Wk5R3: Is Laura finally trying to kill me? I knew it...

I'm facing the week 5 run 3 tomorrow, and having serious dips in motivation... please can I get a bit of cheer and reassurance?! It's not so much the thought of doing 20 minutes tomorrow, I'm sure I'll manage to get around in some way - but it's the runs following tomorrow and in the future. I just need to be told that it does get better, and easier, and does become enjoyable if I keep going! I loved the sensation of running for the first few weeks, but now with the ramping up of time periods, I'm finding I get stitch and have trouble getting my breath sometimes - I just want it to feel like it did a couple of weeks back. I keep thinking other people wouldn't run if it always feels like this, right? Please help!!

[TheActualSarah Graduate]

Yay woohoo *pompoms* - (not sure what you had in mind) . I'd say it gets easier the more you repeat each time/distance. It depends on if you want to stick at 5k/30mins or build up to something else I suppose. Of course there will still be bad runs sometimes because the weathers too hot/ extra glass of wine last night/ trouser elastic broke/ etc. But like they say even a bad run is good for you.

Keep at it, change route/music/time of day to keep it exciting and if its too much slow down your pace a little.

You can definitely do this!!

You have come so far already, don't make any rash decisions yet. Finish the program and then decide if you like running, -otherwise you'll always be thinking what if.

[cvgough Graduate]

I asked a question a couple of weeks ago after having completed W5R3 regarding heart rates. During that run my heart rate peaked at 183 and was in the upper 170's for the majority of the time. I took on the advice of a couple of people who responded and slowed down when the going got tough and tried to regulate my breathing more. Anyway, the point is I did W7R1 this morning (over much the same course as W5R3) and my heart rate peaked at 175 and averaged 166 during the 25minute run. So there you have it. Physiological evidence that it does get easier!

[happierswimming Graduate]

nine weeks isn't very long for your body to adopt any habit and grow to like it but it will happen. It's supposed to be vigorous exercise so you'll always be breathless, but it's an idea to tackle the problem with stitch early on because that must stop you enjoying yourself. Make sure you drink before starting and go slowly, especially up hills. There will be times when you can run more quickly (downhill, beginning of run etc) and it's an idea to do so then just because it feels good! When it feels good, try to hold on to that feeling, because that's what will get you out of the door next time. As for breathing: practise the method in your daily walking and you body will get used to it more quickly. Breathe in by pushing out the stomach to drop the diaphragm and expand the lungs, breathe out by pulling in the stomach, to squeeze the lungs. Keep blogging- we all want you to succeed

[sfb350 Graduate]

I have every confidence you'll get through W5R3 - it was my favourite run of all - if you've followed the program, you will be ready for it. Week 6 felt like a bit of a come down - I found it surprisingly tough. With hindsight, my advice would be to treat it as a semi-recovery week and start off slow, then finish quickly if you have excess energy at the end of the run. Experiment with new routes so it is more interesting. Weeks 7-9 are pretty intense so try and relax a bit in week 6 so you are ready for the longer runs. As Happierswimming says, practice the "belly breathing" - it makes a huge amount of difference and I've always found it will help me run through a stitch. As for hills - try to maintain your effort level, not your speed. Good luck - you really can do it !

[Hidden]

Aw, thank you all. Will keep going, just need to know that my fitness will improve and the pleasure of just running will return and hang around...interspersed with the pleasure of pushing myself of course! Never thought I'd get this far... I suspect the stitch isn't helped by the monumental piece of engineering I have to wear that is my sports bra, running with a tight band round my ribcage can't be ideal... still, it's impossible without it, so god bless the clever people at Panache for making all this possible. And to you guys for your encouragement!