and topped off by a bout of dry retching again in my last two minutes. Thankfully it WAS the last two minutes so I didn't stop but I feel as though I'm hitting a wall. My pace seems really steady on my stats; no random spikes so I just don't understand why I started retching. I didn't eat before - never do.
I did decide to go a slightly different way to take in a local country trail and to access it you have to go under a bridge which has a walkway next to a river. There was water on the walkway which considering the weather this week shouldn't have been too surprising, but I guess in the light of daybreak it's depth was deceiving. I thought it was a couple of centimetres but a few strides in and I was drenched up to my calves!! A quick panicky yelp and a swift about turn later, I got myself out of there pretty sharpish but then had to drag a pair of sodden trainers and running pants round the rest of my run (20 minutes to go at this point). I'm sure that didn't help but I soon forgot all about that when I started struggling to get the air in.
I don't know whether I'm going too fast or what but when I reach the end of the 25 minutes there is just no way I could think about carrying on. And Laura's smug encouragement to have a stab at a sprint finish are being met with a few choice words that are getting progressively more blue as week 7 drags on.
Yes drags. I'm not enjoying this week and now I'm starting to yearn for intervals again. I know this is where the real graft is and I'm just wallowing in a mire of self-pity but when I'm practically on my knees from 25 minutes, how the heck am I supposed to do 28? Let alone 30. Two weeks today I graduate.....supposedly, but right now that looks about as long away as it did when I was slogging my way through week 1!
OK self pitying rant over, sorry about that . But did anyone else find week 7 hard? I'm finding this way more challenging than week 6 - and that was something of a disaster in itself!
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Fraz73
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Fraz, could we possibly be related? I posted about my frustration also. I start grad week Sunday and struggle every single run. I am an impatient person and I have decided I am just expecting to much from myself at this point. I hope you are able to remedy the dry heaves, no fun at all.
Thanks Gayle. Yep I think that's exactly it. In my 21 yr old mind, I should be running much faster and much longer with way less problems. I guess my soon to be 39 year old body is in disagreement. On R3 I'm going to have another go at the new route I tried to do this morning - flood levels permitting - and see if that makes any kind of difference. I also just read a bunch of posts about week 7 and a lot of folks here seemed to get bogged down in doing the same run 4 times and found it hard going, feeling as though no improvements are being seen. I think I just need to let go of my distance obsession and be proud of the fact that I've now done 3x 25 minute runs without stopping.
True Fraz...I know we had such amazing results at first that now it seems frustrating at times. I think the added time is taxing our body's just enough we are not fully recovering run from run. I am nowhere near a 5k with my short little legs but I never ran 28 minutes before either. You are a young pup yet! I have a mind of a 25 year old but body of a 49 year old.
Yep, I think that's definitely it. But we've got to keep believing that the programme works and it hasn't let me down so far. Anyway good luck for tomorrow. Three more runs and you and the hubby will have those lovely green badges in no time!!! Have a great weekend both of you
Sorry to hear you had a tough run Fraz. I'm not up to your level yet but you are doing great for getting so far so dont despair, you will turn that corner real soon! If this 50 year old can do it so can you so good luck!
Thanks SBG356. I think it's just that my last four runs since W6R2 have felt a bit like this. I'll turn the corner soon enough And well done again on your W5R3. Enjoy the feeling
I'm finding W7 really tough.. R3 Tomorrow but really not looking forward to it. Every run this week has felt harder than anything i've ever done.. but i won't be beaten by this.. Good luck with yours
Well perversely, it makes me feel better to know that I'm not alone in struggling with this week!! But like you I won't be beaten. Good luck tomorrow 7ermintrude. Hopefully after all this hard slog W8 might bring some nice surprises for both of us! Let us know how you get on with R3 so I know what to expect on Monday
You're certainly not alone. I completed week 7 on Thursday and have really struggled with the last few runs. Did some stuff in the gym this morning so a run today was out of the question. Might have another rest day tomorrow and try the first of week 8 on Monday. I'm just encouraged by reading everyone else's experiences and that so many others have managed to do it. I'm 53 by the way. Good luck with finishing week 7.
To put the Laura spin on it, look at how far you've come and yes I can imagine (because I'm not quite there yet) that it is still hard work, but it was only the other day we were on our week 1 runs, remember ? Slow down if it's too quick, you're doing really well, I suspect you can afford a few more secs/km on your pace.
But well done for finishing, you're a real inspiration.
You're absolutely right Chewy. I think this is where my petulant spoiled child is rearing his ugly head. I've become too fixated with time and distance rather than just getting through it. I did look back at my schedule and it is still less than 6 weeks since we tackled W1R1. It's amazing really! Are you doing W6R3 tomorrow? Best of luck. If I can do it so can you!
Fraz, thank you for posting this blog and making me realize others are struggling with the later weeks also. I just posted a new blog if you want to take a look.
Fraz, you did it even if it was a struggle, so very well done. I really struggled with W7, felt each run was the same without any improvement. Then W8 wasn't any better. To quote Legion, it was the long dark teatime of the soul! Yet I found my mojo again, mainly thanks to you guys here, and graduated. I still don't find it easy but I do enjoy most of the runs. You made me chuckle at the thought of you cussing at Laura when she asks you to up the pace for the last 5 minutes. Joke or what? For me it was a case of just finishing!
Thanks Sooz! Your great blogs kept me motivated for the first few weeks of my journey. I definitely feel as though I got off lightly on weeks 1-5 so I was bound to struggle later on. Will keep persevering and I WILL graduate - no doubt about that.
Don't worry, and hang in there, I found Wk 7 R1 the absolute hardest and I wondered how ever I could carry on, but now some weeks after graduation it's all become so much easier. You're just at a tricky stage and it's really, really worth it to get to the other side where sometimes you feel like your body is just getting on with it and you're sitting effortlessly on top just along for a lovely ride. It doesn't happen all the time but when it does it's just the best. Stick with it, I can't tell you how glad I am that I did! It has totally changed my life.
Thanks suki - good advice as always, and thanks to everyone who has offered advice on this thread. I'm feeling much more positive about my run tomorrow morning already!
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. But did anyone else find week 7 hard? I'm finding this way more challenging than week 6 - and that was something of a disaster in itself!
I posted about my frustration also. I start grad week Sunday and struggle every single run. I am an impatient person and I have decided I am just expecting to much from myself at this point. I hope you are able to remedy the dry heaves, no fun at all. 
W6 r2 comfortable
W7, R2: Take that, Black dog!
W7/R2.. Those hills !
W7 R2- I did it!!
W7 R3 or W1 R2? Hmmmmm.
