Well I completed it, but honestly speaking I am finding this week really hard. It seems to me an awfully big jump from 25mns. I know it is only another 3mns but I do find it a bit of a slog. I also know that I am doing my normal pace so not going anywhere near fast. Trying not to think about next week with yet another 2mns. So onwards and upwards. Last run of this week to complete so see what that brings.
Wk8 run2: Well I completed it, but honestly... - Couch to 5K
Wk8 run2
Sorry to hear you're finding it hard. Oddly I thought you were steaming through apart from the Chinese takeaway on last one. Is it anything in particular, breathing? legs heavy? or just generally tougher?
I'm just back from doing same run and found this one harder than the last even though was slightly slower pace.
Nothing in particular just seems tougher. I find when I have the 5mns left I'm thinking "Oh no I can't do this" but fortunately I do complete it, but can honestly say I am more tired than 25mns. Hey ho onwards and upwards. Good luck for your last run of wk8.
When you say you’re doing your “normal pace”, does that mean the pace you ran for 20 minutes at? You’re going further now. It’s normal to need to slow down to keep it going for longer. You also might need to have a word with your head…it was telling you that you couldn’t do it when you could! Keep telling yourself you’re a runner now and you can do this!!!
There’s no need to move on to next week if you’re not ready though-there’s absolutely no rush. Don’t let that play on your mind. You might find that on your next run if you go slower (especially at the beginning) it’ll be more comfortable. Perhaps take an extra rest day if your legs are tired.
However you found it, that run is still in your legs. You did it. It’s all training and experience. Really good luck for next time.
You did it.
Congratulations.
Can you speak aloud, clear, ungasping sentences as you run?.........if not, you are going too fast.
An easy conversational pace is the most effective to build your stamina and endurance........faster is not necessarily better.
You may find distraction helpful, so that the last things you think about are time and the physicality of running. If music doesn't do it, try podcasts or audiobooks. I used to give myself a running commentary on everything that I could see, hear, feel and smell as I ran, in full florid sentences.
I definitely found this jump up intimidating but found that it helped if I thought about it as my usual run, plus a week 2 run interval. I know I can do two/three minutes so I almost “reset” at 25/28 and then do a 2 or 3 minute run. That works for me personally. Maybe that will work for you too.
Well done on doing it. Good luck for the next one 🍀