So I failed... again...

[smokeysalmon02]

So I tried week 8 again but didn't manage. I think I'll have to move back to the 10 mins running and walking on Week 6. It just feels like I've fallen behind and all the 25 minute runs in week 7 were useless. Really don't wanna go back so far but I can't seem to get past 14 mins in W8. I know it's more a phycological issue that physical one but they as I might my mind won't let me progress! Urghhh!

[AliB1 Graduate]

You are not alone. I really struggled with w8 and think I only completed one run successfully so my advice would be a draw a line under it and just move on. If you did w7 successfully even if you found it hard, i'd move on to w9 and see how you do. Sometimes we just have bad runs / weeks that makes us feel like we will never be able to do it. At this stage it is definalty more mental than physical and you have to keep telling yourself you CAN do this.

Also, please remember you haven't failed...you ran for 14 minutes..think back to w1 and I bet you never thought you'd be able to run for 14 mins then. Good luck with your next run, I'm sure it will be better. Let us know how you get on

[Anonymous36 Graduate]

Its not a failure because you got off the couch and got active

If you must repeat any just repeat the last one you completed successfully, don't go back too far. Take an extra days rest and tackle it when you are in the right frame of mind. I strongly suggest finding a friend to run with or a flat route to make sure it's as easy as possible for you. You will get through this, just keep at it!

[Deryn61 Graduate]

Definitely not a failure, there could be lots of reasons for not feeling up to it, I think I would go back to week 7 though and remind yourself just how far you have come since starting, remember just a two weeks ago you ran for 20 mins, and yet only a few weeks before that you thought 3 mins was tough! Was it warmer today when you ran? I really struggled today due to the unaccustomed warm weather!

[Tapira Graduate in reply to Deryn61]

I agree - where did that heat come from?!

[AliB1 Graduate in reply to Tapira]

i so struggled...couldn't breathe for the first 30 mins and had to do lots of walking!

[sfb350 Graduate]

I agree with Anonymous36 - perhaps you just need a day or two of extra rest. I found weeks 7-9 quite intense and a bit of a slog, to be honest. After graduating I had a couple of good runs, then a couple of disappointing struggles, followed by ten days of feeling knackered and ill and not running. Tonight, in spite of feeling under the weather to start with, I managed 5 miles with only a short period of walking.

Don't under estimate the importance of rest ! I was worried I'd have lost fitness but, on the contrary, I think I just needed a bit of time to recover.

Or perhaps you could just forget the program for a couple of days or so and go for a fun run - run when you want, walk when you want and maybe, when no-one is looking, have a dance or a skip. This should be Fun, not just hard work (Yes, I have danced and skipped - do it, you know you're worth it!)

[juicydee Graduate]

And why not try something different? Different music, a new route, new running gear.....run with a friend, run on a treadmill (perhaps not both those at once) - anything you've not tried before!

It will come right, honest - but I know I've had some grim weeks, especially around this stage. Just think of it as training your mind to overcome barriers - once you break through, you'll find it impacts on every other bit of your life too!

all the best

[Gridlet Graduate]

I found it hard round this stage too, just keep going it will be worth it in the end...

[Nickyrunning Graduate]

If you turn your comment on it's head, you could also say It's a testament to how important that this journey is for you now that you feel so disappointed with yourself....this in itself is amazing because who would of thought 8 weeks ago, you would have cared so much about a run and it's importance to you. It's a journey, hopefully a long lasting new found passion. Don't look back on what you can't do, but look forward to the fitter you who is emerging. A bit philsophical I know, but it's true! Good luck with your next run and don't beat yourself up about it.

[mair99 Graduate]

Yup week 8 is very tough... try some new tunes, go a bit slower... anything to take your mind off that 'magical barrier' of 14minutes... if you can disconnect your mind a bit sometimes you just keep going without even realising it

[Hidden]

Just keep trying, you are doing brilliantly and there's no time limit on this - you can repeat a stage until you feel confident enough to progress, no biggie. xx

[smokeysalmon02 Graduate]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the advice and caring comments. It's nice to know people care and share your feelings. I didn't go today as I was worried about the heat but my friend went and came back as red ad a beetroot! I've had a rest day and hopefully will try tomorrow. I'm not sure weather I should gowith my mum as she has a bad knee and can't slow down to match my speed when running. I wil definitely let you know how it goes,

Thanks again

Smokeysalmon02