Felt very intimated by this run. Week 5 runs started badly with the dog fiasco (see previous post!) which put my days out of kilter. Usually I'd be starting a new week on a Monday but I still had run 3 to complete. I managed runs 1 and 2 no problem at all, but had my usual 2 rest days over the weekend (there's my first mistake) and woke up this morning feeling shattered.
But I got up and set off like usual, determined to get the dreaded 20 minute run under my belt....
Didn't complete it. I feel like a huge failure now 😭 but just couldn't keep my legs moving! Ran for 13/14 minutes before I had to walk, and even the walk just felt impossible! I ran another 3 minutes at the 15 min mark but had to stop again. Was *this* close to getting an Uber home!!
I felt like my fitness in terms of breathing etc wasn't the issue, my legs just felt so heavy and wouldn't move like I needed them to.
I guess I try again on Wednesday...
👎🏼
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joggo
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You gave it a go, so use it as a positive learning experience, not a negative one.
Why did you not succeed?
Were you running at a pace at which you can speak clear, ungasping sentences as you ran? If not, you were going too fast.
Were you fully hydrated? Heavy legs can be symptomatic of poor hydration. As a runner you need to drink a minimum of 2.5 -3 litres of fluid each and every day, running or not, as mentioned in the guide.
Were you relaxed? Doesn't sound like it if you felt intimidated by the run. This post about mental approach may help healthunlocked.com/couchto5...
Have a rest day, prepare well by resting, eating well and hydrate fully in the 24 hours before your run and approach the run with a positive frame of mind and it is your for the taking.........if you stay nice and slow.
Thank you, I think maybe it was all three! The post you linked is great and totally right. I'm going to try it again on Wednesday and if it takes me repeating it two more times, at least I'll be starting week 6 on Monday again!
No, no, no, do NOT beat yourself up about this! There are no bad runs, you were still out there running. This, for whatever reason, was not your day to run for 20 minutes. Follow Iannoda’s advice. Read up about WHY you are fully prepared for this run - and you ARE. You’ve already done all the preparation, and some extra preparation this morning! That is not failure. Tell yourself the biggest barrier to this run is the psychological one. Tell yourself you are ready! At least 10 times before you run 😀 Good luck!
Right, let's get one thing straight, there is no such thing as the F word on here, if you go out and do not complete the run then chalk it up as a practice run, learn what lessons from it that you can and move forward. One more use of the F word and you're on biscuit buying duty, for everyone!
So you didn't reach the 20 minute mark, AND? You ran for 13-14 minutes NON-STOP, correct me if I'm wrong but that is the longest you have run for in one solid block since starting the program, is this correct?
If so then there is a massive step up, 8 minutes to 13-14 is an extra 5-6 minutes.
Take a day's rest, make sure you are hydrated and try again, don't be intimidated by the time, time is all in your head, your legs don't know what a second is never mind what a minute is.
When you go out again, start off slow and steady, deep breathes, belly breath and just plod along. Count trees, do some maths in your head, plan what you are going to do over the weekend or just focus on your breathing.
The program has prepared you for this, you can do it.
😂 well that's me told! You're right, it's still a step up from the last run, thanks for pointing that out. I'm getting on the water right now to prep for Wednesday!
Good luck for Wednesday, I am ecstatic that I just run the 2x 8 mins this morning, had a few tears of joy once I’d completed the 1st run🤣but I’m with you on Wednesday and I’m scared. Scared of feeling deflated or defeated, scared of knackering this 47 year old body and sacred of running for 20 mins....... I wish you well for Wednesday 🥰xx
Well done and I hope I've not put you off!! I debated posting at all for that reason! Have a read of the post Ianodatruffe posted above if you're scared ☝🏼 he makes some great points
My advice to you is drink plenty of water, get some good tunes on and I'm sure you'll smash it like so many others on here have! And that'll be me later this week too I hope 😬 good luck!
Thank you for replying ... the music is what has got me this far (old school house from the 90’s) I am encouraged by your post and the advice of others! We got this 🥰⭐️🥰xx
Hi again, I’ve just done it😊 Good luck with your run today.... the advice that worked for me was “ don’t think about what you’re doing!” I had to keep distracting myself by thinking of all the things I have to do today, what order I’m doing them in, anything to make me not think about what I was doing!! Also I lost myself in my music .... hope you enjoy your run 🥰xx
Brilliant, told you could do it. Now you know you can do it and that is what really matters, you have the rest of the program at your feet, you now know in your head what your legs have known for a couple of weeks, you can do it.
Just a simple thing though, if you posted up a new post people would see it easier and, if you are asking a question or looking for some help, others would see it easier and quicker.
Don't be worried about posting, no one will bite your head off, they are a nice bunch of people, believe me I've been on here for a couple of years and no one's shouted at me yet.
No problem, anytime, just remember the plan works, trust it and believe in yourself, I know it is hard at times, we have ALL been there, especially on this journey.
Enjoy the running and smile, it makes a massive difference to how you feel when you are running.
A word of warning though on the smiling part, I tried it once and looked like Shrek!
Shrek🤣🤣🤣 I am absolutely thrilled with my progress and I’m loving the runs, the time to myself and I dare say this could definitely be the start of something xx
joggo well done, I've not seen a separate post for it yet but well done, you know you got this now, both yourself and ShetlandWendy have, the podium is a massive step closer and well within BOTH of your reaches.
Thanks Lee, there's a thumbs up in my latest post - thanks for all your words of encouragement (certainly didn't want to be left buying the biscuits either...) 😂
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