Help, do I go back to square one?

[Edna2]

Not really sure what’s gone wrong. I graduated back at the beginning of August but overall have really struggled to maintain any distance or time. I admit I had a gap due to celebrating a significant birthday over a couple of weeks , as you do ! I’m now even struggling to run 15 mins. Should I go back to the program or keep plodding away? It’s mainly my breathing and getting a stitch rather than any specific aches and pains. I really want to be able to do this and gutted I’m blocking myself. Any suggestions appreciated. Many thanks x

[John_W Graduate Ambassador]

Be kind to yourself. Maybe go back to Week 3 or Week 4 and jog nice and slowly - make sure you're relaxed and breathing easy thoughout. As for your stitches - avoid eating and drinking in the hour before you go out.

[Edna2 Graduate in reply to John_W]

Thanks for the advice. I think maybe week 4 maybe a good place to reset myself. Fingers crossed.

[nowster Graduate]

I don't think you need to start again from the start. How about trying a run from Week 4 and then progressing from there?

[Edna2 Graduate in reply to nowster]

Thank you, yes I think I’ll give that a try.

[DorsetSloMo Graduate]

Are you running slowly enough? Instead of aiming to repeat the pace and distance that you achieved on your graduation run just concentrate on a slow run/jog for the 30 mins. If it gets difficult run slower. I found that the graduation run was a bit of a high and it was a bit of a struggle after that without Laura guiding my progress. I had to tell my brain that I’ve done this before so I know I can do it and the speed doesn’t matter. It took a few runs before my head was back on track, when it was I relaxed and the time spent running was no longer an issue. I still haven’t matched my graduation run speed but I can run happily for 35 mins now and the prospect of longer isn’t daunting.

[Edna2 Graduate in reply to DorsetSloMo]

I’m certainly slower now than I was before completing 30 minutes previously, hence why I’m a bit lost. Thanks for the suggestions, this group is so supportive and I think I’ll go back to week 4 and see how I go.

[DorsetSloMo Graduate in reply to Edna2]

The really important thing is that you keep running regardless. So good luck on a rerun of week 4, let us know how you get on. 👍🏻🏃🏼‍♀️

[nowster Graduate in reply to Edna2]

The reason I suggested Week 4 is because it's the first big jump in the programme's activity, but with the shortest intervals. It's a good way to check how you're doing.

[sticksinhand]

Hi,

I hope the following may help you, as it has certainly helped me.

When I was young I used to run a long long way. I found that it was all about rhythm! I didn't beat myself up about time or distance, I used to take breath in on 2 strides and out on 2 strides, but then I did have a long stride back then. I am going a lot slower now so I breath on 3 strides. I exaggerate my breathing in and out until I find a good balance and I find myself settling down into my run.

Just finding that rhythm of breathing with your strides, may help. You can then work out how long or far you have gone afterwards.

Hope that helps.

[Edna2 Graduate in reply to sticksinhand]

Thanks for the tips. I’ll give it a try counting steps but I can see myself getting in a muddle but definitely worth a try.

[Elfe5 Graduate]

It sounds like you may be over pushing yourself & going too fast!

Re a stitch - a tip that I picked up on this forum was too slow down, then take a deep breath in & breathe it out sharply with a breathy “ha” sound. Repeat a few times, - I have found that very helpful to get rid of a stitch. 😄

[Edna2 Graduate]

Lovely I’ll certainly try that, if I didn’t get the stitch I think I would be able to carry on for longer.

[JoHealth Graduate]

Hi, I’m going to go back week 3 or 4 maybe.. I’ve not run for a month due to holiday abroad and currently in quarantine because of it..

worries I’ve lost my fitness level I built up. 🏃‍♀️🌸

[Edna2 Graduate in reply to JoHealth]

Similar situation hopefully it’ll work 🤞x