Thankfully the temperature dropped today and I went for the 20 min run at end of week 5. It was hard I'm not gonna lie but a few things kept me going ...... 'just keep putting one foot in front of the other', 'older people than you have done it', 'it's ok to go slow', 'keep breathing deeply, no panting, no shuffling, look up not down'.
Im not feeling elated cos I did get very slow at times esp when waiting for traffic so I cld cross the road. But I am impressed that I kept going and I didn't take too long to recover - maybe 2-3 mins into the cool down walk (I read somewhere this was a good indicator of fitness level).
Also told myself to 'finish strong', so made a massive effort to pay attention to form and picked up speed a little for last 30 seconds.
Good Luck to everyone on week 5, it's true that it's more mental than physical, I felt very sorry for myself at one point but had a strong word. Also if anyone is watching SAS Who Dares Wins on Ch4 like me, just be thankful you are not doing this in army boots and carrying a massive backpack!!!!!!
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Hepsibah
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Well done. Reading your post I do think you are getting addicted to this running lark. This program is really quite incredible and very well though out. We've all been there and are mentally cheering you on with every run.Have fun with it!
It’s a bizarre mix of impatience with rest days and having to force myself out the door on run day!! Have stuck rigidly to programme. Thanks for your words.
That’s a good way to view it. I was disappointed about running slowly (really slow) but the time has lengthened. Last 4 runs covered 3.2k. I think some others run about this rate?
Everyone on here who knows anything reckons that slow running is the way to go. Just think, six weeks ago if someone told you you'd be quibbling with yourself about your speed when you JUST RAN FOR 20 MINUTES you wouldn't have believed it was possible. Well done!
Congrats I did the same run today. You should feel elated because you did it. I ran very slowly so I knew I could get to the end, with no strong finish, but I have decided to try and forget about speed and concentrate more on trying to get to the end without gasping. No that's not a joke. That did happen. I am running on a 10 min stretch with no junctions so I don't have to stop though the people living along that stretch are probably fed up of seeing me. I have run in boots with backpack as a kid but I was fit then as I hadn't discovered alcohol 😋
Well done Hepsibah, if it was super easy we wouldn't need the program. I found that time really stretched on those first non-interval runs (5 mins feels like 10) but paying attention to pace, form and surroundings gives you plenty to think about.
Congratulations on getting your pace right and getting it done, it will stand you in good stead for what's to come.
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