Great big finished.

Next week I’m Responding to my friends request to help her start. She has no idea how far I’d got to. Decided I didn’t want to put her off.

Just do it your way, in your time. GOOD LUCK Here’s a big virtual hug to help you on your way. I’m there with you. Just like I felt you were There for me.

[Dolphin-Girl]

I don't think there's a limit. I find that when I've rested 2 days in between I'm better at running.

I did run 3 of week 7 yesterday. Aldo feeling domotivated but I like that I'm up to the same place as others.

How was your run?

[Issywhizz Graduate in reply to Dolphin-Girl]

I guess we all have feelings of demotivation at points, it’s human nature right. I couldn’t do them run yesterday, I’ve had to wait until later this afternoon due to childcare. Only two weeks left for you! 🌈 Hope your mojo has returned this morning 😊🏃‍♀️

[Issywhizz Graduate in reply to Dolphin-Girl]

I ran the W7R3 this afternoon. It was tough!! But think my pace was too fast. Really glad I got out there though. Onto week 8 💪🏻🏃‍♀️🌈

[Dolphin-Girl in reply to Issywhizz]

Yay you!!!

No mojo but I'm going to do it soon...