Week 9

[Loosewheel123]

Completed the second 30 minute run of week 9 today. Really struggling with this final week’s runs - it’s taking every scrap of willpower to not give up halfway. I thought it would get easier, especially as I haven’t had any real problems with completing previous weeks, but this extra two minutes is so difficult. I will persevere but I’d love to know if others struggled with the final week.

[acountrycabbage Graduate]

Stay head strong - you can totally do this!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Well done, you did it.

Can you speak aloud, clear, ungasping sentences as you run?.........if not, you are going too fast.

Slowing down to the recommended easy conversational pace makes it more achievable and for most, more enjoyable.

Say this sentence out loud to yourself "Am I going slow enough to enable me to speak this sentence in one breath?" If you cannot, you are going too fast.

[Weymouthgirl Graduate]

I really think that so much of this is mental- you CAN do it, you ARE doing it!!! Is there any way you can turn it round from being an ‘extra 2 mins’ to something like - ‘I’ve already run 28 mins - another 2 is no problem’. I remember talking back to Laura on the podcast when she said ‘if you’re feeling tired maybe slow down’ and realizing that I was OK and I really was going to finish without slowing down! ‘No I’m good thanks, Laura’. That didn’t happen till week 9 run 3. You’ve got this!

[Loosewheel123 in reply to Weymouthgirl]

Thanks all - I think you’re right about it being a mental block rather than purely physical. Logically 2 more minutes shouldn’t make that much difference - I will keep going, only one more run to complete the programme, and then I plan to keep on with the 30 minute runs until it feels easier.

[Birdlady64 Graduate in reply to Loosewheel123]

That sounds like the perfect plan. The runs will get easier over time, believe me.

Just one more run until you graduate. Take it slowly and try to relax and enjoy it. I'm sure you will ace it!

[VPOLLIE67 Graduate]

It’s definitely not easy! I did my second 30mins run yesterday and it took until the last 5mins (downhill) for me to enjoy it lol. The rest was tough but we both got there!!!

Good luck with your graduation run and the start of whatever the next chapter brings 🤞🏻🏃🏽‍♀️

[Jane_1961 Graduate]

Well done on your progress so far.

I graduated today today and the elation I felt was amazing. It was worth all the hard work. No one says it will be easy but the end result is certainly worth it.

Good luck on your final run 🏃‍♀️💐

[acountrycabbage Graduate in reply to Jane_1961]

Well done Jane, big congrats! 🥳 🌟👏🏼

[CazzaW Graduate in reply to Jane_1961]

Amazing 🤩 many congratulations, enjoy your celebrations 🎉

[Loosewheel123 in reply to Jane_1961]

Fantastic Jane - well done! I’m hoping for elation myself, rather than exhaustion and relief it’s over ha ha!

[CazzaW Graduate]

You absolutely can do this 💪 Swat away those gremlins 👺 only one more to go so try to enjoy your graduation run. Good luck 😊

[Tiny3001 Graduate]

I am. Might just be a combo of the weather/feeling run down and maybe i expected it to feel a bit better by now?

[Loosewheel123 in reply to Tiny3001]

I don’t have the excuse of the weather as all but the first three weeks have been on a treadmill in the gym for me - it’s awfully dull but nowhere nice to run where I live unfortunately. However I’m trying to stay positive and I trust that it will get better with practice, and I know there will be a sense of achievement at the end - I hope this for you too, Tiny - chin up!

[Eletheelephant Graduate]

One tip could be to change up what you're listening to while you run. If you can find a really engaging podcast on something you really like then it might help you to 'lose yourself' a bit while you're running so you aren't so focused on whether you'll make it x

[Sybilw Graduate]

I agree it’s mental. I once read on here that if you’re worried about the extra bit just do it at the start of your run!! 🤣

[Loosewheel123]

And I’ve finished! Woohoo! Pleased as punch and the final 30 minute run went really well. Now to consolidate before the next step 🎉🎉🎉😀