W8R1 done but W7 was a struggle

[Determined55]

Last week I had a bad week 🙁 I just couldn’t get in any kind of rhythm with my running and I was well and truly knackered after each of the runs. They all felt longer than 25 minutes and I think the toxic ten minutes was with me the whole way.

Now I know I wasn’t in a good place mentally and stress wise last week but as I run first thing in the morning and I really do try to be positive, I didn’t think this would have a big effect. Do you think it did?

To be honest I felt like a real fraud last week. I feel I wasn’t really running for that 25 minutes, I was kind of flip flopping and huffing my way round my loop and could hardly say I had achieved it or had made any progress.

This morning I did my W8R1 and I felt better than last week but I still feel I’ve lost something and that I’m somehow not doing it properly because I’m so so slow. I’m not sure the trades descriptions people shouldn’t arrest me for saying I’m running when I’m kind of flip flopping at a speed which seems to be slower than I can walk 😩

Has anyone else felt like this before and if so, how can do you convince yourself again that it really is helping your fitness? Am I really doing any better for my body than just power walking the distance? I believe I can make it to the final run next week but if I don’t feel it’s doing me any good, I’m worried I won’t have the will power to continue on after that with less structured support 🙁

[John_W Graduate Ambassador]

Slower than this?

youtube.com/watch?v=9L2b2kh...(Not working as expected?)

[Determined55 Graduate in reply to John_W]

Feels about like that yes

[John_W Graduate Ambassador in reply to Determined55]

In which case, excellent!

Try to focus less on 'running' and more on jogging - a lot less struggle. Way more comfortable and feeling like you could carry on if you had to.

[Determined55 Graduate in reply to John_W]

I’m definitely not running and I’d barely call it jogging. I don’t think it’s possible to be any slower 😕

[John_W Graduate Ambassador in reply to Determined55]

Don't stress about it! Seriously. Even if it's slower than your brisk walk - it really doesnt matter.

The most important thing is building the habit and then once you're out there (or on a treadmill) is make sure your pace is such that your breathing is comfortable throughout - so that you can comfortably chat. We call it a chatty or conversational pace.

[Hidden]

You're doing fine! From what I've read on here, speed is secondary. I slow jog rather than run and as long as I can get round and still feel good, I'm happy. Keep doing what you're doing, every run/jog/walk is progress . x

[Determined55 Graduate]

Thanks everyone for your replies.

I’ve done a quick calculation of my distance travelled for my 25 minute run and think this to be 2.5 miles which is 4km. As it’s hard to gauge the speed I’m jogging at, would you say this is an ok and slow enough speed? I don’t feel I can go any slower but I will try! I don’t stop at all as don’t have to cross busy roads and if a car is coming I can usually run on the grass verge. Thank you!!