Stuck in week 4 :(

[MirrorSaw]

Week three was a piece of cake for me. Week 4..not so much. Week 4 day 1 was harsh, but I managed, somehow, to get through it. I nearly threw up but I pushed myself and kept thinking "day 2 will be easier than this, and day 3 even easier". Wrong. Day 2 was even harder for me. We were leaving that day to go on a 3 day camping trip, meaning I had to make day 3 not on the treadmil, which is very hard for me to do. But Day 2...I paused the ap while I took a minute more to walk. Then the last 5 minute run, I stopped halfway and had to walk. It was so hard for me. I still cant believe I even did it the first day. But I made myself run 2 minutes at the end during the cool down to somewhat make up for the extra time I spent walking when I should have been running.

Then Saturday night (I was to do day 3 the next morning) we decided to have a few drinks and play a few drinking games around the campfire. I woke up the next day in the afternoon, it was already nearly 100 degrees outside (not even joking) and everyone was already swimming.

I figured if I'm already having such a hard time with week 4, I should not move onto week 5, and talked myself into not going that day and starting week 4 all over again when I come back home. Well.. Today should be the day I start week 4 over again. Most likely after I finish typing this blog I'm heading to the gym.

Just curious, have any of you had to stay on a week because you were having such a hard time with it?? I should be half way done with week 5 right now had I kept going but... here I am, W4R1.

[sfb350 Graduate]

I think I'd just carry on with the program. You probably needed to start your run more slowly to save your energy so you could complete the run - slowing down isn't a backwards step, it's about learning to pace yourself so you can run for longer. If you're having a few proper summer days, as we are here in Shropshire, don't underestimate how much more difficult the heat will make it - you will need to be slower when it's hot.

Having said that, this program is about doing what's best for you so if you're happier doing week 4 again, that's fine. Lots of people repeat weeks, you just need to do what is best for you.

Good luck

[Hidden]

Don't worry about it and put pressure on yourself, go do another week 4 run and see how you feel after that, decide one run at a time for now.

Also slow down a bit and get through it to build up again.

Good luck, someone on here said to me when I was worried, life is a marathon not a sprint, there is no rush to get to week 9....we will get there so take it one run at a time!

[ShaneM Graduate]

dont beat yourself up. I too am stuck on week 4. W4R1 :failed. Second attempt :passed W4R2 : failed could only do about 4 mins of the last run. I was so gutted. I am committed to week 4 until i get three consecutive runs. Repeat any part of the programme if you re not ready to move on but more importlantly dont let it beat you.

[Bugsie Graduate]

Personally I found week 4 a big jump from week 3 and repeated 3 times before going onto week 5! Don't worry, you'll get there in the end if you keep at it.

[missymil]

I am still on wk 4, been here for 3 weeks , now its summer hols and my Son was going to run with me but he has broken his elbow so we are grounded, I will still be plodding on week 4 come Sept but I am not going to give up, it will ust take me a little longer to complete.

[svenena]

If you're struggling, slow right down.

Another thing is, I've read that to make running on a treadmill more similar to the effort expended when running outside, you should put it on a slight incline of 1 or 2 percent. This should make the difference when you go outside less. The reason on a treadmill is easier is that you don't have to propel yourself forward, as the treadmill moves beneath you.

[Soozz Graduate]

I am in a similar place, had an awful W3R3 cos I changed my route and it was all inclines. Then both runs of W4 so far have been a real battle. I worried about W3 and to my surprise found it OK (except for R3) and I suppose I was hoping the same thing would happen with W4. I feel I've lost my momentum and am disheartened. All I can say is we're all trying this together and have the same kind of difficulties at times - I do find this online blog so supportive! I jog SO slowly I practically walk, and Laura doesn't seem to advise running faster than a light jog so I'm not worrying about the slowness at present, just the timings (that's more than enough to worry about!). All the best for you getting back on track - I think it's good advice to feel confident about a week's runs before you move on and therefore to maybe stick with w4 a bit longer. Keep blogging and keep running!

[MirrorSaw]

Thank you all for the support!! I re-did week 4. Not completely, just did day 2 over again and then did day 3 today. Day 3 was awesome! I nailed it no problem this time. Onto week 5 in 2 days!

We'll have good days and we'll have bad days, but never, ever give up!!

[Soozz Graduate in reply to MirrorSaw]

Great to hear that, Mirrorsaw! Well done. I think I might do the same as you. I think you know yourself when you've got something nailed, and can confidently move on.

Good luck with W5...

[Amisnan Graduate in reply to MirrorSaw]

I am so glad I have just read this. I have today finished week 3 and found out what week 4 has in store! I have no idea how much of it I will be able to do at first, but it is so heartening to read your amazing success. Now I am thinking; 'Bring it on'!!!

[Hidden]

Also finding week 4 a whole new ballgame. I've been saying, and feeling, how amazing this programme is (Not run or done any exercise since school and I'm 41) and then did w4r1 last week. Was ok (but hard!) on run and didn't recover like normal day after, came down with viral bug thing, missed two days, then did w4r2 yesterday. Don't feel the usual energised after run feeling today. Ache all over, sore throat (over exertion I think) and no runners high/doubting myself). Feel reassured by these comments though. I'll do w4r3 even slower paced and see how I go! Love this forum 😊🏃😀