After the elation of week 7 i have really struggled with week 8. I don't know why. It has just been so very, very hard. Usually on run day i am up straight away at 6 am and out the door looking forward to the challenge. This week has been very different as ive struggled to get the motivation to get up and out.
The first 5 minutes or so of every run i find the most challenging but this week, even more so. As soon as i started my heartbeats were out of control at 160 bpm and it was taking a good 15 minutes to get back in control. I had a million excuses on my shoulder to stop and walk home but eventually completed the runs. I have never been so pleased to hear Laura tell me it was time to stop.
Run 3 however was different. Although still lacking the real desire to go out and do it i got up half hour earlier to make sure i missed the sunshine. I also started off very very slowly and kept my heartbeats in check. After around 10 minutes, still able to breathe comfortably i at last began to enjoy it again. As time went by i managed to increase my pace with my heart rate registering a steady 130. This time i found that as Laura told me to stop i felt i still had some in the tank if i needed it. I guess i am fortunate in that i have ended the week well after two horrendous runs and so can prepare for my final week of the programme.
Without doubt this has been my most challenging week.
But, looking back, i wouldnt believe anyone who said that in 8 weeks i would be running for 28 minutes. Holey Moley. Thinking about it that is quite a long time.