Struggles to move to week 4

[Istillhaterunning]

I moved to week 4 on Saturday and I couldn’t finish the last 5 minute run (managed 4 mins badly) legs gave way. Week 3 I was finding ok so today I went back and repeated a week 3 run. Week 4 seems a huge leap in time running and I was really disheartened that I couldn’t finish. Considering I have asthma I’m surprised it was my legs that gave up. What am I doing wrong?

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Well done, you gave it a go. Don't think of it as doing anything wrong. This is a learning process.

When you say your legs gave way, do you mean they physically buckled or just felt tired?

[Istillhaterunning in reply to IannodaTruffe]

They felt like jelly and my calves ached abs burned. I’ve adjusted my gait and position slightly and managed to do a week 4 run today! Very chuffed. 😀

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to Istillhaterunning]

Well done.

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

How is your hydration?

As a runner you need to drink a minimum of 2.5 -3 litres of fluid each and every day, running or not, as mentioned in the guide.

Stretching immediately after every run, nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/h... while muscles are still warm and supple, pulls out contractions, avoiding carrying tensions into the next run and also improves recovery by improving blood flow, as recommended in the guide to the plan.

Many people do not hold their stretches for long enough or put enough effort in. Hold post run stretches for 30 seconds and make sure the pull is strong enough to be on the verge of discomfort.

[Hidden]

How was your breathing? Labored, gasping? Or very easy? Were you still able to talk while running? If not the reason of your problem is that you were going too fast. Slow down and then even more slow. Don't mind that snail passing you, it is the Usain Bolt among snails. Just go slow and relaxed.

[Istillhaterunning in reply to Hidden]

😂 thank you!! Yes that helped a lot, I managed a week 4 run today and completed it 🙌👏👏👏

[Hidden in reply to Istillhaterunning]

Congrats!!!