W6R1 just completed and I'm totally deflated! Thought I'd manage it no problem after managing the 20 minute run last time fairly easily but

[caj725k]

found this run really hard and I have no idea why. Has anyone else hit this problem or is it just me?

[justmee]

I didnt have a problem BUT I think that is because I had read quite a few blogs saying the same as you and so I had anticipated it being hard and if anything I was even more cautious than on W5 R3!! What I had read really did make me think this was one of the hardest runs so it isnt just you. It did make me want to move onto just doing the long runs tho, who'd have thought it!!!

[caj725k]

You're probably right I was maybe a bit too confident going into this run (smug some would say) and I did push a bit too hard. Lesson leant though and I'll be a bit more cautious in future. I think I'll re-do this run and reign it in a bit. Thanks for your comment.

[beatasthma]

Felt the same...I had read blogs, and had a bit of a wild weekend between week 5 r 3 and week 6 r 1, so was expecting it to be hard...it was. Didn't get that 'I've done it!' feeling either as after previous runs that were not exactly easy but left me feeling chuffed. Think it's a bit of psychology too...I ran 20 minutes why is this 8 minute run killing me? I've got run 3 tomorrow and am as nervous now as I was about week 5 run 3...maybe that's a good thing, it might feel like another big achievement if I get through it. Good luck with the next run

[ceefin Graduate]

I'm working on a fairly similar plan to the NHS C25k and was so chuffed to complete the dreaded 20 minutes non stop run 2 days ago. I just did a similar run to you this morning (3 x 8 mins run and 1 min walk) and had to cut it short half way through the third 8 mins. It's definitely a mental thing because I did a 3 x 8mins run with no problems for W5 run2. I'm not particularly worries and neither should you be, just chalk it up to a bad run. We all have them. You'll be fine for run 2 I'm sure

[swanscot Graduate]

Like justme, I too back down on the speed for W6R1. Partly because of what I'd read on here and partly because I did it the day after my last run (W5R3). I skipped the rest day as I knew I'd be missing a few days later. I found it went OK, and pushed myself a little on the final run by tackling the long, gradual incline back to my house that I'd not run before - always leaving it for the warm-down walk, or even a 10min post-warm down walk .

[swanscot Graduate in reply to swanscot]

That should say "I backed down..."

Just to add I did the final 'run' up the hill I mentioned at a snail's pace - a slothful snail at that!

[happierswimming Graduate]

Lots of people find week 6 a problem they had not anticipated after the long run in week 5 but I think it's because it's hard to find your rhythm in the week 6 intervals. However, bear with them because they are very helpful in preparing the body for the longer run in r3. I've no doubt that the next couple of runs will be easier for you and look forward to reading your blog when you've got r3 over and there are only long runs ahead!

[Legion Graduate]

Yes, felt exactly the same myself in week 6, including the lack of the 'I've done it' feelgood factor that beatasthma mentions. I ended up having an extra rest day before I tackled W6,R3 and it did me the world of good. I think Laura tries to warn us at the beginning of the W6 podcasts not to go too fast, but you feel kind of invincible after completing W5,R3. Week 6 brings us back down to Earth (with a bump!) and also helps us to look forward to getting intervals over with once and for all.

[boyoscarlet Graduate]

I've also done the W6 R1 run today, and was actually looking forward to it, after week 5 run 3. (I repeated w5 r3 three times, to be sure I was ready to move on). I also feel absolutely shattered, and thought it would be easier than it actually was. Reading the comments, it appears that the breaks wear you down, as the week has two minutes less of running than w5r3.

Let's all look forward to the 25 minute run later this week in w6r3!

[caj725k]

Thank you to everyone I'm feeling a lot better about this run. Just going to chalk it up to experience and carry on! I was really thinking of giving up the program as I was wondering how I was going to cope if I couldn't even do the runs with the breaks! I'm now determined to carry on regardless. After all what's one crap run out of the ones I've completed. Thanks x

[ceefin Graduate in reply to caj725k]

Ehehee that's the spirit! At least you've only had one