May I please have some whine with that cheese? W8R3 DONE! But painful...

[gdeann]

We (smhall) and myself ran W8R3 last night and it was a major struggle for me! This 25 year old mind needs to remember its in a 49 year old body! Due to a poor run, I decided to whine a bit and go purchase some wine to drown my sorrows. I should be feeling on top of the world with graduation so near but instead I feel somewhat deflated in knowing I struggle each and every run. I had high hopes by week 7, it would be better. Last night was bad from the get go. My legs seemed heavy, my breathing was all over the place, my feet ached and from the first few minutes I was praying for it to end soon. R2 had been one of my better runs, now I'm wondering if maybe I needed to take an extra day to recover from that run. On a good note, every run this week I have upped my pace and distance a bit. Yep, thats right! The snails can no longer pass me! As for the wine, it is my indulgence and I had not had wine since my 2nd week. I have until Sunday before my next run so it should all be out of the house and out of my system by then. Week 9, here I come! No way are you keeping that bright, shiny grad badge from me!

[BettyJane Graduate]

If it's any consolation I found week 8 quite hard going, by run3 my right knee was quite painful. I took a 4 day break and started week 9 on Monday, which to be honest wasn't that enjoyable, but run 2 on Wednesday was a lot better, I'm going to make my graduation run a parkrun tomorrow, and I'm getting quite excited about it.

[Chewy]

To offer you a platitude Gayle, if it was too easy it wouldn't be worth doing. I appreciate that doesn't help, platitudes rarely compensate for feeling like crap. So more pragmatically, drink your wine, have a laugh with Smhall and forget what is just one bad run.

[newstart1 Graduate]

You are doing marvellous, Its W8 you are talking about how brill is that plus upping your pace you are bound to be feeling tired. I have just come back from W7 R2 and it was ok like you though I am not gonna break any speed records. The best feeling is, its Friday night and its alcohol night. I wish I was as good as you, none since W2, but I'm not. Fridays and Saturdays are my nights where i can indulge (no school). I think you shouldn't be so hard on yourself in the words of Laura "your doing great" Good luck for Sunday

[notbad Graduate]

Well done gdeann, I found the last few weeks a hard slog at times but you will get there and that shiny graduate badge will soon be yours, better still you'll have an amazing sense of achievement. Then who knows what's next, parkruns, 10ks, half marathons...?

[pingle Graduate]

Well done for keeping going! Don't be despondent if the runs are still hard. And definitely don't beat yourself up because one run is not so good. Sometimes bad runs just happen. You are still pushing forward and 9 weeks is not very long for a complete change of lifestyle! It does get easier (honest!) and then you will probably find that you miss pushing yourself and go and find something else to keep moving onwards and upwards! At least that's what I have been doing. Enjoy the wine - you've earned it and enjoy your run on Sunday. Good luck.

[gdeann Graduate]

I just posted a new blog after giving myself a much needed kick in the ol' butt. Thank you all for every single kind word and support. I'm now ready to take on week 9 and have a very special grad week!!