I have so far mostly been astonished at how easily I have gotten into the program routine, never skipping a day, neither quiting before the end of the run. I am a chaotic person and definitely a quitter when it comes to fitness. Although I have good gens and a more than able body, I grew up with zero confidence in my physical abilities and I had never grown out of that feeling. The program has been such a life changer: I never dread going for a run nor look for excuses, which I find unbelievable considering how I have related to sports all my life.
However, today after W6R3, for the first time I started dreading that the slightly agonic last part of the run will always be a part of my runs instead of a phase that I will overcome. The evolution from week 1 suggests my body will adjust and long runs will get lighter, but I am still afraid that if there is an inherent element of suffering in running, I might never get to the point of just purely enjoying it.
What is your experience from week7 onwards? Does the feeling of agonic running somewhat dissipates or is it every time there?
Written by
Ballesta
Graduate
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You need to change that narrative. The more you tell yourself you're a 'quitter', the more likely you are to make it true. How about: I've learned so much about myself, I now know how to overcome the obstacles I set myself. Or: the last time I quit at x, y or z, I learned this ... Remember: the things we tell ourselves in our heads aren't true until we act on them.
And as for running - yes it's tough to begin with, and no, that feeling won't go away in the next week or two, but boy is it worth it! I started running last September. I've certainly had my fair share of ups and downs over the months, but when it works, it works. I went out this afternoon and my run was an absolute joy. I will be feeding off that feeling for weeks. I wouldn't give that up for anything.
Thank you very much for your words, you are absolutely right! Actually one of the things I am loving is that the program has totally changed how I see myself and my physical potential. It certainly forces me to rephrase it: I am not a quitter I just needed a proper progressive plan, and it is really working.
I am just one run ahead of you - I started week 7 yesterday. I was amazed to find that doing 25 minutes for the second time was much easier than the first time. Partly, I think, because the steady increases in time prepare us so well, and partly because I took it much more slowly - I could have walked it as fast! This really helped.
I sometimes run with a friend who has run on and off since his teens (we are mid thirties now) and I can talk during the first part of the run (although I try not to talk much), but it gets really hard or impossible towards the end (I just tell him to do the talking). So I guess I have been going too fast, although it looked slow to me.
I also mistakenly thought that being able to talk was the advice only for the brisk walk, and that not pushing myself enough might be lazyness instead of the best way to progress. Thank you for correcting me!
Being able to talk as you run approximately equates to 75% of your maximum heart rate, which is the most efficient zone to build stamina and endurance which is why elite athletes spend up to 80% of their training time at this pace.
Yes, we always try to adjust to my pace, but I guess it is harder to find my own pace when I am concerned about boring him. However, I was alone during that last run that I found so hard in the end.
I have already told him that we will be extra slow tomorrow. I will report back! 😊
You’ve come so far already! Well done!! And keep going!! I can agree totally with other replies, when it’s tough - slow down, then slow down more. Week 8 was my pain barrier, my legs really hurt after runs. I kept going but the last 10 minutes or so of every run since has been hard. I’ve now done 2 weeks of consolidation runs, and on my last run made myself slow down even more, What do you know, I did a 5 k really comfortably. 🐌 Not fast. Not in 30 minutes 🐌 Comfortable. And best of all enjoyed it. It will come, you learn about your running self every time you go out. Your successes in the programme are something to be proud of.
Advice I read somewhere on this forum was when the negative thoughts pop up, start to notice other things eg birds singing, sunshine, and your thoughts will reframe.
Congratulations on your 5k!! I will bear in mind your advice about slowing down and distracting the negative thoughts. It is just hard to escape them sometimes! 😅
I see that you all agree that slowing down is the answer and I will put it in practice in my 7 week that starts tomorrow.
Some of you have said or hinted that there will be more tough runs among the more pleasant ones. I have found an old post with a similar question to mine, and the answers also confirmed this.
To my surprise, this has given me some peace of mind. I just need to accept that tough runs or tough parts of them will happen now and then and that does not have to mean that I don't generally enjoy rumning or that I can only aspire to becoming a sort of phoney runner. I was somehow mythicising "real runners" as gazelles that don't suffer or only suffer when breaking records.
I feel much reassured now and I will repeat the slow down mantra. Thank you all and have a great next run!
I agree with the others if you are struggling you are going too fast. I am really slow, still not got sub 40 mins for my 5k, but I don't care. I want to enjoy my run, so pushing until it is uncomfortable is self defeating. When I was fit to run I did, 1 long conversational pace run of 90 minutes, 1 training session with my running club and 1 quicker 5k. Currently I am doing 2 to 3 9k walks a week to keep fit until my hip recovers. Keep going it is worth it. Good luck finding the pace that suits you.
I followed your advice and what a difference it makes!
I was running with a friend so I was able to put to the test the "talking without gasping".
We were very slow (I am sorry for him) and I was amazed that not only was I making conversation during the whole run (well mostly commenting on his story, but still), but I was actually IN the conversation instead of secretly thinking in a loop "when the hell is Sarah going to announce that it is already x minutes?".
I did not suffer at all and I had never finished with as much energy as today.
That’s great news! I’m sure you’re friend is glad of the company regardless how slow 🤗 Ive just done week7 run1 too although I do still struggle to talk when running but that’s my fitness level still getting better, not gasping for a breath like I did a few weeks ago. Sounds like you’re doing great!😉
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