Well, after a couple of difficult runs I completed Wk 7 without stopping on Weds. and Wk 8 Run 1 today!
I've ditched Laura I'm afraid as I began to feel that it was the choice of music and even more, waiting for the timings that was part of my problem.
So, I put together an opera selection! Longer tracks with music I can get lost in and don't find myself counting the minutes. It's worked for the last two runs - 28 mins for my final Wk7 and today...33mins!! I just kept going until the Fat Lady finished (well, Placido Domingo actually...). According to Mapmyrun I covered 4.94k, but I'd be stunned if I really did that distance! That's where my Garmin will be so welcome.
I also had a bowl of porridge instead of my usual cornflakes this morning as it's turned so cold here. Maybe the slow release carbohydrate gave me a bit of a boost.
But it could also be due to my new mantra! I do believe that positive affirmations can change a mind-set, so I've been repeating "I am a runner. I always run for 30 minutes" for the last few days, and especially when the going was tough today, it really seemed to give me the extra something that I needed. I just hope that R2 on Sunday will go as well!