Is it wrong to prefer interval running ...

[katrunkles]

... because it seems that my body would rather do two x fifteen minutes with a three minute walk in the middle, than thirty minutes non-stop. I'm at W6R2 now having failed dismally at W9 several times and reverted to start at W5 again last week. Any comments gratefully received!

[Greg_M Graduate]

No, not wrong at all.

Do what you enjoy, otherwise you Won't keep it up

[katrunkles Graduate in reply to Greg_M]

Thank you Greg_M - you are of course totally right!

[George42 Graduate]

Whatever suits you is best, I find I like running uphill more than I do running on the flat.

[katrunkles Graduate in reply to George42]

Coo, George42 - haven't tried a hill yet! I have a really flat course, with speed bumps being the only inclines! Thank you for this; the forum is great!

[tilly1 Graduate]

No it's not wrong. So you have managed to complete week 8? For W9 maybe set off a little slower, if you are on a treadmill I suggest getting outdoors

[katrunkles Graduate in reply to tilly1]

Hi, tilly1 - thank you for this! Yes, so did do 30 mins but have lost the knack! I am outside, on the Cheshire plain so no inclines even (well, 10m in total, which I think is mainly speed humps!) - hopefully I'll get it cracked this time round - I want my t-shirt and my badge!

[swanscot Graduate]

Not wrong at all. We'll all like different types of running; that why they have different lenghts of races at the athletics meets.

[katrunkles Graduate in reply to swanscot]

Thank you, swanscot - perfect sense!

[KANdoit]

You're not the only one! Seems I 'do' something to my self each time I try to run for more than 20 min. I have done 5K Parkruns r2w1 in 40+ mins and have managed 6 sets of r5w1. Dont think my body likes long continuous runs ... but I want a graduation T shirt so I'll plug on at it to get one. But post-grad I'll probably be back to the intervals but increasing total running time.

[katrunkles Graduate in reply to KANdoit]

I want the t-shirt too - and the green badge!!! Thank you for this - I'm not going to beat myself up if I fail again at W9 - and will go back to intervals after that! Good luck to you.

[Legion Graduate]

John 'The Penguin' Bingham, co-author of the running book I'm reading, prefers intervals too. Intervals are probably better for fitness and weight loss as well. If you're happy doing intervals then stick with it. No point doing something you don't enjoy. In time, you might feel like running for longer and then you can do so. Intervals will be great for building up your stamina.

[katrunkles Graduate in reply to Legion]

Thank you for this; I've taken myself back to W5 to see if I can build the stamina so doing 20 minutes (W6R3) tomorrow . . . but not going to beat myself up if I fail W9 again when I get there! Everyone's comments are really encouraging!

[KANdoit in reply to katrunkles]

IF you're out there trying then your not failing ...failing is returning to the couch unless forced to do so by injury or other insurmountable external interference.

[Legion Graduate in reply to KANdoit]

Absolutely spot on!