w3r1 tomorrow and i have no idea...

[changing-woman]

...how it's going to happen! we are stumped at the drawing board here. i could hardly do last week. it really pushed me (as did week 1, even more actually) and if i have to come back here and say it went badly it will hurt me, and then i will have to repeat runs which will do me in. but i guess i will do them. everyone comes on here and says they can't do it then does it, but for some of us that's going be a reality at some point. and it's very damaging for ones self esteem, especially when working so hard. i consider that if i can do tomorrow i can probably do the whole programme, no, tomorrow and w5r3. that's the killer. i just want to be able to run for half an hour and if i have to practise for a year, i guess, so be it. i want it. badly. why not me? everyone else does it! i see people writing week in week out that they did it. i guess they are just fitter cos for me, who was puffing after some stairs before (don't know about now) i always say giving up is more painful than the pain of doing it but i don't actually want my legs to buckle under me and break my ankle. i would literally push it that much to 'win'. that's how much i want it. but i don't know how a three minuter is going to come out of this body. after the first run of the week you know you can do it cos you have done it but its the first one isn't it? on the first run of that week i always wake up with a sickening 'oh noooooooo' feeling.

[CaptFrey Graduate]

Hi, it’s ok to repeat weeks and runs, I absolutely did while the shock of what I was doing settled in. Especially the early weeks. You know yourself and you know you can do this. Perhaps try slower running? The programme does work I am proof to that and it’s not a competition take your own time 🤗.

[changing-woman Graduate in reply to CaptFrey]

thank you for being kind enough to reply. i don't know i can do this at all or i'd be fine! haha x

[changing-woman Graduate in reply to CaptFrey]

its not a competition, good point. only with myself. yes, thank you captain!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Think and speak positively, rather than undermine yourself with doubts.

You can do it.

[changing-woman Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

i can do it. i can do it. i can do it. i can do it. i can do it. i can do it. i can do it. i can do it.i can do it. i can do it. i can do it. i can do it. i can do it. i can do it. i can do it. i can do it.i can do it. i can do it. i can do it. i can do it. i can do it. i can do it. i can do it. i can do it.i can do it. i can do it. i can do it. i can do it. i can do it. i can do it. i can do it. i can do it.i can do it. i can do it. i can do it. i can do it. i can do it. i can do it. i can do it. i can do it.i can do it. i can do it. i can do it. i can do it. i can do it. i can do it. i can do it. i can do it.i can do it. i can do it. i can do it. i can do it. i can do it. i can do it. i can do it. i can do it. x ps i am really doing my best, God's truth

[David_G]

You didn’t think you could do week 1, then you managed it. You didn’t think you could do week 2, then you managed it too👍

Just believe in yourself and take your time. Don’t think about what might be happening later in the program, just concentrate on your next effort. Good luck!

[changing-woman Graduate in reply to David_G]

oh david, you are lovely x i will do my very very bestest

[changing-woman Graduate]

i wish i could believe that just by thinking positively i could fly but i don't believe that...

[changing-woman Graduate in reply to changing-woman]

maybe i should...

[nowster Graduate]

Week 3 has precisely the same amount of running in it as Week 2. (9 minutes total per session).

And don't look ahead if it scares you. Take each run as it comes.

[changing-woman Graduate in reply to nowster]

thanks my friend... i am going to use all strategies i have been told about for this marathon (for me) tomorrow

[changing-woman Graduate]

so i hear that this week is exactly the same minutes running (9) as the one before, just grouped in a different way, well thats a coping strategy...

[Jools2020 Graduate]

You’re overthinking it. Take each run as it comes and don’t worry about the next run, or the next week. Do it run by run. Celebrate your achievement and then look forward to the next run with positivity!

[changing-woman Graduate in reply to Jools2020]

yes i am overthinking it as i tend to in general. thanks jools. you're totally right of course...

[changing-woman Graduate in reply to changing-woman]

i haven't thought about anything else since my friday run. only reading researching and worrying about this next one. week3run1. overthinking. you're right. but this forum does help massively. it truly does. i am not a forum person (i have been on some) but in this instance it really helps me.

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to changing-woman]

Trust the programme. Every run you do is preparing you for the next one. Believe it. If you continue to worry like this about every run, you won’t be able to fully appreciate what’s happening and you’ll drive yourself crazy. Maybe try some deep breathing exercises.

[changing-woman Graduate in reply to Jools2020]

it's true and i understand what you advise, it's just my natural way of approaching things... i am keen to do well, and a worrier... but i am also very strong etc... aren't we all funny mixture of things? lol

[Minimouse36 Graduate]

Just repeat to yourself, I love running... I can do this... and it will block out any negative thoughts 😁

[changing-woman Graduate in reply to Minimouse36]

you are so kind to write to me and say this, which i honestly will do, thanks minimouse36 x

[changing-woman Graduate]

I love running... I can do this I love running... I can do this I love running... I can do this I love running... I can do this I love running... I can do this I love running... I can do this I love running... I can do this I love running... I can do this I love running... I can do this I love running... I can do this I love running... I can do this I love running... I can do this I love running... I can do this I love running... I can do this I love running... I can do this x YES!!!

[JetsNanna Graduate]

I have read this post and most of your others - there is a theme. You say that you are determined and then you write in such a way that it seems that you don’t believe that you CAN achieve success. So, my advice would be to take the determination and try to turn it into positive thinking rather than doubting and , it seems to me, talking yourself into a state of self doubt and disaster.

I am an overweight 57 year old and I managed to complete the programme (Second time around) without any accidents or injuries. I believe that I achieved success the second time around NOT because I wanted it more but because I believed that I could do it - it was an attitude shift on my part. A large part of that belief was based on this forum which is encouraging and supportive and, when it needs to be, candid.

Try and be less doubtful and more “I’ve got this!” and it will feel different. And take it slow and steady. If you need to repeat weeks - so what? The goal remains the same whether it takes 9 weeks or 9 months.

No one can make that shift towards positive mental attitude for you but we can all support your efforts and we will.

Please take this response in the spirit it is intended - you CAN do this. I have faith in you, now have some faith in yourself and the program and it’ll all be okay.

😊

[changing-woman Graduate in reply to JetsNanna]

I am taking that in the spirit it was intended. Yes. I will read it over and over. Thank you

[JetsNanna Graduate in reply to changing-woman]

You CAN do it 😊

[changing-woman Graduate in reply to JetsNanna]

Yes I can do this. I got this , however long it takes , as you say x I got this!

[changing-woman Graduate in reply to JetsNanna]

Yes I have never found a forum like this it’s totally inspirational and yes, sometimes candid. Which is good. X I couldn’t have got thru weeks 1 and 2 without it x

[Couchphoenix Graduate]

Calm yourself DTC, your overthinking this and working yourself up into a state. If you don’t complete a run for whatever reason, and I struggled with a few, you put that down as a practice run, don’t beat yourself up over it. There is no rush to get through the programme, you’re still learning and your body is still getting used to the new demands your putting on it. So be positive, be kind to yourself and have faith in what you can do....In the words of Henry Ford:

If you think you can or you think you can’t you’ll be right.

👍 you’ve got this 🏃‍♀️

[changing-woman Graduate in reply to Couchphoenix]

that is a lovely post, and very understanding x

[Roxdog Graduate]

The truth is, you have completed every run so far without needing to repeat and without injuring yourself and that's amazing.

There is little chance of you injuring yourself badly by just doing the programme!

Just put your shoes on and go and do it - simple as that! If you get stressed before a run, that may hinder you relaxing into the running.

Have you tried yoga? A little bit of yoga before heading out might help you calm your breathing and clear your mind and allow you to believe in yourself!

[changing-woman Graduate in reply to Roxdog]

thank you , that's kind of you x