25 minutes! Not me ...........

[Kerm]

I hope this may be of help.

Today I ran there and I ran back again.

Today was W6 R3 and that means 5 mins warm-up walk and 25 minutes running; followed by 5 mins warm down. I succeeded! But I didn't do ONE 25 minute run; I did two 12.5 minute runs back-to-back.

The temptation to stop in today's bitter cold along Worthing seafront was tremendous. I wanted to quit in the first minute, the second and the fifth and the tenth, but I was so 'near' to the end of the run after 10 minutes that I kept going for the remaining 2.5 mins and I'd run there! Yipeeee!

When Laura told me I was half-way, I returned around and began the 12.5 minutes to go back again. I told myself, all I had to do was run half of that distance (6.25 minutes) to begin with and then all I'd have left to do would be the last 6.25 minutes; which is what I did and before I knew it I was "back again".

I appreciate this may seem odd to some of you, but I didn't let the enormity of 25 minutes daunt me; instead I just ran a few little runs - but all together.

Give it a try - and - do please tell me how you get on.

Kind regards & keep running!

Keith

[greenlegs Graduate]

Good scheme! Very much my way of thinking too. It works, strangely enough!

[PeaBea Graduate]

I always run half the real distance as like you when you get to halfway it all seems doable. I love it when I am told it is halfway as then, regardless of speed I know it is going to happen.

[mcc65 Graduate]

I did the same thing too. You're right it does make it seem less daunting. I now use a version of C25K that let's me listen to my own music so I think about how many songs I'm going to listen to and that works too

[thinnerandfitter Graduate]

I can totally see how that works - I used a different podcast this week (Podrunner Skyline1) and that uses intervals of 6 and then 3 minutes at different speeds. I found it easier to keep going with that than the longer runs in Stamina (and a lot easier than week 8/9). I thought I'd miss Laura's "progress reports" but this actually works just as well!

[TX-Bluebonnet Graduate]

I love these mind games, just goes to show how big a role our thoughts, attitudes, and frame of mind play in helping us get through physical challenges. I also try to imagine that I'm running tall, strong, and effortlessly which helps me to varying degrees (depending on how tired I am) to maintain a good running form.

[Kerm]

Thank you for all the kind comments and extra ideas!

I am off to goodwood.co.uk/breakfast-cl... which should be great - and FREE!!!

Kind ones

K

[Khrissy Graduate]

Ha! Good plan Keith. I've just come in from W8 R3 and had to keep telling myself I'll just run to the next side road and see how I feel, then the bus stop, then the traffic lights and .... you get the idea! I've done all the previous runs on a treadmill apart from one so getting outside today was a treat but it's the first time I've set off from the house and I greatly underestimated how fast I would go without the treadmill dictating the speed and had to run past home twice because the circuit I had planned was too small!

[Kerm]

So, back from Goodwood (colder than cold; but loads of other Harley-Davidson riders and lots of smashing cars) and then home for lunch.

NOTE for self. Do not eat buttered Hot Cross Buns; they are made from white flour and that white flour is poison to you Keithy.

You know that - fool!

Anyway,

After my bun, I went for a run (can I feel a poem coming on?)

And it was difficult, hard and tough

If it wasn't for buns; I'd do better runs

And zoom over grass and the rough

As it was, I was wheezing

And running was hard

It was due to the bun;

Plus my coating of lard

In future, I think

I shall have fruit. And a drink

Just water

And things that are good

And then I'll speed home

After my running roam

25 minutes of running? It will be a breeze

Something I'll do with panache and not inconsiderable ease!

(I wish!)

K