Week 6 Run 1; not sure if I can keep this up.

[shortlegs]

Well, despite my positive attitude after the dreaded week 5 run 3, I needed some recovery time before I could tackle this run. I planned to go on Monday after the first day back at work, but opted for sleeping for an hour and a half instead, At one point, at the end of our year team meeting, I could hardly stand, it was only then that I realised that running uo and own the two flights of stairs twice during the hour to fetch various bits of paperwork, was a stupid thing to do. Today I considered asking someone to hep me carry something heavy. I didn't do it, but I was aware I should. According to my GP, these are signs that I'm beginning to accept the changes which CFS means I need to make. Unfortunately the next step involves actually making the changes!! Nonetheless, I got myself all lined up to run on Tuesday. We had the year 7s in for the first time and I was on my feet,running around all day from 8.30 till 3pm.

When I got home I asked my lovely (and much to my jealousy, fit) boyfriend if he was going to join me. He initially agreed but then faffed around for half an hour before saying he wasn't sure he felt up to it...by which time I was all but ready to give up. However, I got out of the door, pressed start on mapmyrun and play in the iPod. I was all ready for this run to be a doddle, I'd just run 20 minutes non-stop, how could 5-8-5 be any more difficult? I have no idea, but it was. Perhaps it was the tiredness, perhaps two days was too long to rest, but there were points where I thought I'd have to stop and walk. My lungs ached, ,my legs were begging for a divorce from my hips and my jaw wobbled uncontrollably (something that usually only happens when I'm fully exhausted.) The last 5 minutes seemed to go on forever. Even worse, Laura knew it. She sounded like she was breaking tragic news when she said, "two and a half minutes down," And when she said just one more minute left, I could have cried.

Despite this, I did it, and looking back on how I felt now, I quite proud that I kept rogging. At the time I just felt totally pathetic for feeling so knackered. Does anyone else feel like this? During a run, when I struggle, I feel ridiculous, it's only afterwards that I feel a sense of achievement.

Another busy busy day tomorrow, but I am determined to get out and do week 6 run 2. Fingers crossed folks, if I going to keep going I might need your support on this one.

Happy rogging. A x

[Vivwestie Graduate]

And you hit the nail on the head when you said 'I did it'.

Despite everything, you got it done. And that's what's really important. If it was easy, what would be the point?

And even though your boyfriend is fit, you TOTALLY lapped him! He was at home doing bugger-all - while you were running. KACHING. Job done.

Well done.

That's what it's all about. Doing it when you're tired and making excuses and have got a hundred other things to do... but doing it anyway.

I've got my W6R1 tomorrow.. and you are now my inspiration.

[SarahP0003 Graduate]

Don't be too hard on yourself - lots of people find W6R1 hard, I know I did! Have a look at the poll comments for which week people have found the most difficult and you'll see that it's common to find it hard, which seems strange after W5R3 and doing a full 20 mins but I guess it's the way the programme works. Be proud that you got out there and did it!

[littlejow Graduate]

I thought W6R1 would be easy after W5R3 but found it hard but like you I got through it and I did it. I'd really doubted I could do W5R3 and the became even more sure about running for 25 mins without stopping but today I did that for the 3rd time (W7R2). Some days seem harder than others but you can do it and you did

[Soozz Graduate]

You did it! Even though it was hard and your legs and lungs were protesting. Well done. Your work schedule sounds horrendous, a meeting of an hour and a half after a day at school would send anyone off for a sleep.

Have you thought about taking more than one rest day regularly between runs? It's not a race to finish C25K, I know it's important to see progress and results but with your CFS perhaps you need to be a bit gentler on yourself.

For some reason that return to intervals after the high of W5R3 is particularly tough, I think we all find that to be so. But you've only got one more intervals run to do and then it's the longer runs through to the end (and I for one would've welcomed intervals back, specially in the middle of the 28 minute runs!!!)

You're doing really well, Shortlegs, better than your boyfriend!!!! Keep going, you will get there. This site is where you will get all the encouragement and support, an outlet for your fears and grumbles, and sharing the triumphs, that you need to get through the programme! (The grammar's not good but the sentiment is there).

[meggyann Graduate]

I had a moment like that this morning on my 30 minutes! I think everybody has days where they feel the same and I really was so close to giving up as my les felt like they couldnt lift themselves! The good thing about c25k is when you've done it a couple of days ago it pushes you to get though it again because you know that you can. Don't feel disheartened you are doing great and definitely not alone!

[Jean-Jeannie Graduate]

Run 6:1 was my hardest run of all which did seem very odd having built up to Run 5:3. I was sort of dreading the next one 6:2 but guess what - that one was ok and all the rest up to graduation - well not easy but do-able and like you, a great sense of achievement at the end. Just wait till you see your graduation badge up there. You'll look back and think just how far you've come and in such a relatively short space of time. Love your post-name btw. I've got them too - short legs that is. Keep at it. Honestly it is so well worth the journey.