Week 8 Run 1

[Feltip]

Not sure how to describe todays run. The start of a new week for me, week 8 and I have 2 takes on it

1) it was hard, my legs hurt early on, I did actually think it would beat me this morning. It felt sluggish and not particularly enjoyable

2) I did it, I ran, albeit super slow, for 28 minutes. My mind was strong enough to not allow the negative thoughts to tell me to stop.

I'm really pleased with myself for having the mental strength to continue to the end and for having the physical strength to complete the run.

I dont know if I'm getting complacent, well I've done the hard part, I've done 25 minutes I can obviously do 28 and 30 when in reality it is still very hard. I am still very new to running, I am still an unfit overweight 47 year old so surely it is still going to be hard. 10 weeks ago I quit this program as I couldn't get past week 1, what am I expecting in a short space of time ?!

I thought I would be overjoyed when I finished but I wasnt. Is this a good or bad thing? If I'm disappointed I found it hard, that's good isnt it, doesn't that show I want more from myself

Apologies for the long waffle, just off loading my thoughts.

I am on week 8 and I am proud of myself 😊

[Antonio_the_Aussie Graduate]

Well done mate (Aussies use mate for everyone) Today too I did the same run. From where we started, we've both come a long way. I had trouble the first week...90 second run? Youve got to be kidding me! And now...28 minutes! Keep it up...and let's finish this together! We improved an extra 3 minutes from last week. Next week they're only asking for a 2 minute improvement. We've done the 3...2 should be a easy.

[Feltip Graduate in reply to Antonio_the_Aussie]

A positive mindset has got me through quite a lot during this program. I am really pleased with my progress as should you be. Those 90 second runs seem a long way behind us now done they 😁

And well done to you on reaching week 8 👏

[Instructor57 Graduate]

😁👏👏👏👏👏👏

Well done !

Week 8 run 1 is the run that put me on the injury couch for 16 days .

Well, to be truthful, it was my fault, not the runs 😂

But great , that's fantastic and yes, just 3 more minutes is tough !

But as you know , you have now done it so finishing week is in sight !

Then you really are on the home straight 😁👍

[Feltip Graduate in reply to Instructor57]

I remember your injury days, seems ages ago now !!

And yes 3 mins extra is a lot, but I did it didnt I 😁

[Instructor57 Graduate in reply to Feltip]

You sure did 😁👍

[VPOLLIE67 Graduate]

You should absolutely feel proud of yourself. You have overcome the pain and hard work of the last 7 weeks And more importantly, you have overcome those gremlins that try to put you down while you are on your run. What a total double whammy 🥊🥊. Well done! Week 6 feels flat after the buzz of week 5. I hope I have your determination to keep going!!!

Superb Feltip 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[Feltip Graduate in reply to VPOLLIE67]

Thank you, what a nice response.

I remember feeling euphoric after week 5 and struggling with week 6

Week 7 was huge for me. I suffered a real lack in confidence, a mixture of mental health, kids still being home but preparing to return to school, too much booze indulgence while hubby was home, the good people on here really picked me up after my 'cry for help' !! After my next run I burst into tears, and cried on my walk home. It was a real achievement for me, physically and mentally.

I think weeks and runs like that stay with you and help you to dig deep when you need it for later runs, well that's my theory anyway.

Good luck in your coming weeks, I'm sure you'll find the strength you need and if not you'll come here and seek help 🥰

[VPOLLIE67 Graduate in reply to Feltip]

You are amazing!!!! Week 8!!!! Just amazing.

[Tinytears60 Graduate]

Week 8! 👏👏👏 Well done

I had some runs, especially towards the back end of the programme where I felt similar... I remember one.. I knew I was going to finish it but I didn’t feel overjoyed when I did..

It felt like I was on auto pilot... get shoes on 👟 👟, get out, get it done ✅ and then back home 🏡 ... all felt a bit surreal!

I think I was actually in shock that I was actually running that far...

so pleased your proud of yourself... 🏁 🎓 is definitely in your sights now! How fantastic is that? 👌💕

[nowster Graduate in reply to Tinytears60]

I think that sameness is why I started to mix up the routes I ran from Week 7 onwards.

[Feltip Graduate in reply to nowster]

I love ' my field ' but maybe the routine got me that day 💁‍♀️

[Feltip Graduate in reply to Tinytears60]

Thanks lovely, weird how some runs are better than others.

I did it, that's good, move on 😊

[JetsNanna Graduate]

We all pick our runs apart even when they go really well. The fact that you can find positives in your run is a testament to you. Take the fact that you completed the run without having to stop as an absolute win because that is exactly what it is - it’s a triumph that you started the program again and that you have reached Week 8.

For what it’s worth - in weeks 8 and 9 I too thought “meh, it’s only a few more minutes but I had completely missed the fact that there is a >10% difference between the week 7 runs of 25 mins and the week 8 runs of 28 mins - that’s a lot when 7 weeks ago a run of 60 seconds was a mission!

Feeling a bit ‘blah’ after a run is fairly normal I’d think. I know I have days like that when I am just glad that it’s over. I feel pleased that I’ve done the run but not in a grinning, smiley, cartwheel kinda way just a ‘ I am a sweaty mess and I need a shower before the next poxy zoom meeting’ way.

You’re a runner even if you don’t feel elated, you know 😊

[Feltip Graduate in reply to JetsNanna]

Yes finding the positives is something I defo wouldn't have done a few weeks ago. And a completed run is a completed run no matter how it felt.

I'd never considered the % increase but you're right a few mins doesn't sound much but I couldn't even run that much in the beginning.

Thank you 🥰

[acountrycabbage Graduate in reply to JetsNanna]

🙏🏼✨ This is totally worth a screenshot for my ‘meh’ runs! 👌🏼

[acountrycabbage Graduate]

I’ve been trying to fathom why some runs feel fantastic and others are underwhelming. At some point I’d like to read up on it more.

For now, as a new runner, just think of how far you’ve come and what you’ve already achieved. Damn straight you should feel proud! By completing every single run, good or bad, you’re proving a commitment, not just to the programme but to yourself. Keep going, you’re doing great x

[Feltip Graduate in reply to acountrycabbage]

So many factors can have a bearing on how we feel at the end I guess, I am better at finding the positives which in itself is a plus JetsNanna summed it up nicely, sometimes we just feel a bit blah 🤣

[acountrycabbage Graduate in reply to Feltip]

Ha, is that the technical term?! ☺️

I’ve just remembered that somebody mentioned the other day if a run doesn’t quite go to plan you should just dump it in the run bin and focus on to the next. I like the run bin 😬

[Feltip Graduate in reply to acountrycabbage]

Oh yes, a run bin, to dump all unnecessary runs into 🤣