Week 6 and struggling!

[Niccinoo]

I have been doing so well and then got to week 6, really struggled with the first run and a mixture of busy work and half term means I haven't run since Sunday. Writing this to keep myself accountable and repeat the week 6 run 1 on Saturday. 😀

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate]

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your progress so far. You’ve got lots to celebrate!

I’d recommend having a browse around because what you’ve described happens to many, many, many runners-including me when I did it last year! We had a similar thread just a few days ago. You might want to have a look…

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

After the triumphant high of week 5 run 3, loads of us set off a little enthusiastically thinking intervals will be easy after the longer 20 minute run. Then, we all run out of puff and struggle. Or sometimes the interval break puts us off our rhythm by making us walk, just as we’re hitting our stride. Honestly, you are in very good company! Don’t let it knock your confidence.

There’s a guide to the programme that’s worth reading too. Couch to 5k is best run at a pace where you can hold a conversation out loud in full sentences without gasping. If you can slow down to find that pace on your next run, you’ll most likely find it much more comfortable. It’s counter intuitive but that will build your aerobic fitness more quickly than running harder does.

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

One final thing-you won’t have lost fitness over a short break. You can actually go a couple of weeks before that starts to happen, and then only slowly. Hopefully that’s reassuring!

Really good luck for Saturday. Looking forward to seeing how it goes. 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Donna2023]

I found every run on week 6 & 7 difficult , I really wasn’t sure if I could keep it up but for some strange reason I’m finding week 8 a lot easier so keep at it, if I can do if anyone can - trust me 😂

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate in reply to Donna2023]

Funnily enough, I found week 7 tough as well. It’s a lot of running! Instead of 18, 20 and 25 minutes, it’s 25, 25, 25. You’re ready for it but I do remember feeling tired! I think by week 8 you’ve often got fitter, got used to it, or maybe got better at pacing yourself. Whatever the reason, enjoy!!!

[Oldgirlruns Graduate]

Hi Niccinoo! Don’t be downhearted - week 6 catches many people out, me included! Just do what you may have done on other weeks - if you struggled, just put what you managed down as a practice run then lace up those trainers, take a deep breath and go do it next time! There’s no rush here, you can take as long as you want to and if you feel that 20 minutes seems a long time, just break it down a bit. I told myself it was only 4 x 5 minutes and I could manage 5 minutes couldn’t I? And keep posting - it’s such a supportive place!

[Bert2 Graduate]

Agree with all of the other supportive responses. I too struggled with this which came as a shock as up to that point felt I was smashing it (which I was of course !) but had my days rest gave myself a pep talk and got back at it and oh the elation when I did it!! You too can do it 😀

[Niccinoo]

Thank you all so much! Just finished a busy week at work and going to have a good rest tonight ready to get my trainers on in the morning! Will keep posting 😊

[Frizzbomb67 Graduate]

Never underestimate a hard week at work. Tiredness can make a run feel much harder - I have a few of those 😂. Go slow and give yourself time to rest. You’ll be ok after just a week. Be kind to yourself. You are doing great!

[LindySearle Graduate]

Hi, I posted about this a few days ago as mentioned by miss understanding. I got excellent advice so check the replies out. One of the most helpful links was a link to a video about how to jog. It’s been a real breakthrough for me, I hope it is for you too.

[Donna2023]

I had to slow my pace right down to get through they 2 weeks , by week 8 I’m feeling for the last run I can up my pace a little bit so it just goes to show it works . This site is amazing support don’t get disheartened, I also took an extra few rest days between runs I found really difficult.

[Niccinoo]

Thank you all! I ran on Saturday, repeated run 2 of week 6 to ease myself in, it was great. I have treated myself to a new pair of running trainers as a gift for persevering! This platform is great, thank you 😊

[grumpyoldgirl Graduate in reply to Niccinoo]

That's great to hear, I have no qualms about repeating a run if I think it will help.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate in reply to Niccinoo]

You know we love trainers here! Pictures please when they arrive!!!