Stuck on Week 7...

[29_and_counting]

Two bad runs in a row - stopped after fifteen minutes both times, it's like my mind and my body both went 'NAH NOT DOING IT YOU CAN'T MAKE ME'. I walked the rest of the way both times, tried running a little bit more but ugh, just the worst week.

To be fair, I was hungover for the second one and not much sleep the first time, that might go some way towards explaining it.

Out again tomorrow and making sure I get loads of sleep tonight so that I can give it another try. I'm just wondering whether I should go back to week 6 now and try intervals again to build my confidence back up, or just go for the 25 minutes straight away? It's only been a week since completing week 6 but I feel really despondent because this is the first week I've tripped up on.

Anyone else had a bad week 7?

[sfb350 Graduate]

I found week 7 quite hard work but I was on holiday and running in new surroundings and I think that helped me keep going.

Perhaps you could plan a more interesting, scenic route so that it doesn't feel like such a long, hard slog. And start off really slowly to conserve your energy.

Dunno what you mean about being hungover though

[Dansmum Graduate]

I had a really bad W7, R1 stopped after 5 mins, then ran a 10mins and a 6 mins. R2, stopped again at 22mins. Gave up then as very despondent and I didn't go out again for 13 days. On the 13th day went out to see if I could do anything at all and then ran for 32 mins without stopping. I guess I needed the rest but was absolutely astounded as I thought I would have lost a lot of fitness.

Have now finished W2 of B210k and where I should have run 3 x 15 min intervals, I ran 1x 15mins, 1 x 8 mins and because I didn't want to run back past the workman's van, I ran another 37.31 mins, a total of approx 60 mins running. I was slow mind you, only covering 4.6 miles but it was midday and hot!

So my point is, maybe you need a rest, and if you do, have one, don't feel bad or worry about losing fitness because in my experience you can have a rest and not lose much at all.

Hope this helps and look forward to reading about your graduation run!

[29_and_counting Graduate in reply to Dansmum]

So reassuring! Big hopes for my next run that I'll be able to go for 25 straight.

[keepntabs Graduate]

Why don't you try slowing down your pace in addition to getting a good night's rest? It kinda sounds like you are going to fast for the intended duration of the run.

[29_and_counting Graduate in reply to keepntabs]

Oooh yes, I think I was going too fast. The first try I was listening to a talky-podcast instead of music as an experiment and it completely threw me off. I will slow it down. Thank you!

[tantrumbean Graduate]

I think it is likely to be a mental hang up - I'm doing week 8 at the moment, and this morning I was convinced that I wouldn't even make it to 20 mins, when I had reasonable comfortably run 4x25 mins and 1 less comfortable 28 before. Did get there in the end, but it was a real struggle. I think the longer runs definitely mess with your mind and the temptation to let yourself give in to the voice that says you can't do it, just stop, is much stronger, because it's not like you've only got a few minutes to go till the next walk break - there won't be one. From w6r3 it's very much "all or nothing" till graduation, and I think that's why it's so hard.

[pingle Graduate]

You can't get stuck on week 7! The music on the podcast will drive you crazy! Why don't you try the W6R3 podcast again and see how you get on? But for goodness sake don't get upset about it - this is supposed to be good for you. Even if you never ran more than 20 mins (which you will!) you are still 20 times better at running than you were in week 1. Good luck, hang in there and it will come right - promise ! PS no shame in repeating a run or even a week or two - took me 5 months to complete 9 weeks!

[paulbirch Graduate]

I agree with two of the previous comments. This running lark is all about mental strength and keeping focussed on completing your run. Slow down if you feel physically that you may stop. Laura usually says that it's best to slow down to keep going rather than to stop. I'm starting week 8 on Sunday with most of my runs done on a treadmill so I intend to get outdoors now for this week, which will be a challenge in itself.

Every run is a challenge, so carry on, go back to a previous week according to whatever suits you.

Good luck!

[KANdoit]

Why not try a run with (r5w1) x 6 or (r6w1)x5 plus warm ups and cool downs. You'll get the running time in and disrupt the possibility of the "I failed the last 2 so i'll probably fail this one too" gremlin getting its way.

[29_and_counting Graduate]

Thank you everyone for the comments. I'm gonna slow it down and possibly go back and do one interval run to get back on track before carrying on. I will not let this stop me!!!

[ifnotnow Graduate]

I am right in the middle of Week 7 and I totally understand where you're coming from. My first run in Week 7 (on Tuesday) I stopped after five minutes and walked home in a huff It seemed totally impossible. Went out the next night and again started panicking, had a stitch after five minutes. Then I realized that a lot of it really was in my mind. You've run 20 minutes, you can run 25. Went really slowly but did 25. Then this morning, did 25 and even managed a sprint at the end - you can do it! Good luck!

[29_and_counting Graduate in reply to ifnotnow]

Thank you! it's so reassuring to know I'm not the only one finding week 7 hard. Stitch is a problem for me this week for the first time. The mental aspect is so big this week.

[29_and_counting Graduate]

UPDATE: BUSTED It! Went out earlier and (using week 6 run 3 podcast) ran for 25 minutes. Thanks for all the comments guys, really helped. Now to do it twice more and then on to week 8.

[ifnotnow Graduate]

Yay! Well done! I am so pleased for you. Knew you could do it

[Wanderingminstrel Graduate]

Well done! Having read through this, I was just going to add that I found week 7 slightly easier by having two days rest between each of the runs.