Week 3 complete but I don't feel ready for week 4. I might do a couple more where I am.
For a few reasons I didn't run for 5 days which is likely a factor why this week's last run felt a bit harder.
Week 4 feels like a jump up to being more of a 'runner' rather than starting to run, so I'm feeling a bit nervous to move on too!
On a positive note, my knees are feeling better as a result of running slower, on grass. I also chose to wear some very light support as I'm a bit hypermobile in knees and ankles.
Interested to hear people's experiences when they were/ are at my stage in the programme.
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RunforMum
Graduate
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Just keep them super slow, The thing is , you are working through a progressive training plan, as you get fitter the runs get longer , it's a fine Ballance 🙂
What you don't want to do is get into a habit of thinking of that was tough , maybe I should repeat it a couple of times.
It will feel tough sometimes, you are building strength and stamina .
I agree completely. We expect to have to train our legs and heart to cope but it’s our brain that gets in the way after a while. We look ahead and think “I’ll never be able to do that” so, of corse, it’s a struggle. My advice is to always start knowing it’s possible! Then you’re half way there. Good luck.
I wonder if we sometimes forget that we’re learning a new skill and getting fitter and stronger so that will feel tough sometimes. Even when you’re running slowly, it’s still an effort. On the days when it feels harder, you’re building grit and mental toughness to keep going when you’re finding it more of a struggle. We’ve all had runs like that. It doesn’t make you less of a runner-it makes you a better one!
The best thing we can do is prepare well for our runs by resting enough, stretching enough, drinking enough and eating well. We can slow down and run at a comfortable pace. We can plan nice routes and listen to things we enjoy. There are times when stopping and trying again is the best plan-for example of you’re in pain or you don’t have the physical energy to keep going. A lot of time it’s a mental battle and we can keep just taking one more step, even if we’re not really enjoying it. It’s super satisfying to look back and realise we got through it. One of the runs I’m most proud of is a horrible long run where I never really settled down and hated it the whole way round. For nearly two hours. Hideous! But I made it through and the vast majority of runs are great fun. We’re so much tougher than we think we are.
Sorry, that’s a big ramble! I’ve found having realistic expectations that not every run will feel easy and lovely really helpful. There’s loads of success and pride to be found in the ones we find harder and it makes us stronger.
Hallo RunforMum, well done on getting to week 4! I suspect you probably are ready for it because the plan is structured so that each week is preparation for the next one. But if you feel that moving on is a bit much, you can always repeat the previous week, there’s no rush and it’s entirely up to you how long you want to take over each week! The main thing is to keep enjoying your progress!
Well,... as I couldn't get out for a few days, I did do a week 3 run again but I then did a week 4 run so I'm thrilled with that. I know I can do it again now. I really think the programme design is good - building up bit by bit. “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step” (I'll settle for 3 miles one day!)
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