The fine line

[Greenk]

Ok, so had a go at w7r1 yesterday and it felt like I crossed that very fine line where running stops making you fitter and starts killing you off 😥 Much like w6r3 I got to about 20 mins and just felt awful, but unlike that run, I just couldn't get going again even after a brief walk. I was hating every single solitary slow step, so I stopped and walked the rest of the way. Bit disappointed as things have been going so well so far, but tbh I don't feel too bad about it, I just feel I'm not quite ready for the 25 minutes. I think I'm going to go back and do a couple more 20 mins, which I'm feeling more comfortable with (although it's still a bit tough... but its supposed to be a challenge, right?) Hoping my feet hold up too, plantar fasciitis niggle this morning 😒 Have a good day everyone. x

[steviej99 Graduate]

Hi Greenk. You're doing great. I found wk7r1 the toughest run. Stepping back a bit is fine especially if you've got an injury niggle. Don't forget the old mantra...go slow! However slow you are going in wk7 go slower!! It's completing the run that's important not the time or speed. Speed comes later the more you run. Good luck and enjoy your running. I never looked back after wk7

[Greenk Graduate in reply to steviej99]

Thanks so much for the encouragement. I don't want to get to a place where I dread going out every time, so I'm going to backpedal as you suggest. I go pretty slowly (slow jogging slowly) already and have tried to slow further but end up tripping over myself a bit. ho hum.

[Hareshaw-Granny Graduate]

Well Greenk, glad you got this far. I felt similar and realised the huge importance of proper hydration at least in the 24 hours prior to your run, preferably all the time. That and the proper dynamic warm up before and static stretches post run seemed to allow everything to fall into place for me. Look out for Ben Parkes on You tube. Also the time of day when you run may make a difference too. Good luck.

[Greenk Graduate in reply to Hareshaw-Granny]

Thank you! Its my breathing more than my legs... I get a bit panicky. I've never had much aerobic stamina (having both bronchitis and pneumonia many years ago didn't help) so just going to calm down a bit now. Thanks again.

[Hidden]

You are doing really well, so don't let today disappoint you too much as we all have runs like these. You are wise to listen to yourself and take the pressure off by doing (and hopefully enjoying) some 20 minute runs. I also found that adding in some extra rest days helped at this stage of the plan, although I did do yoga /pilates/walk so I wasn't strictly resting completely. Good luck 😊

[Greenk Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I've been yoga-ing for many years now!

[Hidden in reply to Greenk]

Me too. I have missed my lovely yoga class during lockdown but Adriene's yoga (discovered her last year through the Strength and Flex forum) has been a great find and I like her "go with the flow" approach 🧘🏼‍♀️😌.

[Greenk Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Yes she’s great isn’t she.. love Benji too 🐕 we restored to zoom for my usual classes which is ok, but not the same. Look forward to ‘real’ classes, hopefully soon 🤞

[BeaglesEnd Graduate]

You have so well to get as far as you have done. It is at times like these that it would be appropriate to just reflect how you got to here.

Maybe repeat week 6? This is the week of the program that moves you from 20 to 25 minutes. Equally if you are worried out an possible injury, this sort of anxiety will also affect you. So, if it is really bothering you, maybe just speak to a doctor? This might release you from some of the worry and help you relax a little. Being tight and strained whilst running will also impact your stamina and performance.

Just remember your friends on here will only ever support you and help. If you have to step back, or pause, to move forward we will all help!

Keep us updated. And well done for doing a 20 minute run! Could you have done this two weeks ago? No. But you can now!

[Greenk Graduate in reply to BeaglesEnd]

Thank you so much for the lovely encouragement. No, I certainly couldn't have done it before, and I do feel quite proud of myself for getting this far... I wasn't sure I would when I started 🙂 A little concerned about my tootsie.... I have a long term issue with the fasciitis which I don't want to flare up again (its been cleared up for a couple of years though, so wasn't too worried about starting c25k) and am on first name terms with the podiatrist! 😏

[Dtay1978 Graduate]

Don’t beat yourself up about it, you are doing great. Are you using the technique explained in the earlier weeks? Breathe in and push you stomach out at the same time and release. I’ve found that technique so useful, that and just easing off a little 😊

[Greenk Graduate in reply to Dtay1978]

Oh I’ll give that a go! Thanks 🙂

[Tinytears60 Graduate]

Aww hi lovely!... you are doing fab!....

I have experience of Plantar with work - I believe it can be really painful so the fact you even run is brilliant!...

Take a step back if you feel comfortable and want to embed - no shame in that!... just look where you are!.....Week 6 or 7 dependent where you want to be.. your personal journey and you're doing fab!

Think how far you have come from week 1!

Ps. Need to tell you - I love your photo...you look like you could be a famous author!.. you know the photos they have on the inside sleeve

[Greenk Graduate in reply to Tinytears60]

Thank you! I can report now that I fooled myself into thinking I was going to stop after 20 minutes of w7r2 but felt fine to carry on...even managed a sprint (well... you know... a faster toddle) finish! Your remark about my pic made my day... I'm currently doing an MA in creative writing as a poet! Hope you are still enjoying the 'journey'! x

[Tinytears60 Graduate in reply to Greenk]

Oh wow! So well done!!!! On both!

The running 🏃🏽‍♀️ AND The creative writing, the Poetry ✍️ 👏👏👏

You truly do look the part! It’s a fab photo!

I’m still loving the journey we are all on 🙌