Week 8 and finding it tough - will it get better?

[jadeheathfield]

I've just finished run 2 of week 8 and am finding it such hard work. I have managed to finish each run so far, but I get half-way through and just want to give up!! I ran the furthest I have ever done today (2.50 miles) but I don't *feel* like I'm making progress. Is this a normal feeling!?

[Bxster Graduate]

yes that would be 'normal'

You are finishing your runs, so what you are experiencing is your head telling you lies and attempting to persuade you into giving up (there is some science on it honestly) I've been 'running reading' you see (big sigh from those who know me well) and it really is a mental thing, you just have to develop a strategy for ignoring your brain.

Are your legs still moving? Yes

Are you still breathing? Yes

Are you in severe pain anywhere? No

then keep going

I'm an advocate of the smile tactic, as the brain does not know the difference between a real and a fake smile and it releases endorphins based on the muscles being used, so start smiling and it helps shut it up for a bit.

(I did bail out on a post graduation run at 15 mins 2 weeks ago as my head wasn't playing, but I've just done 2 x 5k this weekend it's a funny game this running business)

4 runs to your graduation, good luck and try and enjoy them

[sfb350 Graduate in reply to Bxster]

Oooh! I like the smile tactic - just practicing....

[Greg_M Graduate]

Ditto!

[Adders Graduate]

It does get better, trust me. The other week I was working with a man who used to run marathons and the tough guy competitions. He explained all the science to me, but the gist of it was that your body changes the way it creates energy about 15 minutes into a run. This is the point that some people experience 'the wall'. If you can battle through this while your body adapts, then things do get easier as the body creates energy more efficiently. I hit this today on my graduation run at EXACTLY 15 minutes. I pushed through it and was even able to accelerate my pace about 5 minutes later. If I got a pound for every time someone says that running is mostly in your head then I would be a rich man, but it is so true. Everyone has days where they struggle to match or better a previous run, but do you ever take into account the weather conditions or how you are feeling that day? Take a look back at where you started from and you will see just how much progress you have made. Your progress will naturally slow as you complete the program, because the latter stages are more about consolidation. Please don't let it dishearten you, keep plugging away and you'll graduate before you know it!

[jadeheathfield Graduate]

Thanks peeps, was just worrying I'm not cut out for running, even though when I get home I think "Yeah, can't wait for the next one!" I seem to struggle up until 5 mins (when I have to climb a slight incline) and usually even out after that. But week 7 and this one has really got to me. Will just have to ignore my brain and put one foot in front of the other!! x

[Greg_M Graduate in reply to jadeheathfield]

I think this:

Yeah, can't wait for the next one!

Tells you all you need to know about whether you are cut out for it

[Gazter Graduate]

I find the entire 28 minutes of running hard (did my first 28min run today). Though i can see the logic, it's a mental and emotional block. I do my five min walk and then the running starts, the first five minutes feel hard, the next ten minutes get progressively but slowly worse, after that it just kind of freezes. My face gets red, but my breathing and legs are able to keep going. Today i was only planning to do the 25 minutes, but i felt i could just go a bit further, and i pushed it some more.

But really, what i was pushing against wasnt failing cardio or muscles about to curl up and dies, what i was fighting against was the ever louder screaming inside my head shouting at me to "stop".

Having said that, at the end of the 28 minutes i almost threw up...

[sfb350 Graduate]

It's quite normal - I had to make myself keep going and talk myself out of giving up. If it's difficult and you succeed then you have overcome mental challenges and learnt more about how strong you are. You wanted to give up but you carried on and finished - you should be proud. When you started the program, could you even imagine what it would feel like to run for 2.5 miles ? You've made a huge amount of progress and you'll soon have a lovely "Graduate" badge to prove it.

[SaCl Graduate]

I feel the same! It's a struggle - but I just try to remember that I am going further than I ever had before so it's right that I find it hard! Think how great it will be when you can comfortably consolidate. I'm at the same point as you (W81), and it's difficult - I have the scary pre-15 minute slump, about 10 minutes of feeling great, then 7 minutes of red-faced agony. I also worry I'm not a "natural" - but think then that it's even more of an achievement to keep going when you are not sporty by nature.