Semi-successful start to week 4

[Reading_Sarah]

So, today I did week 4 run 1. I was surprised to find I CAN actually jog for 5 minutes at a time but I did not finish the second 5 minutes (and I did go veeeeery slow). I got until about 4 minutes and then started walking, just couldn't go any further. Meh. BUT, this still means that I went from a total of 9 minutes of jogging on sunday to about 15 minutes in total today, which is quite the achievement, I think. Next run will be either on thursday or friday, depending on how my legs are treating me. And next run, I'll finish all the intervals for sure! Also, today was the first time I could bring myself to go out and do it despite the not-so-great weather. Slow but steady wins the race

[Instructor57 Graduate]

Well done on giving it a go !Just think of it as a practice run 😁

Take a couple of days rest , stay well hydrated then re do that run even slower, I'm sure you will then complete it 👍

[AndrewFoot84 Graduate]

It sounds like you're making good progress, well done. I've had a few runs where I've just not been able to complete it, but the good thing is it makes it even more satisfying when you do complete it!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

All the little victories add up… you did the longest running intervals to date, and that’s to be celebrated. It seems to me you think like this anyway, but don’t worry about any individual run or week… this is your journey, the total number of runs needed to complete it doesn’t matter… in fact it could be argued that taking a couple (or more) goes at any given run makes you a better runner. Each run builds you physically and the tough ones build you mentally if thought about the right way.

Slow and steady wins the race, smashes goals and produces awesome new graduates here.

Happy running.

[John_W Graduate Ambassador]

" just couldn't go any further"

Intriguing! Why was that ?

[Reading_Sarah in reply to John_W]

Mainly, because I think I did not give my legs enough rest. My calfs and my knees hurt. I wore a knee-brace (is that the right word?) but I probably did not put it on tightly enough (was the first time I tried using one). My partner showed me how to put it on correctly now, so next time, I'll try again with the brace. Meanwhile, I'm still doing knee and leg excercises to get my legs to a point where they have enough strength. They haven't been used much during lockdown Next run, I'll surely manage to get through all the intervals!

[John_W Graduate Ambassador in reply to Reading_Sarah]

Are your knees a big issue? Do you have any other limiting conditions, e.g. clinical obesity?

And, just to check, re: your pace ... you're going as slow as the video below, yes?

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

[Reading_Sarah in reply to John_W]

They're not a big issue as such. Sometimes, my left knee acts up a bit. Doc says there's nothing wrong with it. I think it's just that my leg muscles aren't strong enough yet. No other issues, not obese, no sickness or anything like that. It got a lot better during the program but I had to pause for more than two weeks due to covid and I had another two-week-pause shortly after because we had to put down my cat and I was barely able to do do anything for a while except crying. It'll go away again soon, I'm sure. And yeah That's the "speed" I'm pretty much going at. Only I don't look as professional when I do it - people are walking faster than I am jogging sometimes, but that's okay. Speed comes waaaay later. Let them stare at me if they want, still better than sitting on the couch!

[Reading_Sarah in reply to John_W]

Come to think of it, a small part of my route yesterday went downhill, but very steep. Maybe that was too much for my knee? Maybe I should try a different route with less slopes? Is that a possible problem?

[John_W Graduate Ambassador in reply to Reading_Sarah]

Possibly!