I’d been a bit smug after Wk7Run3 but the timings on Wk8 really threw me. I’d fixed milestones in my head (2.5 mins, 5 mins, etc) and when I realised that halfway wasn’t halfway any more it totally threw me off mentally. At 20 mins I had to keep telling myself “you’ve done this before!’”. I think my body was ok - I felt great afterwards - but my head was scrambled.
So today I tried something else: planning my milestones as if I was doing 30 mins and then trying to be pleasantly surprised that it was over 2 mins early. I divided my supposed 30 mins into 3 and anchored onto 10 mins and 20. It really helped. Of course it may just be the weather- it was gorgeously misty this morning - so we’ll see what Run3 looks like. But I’m now wondering how others have dealt with the step up each week, and going forward to reach 5k?
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This is a really interesting question. Thanks for asking-it’s really made me think about what I do.
Every run I start by concentrating on warming up slowly for the first ten minutes. It’s pretty much always horrible for me, even though it’s now nine months down the line! Knowing that has really helped with not getting put off and also not starting out too fast. Then, usually I’ll split the run into four and just check in with how it’s going when I get to each point. I’ve found as I’ve run more and more, I’ve got to know which routes takes roughly how long and when I might get to particular points. For long runs, I’ll often take a minute to think “it’s just another [insert distance/time here] to go and you’ve run that before so it’ll be ok”. That helps to keep going.
The thing that helps me most is actually not to think too much about the time/distance that’s left. Getting lost in a podcast or looking at the surroundings is brilliant for keeping bobbing along without psyching myself out.
Sorry, that’s a big ramble! You’ll most likely find that the more you run, the easier this sort of thing will come to you and you’ll naturally get to know where you are in your runs. I also think it’s common to have a bit of a wobble when you’re nearly at the end. You’ve done amazingly. You don’t get to week 8 without already being a runner. Really good luck finishing the end of the beginning of your running journey!
Don’t apologise - this is exactly what I was hoping for. I love what you’ve said about the first ten mins; I think I’m going to try that as it’ll allow me to write them off altogether and then, as you say, compartmentalise the rest into chunks I can handle. What a great idea. I do sometimes listen to talk radio but mostly I like to soak up my surroundings and prefer to hear the wind, birds, etc. I also seem to run better when I use the time to go over a non-running problem. It’s funny how our minds find methods to tackle a challenge, like doing a rubix cube. Thank you for taking the time to share - that really helps.
Some wise person on here told me about the “toxic ten” at the start and it really changed how I ran. Just knowing it’s almost certainly going to get better after that first few minutes helps so much.
Sounds like you’ve got lots of good distraction strategies already and that will stand you in great stead going forward. It’s amazing how going for a run can be a great place for problem solving!
That Toxic Ten, or rather knowing about it, makes such a difference. I struggle at the start of most runs, but slowing down and telling myself if I'm still struggling after the 1st 10 minutes, I can stop and walk home works. By the time I get to 10 mins, I feel OK to keep going- only once did I take up my own offer to turn around and walk home.
I'm not very good on dividing up and landmarks- today I thought turning after 5 intervals out of 8 was halfway (not much oxygen getting to my brain obviously), but I do find running somewhere new or even tweaking a familiar route makes it feel more like a Sunday ramble and less like exercise (probably why my times are so slow-my rambling runs🤣)
If I’m doing an interval one with more than about 5, I give up on trying to keep track. I did one on the NRC app that had 20 intervals. 20!!!! I can still clearly remember it now. It was exhausting but absolutely epic. Might dig that one out once I finish my current plan in three weeks time!
Great idea, and one that will absolutely work for me. I’ve always done the same with food; I give myself a small portion with a promise that if I’m still hungry I can always have seconds. Tbh I often do have seconds lol but it’s still less than everyone else’s, and it feels like a feast. I will now try the same with running! Thx
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Week 8 - Run 2. Feeling Great
Week 8 Run 1 - Parkrun round 2 :-)
Week 8 Run 2 - crazy early
Week 8? Or 6? Run 1? Or 2? 
