Back on track.....

[SimonT56]

There I was doing my C25K program at around 9.30 in the morning on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Being unemployed has some advantages (but not many!).

After a few fails at week one I had made great progress and had reached the dizzy heights of W7R3 - it was a Wednesday and I remember the sense of achievement well, another week completed and the finishing line coming into sight.

Thursday saw a job offer with "can you start on Monday". The answer to which was yes.

I now needed to think about fitting my C25K program around my newly found working life. Easy at first; Friday as normal and then bring forward Monday to Sunday. All went well and I completed W8R2. Then I started work.

I decided that Tuesday evening, Friday afternoon (early finish in new job ) and Sunday morning would be my new run times.

Tuesday came and disaster struck. 10 minutes into the 28 minute run I just couldn't go on. Friday saw some improvement with 25 minutes completed but Sunday's run saw only 21 minutes.

I put the Tuesday fail down to eating an hour or so before going out and a higher level of fatigue - most probably mental - for Friday and Sunday. I have been using Runmeter on my phone to track my progress and the reality was that I was running too fast. My pace had been picking up but I think the 'excitement' of starting a new role got to me and was spurring me on a little too much.

OK, a bit of a re-think was required. I decided to take two days rest after Sunday and then try again yesterday afternoon/evening before eating my meal. This approach combined with a concerted effort to watch my pace worked even to the point where I felt I could have gone on a little longer.

I was really surprised how much my situation affected my performance and have every admiration for all those who fit this program around work, family and other commitments.

Even though I've technically completed W8 I think I will stay at 28 minutes for at least one more run before moving up to W9. The finishing line is now getting closer again!

[Maturelady Graduate]

Well done SimonT56 on both getting new job (I wish I could get one) and staying with the programme. You will find your own routine, but keep with it now you have gone this far.

[AnnaDJ Graduate]

Well done SimonT56. Strange isn't how life stuff affects the running stuff. I'm dreading 2 weeks time when my kids go back to school and I have to a school run as well as running. I'm sure it will settle down though after a couple of weeks.

[KANdoit]

Congrats on the new job and sticking at the running

[TJFlute]

Well done on getting a new job and working in the times to run. You're so close to graduating now...