W8 R3 -

[anthony_jeannot]

I found the first two runs of week 8 to be polar opposites. The first came easy and the second was a nightmare.

Run 3 was a funny mix of both. Set out and wanted to take it slow because of the difficulty in run 2. First 5 minutes were the easiest run I have done and I was surprised when my runtracker told me I'd done my first km (it was the fastest I'd done all program by a fair way, I had assumed I was going slow because it was coming relatively easy).

Given everything I know from the forum and past runs, I made a conscious effort to really try to slow down in the middle section to make up for it, and to my surprise the middle section I settled into my normal pace and it was all pretty pleasant.

Those last 10 minutes were a real struggle though. And, I'd be lying if I said the last minute wasn't a walking pace but running technique (which is nothing to be ashamed of I know)

All in all a mixed bag but I was able to push on to hit the 30 minute mark and it's nice to know that all that remains for this part of the runner's journey is to do that a few more times.

[nowster Graduate]

Interesting. I've not been tempted to do more than the 28 minutes required. I may do a similar course to W7R1 next for W8R3, but not get lost this time. (I walked the bit where I'd got lost yesterday.)

[anthony_jeannot Graduate in reply to nowster]

From the start of week 7 I've been trying to add a minute per run if I feel up for it which has been 4/6 runs. My rationale was 'may as well and it adds to the feeling of progression and then, the jump to the next week feels smaller because it was done in one minute increments.'

[nowster Graduate in reply to anthony_jeannot]

Good idea. I'll see how I feel on Friday morning. Maybe take it to 29 mins but only if it feels right at that point. I did seem to be able to speed up (subconsciously) in the last 15 seconds today when I knew I was near the end.

[anthony_jeannot Graduate in reply to nowster]

Only if it feels right has been key for me