W5R3 Done

[Hepsibah]

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!!!!!!

[johnm12 Graduate]

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!

[Hepsibah in reply to johnm12]

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.

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

Well done! You got through it! You beat all those mental gremlins and got it done. It really doesn't matter how slow you had to go... you did it!! 👍🏻😁

[Hepsibah in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Thanks. Kinda want to do the nxt run already, amazing how u forget!!!

[Dee2609 Graduate]

Whoop whoop 🙌🏻

[Hepsibah in reply to Dee2609]

Nearly stopped at about 15 mins but 5 more seemed doable (wldnt have said that 5 weeks ago).Go kill it tomorrow!

[Yesletsgo Graduate]

Well done! Mind over matter! You are entitled to feel amazed at your progress, we all knew you could do it and it's good to be proved right

[Hepsibah in reply to Yesletsgo]

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?

[Yesletsgo Graduate]

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!

[amisfit Graduate]

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 😋

[Hepsibah in reply to amisfit]

Alcohol!! What’s that? 🤣

[amisfit Graduate in reply to Hepsibah]

😁

[backintime Graduate]

Brilliant - well done Hepsibah 1 Gremlins 0

[DylanTheRabbit Graduate]

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.

[Hepsibah in reply to DylanTheRabbit]

Hello Dylan, yes it’s the non interval! But I agree, concentrating on form is very flippin helpful. I was slow but still moving. Cheers.