Week 7 - stuck!!!

[Trundlingalong]

Looking for some help or advice please! Started C25k and managed the first 6 weeks without issue. I have now been stuck at week 7 for almost 2 months! I just can not crack it. I can run for 25 minutes but not 3 times in a row. I generally can do it once or twice, then can't complete it the next few times. I have tried changing my background music, the place I run and the time of day I run. I have tried to run slower but this is very uncomfortable, I think I'm already running at my slowest natural pace (covering around 3.8km in the 25 mins + 5 min walks either side).

I was so determined to complete the programme, but am starting to lose motivation and think that maybe I'm never going to finish it. Anyone experienced something similar or able to suggest anything that might help me break through whatever it is that's keeping me stuck in week 7 limbo???

Edit - forgot to say also tried going back and repeating week 6, which was fine, did the 25 min at the end of that, then failed the week 7 run 1!

[Instructor57 Graduate]

Are you running at a conversational pace ?

Ie, can you speak full sentences as you run without gasping for breath ?

If not, it's simply too fast ..

I'm asking this as you mentioned you cover 3.8k in the 25 minutes .

That is the same as I ran in 30 minutes on week 9 run 3 .

If that is the case you would certainly benefit from slowing down more

[Trundlingalong Graduate in reply to Instructor57]

That distance includes the 5 min warm up/cool down walks either side of the run.

This might sound silly, but I don't know if I could! I run alone (in a covid restricted area), although I can speak easily when I pass someone (other runners, dog walkers etc). I know I am probably going a bit faster than I should be, but I genuinely don't think I can go any slower. I have tried and it feels really uncomfortable and unnatural, almost like I'm off balance if that makes any sense? I'd definitely welcome any ideas on how to slow down and still feel in a rhythm 🙂.

[Instructor57 Graduate in reply to Trundlingalong]

Everyone says they can't run slower but in reality most can and are probably running too fast , if you are not running at a conversational pace you will struggle to maintain it .

Most of my running is done slower than my natural pace ,

[John_W Graduate]

Let's pretend you're at the Dr's.

What's happening?

At one point do you stop?

What are your physical symptoms at the moment you stop?

How's your breathing - are you out of breath?

What's going on in your head?

How does the 3rd run differ to the other 2 in how they feel?

" I'd definitely welcome any ideas on how to slow down and still feel in a rhythm "

- how big is your stride? Have you tried smaller steps and a higher cadence?

[Trundlingalong Graduate in reply to John_W]

It seems to happen around the 17/18 min mark. My legs just seem to run out of energy, not wobbly or achy. Just out of go! My breathing is OK, not panting or gasping.

Im generally just talking myself through, repeating my little mantras and trying to think about anything but the run! The runs I manage feel the same as the ones I don't, right upto my legs getting leaden.

I'm really not sure about my stride (sorry, absolute beginner here!) but I'll try next time to shorten my stride and see of that helps, thanks!

[magenta_sparkles]

Maybe you need a longer rest period in between runs?

[Trundlingalong Graduate in reply to magenta_sparkles]

Thanks, I'll see if I can reschedule runs a bit further apart for a bit and see if that helps, although I have to fit around my 2 littles so I'll have to see what I can figure out 🙂

[cecig]

Did you finally make it? If so... what was the trick that worked for you? I've also been stuck in week 7 for 2 months!

[Tasha99 Graduate in reply to cecig]

Slow down. Are you completing the runs?

[cecig in reply to Tasha99]

Yes, but I have to stop around half-time, walk a couple of minutes and then go on.

[cecig in reply to Tasha99]

I completed the first run without stopping though. But then, could never finish Run 2 and 3 without having a walking break.

[Tasha99 Graduate in reply to cecig]

You need to slow down. Honestly. Right down.

[mrrun Graduate in reply to Tasha99]

And then go slower....

[Trundlingalong Graduate in reply to cecig]

Hi, yes I did eventually! It took a while, but I kept going at it and tried all of the advice above. The best things that worked for me was definitely taking an additional rest day between runs (I have a health condition where one of the symptoms is fatigue and I don't think I was allowing myself enough rest).It also helped that when I felt I was slowing down and losing energy, to switch to the slower pace/fast feet technique that is in one of the video links posted above. Doing this for a minute or so seemed to help push through and then get back onto my normal pace. Good luck, keep going you will get past week 7 and it feels a massive achievement when it's taken so long to actually complete it! Xx

[cecig in reply to Trundlingalong]

Thanks so much for your advice! I can't find the videos you named though. Are they on this thread? I think I def have the same problem you had: I think I can't go any slower 🤣

[Trundlingalong Graduate in reply to cecig]

I thought they were on this thread but they aren't sorry! 😂 The man who helped me tagged me in another thread with them, so I've tagged you in it now too. Hope it helps!I still keep the same pace, I think that's juts my natural pace/cadence to be honest. I can slow down for a minute or so, then I seem to creep back to my normal pace otherwise I feel like I'm off balance or just totally out of rythym of that makes sense?

[Jericho2332 Graduate]

It's in your head, you 100% can do it, you just need to believe it! If you set off with any doubt in your mind then your already set to fail, know you WILL do it and refuse to give up, pig headedness goes a long way in this game 🤣

Start extra slow, use the first 10-15 to warm up to a more steady pace.

You WILL do it, your body's already more than trained to run for the set time, you've already proved that!

Believe...you got this 💪🏻