Treadmill, week 8 I’m crashing & burning.

[Jed01]

I posted earlier after week 8 run 1. Failed

After a great week 7. & 3 strong runs increasing the spread of the treadmill by 0.2 on each run, starting at 4.8 to 5.00 then 5.2 for the last run I felt really confident going into week 8.

1 st. run Monday, started at 4.8 goto 10 mins & just couldn’t run further ended up walking most & finished with another 2-3 minute run.

Run 2 Thursday, also the morning after my 2nd covid jab.

Started on 4.8 & goto 14 minutes then had to walk.

This morning again started at 4.8 dropping to 4.7 & again only managed 16 minutes & could hardly breath.

After such a great week 7, I’m having a nightmare week 8.

I know my speed isn't high compared to some posts I’ve read but to compare my speeds, my brisk walk pace is 3.9 to 4.2.

I think I’ll take another rest day & keep trying.

Cheers

John

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Well done on persevering.

You need to be able to speak aloud, clear, ungasping sentences as you run.........if you cannot then you are going too fast.

It doesn't matter if you can brisk walk at a faster pace, as explained in the guide to the plan.

[Instructor57 Graduate]

In all honesty the numbers are irrelevant.Just one question .

Are you running at a conversational pace ?

If not, it's simply too fast

[Tasha99 Graduate]

You’re clearly going too fast. Forget pace. That will improve gradually if you keep running. For now just run at a speed that you can get through the time.

[Devon_straggler Graduate]

I realise the convenience of a treadmill but is there anywhere outdoors you can run? The benefit is that your speed can vary more naturally as you tire (or speed up at the end of you've anything left to give! ), rather than having to set your pace manually. Plus the scenery helps distract a bit too, and it's less tempting to give up when you know you've still got to get back to the house or car one way or another!

[Jed01 Graduate]

Thanks to all replies, the question of treadmill or not, is one I’ve been considering for a few weeks.Up to this week I’ve enjoyed it, for one I felt it pushed me to make my running consistent because if you slow down you fall off the back lol.

But likewise I’m thinking you don’t get chance for a breather unless you do electronically slow the speed.

I’ve been conscious re speed & over the weeks & got slower & slower, but this week I just can’t get into gear especially after doing what I thought was so well in week 7.

The second benefit is due to v. Long standing sciatica issues (I’m not letting it control me any longer, hence this course lol) I am always afraid of heading out, but then something happens & I can’t get back, plus living no where near a park or countryside so town & pavement running.(I think I worry too much lol)

But I really see the benefit of perhaps slowing or varying the pace more plus the distraction of the environment could be a huge benefit which the treadmill as a downer, I now find I’m concentrating too much on the clock on the wall & how slow the second hand goes the more i run lol.

Think I’m just so disappointed in myself after the highs of ending last week. But at least each run this week has got longer & compared to the fact I’ve not ran in 20 or so years till about 12 weeks ago & ive got this far, I’ve got to keep trying.

Thanks

[Devon_straggler Graduate in reply to Jed01]

I got slower and slower over the weeks too, but it's the only way of increasing the time - I'll worry about my speed again once 30 mins is comfortable! Ican't comment re the sciatica, but perhaps you have somebody you could let know you're heading out, just for some piece of mind should you need help? I think knowing it's there will mean you never need to use it, but might make you more comfortable heading out?

But everybody has tough runs or weeks so most of all, don't let it put you off completely.