I can't give up before I've started!!

[Cj83]

Ok so yesterday should have been wk1r2 but I just couldn't find the energy, I feel so bad! What the longest that I should leave between runs, knowing that I have to leave 1 day anyway

[Beckipeg]

Don't give up. If I can get past week 1 then anyone can. I felt awful after the first week, ready to give up instantly but the encouragement of fellow bloggers kept me going. It seems a lot of this running lark is mental as well as physical. When I said I was ready to stop someone said to me "just go out and do it, you'll be glad you did". Don't think how long you can leave between runs, just when you can reasonably do your next - 24hours gives your body a chance to recover but the aches do ease, honestly.

[martinm]

I have just finished week 8 run 2. I remember the day I did week 1 run 1 and got a stitch, I thought I would never run again. I managed to stick with it (so far) and can tell you that although it is hard work the running does get easier as you progress. Best of luck.

[juicydee Graduate]

I can't count the number of times I've said to myself 'it won't work today. I had blah blah blah for lunch, bit of indigestion, didn't have enough sleep' etc etc etc (I've also learned that this is known in the trade as 'fighting your demons'.....!) - yet I have gone out and run, very often because I simply didn't want to get behind in the programme, and every time I have managed whatever Laura's had in store for me. I haven't always felt great while doing it, but more times than not I've come back feeling really exhilarated and wondering what I was worried about!

I've always aimed for 1 day's rest in between, but 2 days after a major ramp-up (eg wk 5 r3) or if my knees hurt a lot, or if unavoidable because of work etc. Having said that, I had 4 weeks off with a chest infection and came back to more or less where I left off - but I had got to week 5 by then and had obviously built up a reasonable chunk of fitness.

I would aim for no more than 2 days in between as a general rule, especially in the early stages when everything's developing so quickly. Apart from anything else you need to build up a routine of sorts. Just tell yourself you'll do x minutes of the programme and then you can walk if you want to - but you'll probably find that you want to go on by then!

It might sound harsh, but I'd echo Beckipeg and say 'just get out there, try it out, and surprise yourself!' It is fantastic for your mental state as well as the physical, as you learn to overcome barriers, setbacks, discouragement and so on. It's so great to hear Laura say 'You can DO this'. You can - you really can.

Keep coming back to let everyone know how you're doing, too!!

[Cj83]

I did it!!!!! It was hard going this time, alot harder the R1 but I did it and that's all that matters so well done me!! Thanks every one for your help, it's what made me get up and do it tonight! :0))

[blueboots Graduate]

Well done, I found those first two weeks awful. I thought I would die as I was so exhausted and desperately wanted Laura to say it was over long before she did. Now I can do 30 minutes. It is hard to believe you will make it to 30 minutes but if you follow the plan and really take it slow and steady you will be fine. Remember to be kind to yourself.

[juicydee Graduate]

Yay Cj83!!!! You did it!!! It won't always feel this difficult - though you WILL have some hard sessions - but you have done something really significant and got back out there. This will become part of your mental 'resource kit' so do stow it away for later in the programme when you need it. And congratulations!!!

[hacw]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! on getting out there tonight and running. You have nothing to loose trying out this plan and 101 things to gain with sticking with it, both the phyisical and mental benifits are so well wourth it. Well done and keep it up.

[GoogleMe Graduate]

My Dad told me a tip from a top athlete. If you really don't feel like going out, you still get yourself all ready and outside and only then do you make the decision. If it is really not right, then OK but more often you will feel you may as well just get on with it now!

[juicydee Graduate in reply to GoogleMe]

Excellent advice. I once heard someone say 'the hardest part of any fitness regime is lacing up your trainers'.....

[misswobble Graduate]

Well done CJ! Just have a day's break and then do the next run. Don't look ahead to future weeks though just concentrate on your next run. You'll crack it I know you will. You just have to listen to Laura and trust her. She won't let you down as long as you just do as she says

I agree with Juicy about lacing up those trainers. Keep them by the front door!